I read an article today in the guardian about how Danny Boyle (Director of Slumdog Millionare) has suggested that major cinema companies like odean, vue and showcase should reduce their ticket prices to combat video piracy.

On Monday National Schools Film Week starts, which will see over 560 cinemas nationwide giving free access to children to the cinemas. This is an attempt to regain the youth of today that has moved away from visiting the cinema as a recreational activity. But is it the children that are the majority of downloaders that watch films for free? I dont think so, I think its the more computer literate, 16 – 27 year olds that work or study, with additional commitments on their hands like rent and food bills. On this basis I wonder if cheaper cinema tickets would make a difference to video / film piracy in the UK?

Personally, I think not. I have many reasons for this view, but the main one is that we live in an information age, which is significantly hinged upon the internet. A lot of things we do revolve on the internet and its therefore expected that we will consume all entertainment through this form, in the comfort of our own home.

In laymans terms, we are all getting lazy. Its too much hassle sometimes to go out to the cinema where you have to look for parking, pay for tickets, pay for extortionate popcorn, and then listen to your girlfriend winge through the film. Its much easier to hit download, come back an hour later and hey presto – theres a film ready for you to watch on your samsung 32 inch LCD.

I say good luck to the industry with combating piracy as it is an issue, but I do think we are up against it given the way we are all consuming media digitally at home in our armchairs.