MEDIA-I: New media choice: 8arts

<p>John Lambie </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Creative director, CCG.XM Asia </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Site: www.8arts.com </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Watching films online is not everyone's bag of popcorn - blame it on the </p><p>comfort factor of the average swivel chair. Nevertheless, you should </p><p>still swing by 8arts.com, a terrific showcase of Asian animation, short </p><p>film and documentary. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>This nicely packaged site features an interesting, entertaining, </p><p>challenging and sometimes disturbing folio of work from some big wheels </p><p>in independent Southeast Asian film, as well as some promising </p><p>up-and-comers. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>I won't spoil your fun with a lengthy critique of each film, but there </p><p>is plenty of quality work, as well as the predictable pseudo-artsy </p><p>dross. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>You'll enjoy a fast download time and better than standard sound and </p><p>image quality, albeit on a smallish RealPlayer screen. But give me small </p><p>and slick over big and clunky any day. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, the site fails to give these young filmmakers what they need </p><p>most - publicity. There's little information on the artists, no 'tell a </p><p>friend' option, the discussion forum is like a ghost town and I'm still </p><p>waiting for that newsletter I signed up for weeks ago. It also fails to </p><p>interact with and engage the viewer or create a buzz about the </p><p>films. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>It could benefit greatly from viewer feedback, ratings and comments. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>And while no-one likes to be told the ending, some of the films' precis </p><p>do exactly that. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>