Aardman director produces stunning viral film to mark MS Week

Aardman director Darren Robbie, who was a lead animator on the classic film Chicken Run and now runs Chopsy Animation, has produced a stunning short animated film for the MS Society which graphically and powerfully depicts the reality of living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Launched during MS Week (23-29 May), it is hoped the 35 second film, a first for the charity, will go viral and raise awareness and cash for this much misunderstood and potentially devastating condition, most commonly diagnosed in people’s 20s and 30s.

It is hoped the viral will drive traffic to the MS Society’s dedicated website www.mapms.org.uk where visitors can record their own films and join the new MS Register, a groundbreaking research tool which has the potential to revolutionise the way people with MS access care and services.

Darren has directed almost 50 commercials for a wide variety of companies and has taken time out of his busy schedule to make the film for free for the MS Society (a film which would normally cost tens of thousands of pounds to produce) in memory of his sister who died as a result of complications relating to MS a couple of years ago.

The film uses a busy workplace as a metaphor for the human brain to educate people about how the condition affects human motor function.  Instead of workers we see different body parts losing their jobs and being fired, to represent the way body functions can unexpectedly be lost or impaired when someone has MS.

Darren Robbie said of his film: “I really wanted to do something to help the MS Society and this was the best way for me to highlight how debilitating this disease can be; hopefully the film will be useful for many years to come. The disease has affected my family in a terrible way; we all deeply miss my younger sister who had progressive MS and hope that some kind of cure can be found in the near future. Thankfully I had a great bunch of people supporting and helping me in the making of this film, especially Di Tansey and Rachel Foley at Irish International BBDO; Gavin Little at Echolab; and a whole host of folk at Aardmans in Bristol (who really are too numerous to mention).”

The MS Register is dependent upon people with MS taking part.  That’s why a number of high-profile supporters including Alan Carr, whose close friend Carolyn has MS are today coming together to urge people to sign up.

The comedian said: “There’s currently no cure for MS, and to find one, more research is desperately needed. Become part of the bigger picture and join the MS Register now.”

To support MS Week visit www.mapms.org.uk

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE RETURNS TO THE BIG SCREEN FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY

40 years after its groundbreaking release, Volkswagen celebrates with screening in original film location

An exclusive screening of Stanley Kubrick’s four-time Oscar nominated cult classic, A Clockwork Orange, is set to take place on Thursday 2 June at Brunel University in West London – one of the key locations featured in the groundbreaking British film.

The event is the latest in Volkswagen’s See Film Differently series, designed to provide film fans with a behind the scenes style insight into some of the most memorable and iconic British films.

It follows original location screenings of An American Werewolf in London which was held inside ZSL London Zoo, gangster classic Get Carter, shown at Newcastle Racecourse and Trainspotting, screened at the Royal Scottish Academy; all notable locations featured in the classic films.

Fans of A Clockwork Orange, which celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year, will be able to watch the film in Brunel University’s lecture theatre.  This serves as the setting for one of the film’s unforgettable scenes in which Alex, played by Malcolm McDowell, is subjected to experimental aversion therapy.

The event will also feature a one-off exhibition of original stills and film memorabilia provided by the Stanley Kubrick Estate and TASCHEN, publishers of The Stanley Kubrick Archives.

In addition, those fortunate enough to attend will be treated to complimentary cinema style food in the ‘Moloko Bar’, a specially themed exhibition space inspired by the milk drink favoured by Alex and his gang in the film.

Tickets for the event are free and available courtesy of Volkswagen through an online ticket draw.  For the chance to win tickets, film fans should log on to www.seefilmdifferently.com, and register their interest.  Ticket applications close at midday onFriday 27 May and all lucky winners will be informed on Friday 27 May.  Tickets will be allocated at random.

Film fans can find out more about Volkswagen’s campaign and share their views on the events by visiting the Facebook page:www.facebook.com/seefilmdifferently. 

FACCIA A FACCIA (Face to Face), a film by Sergio SOLLIMA on DVD

 

---

SYNOPSIS:

One of the best films from Italian genre master Sergio Sollima (The Big Gundown), Faccia a Faccia (Face to Face ) is a gangbusting western saga and a gripping parable of the rise of fascism. Upstanding history professor Brad Fletcher (played by the incomparable Gian Maria Volonte) is forced into retirement by his poor health and moves west for the warmer climate. Almost as soon as he arrives, however, he is taken hostage by famed bandit Solomon Bennett (the great Tomas Milian) in an accidental confrontation, and by necessity is forced to take up with his cohorts. But the learned man's growing identification with the gang encourages him to stage a takeover from Bennett, and a new crueller system of leadership is put into place.


Produced by Sergio Leone's longtime partner Alberto Grimaldi, featuring stunning Techniscope cinematography, and a pounding score by il maestro Ennio Morricone, Faccia a Faccia (Face to Face ) is released on DVD in the UK on 20 June 2011.

---

SPECIAL FEATURES:

- Original Italian audio with newly translated English subtitles,

- US & Italian Theatrical trailers,

- Interview with director Sergio Sollima, lavish 16 page booklet containing new essay by spaghetti western expert Howard Hughes

---

DETAILS:

Label: Eureka Entertainment

Catalogue No: EKA40324

Barcode: 5060000403244

RRP: £16.34

Release Date: 20 June 2011

Certificate: 12

Run Time: 92 min

Format:  2.35:1 OAR/ Colour

Genre: Spaghetti Western

Director: Sergio SOLLIMA

Year: 1967

Country:  Italy/Spain

Language: Italian

Subtitles: English (Optional)

---

Independent Cinema Shortwave hosts UK Green Film Festival

Bermondsey Square’s independent cinema, Shortwave is hosting the best in green films and filmmakers over a single weekend including Day Of The Triffids, Vanishing Of The Bees, Wasteland, Wall-E and the nationwide premier Planeat.

Shortwave, one of two independent cinemas within the Igloo development will be showcasing an eclectic selection of iconic filmsthemed around the environment and climate change. Many of the showings will be accompanied by a question and answer session from people involved with the film. It is hoped that the UK Green Film Festival will reach a wide audience via the medium of cinema, reiterating the important message of sustainable living already heeded by a committed few.

The UK Green Film Festival is just one of many themed seasons that Shortwave has hosted in its eventful two-year existence. The residents of Bermondsey Square and the wider community have also experienced cultural highlights from the London Spanish Film Festival, Discover Latin America, London Kurdish Film Festival, and the Black Filmmaker Festival.

CREATIVE SCOTLAND PROVIDES £1 MILLION FOR EXPLORATION OF NEW INVESTMENT MODELS FOR FILM

Creative Scotland today (17 May 2011) unveiled a £1million investment into four pilot initiatives that will test new approaches to increasing the distribution and appreciation of Scottish cultural content, develop new audiences and return greater value to Scottish companies from film activities.

Caroline Parkinson, Director of Creative Development, Creative Scotland said:

‘Scotland’s film sector is rich with talent, ambition and expertise and Creative Scotland will invest to drive an increase in the impact and reach of films produced in Scotland and in the investment environment for producers  

‘Today’s announcement reinforces Creative Scotland’s commitment to invest in Scotland’s creative future and to see the country recognised as one of the world’s most creative nations.’

The new initiatives are:

Sigma Releasing: One of Scotland’s most prolific film production companies has created a new integrated business model which will allow them to co-release its films in the UK. Creative Scotland investment will allow them to contribute to the print and advertising costs of the UK release and allow it to reinvest the revenue generated from distribution across the range of its film activities.

Creative Scotland is investing £250,000 into Sigma Releasing.

Gillian Berrie, Director, Sigma Films said:

‘It’s great to have the resources to collaborate with Icon on You Instead and Arrow on Perfect Senseto support the UK releases and embrace and explore new distribution models and strategies.’

The MacKendrick Fund: a co-venture with the existing Aegis Fund and Prescience, this new commercial fund will offer debt and equity finance to domestic and international feature films with Scottish elements, or to be shot or post-produced in Scotland. The fund, which aims to be fully operational later in 2011, will further enhance the package Scottish producers can take to the market, using Creative Scotland investment to provide access to film finance on preferential terms. At the same time, the fund will also attract commercial international feature films of quality to Scotland.

Creative Scotland is investing £500,000 in the MacKendrick Fund.

Claire Mundell, Director, Mackendrick Capital Partners and co-founder of Synchronicity Films said:

‘The strategic support of Creative Scotland is vital as we build this exciting new film funding venture, based in Scotland. We look forward to helping international and domestic producers realise their projects and putting Scotland on the map as an attractive global film destination.’

Tim Smith, Managing Director, Prescience said:

‘Prescience is delighted to be a part of this vital initiative that will allow Scottish projects to gain a greater prominence on the world stage, where they belong.’

The Virtuous Circle (SDI Productions Ltd): a new model to test documentary financing through audience engagement, using a suite of digital tools that will allow producers and filmmakers to engage with potential audiences and investors at every stage of the development, production and distribution cycles of a film. Using crowd-sourcing models, the aim of The Virtuous Circle will be to explore a sustainable international documentary sector in Scotland.

Creative Scotland is investing £100,000 in The Virtuous Circle.

Noe Mendelle, Director, Scottish Documentary Institute said:

‘We are very excited to be given the unique opportunity test these new progressive ideas linked to production and distribution over the next 18 months. We have been observing our colleagues in North America and realised that we have some catching up to do. We look forward to sharing our findings with the documentary community.’

La Belle Allée/Savalas Sound Post Equity Fund: 

A fund to allow sound post-production facility, Savalas to offer equity investment to attract international production to Scotland and discounts for locally produced feature films. Savalas is the only Dolby Premier studio outside of London and this fund would allow the company to attract large-scale projects and lead to the company becoming an equity stakeholder in the projects they invest in.

Creative Scotland is investing £125,000 in La Belle Allée/Savalas Sound Post Equity Fund.

Karen Smyth, Producer, La Belle Allée:

‘La Belle Allée are delighted to be involved in the creation and running of a post-production equity investment fund, alongside Scotland’s leading sound post production facility, Savalas. We look forward to attracting high quality projects to Scotland, as well offering domestic production world-class facilities at an affordable price.’

The new initiatives will help inform Creative Scotland’s future film investment policy.

The organisation also recently announced an increase in its film investment funds, bringing the total available for development and production of film and television in Scotland this year to £3 million.

Ad-supported “free” movie websites are hindering the fight against piracy

Johnny Depp may be a hero at the box office in his role of the wicked but lovable ‘pirate of the Caribbean’, Jack Sparrow, but it is pirating of another sort that continues to cause concern for Hollywood movie moguls.

“I’m willing to bet that thousands have already illegally watched the latest much-anticipated “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie (On Stranger Tides) which has just been released at cinemas in the UK, without giving a thought to what this means for the movie industry,” said Mr McCluskey,  CEO of British-based video hosting service, vzaar, who suggested wryly that perhaps online pirates should be made to walk the plank.

He believes that piracy is being exacerbated by “ad-supported” video streaming websites:

“Websites that are offering ‘free’ movies by means of financing the service with advertising breaks are just muddying the waters – people are now confused about which sites are illegal and which not.”

As head of vzaar, Mr McCluskey oversees the delivery of hundreds of thousands of hours of high quality online video, both embedded and streamed on his client’s websites through the feature-rich vzaar platform. He has a particular interest, however, in feature films  because vzaar’s ability to stream full-length features in high definition is one of its strengths – and what brought it to the attention of top Hollywood director, Oliver Stone, who was so impressed he has invested in the company.

“Having worked closely with Oliver I understand the implications of movie piracy – it is a problem he and his colleagues in Hollywood are constantly discussing,” said Mr McCluskey.

Although huge efforts have been made to stamp out “free” pirated movie download sites, particularly in the United States where many high-profile prosecutions have taken place, the practice still continues, and, judging by the results of a recent study by Price Waterhouse Coopers, the pirates “just don’t give a darn”.

“From the study it appears piracy is still a far more attractive option than any premium video on-demand service. People want something for nothing, regardless of quality.” said Mr McCluskey.

He said Oliver Stone – currently working on his new movie, Savages, with its all-star cast including John Travolta and Una Thurman – believes that piracy is seriously damaging the movie industry.

“One thing that we can do to decrease piracy is to ensure that there are sites available that offer far superior, high quality delivery of movie content which viewers are willing to pay to access, rather than resort to second-rate copies on pirate sites. Also, earlier movie release dates for legitimate pay-on-demand sites may deter impatient pirates,” suggested Mr McCluskey.

He said vzaar’s premium video platform was the ideal vehicle for delivering impeccable movie content online, and was being increasingly sought after for the purpose by pay-on-demand movie website owners – “those who want to support the film industry and keep the hit movies coming”.

British online video platform streams hit HD movies

Hollywood movie director, Oliver Stone, shareholder in the British-based online video delivery platform, vzaar, believes the internet is becoming an increasing “force in the world of film” and the day is not far off when online video streaming of box office hits will completely replace “on-demand” TV movies and DVD rental services.

“Oliver is a man with great foresight, and like many of the major players in the movie industry he has realised that the future of film distribution is online – it’s just a case of video streaming capability improving all round to meet the high standards of consumers,” said Mr Stephen McCluskey, CEO of vzaar.

“This has the potential to be the biggest revolution in the movie industry since the invention of VCRs and video tape in the 1970s.”

Mr McCluskey said this was why Mr Stone – currently in Hollywood working on a new film, Savages, which follows hard on the heels of his 2010 hit, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps – invested in vzaar, which has the technology which allows its clients to broadcast full-length feature films online, in HD and with optimal quality.

In a recent conversation with Mr McCluskey, the director shared his opinion that when all online video delivery platforms matched the high quality that vzaar offered, movie fans would flock to watch new releases on the internet.

With the increasing proliferation of mobile internet devices, people can – and would increasingly – watch the top box office hits online via one of the hundreds of movie library websites, not only on their living-room sofa but while sitting on the train going to work, or sitting in a campsite on holiday.

“Film-makers also regard the internet as a particularly powerful publicity tool – trailers and clips of new movies are being put online, targeted at desired audiences, and going viral through social networking sites. For the movie industry this has proved the most efficient and effective form of advertising for new productions ever experienced,” said Mr McCluskey.

“Our vzaar platform has features which allow for smooth, high-definition delivery of full-length movies, and many of our clients are using vzaar to broadcast films. We are pleased to be leading the way in the field of streaming online video technology, and giving film-makers the means to capitalise on the powerful advantages of putting their product on the internet.”

BFI Preview: Cars 2 in 3D

Plus Q&A with John Lasseter

 

BFI Southbank is delighted to announce a very special preview of Cars 2 in 3D along with a Q&A with the film’s director John Lasseter on Sun 17 July at 16:30.

 

One of the most anticipated animated films of the year, Cars 2 tells the story of Lightning McQueen and Mater as they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix. Once there, they find that the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and surprises when Mater gets caught up in international espionage.

 

Mater’s journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. Featuring a new all-car cast in 3D!

 

Preview: Cars 2 in 3D

USA 2011. Dir John Lasseter & Brad Lewis.

With voices of Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt, Michael Caine. r/t & cert tbc.

Courtesy of Walt Disney Motion Pictures UK

The Disney 50 Pass - Buy 10 tickets and save 20%

Adults: £76 (Saving £19.10), Members: £64 (saving £16), Kids: £40 (Save £10)

Family Ticket

Ticket for 4 people: £20 (2 Adults, 2 Children or 1 Adult, 3 Children)

 

The BFI Southbank is open to all. BFI members are entitled to a discount on all tickets.  BFI Southbank Box Office tel: 020 7928 3232. Unless otherwise stated tickets are £9.50, concs £6.75 Members pay £1.50 less on any ticket. Website www.bfi.org.uk/southbank

The Alien Deception Has Been Kindled.

 After being briefly published as a paperback messed around by or
ignored by publishers The Alien Deception is now available for a mere
$6.89 in the USA or £4.21 in the UK as an ebook on Kindle. It covers the history of the alien
abduction phenomenon using the Betty and Barney Hill case as a
stepping stone and the Magonian frame of reference as the guiding
light. To US readers this means Lit. Crit. armchair ufology, to the
rest of us it attempts to provide a finely tuned sociopsychological
perspective on this 50-year-old enigma.

Description

Since the 1960s thousands of people throughout the world have reported
being abducted by aliens. They report being taken in broad daylight or
at night. Some say they were simply looked at by seemingly alien
beings, while others say they were horribly examined.

At times, after such encounters, the abductee has little conscious
recollection of these events, and usually through nightmares,
flashbacks and hypnosis they eventually learn more. Some abductees
even believe they have been used as part of a breeding project to
create hybrid alien/humans. Almost all are truly bewildered by their
experiences.

Ultimately, alien abductions make us consider fundamental questions
about our place in the universe and our future evolution as a species.
Are abductions real events that have momentous consequences for the
whole of humanity or are they the product of rumour, psychosis,
hoaxes, media hype and sensationalism? Is there a grand Alien
Deception manipulating our minds and our governments or are we
deceiving ourselves?

Nigel Watson's groundbreaking exploration of alien abductions takes a
comprehensive look at the reports by the earliest abductees (such as
Betty and Barney Hill), right up to the latest encounters. Watson
considers the possible historical, paranormal, extraterrestrial,
psychological and media influences that might help explain the origin
of these reports.

Product details
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 450 KB

USA Amazon at:
http://tinyurl.com/3wh3ote

UK Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00506U1QC/ref=

British online video platform streams hit HD movies

Hollywood movie director, Oliver Stone, shareholder in the British-based online video delivery platform, vzaar, believes the internet is becoming an increasing “force in the world of film” and the day is not far off when online video streaming of box office hits will completely replace “on-demand” TV movies and DVD rental services.

“Oliver is a man with great foresight, and like many of the major players in the movie industry he has realised that the future of film distribution is online – it’s just a case of video streaming capability improving all round to meet the high standards of consumers,” said Mr Stephen McCluskey, CEO of vzaar.

“This has the potential to be the biggest revolution in the movie industry since the invention of VCRs and video tape in the 1970s.”

Mr McCluskey said this was why Mr Stone – currently in Hollywood working on a new film, Savages, which follows hard on the heels of his 2010 hit, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps – invested in vzaar, which has the technology which allows its clients to broadcast full-length feature films online, in HD and with optimal quality.

In a recent conversation with Mr McCluskey, the director shared his opinion that when all online video delivery platforms matched the high quality that vzaar offered, movie fans would flock to watch new releases on the internet.

With the increasing proliferation of mobile internet devices, people can – and would increasingly – watch the top box office hits online via one of the hundreds of movie library websites, not only on their living-room sofa but while sitting on the train going to work, or sitting in a campsite on holiday.

“Film-makers also regard the internet as a particularly powerful publicity tool – trailers and clips of new movies are being put online, targeted at desired audiences, and going viral through social networking sites. For the movie industry this has proved the most efficient and effective form of advertising for new productions ever experienced,” said Mr McCluskey.

“Our vzaar platform has features which allow for smooth, high-definition delivery of full-length movies, and many of our clients are using vzaar to broadcast films. We are pleased to be leading the way in the field of streaming online video technology, and giving film-makers the means to capitalise on the powerful advantages of putting their product on the internet.”

VUE ENTERTAINMENT CREATES NEW FILM SHOW FOR CHANNEL 4

Vue Entertainment is launching an innovative new 10 part TV series called ‘The Vue Film Show’ in a unique collaboration between the cinema giant and Channel 4, which will be packed with reviews and interviews with the film industry’s A-list stars and showcase the very latest movie news. Sassy Films will produce the series.

Hosted by film buff and Radio 1 DJ, Edith Bowman, the series will be filmed on location at Vue Westfield – the UK’s leading cinema, with features including exclusive cast and director interviews, reports from premieres and events and celebrity guest reviewers discussing the biggest new film releases. The show format is built around viewer involvement, with Bowman’s celebrity interviews including questions that have been submitted by Vue’s Twitter followers. In an exclusive competition running through the series, viewers will also be offered the chance to attend a London premiere as a red carpet reporter for the show.

The deal was brokered directly between Vue’s Head of Marketing Daniel Heale, Sassy Films Director, Nicholas Lazarus and Channel 4.

Launching on 26^th May, the show will air on Channel 4 on Thursday nights and be repeated on Saturday mornings. It will also be available through Channel 4’s video on demand service, 4oD and Channel 4’s YouTube channel.

Vue’s Sales & Marketing Director, Mark De Quervain comments; “The Vue Film Show will be the only programme of its kind on commercial terrestrial TV and will be the first time that we have brought our love of films to the small screen. We will have the biggest film stars talking about the latest movies and answering questions from our viewers each week, in a fresh format never seen before from a movie show. The Vue Film Show is a must-see for movie buffs and film novices alike.” 

Sagina Shabaya, Deputy Commissioning Editor, Off-Peak Programming for Channel 4 comments; “We’re thrilled to be working with film experts Vue and film buff presenter Edith Bowman to bring our film loving audience the hottest news, stars and events from the film industry.” 

Abandoned out on DVD

‘Abandoned’ stars Hollywood A-lister Brittany Murphy in the last ever film she made before her untimely death just over a year ago. She co-stars with Dean Cain, Mimi Rogers and Peter Bogdanovich in this mesmerising psychological thriller which is released on retail DVD by Scanbox Entertainment on June 13.


High-powered senior bank manager Mary Walsh (Brittany Murphy) takes her new boyfriend Kevin Peterson (Dean Cain) to hospital for routine outpatient surgery.
When she returns later to take him home, he's mysteriously vanished and a hospital administrator (Mimi Rogers) can find no record of him ever being admitted.


A police search turns up nothing and her friends who have never met him don’t believe her.


No one believes Mary’s story at the hospital either, particularly when she drops what turn out to be a packet of anti-depressant pills on the floor.


She is taken to see one of the hospital’s psychiatric consultants Dr. Markus Bensley (Peter Bogdanovich) for evaluation and he pronounces her unstable and delusional so now she is faced with not only finding her missing boyfriend but proving her own sanity as well.


When a stranger tells her he knows where Kevin is and demands a 10 million dollar ransom, she has one hour to comply... while, so she thinks, her boyfriend's life hangs in the balance.


Forced to embezzle the money from the bank where she works, Mary then discovers the shocking truth behind his disappearance … the stranger and Kevin are conspirators and she is the victim of a cruel and elaborate hoax.


Time is now running out and she must take matters into her own hands to save herself.

‘Abandoned’ has a run time of 84 minutes, a 12 certificate and a recommended retail price of £ 12.99. 

‘Pathfinders: In The Company Of Strangers’ DVD

‘Pathfinders: In The Company Of Strangers’ is an inspirational story of courage, daring and selfless devotion to duty during one of the most widely unrecognised missions of the Second World War.

There is something very special about a small group of men who are willing to lay down their lives to secure freedom for millions of others and this film is based on the actual events that took place and the bravery and heroism of these men.

Starring Michael Conner Humphreys (‘Forest Gump’) and Christopher Serrone (‘Goodfellas’), ‘Pathfinders: In The Company Of Strangers’ is released by High Fliers on retail DVD on May 9^th and already looks set to replicate the huge success of High Fliers’ DVD blockbuster ‘Passchendaele’ which tells another great untold story of World War II.

The Pathfinders are a small elite group of American paratroopers who drop behind enemy lines and land right in the lap of the German Infantry. They are outnumbered, unsupported, and racing against the clock.

Their sole purpose is to stay alive long enough to find a strategic location and set up the top secret navigation equipment needed to guide in the main airborne assault on D-Day.  Failure would cost the lives of thousands of Allied troops.

 This group of paratroopers is a mix of renegades from different military units. They are strangers to one another, thrown together at the last minute, with no time to prepare and with two different Commanding Officers.  

It is also a recipe for disaster and a violation of all the rules of warfare. Only a miracle is going to make the mission work.
  

‘Pathfinders – In The Company Of Strangers’ has a run time of 90 minutes, a 15 (tbc) certificate and a recommended retail price of £12.99. 

Millions watch internet news video of Bin Laden’s demise

Internet video no longer plays “second fiddle” to television when it comes to broadcasting international news like the shooting of Osama Bin Laden, according to Stephen McCluskey, top online video marketing strategist and CEO of the UK’s leading professional online video platform, vzaar.

During the past week millions have followed major world events via online video – Britain’s Royal Wedding was watched by an estimated 400-million, while almost as many sought out news websites and clicked eagerly on related video as news broke of the shooting of Bin Laden, “most wanted” terrorist leader.

Mr McCluskey says content delivery network Akamai reported that during the night after the story broke of Bin Laden’s death there were more than 4.1 million page views per minute on news sites around the world.

“Indeed, internet video even plays a part in the news, besides just reporting it,” says Mr McCluskey. “President Obama and his officials in the White House reportedly watched the raid on Bin Laden’s Pakistan compound on a large screen, transmitted from a wireless video camera installed on the helmet of a Navy Seal.”

“There is a feverish hunger out there for seeing the real thing when it comes to international events – the children of the information age are no longer satisfied with static pictures and text on websites.”

Mr McCluskey believes live internet streaming and video on news sites offers a new dimension to the way the media reports international events – just as online video has revolutionised the way businesses of all sizes market and advertise their goods and services on the Internet.

“There is television, of course, which allows us to see what’s going on – but the added value of seeing events via internet video is that it is embedded in a webpage with access to complementary information and commentary, and in most cases a forum for immediately sharing our thoughts and views on what we are watching with others.”

“It’s a clear trend – more people than ever watch the events of the world from their computer screens, not their television. With this huge demographic shift to video hosting, smart businesses and news providers must take steps to ensure that the videos they host are high quality,” said Mr McCluskey, whose company, vzaar, offers the world’s leading easy-to-use, feature-rich and high quality video delivery platform, used by top clients such as the Press Association.