The Digital Era 2

2 Media: Innovation, Self-production, Creativity

This chapter analyzes the growing role that users are playing in media production and distribution. In several areas, this role has changed significantly due to the spread of digital technology. A new creative space sometimes emerges; following a form that is specific to each media, innovation is partly based on a community of users whose role varies according to said media. It is therefore time to assess the impact of this self-production, which illustrates an evolving division of labor, both between producers and consumers and between amateurs and professionals. This study examines the book, image, music, press and video game sectors from a very international perspective.

Change is already noticeable in film, video, music, press and games. Each of these sectors illustrates a real disruption: the production of new content is linked to digital broadcasting. A community model has spread widely in music and video game circles; is it a panacea? Not always: the following detailed study makes it possible to take the dimension of self-production which, apparently, does not exclude the idea that professional commercial production can adapt to circumstances and technical innovation. This chapter therefore analyzes the role of users in the production, maintenance and distribution of digital content. It notes the progressive creation of a new space for users, according to forms that are specific to each media. It also assesses the role of ...