Ok, ready for a bunch of new words.

Strangeberry.
Akimbo.
Orb.
Lulu.

Don't know them - try adding .com and then take a look. I'm sure you don't know of any of them, or at least most. But if you're a filmmaker - each of these companies will matter in the future of film.

First- Strangeberry. I don't know WHAT they do. it's a super-secret silicon valley start up that ties the internet to your TIVO box. How important is the super secret goo? Well Tivo just bought them - to help them move into the IPTV space (that's 'internet protocol television'). This will speed the ability of filmmakers to push films to viewers without going through a network or a distributor.

Second - Akimbo. this product exists. It's a box that sits on your TV, but rather than record content from cable TV - it downloads programs from the internet (IPTV again). They've got deals with GreenCine and CinemaNow already in deals, and more film to your TV via broadband coming along soon.

Orb. Once again - a product that is just rolling out. This is a product that takes digital content (movies, videos, photos, music) that can allow you to down it anywhere that you have a web browser. The content is streamed from you home PC to any device anywhere you are.

Lulu. Today Lulu is an up and running publish-on-demand printing service. You can write a book, lay it out, publish it, and sell it - even buy an ISDN number and it's published through Amazon. Do you think this service is on the horizon for filmmakers - (check out CustomFlix.com for the answer).