This section covers the basics of film and video work on the web, that means making your film or video work available on the internet for viewers to watch on their computers. There has been much talk about the potential that the Internet offers artists for promotion and dissemination of their work. In 2000 there was a real sense, especially in the more mainstream film work that this was the way forward. This was primarily based on the idea that there was there was a developing market for moving image material on the Internet which would expand as access speeds got faster until the service was of sufficient quality that a revenue model could be developed (for example, pay-for-view or subscription).

From the start this area has been led by short films, because (obviously) they are short, so use up less server space and are easier to watch on the current low-band connections that many people in the UK have. Secondly they are usually free of the complicated copyright issues that surround feature films and finally it is an art form in search of effective forms of exhibition and distribution. Since the dot com crash many of the companies involved in Internet streaming have been forced to reassess their activities and look towards offline activities to bring in the income. While it is still early days the Internet does offer artists the potential for worldwide exposure and the setting up of artist-led and non-commercial sites as well as the commercial ones are now offering some interesting new opportunities.