From zones to Zoom: Shakespeare on screen in the digital era

Abstract

This introduction explores the consequences of the digital revolution on the production, distribution, dissemination, and study of Shakespeare on screen. Since the end of the 20th century, the rise (and fall) of the DVD, the digitalisation of sounds and images allowing us to experience and store films on our computers, the spreading of easy filming/editing tools, the live broadcasts of theatre performances in cinemas or on the Internet, the development of online archives and social media, as well as the globalisation of production and distribution have definitely changed the ways Shakespeare on screen is (re)created, consumed, shared, and examined.