Dave Olivier "PressPausePlay" is worth the watch. Specifically because technology is complicating the creative endeavour.I recently read about how concert tickets are becoming increasingly expensive because artists aren't making enough off record sales. I know for sure that online streaming services, for a small fee per month, are putting me in touch with existing and new music artists, but am I a fan? This is something raised by one of the interviewees in "PressPausePlay", who says that live concerts require a music listener's commitment - they have to leave the comfort of their home, and the endless playlist on the computer, to experience an event where anything can happen; where the artist may not sound as they do on the recording."PressPausePlay" also touches on how creative technologies have become cheaper, allowing anyone the means to be creative. One interviewee shares a great analogy: were we to develop tiny self-replicating machines, unchecked - at some point, the world would be inundated with grey goo.After watching this documentary, three things stand out for me: 1. it is good that the means of producing something artistic is now in more hands, but 2. it is becoming more difficult for the consumer to not be overwhelmed by the volumes of creative material out there, and 3. one needs to guard against the audience becoming the artist.What I like about PressPausePlay is that it draws opinions from people in different creative industries, and that it talks about both technological innovation as a phenomenon and how the artist engages with new technology in his or her own way. I enjoyed Ólafur Arnalds' journey in the documentary.Overall, the production value is impressive. PressPausePlay is beautifully shot, and I enjoyed the montages that punctuate some sequences. I liked how they used sounds of performances in the cut. Most importantly, it made me think about how I practise my craft in a time where just about anyone can make their own movie.

Ake_Andersson Dominating theme of the documentary seems to be "how we all are going to make it again while here are so many of us now?" while viewers are not given a single tangible example of how digitalization has actually changed the actual artistic work-flow and how it would purportedly simplify a creative process given that the objective is still to make something new, fresh and meaningful. Does it really matter then that if the process takes couple of minutes or 6 months then? After 30 minutes watching I couldn't help but ask myself why all those people tell us things that everyone must have heard and read million times already and why the makers of the documentary suppose that I or someone else would automatically accept their authority and expertise in things that they are talking about.Even worse, commentators fail to support their opinions with hard facts or wider academic perspective that would help to explain why so many arguably would like to make art themselves now more than previously. While hipsters don't try to disguise their infatuation for their nice new toys, no one explains convincingly why so many now can afford to buy those things, let alone make their art full-time.While the documentary tells us that "craft is gone" and anyone could make music now, the only thing that epitomizes the assertion is annoying repetitive schmaltz playing in the background.

Julia Thompson Press Pause Play is an enlightened documentary film featuring the musician Moby, as well as many other current artists, who comment on the technological advances that have enabled artists to create more freely; as well as get their art out in the public zeitgeist more quickly and easily. The film discusses whether or not the changing landscape for artists and the new technologies available to both create and promote their art will lead to artists retaining more creative power and access; or whether it will create a brave new zeitgeist of mainly "noise". However, the general theme of the film is optimistic about a renaissance of new fresh art and access for so many of the talented young artists who have a message today. The world is becoming an artistic democracy, where the public is enabled to vote with their computer or smart phone. So, it is apparent that even though many more people with varying degrees of talent are given a voice; the cream will still rise to the top as it always has.

Germaine Chong As a producer of A Design Film Festival, it has been a privilege to preview the films that we screen for the festival. Today, I sat down to PressPausePlay and for the first time, found the need to put into words what this film has done for me.This is possibly the most relevant and important film made in our time about our time.PressPausePlay has beautifully connected the dots of how subconsciously yet drastically, technology has changed the way we do things.Anybody can play an instrument, anybody can operate a camera and anyone can use a software. It is no longer simply about the craft. It is about the idea, the process and the final experience which we deliver. How do we continue to do what a million other people around the world can do and not get lost in the noise? That is the true challenge of our time.There has been no better and more exciting or worst and terrifying a time to be a maker, do-er or creator.