Table Of Content
imdb.com
If you are like many movie and tv watchers, then you have likely had thoughts like these at some point in your movie watching experience. For those of us who enjoy watching a show or movie and then being able to recall the actorâs prior work, it can be really frustrating when we cannot remember what other movies they have been in. In addition, it can be difficult to recognize an actress if we do not know her name. If only there was a site or an app that could provide this information for us easily and without any trouble.
Fortunately, there is an online resource known as IMDb. IMDb is the most comprehensive source of information about films, television shows, video games, and streaming content. Quickly find all the information you could ever require regarding cast, production crew, personal bios, plot synopses, and general trivia in a matter of just a few clicks. Additionally, IMDb offers professional and critical reviews and ratings, allowing you to get a glimpse into a movie or show's reception before watching.
There is no other site like it on the internet. IMDb is the go-to for many cinephiles around the world, both to brush up on their film and television trivia and to discover new shows and movies. No matter what kind of information you are looking for, if it is public knowledge, IMDb has it and makes it easier than ever to access.
History
Many important websites around the world start out as something completely different from what they end up becoming. Facebook, for example, originally started out as a simple "hot or not?" rating system at Harvard. Similarly, IMDb started out as a simple online database of movie information.
Prior to becoming IMDb, the site began as a Usenet post called "Those Eyes?" Created by British programmer Col Needham, this discussion thread was dedicated to discussing actresses who had beautiful eyes. Eventually, "Those Eyes?" caught on and inspired other cinema lovers to create their own lists of actresses with beautiful eyes.
This prompted Needham to create additional lists, such as simple archives of actors, directors, writers, actresses. By the end of 1990, the list had grown to include about 10,000 movies and television series. The overwhelming interest in his lists led Needham to code a version of the list that made it easily searchable for anyone curious. This primitive combination of lists eventually gave rise to IMDb.
In 1996, IMDb was incorporated in the United Kingdom. The company remained independently owned by Needham for only two short years. In 1998, a tech mogul would swoop in and acquire IMDb. The purchase was made by Jeff Bezos and Needham, and Amazon purchased IMDb for 55 million dollars. IMDb, from there on out, would be attached to Amazon as a subsidiary company.
Under new management, IMDb continued to grow and expand its services in 2002 with the introduction of IMDb Pro. IMDb Pro provided subscribers with exclusive film production and box office information on titles as well as a professional directory of industry insiders. IMDb Pro was touted as a must-have subscription for anyone trying to break into the film industry.
IMDb continues to grow in new and different media areas. On January 10th of 2019, IMDb also launched a new streaming service known as IMDb TV. On IMDb TV, users can stream movies for free with ads. It is uncertain where IMDb will head in the years to come, but one thing that seems certain is that IMDb is on a sure trajectory toward continued growth.
Design
The user interface is clean, coordinated, and understated.
The aesthetic of IMDb might be described as bold but minimalist. Although it may sound paradoxical, IMDb has been able to strike a balance between the flashy and the understated by juxtaposing bright, neutral colors with simple and stylized typesets. This is achieved through the use of black on a white background with a loud yellow splash screen. The user interface is clean, coordinated, and understated.
From the site's design, it is easy to navigate and use. There is very little clutter on the screen, despite the large amount of data contained within this database. Everything is well organized and in its place. Finding whatever feature of IMDb you are looking for is as simple as pressing a button - even if you are a first-time user. This is how site design should be: immediately accessible, simple, and streamlined.
Content
Upon clicking the "menu" button on the top left of the screen, a dropdown menu will appear that contains a variety of features. I appreciate this style of menu because it offers users a great selection of options and makes it seem as though they are viewing a new page, without having to reload the entire page. This is an intelligent design component.
Here, you may select from a few categories for browsing content on the site. This expansive site is organized by following: Movies, TV Shows, Awards & Events, Celebs, Videos, and Community. Each section features a long list of options to further guide your exploration.
The Videos section of the site offers up IMDb TV, an IMDb original content series called You're Not a Monster, as well as IMDb original coverage of awards shows and other events. If IMDb keeps up pumping out content like this, they could be poised to give streaming services like Netflix and Hulu a run for their money in the years to come.
Desktop and Mobile Experience
I highly recommend IMDb, both the app and the desktop site. Together, they will provide you with unlimited knowledge of film, TV shows, and actors. The app is very convenient to have on your phone; it can help you out in conversations at bars or cafés when friends are arguing about who played what role in a given movie and nobody can remember. In seconds, you will have all the information you need. The app is easy to use and takes all of the features of IMDb down into easy-to-understand bits.
I am a person that is sort of a purist when it comes to watching video content. I don't like to do it on my phone. If I am going to watch something, especially some of the longer-form content that IMDb offers like movies or original series, I would much prefer to do so on my computer, where the resolution will be better and the screen larger. So, I would recommend using both the IMDb app and the desktop site in order to truly get the most out of this site.
Pricing and Plans
Since the vast majority of IMDb is free to use, and the app is free to download for iPhone or Android, there is no reason not to visit IMDb every once in a while. However, if you are either in the film or TV industry, or are looking for a way into it, an IMDb Pro subscription could prove invaluable.
As an actor, crew member, agent, or executive in the film industry, IMDb Pro is like the LinkedIn of the industry. With a Pro subscription, you can post your resume and contact information as well as browse an enormous list of industry contacts. Gain the email address and phone numbers of some of the most valuable names in Hollywood as a IMDb Pro member. Anyone who commits to the monthly fee of $19.99 (if you pay per month) or $14.99 if you pay annually can take advantage of unprecedented professional networking benefits.
Conclusion
IMDb is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to know more about movies and TV. It has information on both casual movie fans and hardcore film buffs, and it is especially useful for people in the movie industry.
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