Spike Lee Thinks Small

Nokia has signed up Spike Lee to make a short film for cell phones, relying on some user-contributed content, according to the NY Times. The user content will have been shot using cell phones.

Laura Holson writes:

By hiring Mr. Lee for the project, Nokia is seeking to combine the populist appeal of user-generated content with the power of a famous director’s pedigree. The film will have three acts, each three to five minutes long, with the theme loosely based on the concept of humanity.

“I’m interested because it’s a great collaborative effort,” Mr. Lee said. “Within five years, new movies will be made with devices like these.”

He added: “I like working with people who have talent but aren’t in film school.”

The project is an experiment for Mr. Lee, but it is also a way for Nokia to promote its wares. Cellphone companies are all trying to position their products not just as devices for talking, but as multimedia devices that can play music, search the Web and capture video.

Lee says that he himself is "a dinosaur," and that his kids help him turn on the TV at home.