Barco Highlights Compact Projector 3D Sound Format at Ficci Frames

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Wed, 03/13/2013 - 20:00 -- Nick Dager

Earlier this week Barco presented its digital cinema technologies during the annual Ficci Frames convention in Mumbai India. Highlights included the compact DP2K-10S projector and the Auro 11.1 3D sound system by Barco. Barco’s DP2K-10S digital projector is a compact and fully integrated digital cinema projector designed to meet the specific requirements of smaller theaters independent cinemas and art houses. Auro 11.1 was developed to turn conventional cinema audio into a fully immersive 3D sound experience. The company says the new format is fully compatible with existing standards and requires minimal hardware and installation investment. World-class movie production requires world-class presentation ” says Abel Garamhegyi managing director at Barco India. “Whether it is through the impressive sound delivered by the Auro 11.1 or through cutting-edge projectors for single screen cinemas like the DP2K-10S. Barco is extremely proud to cooperate further with the Indian cinema industry to further enhance the quality of cinema solutions.” Ficci Frames is a three-day global convention that covers the entire gamut of media and entertainment including films broadcast (TV and radio) digital entertainment animation gaming and visual effects. The event draws nearly 2 000 Indian and 800 foreign delegates encompassing the entire media and entertainment industry. ,3933
Blood Brother Top Feature at 2013 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival ,2013-03-14,Blood Brother a 93-minute film by Steve Hoover about a young man who set aside his comfortable life to help children at an AIDS orphanage in India won the top prize at the 2013 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival which was held last month in Missoula Montana. “This is one of those films that makes you feel bigger and more inspired after you watch it — which is a measure of any great piece of art ” said Travis Morss director of programming at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. “Every second is a privilege to watch. There’s not a wasted minute. We feel fortunate that we had the opportunity to share this film with audiences and are happy to recognize it with this year’s Feature Documentary award.” Not Yet Begun to Fight” by Sabrina Lee and Shasta Grenier won the 2013 Big Sky Award given each year to the best documentary film about the American West. The 60-minute film tells the story of a retired Marine colonel who brings five traumatically wounded military veterans to Montana to learn to fly fish. Notably that film’s director of photography Justin Lubke himself won the Big Sky Award in 2008 for his film Class C. Amar a 9-minute film by UK filmmaker Andrew Hinton about a 14-year old boy’s difficult daily life won the Best Mini Documentary award. Slomo Joshua Izenberg’s film about a neurologist who decides to give up his job in search of greater meaning won Best Short Documentary. The Thick Dark Fog a film by Randy Vasquez about a Lakota man’s efforts to reclaim his heritage was honored with a Big Sky Artistic Vision citation. The Words in the Margins a 15-minute film by Sara Mott about a unique friendship forged between an illiterate American man and his Kenyan reading tutor received a Mini Documentary Artistic Vision citation. Do Not Duplicate a film by Jonathan Mann and Sean McGing about a safecracker and artist in New York City received a Short Documentary Artistic Vision citation. Morss said this year’s 10th annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival surpassed last year’s record-setting attendance of 20 000. “Pretty much every day we had at least one sold-out screening this year ” said Morss. “We’ve seen a significant increase in attendance by people coming from out of state who aren’t filmmakers or professionals — people who are coming simply because they heard this is a great festival. That feels like a great validation and really helps add to the buzz and excitement at every screening.” More than 100 filmmakers and dozens of industry professionals attended this year’s festival which featured 10 straight days of screenings at the historic Wilma Theatre and the Crystal Theatre in downtown Missoula. Big Sky Documentary Film Festival www.BigSkyFilmFest.org ,3934
Cinedigm Acquires Worldwide Rights to Absence,2013-03-14,Cinedigm has acquired worldwide distribution rights to Absence  Jimmy Loweree’s debut feature film. Cinedigm's theatrical distribution of Absence will commence in late 2013 with subsequent roll out across on-demand digital DVD and broadcast. In Absence which was independently produced and directed doctors are baffled when a young expectant mother Liz (Erin Way  Alphas) wakes to find her nearly-to-term pregnancy apparently disappear overnight. The police are investigating the situation as a missing child and only her husband Rick (Eric Matheny  J. Edgar) and brother Evan (Ryan Smale) trust her version of events. Co-written by Loweree and Jake Moreno  Absence was produced by Parker Johal/Radcliffe Pictures Michael Covino Brent Emery/Coup d'Etat Films and Loweree.  Loweree also directed the film. The filmmakers were represented in the negotiation by Ben Weiss Paradigm Agency; Kristin Harris repped Cinedigm. I'm really happy and excited to be working with Cinedigm on the upcoming release of Absence. The Cinedigm team has been so supportive and could not have responded better to our flick not to mention they completely get the genre market and how to reach our audience ” said Loweree. “I'm stoked! “Absence is an example of DIY filmmaking at its finest. The guys know their subject matter the genre and - most importantly - their audience extremely well and have crafted a film that delivers on many levels ” said Vincent Scordino vice president of acquisitions theatrical for Cinedigm.  “We were simply blown away by their talent and look forward to working with them on the release.” ,3935
Armie Hammer Named CinemaCon Male Star of Tomorrow,2013-03-14,Armie Hammer will receive the CinemaCon Male Star of Tomorrow Award at this year’s CinemaCon it was announced today by the convention’s managing director Mitch Neuhauser. The third CinemaCon will be held April 15-18 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Hammer will be presented with this special honor at the “CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards” ceremony to take place on Thursday evening April 18 in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The Coca-Cola Company the official presenting sponsor of CinemaCon will host the final night gala awards program. “Having already received acclaim for his notable supporting roles in such films as The Social Network Hammer is poised to really break out this year with his starring role as the fictional icon of American culture The Lone Ranger ” said Neuhauser. “For this reason we cannot think of another talented young actor more deserving of being this year’s CinemaCon Male Star of Tomorrow.” Hammer will star this summer in the highly anticipated action-adventure film The Lone Ranger to be released by Disney July 3. Hammer stars as the title character opposite Johnny Depp’s Native American warrior Tonto. Tonto recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid a man of the law into The Lone Ranger a legend of justice – taking the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption. A Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films presentation The Lone Ranger is directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Gore Verbinski with screen story by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio and Justin Haythe and screenplay by Justin Haythe and Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio. “The Lone Ranger” also stars Tom Wilkinson William Fichtner Barry Pepper James Badge Dale Ruth Wilson and Helena Bonham Carter. Following his breakout role as the Winklevoss twins in the award-winning film The Social Network Hammer went on to star opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar Hoover biopic J. Edgar earning him a 2012 SAG nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Clyde Tolson. He also starred as Prince Alcott in Mirror Mirror opposite Julia Roberts and Lily Collins in the Tarsem Singh Dhandwar directed film. ,3936
The Studio-B&H Now Codex Reseller,2013-03-14,Codex has added New York City-based The Studio-B&H to its worldwide reseller network. The professional solutions division of electronics retailer B&H The Studio-B&H will represent the full line of Codex products including its Onboard Recorders and Vault its revolutionary on-set media management system. “We are very pleased to form a relationship with The Studio-B&H which has established itself as a premiere source for professional camera systems and provides a high level of expertise in digital cinema workflows ” said Codex vice president of market development Sarah Priestnall. The Studio-B&H has steadily been expanding its inventory of digital cinema camera solutions to include products in greatest demand by professional cinematographers directors DITs and others. “Codex is the gold standard among camera recording technologies and offering its products helps to solidify our position as leaders in the professional market ” said Michel Suissa The Studio-B&H’s managing director and workflow solutions specialist. Suissa added that Codex’ Vault will allow the company to grow its services to the on-set production community. “Vault is very important to our ability to offer comprehensive on-set solutions ” he said. “It will allow us to provide workflow solutions with a solid future path.” The Studio-B&H is currently planning technology demonstrations showing how Codex recorders can be used to support various camera systems and the Vault’s use in on-set workflows. Details on those demonstrations which will be held at Studio B&H’s Manhattan headquarters will be available soon. ,3938
Major Studios Sign Distribution Deal with DCDC,2013-03-14,The Digital Cinema Distribution Coalition has reached agreements with Lionsgate Universal Pictures The Walt Disney Company Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Paramount Pictures to provide each with theatrical digital delivery services across North America. DCDC formed by AMC Theatres Regal Entertainment Group Cinemark Theatres Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. has created a network for satellite and terrestrial digital distribution capable of supporting feature promotional pre-show and live content distribution into theatres using the latest in digital distribution technologies. The network is designed to provide a reliable and cost effective distribution model for distributors and exhibitors alike. As digital distribution replaces the use of traditional physical media for content distribution users of the network will have access to a host of delivery options and resources. This is a crucial advancement in theatrical distribution and we're thrilled to be on board said Randolph Blotky on behalf of DCDC. DCDC's service platform is the state of the art for digital delivery of various kinds of content to theatres in North America. Its business model will assure long-term consistent low cost pricing to content providers and exhibitors across the industry. We are very excited to welcome Warner Bros. Entertainment Lionsgate The Walt Disney Company Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures to our service. Darcy Antonellis president technical operations and chief technology officer Warner Bros. Entertainment added The vision of creating a cross-industry distribution service to benefit distributors exhibitors service providers and consumers is becoming a reality. We're extremely pleased to be working with our colleagues to bring to fruition a powerful distribution network that is advantageous for us all. Nikki Rocco president Universal Pictures Distribution added With the majority of the domestic theatrical market now digital the ability to efficiently distribute films via satellite to a large subset of our exhibitor partners will further ensure moviegoers have access to the latest and highest quality theatrical entertainment. Universal is excited to work with DCDC in the satellite delivery of our films as it rolls out its satellite platform over the coming months. DCDC's new satellite service provides a seamless and secure system that will enable us to streamline and expedite access to our latest content said Dave Hollis executive vice president theatrical exhibition sales and distribution The Walt Disney Studios. This is a crucial advancement in theatrical distribution and we're thrilled to be on board. The wide-spread adoption of DCDC's platform is a game-changer said Dan Fellman president domestic distribution Warner Bros. Pictures. The service ensures that audiences have the most high-quality entertainment experience while exhibitors and content providers achieve a strategic secure and cost-effective new business model. We are very pleased to join DCDC and our partner studios in this initiative. We are pleased that Lionsgate can again be at the forefront of digital cinema and be part of the state of the art digital delivery system that will benefit the entire industry said Richie Fay Lionsgate's president of domestic theatrical distribution. All of us at Paramount believe the advancement of digital distribution technologies will help to further our goal to bring the finest entertainment to audiences in a seamless and secure manner and the DCDC will be a great partner for us to achieve that goal said Megan Colligan Paramount Pictures' president of domestic marketing and distribution. DCDC is creating a technological superhighway said Tim Warner CEO and president Cinemark Theatres. It's one port access to thousands of screens for both movies and alternative content from all content providers. DCDC is expected to complete the initial network roll out before the end of the year. Deluxe/EchoStar will be providing operations support for the DCDC network. ,3941
Principal Photography Begins on The Fifth Estate,2013-03-14,DreamWorks Studios has announced that principal photography has begun on the WikiLeaks drama The Fifth Estate.  The film about the controversial website stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Julian Assange and Daniel Brühl as Daniel Domscheit-Berg as well as Laura Linney Anthony Mackie David Thewlis Peter Capaldi Dan Stevens Alicia Vikander and Carice van Houten. The Fifth Estate will open in U.S. theaters on November 15 and be distributed domestically by Disney’s Touchstone label.  Distribution internationally will be split among Disney DreamWorks partner Reliance and deals made through the studio’s partnership with Mister Smith Entertainment. Following Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Brühl) an early supporter and eventual colleague of Julian Assange (Cumberbatch) The Fifth Estate traces the heady early days of WikiLeaks culminating in the release of a series of controversial and history changing information leaks. The website’s overnight success brought instant fame to its principal architects and transformed the flow of information to news media and the world at large. Joining DreamWorks as a co-financier on The Fifth Estate is Participant Media.  This will be the fifth collaboration between the two companies who previously partnered on Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln the 2011 Academy Award-winning smash The Help The Kite Runner and The Soloist.  With a focus on real issues that shape our lives Participant creates social action and advocacy programs to transform the impact of the media experience into individual and community action.  Some of their other films include An Inconvenient Truth Good Night and Good Luck Food Inc. Charlie Wilson’s War Waiting for Superman The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and the current Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film No. Bill Condon (Kinsey Dreamgirls The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn) will direct The Fifth Estate from a screenplay by Josh Singer (TV’s Fringe The West Wing) based on Inside WikiLeaks: My Time with Julian Assange at the World’s Most Dangerous Website by Daniel Domscheit-Berg and WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange’s War on Secrecy by David Leigh and Luke Harding.  The producers are Steve Golin and Michael Sugar with Participant’s Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King joining Richard Sharkey as executive producers.  The Fifth Estate is a co-production between Afterworks and FBO with Hilde De Laere co-producing for FBO. The film is supported by the Belgian Tax Shelter for Audiovisual Production. Condon said “It may be decades before we understand the full impact of WikiLeaks and how it's revolutionized the spread of information. So this film won't claim any long view authority on its subject or attempt any final judgment. We want to explore the complexities and challenges of transparency in the information age and we hope enliven and enrich the conversations WikiLeaks has already provoked.” ,3942
Production Underway on Giant Ape Media’s Bullet,2013-03-14,Giant Ape Media in partnership with SC Films International and American United Media has announced that production has begun on Bullet an upcoming feature length motion picture starring Danny Trejo (Machete). This fast paced action picture finds hardened detective Frank Marasco battling to bring down a deadly criminal gang. While facing off with his nemesis ruthless cartel leader Carlito Kane he unravels a deadly plot that could destroy his family in a race against time. Bullet directed by Nick Lyon (Species: The Awakening Punk Love) is based on a screenplay written by Nick Lyon Ron Peer and Byron Lester. The film also stars Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad) as Carlito Kane and Julia Dietze (Iron Sky) as provocative cartel attorney Brooke Madison who walks a fine line of legal ethics. Danny Trejo and Jonathan Banks onscreen appeal will definitely captivate audiences of this genre said Gen Fukunaga president and CEO of Giant Ape Media. We're excited to add this film to our diverse slate of releases already in production.” Simon Crowe of SC Films said This is an intelligent fast paced action script that is thoroughly entertaining in the spirit of Die Hard meets Taken Its top notch cast will appeal to worldwide distributors and audiences alike. I am thrilled to be working with Danny Trejo on Bullet said Robert Rodriguez managing director of American United Media. The goal is to bring a top-notch action movie to life by creating a film that combines an ever-thickening plot with intense dialogue and stand out characters. The opportunity to be working on Bullet is very exciting. The film is produced by Matthew Joynes and Robert Rodriguez co-produced by April Bennett and executive produced by Gen Fukunaga and Chris Moujaes and is scheduled for a late 2013 release.