Carmike Cinemas Secures New Loan

Carmike Cinemas has entered into a new $265 million senior secured term loan facility and a $30 million senior secured revolving credit facility. Carmike Cinemas chief financial officer Richard B. Hare says The new term loan and revolving credit facility is a positive development for Carmike which we believe will afford us the requisite flexibility to fund the Company’s future growth and success.” Carmike’s existing senior secured term loan facility was set to mature in May 2012 and had a balance of $250.8 million outstanding at December 31 2009. The new term loan facility will have an interest rate of LIBOR plus 350 basis points with a LIBOR floor of two percent and fully matures in January 2016. The interest rate is 50 basis points lower than the prior expected rate of LIBOR plus 400 basis points as disclosed in the Carmike news announcement issued January 7. Carmike has also replaced its $50 million revolving credit facility previously set to mature in May 2010 which was undrawn as of December 31 2009 with a $30 million revolving credit facility that matures in January 2013. J.P. Morgan Securities and Citigroup Global Markets led the refinancing. Carmike Cinemas www.carmike.com ,1532
Cinedigm and Vista to Partner Internationally,2010-02-13, Cinedigm Digital Cinema has reached an agreement for Vista and its network of business partners to exclusively distribute and support Cinedigm’s Theatre Command Center software in certain major international territories.
  
 “We have worked closely with Vista and its worldwide business partners for several years.  Like Cinedigm they are innovators in cinema technology and services and we are very excited to be working together in providing solutions that will define the future of cinema ” says Jim Miller president of Cinedigm’s Software division.
 
 Murray Holdaway CEO of Vista says “Digital Cinema is gaining traction around the world and Cinedigm’s Theatre Command Center is an important technological advancement in the management of Digital Cinema Projection. Vista is pleased to be working with Cinedigm to offer customers not only world leading Cinema Management Systems but also the latest in Digital Cinema Management Technology.”
 ,1533
D-Box To Equip Japanese Theatre with Motion Seats,2010-02-13,D-Box Technologies has announced the upcoming installation of a first movie theatre equipped with 13 D-Box MFX seats with Warner Mycal Corporation one of the largest operators of commercial theatres in Japan. This transaction marks the first sale of D-Box motion systems for commercial theatre applications outside of North America. “We are very pleased of teaming up with Warner Mycal in this first commercial theatre venture outside of North-America ” says Claude Mc Master president and CEO of D-Box Technologies. “The Japanese market is huge and their consumers are usually very savvy of new and exciting technologies. In addition a presence in Japan will provide for a great technological showcase in a market that offers great long term potential. As we intend over the next few quarters to accelerate the deployment of our motion systems for commercial application in North-America we see in this Asian venture an excellent opportunity to test new markets as we gradually become a true international standard.’’ “It is with great pleasure that we will proceed with the first commercial deployment of D-Box motion systems for the Japanese Cinema Market as we intend to deploy 13 such systems at Warner Mycal Cinemas Ohdaka as part of a new state-of-the-art 10 screen 1923-seats multiplex which will open next March 23 in Nagoya ” says Millard L. Ochs president and representative director of Warner Mycal Corporation.  ‘’More specifically we intend to equip theatre #10 with RealD digital 3D system and with D-Box MFX seats allowing our customers to experiment a new and completely immersive cinema experience.” D-Box ww.d-box.com ,1536
Dolby Supports First Red Bull 3D Movie,2010-02-13,Dolby Laboratories provided digital cinema mastering and technical support for the screening of Red Bull’s first 3D movie at the recent 70th annual Hahnenkamm World Cup Alpine ski event in Kitzbühel Austria. Filmed in the days leading up to the celebrated World Cup race the new movie features spectacular views of the famous Streif downhill course including 3D point-of-view footage shot by a downhill skier giving a unique perspective on what it’s like to tackle one of the world’s toughest ski pistes. The movie produced by Red Bull Media House GmbH was shown for the first time to invited guests in Dolby 3D at the Red Bull Next Generation Media event which is designed to showcase innovation and celebrate Red Bull’s participation in the Hahnenkamm event – the sporting and social highlight of the year in Kitzbühel. “We were very excited to be able to give our guests this stunning 3D view of what is recognized as the Alpine skiing world’s most difficult competition piste ” says Andreas Gall chief technical officer of Red Bull Media House. “Red Bull gives wings to innovations so when we needed support to help us realize the presentation of this technically challenging project we turned to Dolby who we consider to be the most innovative brand in audio and cinema” With only a few days to capture edit and prepare the footage before the start of the Hahnenkamm event Dolby Production Services Group provided digital cinema mastering of the 3D footage captured by the Red Bull media house team. Working on-site in Kitzbühel the Dolby team used the Dolby SCC2000 Secure Content Creator JPEG 2000 encoder to produce a 3D Digital Cinema Package of the exciting action. They then facilitated pristine digital screening of the movie via a Dolby 3D digital cinema system for the invited guests at the next generation media event. “The Dolby technical team is used to providing technical support to world premiere screenings all over the globe ” says Julian Pinn director distribution services production services group Dolby Laboratories “but we were all very excited to work with Red Bull Media House to assist with such an unusual project. Working on location presented a few challenges but we were delighted to help Red Bull ensure everyone enjoyed an outstanding 3D cinematic presentation of what is some truly spectacular action.” Invited guests were also treated to a showing in Dolby Digital Cinema 2D of the dramatic and awe-inspiring feature documentary Mount St. Elias which follows three ski mountaineers to the imposing Alaskan mountain in their attempt to realize the longest ski descent of the world. Dolby Laboratories www.dolby.com ,1538
Mamma Mia Screened in London on a 108-Foot Screen,2010-02-13,Last month London’s O2 arena hosted the biggest screening and sing-along ever of the hit film Mamma Mia. The movie was projected onto a 108-foot custom-built screen. “This unique event required us to use a huge custom built projection surface capable of providing the large audience with a great view anywhere in the arena ” says Andy Peat director of Andy Peat Associates. “We presented this challenge to Harkness Screens and like they have done many times in the past provided us with a solution that worked out great.” A giant 108-foot Harkness Matt Plus screen was specially built in order to allow the some 8 000 fans in attendance to see their favorite movie in all its glory. According to Peat “We decided to use a Harkness Matt Plus screen because we were using three Christie CP2000XB projectors (provided by Motion Picture Solutions) that were overlapping each other and we didn’t want too much gain. In addition since this was a large arena and not a standard cinema we had to take into account the audience sitting all around the venue.” Dressed to impress and ready to join thousands of other fans in belting out classic Abba hits the crowd was treated to a unique performance by the entire London cast of the hit stage show before the screening of the movie. Harkness did a great job ” says Peat.  “Its 108-foot custom Matt Plus screen helped ensure that the audience had an experience they will not soon forget.” Harkness Screens www.harkness-screens.com ,1540
Independent Films Top Oscar Nominations Again,2010-02-13, Independently financed films surpassed those from the major studios in this year’s Academy Awards nominations among all categories as well as in the top categories of Best Picture Director Actor/Actress and Supporting Actor/Actress according to figures released from the Independent Film & Television Alliance. “We are not surprised to see these numbers since over the past quarter century independents have produced the most Oscar-winning movies including Slumdog Millionaire Lord of the Rings Crash and Million Dollar Baby ” says IFTA president-CEO Jean Prewitt.
 
Films from independents received 79 overall Oscar nominations versus 42 for the majors while in the top categories independents obtained 21 nominations to 14 for the majors.
  Best Picture nominations included District 9 (QED International) An Education (Hanway Films) The Hurt Locker (Voltage Pictures/Summit) Inglourious Basterds (The Weinstein Company) Precious (Lionsgate) and A Serious Man (Focus Features/Studio Canal).
  Weinstein swept five of the six top categories (Picture Director and Supporting Actor for Inglourious Basterds Actor for A Single Man and Supporting Actress for Nine). Among other independents capturing multiple nominations in the top categories were Lionsgate (Picture Director Actress and Supporting Actress for Precious); Voltage and Summit (Picture Director and Actor for The Hurt Locker); Hanway Films (Picture and Actress for An Education); and the Little Film Company (Actress and Supporting Actor for The Last Station). Other noteworthy nomination performances came from IM Global (Actor for A Single Man) and ContentFilm (Supporting Actor for The Messenger).
 The Independent Film & Television Alliance www.ifta-online.org ,1541
Pictorvision Moves to Larger Offices,2010-02-13, Aerial camera systems manufacturer Pictorvision moved to a larger location in Van Nuys California this month. Pictorvision has long been known in the film and video industry for its Wescam aerial camera stabilizers and now for its latest development the Eclipse. This helicopter camera mount features the company’s patented XR Motion Management technology which provides advanced steering stability and pointing capabilities. According to Tom Hallman president of Pictorvision “The new 17 000 square foot facility located next to Van Nuys airport will be a great help to strategically position Pictorvision as the hub of aerial cinematography and intelligent imaging in the market.” Pictorvision www.pictorvision.com ,1544
Raleigh Studios Celebrates Opening Studio in Hungary,2010-02-13, Raleigh Studios will commemorate the grand opening of their newest state-of-the-art studio facility in Budapest by bringing the magic of Hungary to Hollywood. The invitation-only gala will be held February 18th at Raleigh Studios Hollywood. “We are very excited about this project. It will give producers a chance to experience all the great things Europe has to offer the film making process while giving them the comfort and quality of a Hollywood Style studio operation and all the confidence that comes in dealing with a known entity ” says Michael Moore president of Raleigh Studios. Raleigh Studios Budapest’s doors will open in April. The massive studio located less than 20 minutes from all major hotels and downtown Budapest boasts nine sound stages a 45 000 square foot super stage and a 15-acre back lot for outdoor set builds. FotoKem is managing a post-production facility on site complete with film lab visual effects and digital capabilities. There is full set and location lighting and grip with Hollywood Rentals transportation scenic camera as well as production services and line producing with Raleigh Film. There will be a production training school to help build on Hungary’s existing pool of experienced film crews. Raleigh Studios partnered with Origo Film Group in this exciting expansion into Europe. The facility offers administration services for film incentives and tax rebates exclusively in Hungary. Hungary offers a tax credit that covers up to 25 percent of production costs. Raleigh Studios www.raleighstudios.com ,1545
Maibaum Gears Up for Sons of Anarchy,2010-02-13, With the new season of Sons of Anarchy fast approaching cinematographer Paul Maibaum is starting to gear up for another round of the hit FX Network series. “Sons of Anarchy is a drama about the lives and inner workings of a Hell’s Angels-type motorcycle club based in the fictitious town of Charming somewhere in Central California ” he says. “Each episode is shot in seven days that’s one day shy of the norm for a one-hour episodic drama. Therefore we have to work very fast and smart to get the work done in the allotted time. There is a certain improvisational style to the way we shoot the series. The actors often come up with their own staging for a scene and in many cases do something subtlety different in each take.” At the top of Maibaum gear list are OConnor fluid heads. While much of the cinematography on this series is hand-held during long scenes shot with lenses of 100mm or greater Maibaum’s operators find it difficult to maintain the proper steadiness for a handheld-look take after take. “That’s where the OConnor head comes in handy ” he says. “We mount the camera(s) on the 2575 and let the operators add some ‘float’ to the shot. In other words they create the feeling that the shot is hand-held by gently panning and tilting the head in small increments in a random manner. By adjusting the drag this way it gives them the exact amount they need to duplicate the ‘edginess’ that we are looking for when the camera is in hand-held operation. “During the past season there were several episodes where much of the action followed the members of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original as they traveled on their Harleys ” Maibaum says. “We employed a ‘camera bike’ a motorcycle with a steel platform much like a sidecar where one or sometimes two cameras can be mounted and operated in order to move with the cast on their motorcycles. Often we use very long lenses to capture the action off the back of this rig. And the OConnor 2575 heads make the perfect platform to mount the large Panavision Genesis cameras on to insure that we will get the shot.” “For us OConnor heads are one of the most trusted tools in our package ” he says. “The tension and fluid drag can be set within a wide set of parameters very easily. The head can be tipped just about straight down and once the balance is properly set it remains securely there. The weight of the camera has little to do with the performance of the head. In other words one can utilize cameras from the smallest and lightest to the biggest and heaviest. I would never do a show without a fluid head. And my personal choice is the OConnor 2575.” Photo Tony Anderson ,1547
Sony DCSS Signs VPF Deal with Universal Pictures,2010-02-13, Sony Electronics’ Digital Cinema Solutions and Services group has signed a non-exclusive digital cinema deployment agreement with Universal Pictures. As part of the agreement Universal has committed to distribute feature films digitally for playback on Sony’s 4K SXRD projection technology deployed by the DCSS group across the United States.

 The deal which supports transition costs through virtual print fee payments will provide further digital equipment choices to exhibitors converting to digital cinema technology. Discussions are also underway to expand the agreement to include other key international markets. “Coming to agreement with Sony Electronics for the roll out of digital cinema technologies is another exciting step in the ongoing transition to digital ” says Nikki Rocco Universal's president of distribution. “Universal is committed to providing exhibitors with valuable options in the current digital cinema marketplace. We look forward to supporting Sony’s activities and supplying our digital movies to exhibition partners giving moviegoers the highest quality cinema experience available.” Universal is the fifth major studio to sign a virtual print fee agreement with Sony’s digital cinema group joining Walt Disney Twentieth Century Fox Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment. “We’re excited to be working with Universal as part of the industry’s ongoing digital transition ” says Mike Fidler senior vice president of Sony’s Digital Cinema Solutions and Services group which provides turn-key solutions for exhibitors enabling them to efficiently convert their operations to digital technology. “Universal understands the value of digital cinema technology and the improved experience it enables. We are excited to move forward continuing to provide the theatrical exhibition business with an integrated range of digital cinema services and solutions.”
 ,1548
Sony Opens 3D Technology Center,2010-02-13, Sony Corporation has announced that it will open the Sony 3D Technology Center at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City California to train and nurture a community of experts in the rapidly growing market of 3D entertainment. The announcement was made by Sir Howard Stringer chairman CEO and president of Sony Corporation. The new center will offer professionals from across the industry a hands-on opportunity to learn more about the techniques and equipment used to create top-quality 3D productions of all kinds - including sports movies television and games. The center will also feature Sony's top-of-the-line business and professional products which are widely used in capturing manipulating and displaying 3D productions. Our mission is to support the spread of high quality 3D throughout the marketplace says Chris Cookson president of Sony Pictures Technologies Sony Pictures Entertainment and chief officer of the Sony 3D Technology Center Sony Corporation of America. Modern technologies and techniques can create much more natural and realistic 3D than most people had experienced in years past so we have an interest in helping the industry as a whole seize this opportunity to give audiences really great 3D experiences. People must reliably and consistently be able to enjoy what is presented in 3D for it to gain acceptance in the long term. Making 3D is easy but making good 3D is hard says Buzz Hays senior vice president of the Sony 3D Technology Center Sony Corporation of America. I've had the pleasure of making 3D movies with Hollywood's true pioneers over the last five years and I am excited to dedicate my time fully to sharing what we've learned as this medium makes its way toward primetime.

 The 3D Technology Center is scheduled to open this month. ,1549
AMWA Approves AAF Effects Protocol AS-05
 ,2010-02-25, The Advanced Media Workflow Association has formally approved the Advanced Authoring Format Effects Protocol AS-05. 

The AAF Effects Protocol allows greater interoperability between video post-production systems by defining a set of new effects beyond those in the AAF Edit Protocol AS-01. There is often a need to transfer effects information between systems for example from offline editing to finishing says Brad Gilmer the AMWA's executive director. AS-05 provides a means to transfer data in an open and interoperable form between systems from different vendors.

 Using the AAF Object model the specification supports the exchange of metadata concerning title opacity and color effects. Title data includes the position font and color of video titles. The color metadata is based upon the American Society of Cinematographers Color Decision List format which defines a set of parameters for interchanging basic color correction information.

 The specification can be downloaded from the AMWA web site at www.amwa.tv. ,1556
Anaheim International Film Festival to Debut in October ,2010-02-25, The inaugural Anaheim International Film Festival will debut this October marking the addition of a world-class cultural event to Orange County and the international film festival circuit. As the first major film festival ever to be held in the city of Anaheim the AIFF will showcase the latest independent feature and student films documentaries live action shorts and animation from across America and the world. Thousands of attendees are expected to visit the five-day festival and participate in film screenings master classes and workshops taught by industry professionals and star-studded gala events. 
  
“Anaheim is the ideal place to host an international film festival with its community focus cultural diversity and prime location ” says Sinan Kanatsiz co-founder and chairman AIFF. “With the support of the city of Anaheim and some of its most prominent businesses we are confident the AIFF will attract thousands of film enthusiasts from both Southern California and around the globe. In 1995 there were fewer than 500 film festivals throughout the world. In 2009 there were almost 4 000. There is a strong public demand for the culture and sense of community that a film festival offers and we are pleased to start this new tradition in Anaheim.”
  
As part of Anaheim's dedication to innovation I am proud to support the first ever Anaheim International Film Festival in our great city says Curt Pringle mayor of Anaheim. This is a unique opportunity to bring the community together for both learning and entertainment. We are especially excited about the AIFF Youth Education Program which will promote arts and media literacy among Anaheim youth.
  
“We are very proud to be a founding sponsor of Anaheim’s inaugural International Film Festival. Our company has a rich history of creative storytelling and quality entertainment that makes this a natural fit for us ” said George Kalogridis Disneyland Resort President. “Locally we support arts education efforts to cultivate the next generation of artists including filmmakers. We look forward to being a part of this landmark festival.” 
 
 The AIFF a competitive festival is now accepting film entries. The festival is open to U.S. and foreign films in five categories: narrative features live action and animated shorts documentaries and student films. The AIFF will select and screen approximately 200 films from October 13-17 at Anaheim GardenWalk a shopping and entertainment complex centrally located near Disneyland Resort the Anaheim Convention Center Angel Stadium and more. 
 
 “The theme of the inaugural Anaheim International Film Festival is discovery and innovation ” says Jo Moulton co-founder and executive director AIFF. “Through screenings and other associated events the festival aims to present a wide spectrum of contemporary filmmaking while celebrating cinematic achievements of the past and enriching the cultural landscape of the city of Anaheim Orange County and beyond.” 
  
 Anaheim International Film Festival www.anaheimfilm.org 
 ,1557
Arthouse Marketing Group Joins the Cinema Advertising Council ,2010-02-25,Arthouse Marketing Group has become the newest member of the Cinema Advertising Council. Based in Marina Del Rey California the company represents a mix of art house theatres film institutes and nonprofit organizations that manage some of the most beloved cinemas in the country bringing local regional and national advertisers access to an influential educated and affluent community of independent film aficionados. Arthouse Marketing represents 238 screens in key markets in the U.S. including: New York; Los Angeles; the San Francisco Bay Area; Chicago; Boston; Atlanta; Dallas; Houston; Miami; Washington D.C.; Philadelphia; Raleigh North Carolina; Seattle; Portland Oregon; and Portland Maine. Laemmle Theatres and the Angelika Film Center are among the company's theatre partners. As a member of the CAC Arthouse Marketing Group will participate in key discussions shaping cinema advertising including alternative revenue generating uses of the movie screens on-screen delivery systems and proactively generating awareness of the industry. Arthouse Marketing Group www.arthousemarketing.com Cinema Advertising Council www.cinemaadcouncil.org ,1558
Study Says Movies Were Popular UK Valentine’s Day Choice,2010-02-25,According to research from Harris Interactive and media house Digital Cinema Media 16-24-year-olds are twice as likely to go to the movies as the rest of the UK population. The study estimated that moviegoers in this age group were twice as likely as the rest of the UK population to see a film on Valentine’s Day and 51 percent would go with their girlfriend or boyfriend. A romantic night at the pictures was not just the preserve of the young however. Overall one in five adults planned to see a movie and of those 65 percent were going with a partner or spouse. Just over one in five 25-34-year-olds were planning a night at the pictures and of these nearly three quarters (73 percent) said they would go with a partner or spouse. The figure rose to 75 percent among 35-44-year-olds (of whom 13 percent were likely to go to the cinema on Valentine’s Day and 82 pefcent of those in the 45-54-year old group (of whom one in ten planned to celebrate Valentine's by seeing a movie). Top films showing that weekend included new releases Valentine's Day and A Single Man followed by Avatar The Princess And The Frog and Invictus. Digital Cinema Media www.dcm.co.uk ,1560
ContentFilm International Acquires New Gabriel Range Film and Welcome to the Rileys,2010-02-25, ContentFilm International has acquired worldwide rights to Gabriel Range’s new film which also reunites Jeremy Brock and Andrea Calderwood writer and producer of The Last King of Scotland. The currently untitled project inspired by extraordinary real life events is a controversial thriller about London’s outrageous slave trade and one woman’s fight for freedom. This film is shocking to the core and simultaneously one of the most inspiring stories of our time. The film is now in production in Kenya after wrapping the UK portion of the shoot in January and is scheduled for completion in May 2010.
 
 Gabriel Range won the International Critic’s Prize in Toronto 2006 for his brilliant directorial debut Death of a President. 
 
 ContentFilm International president Jamie Carmichael says “I was really taken by the way Jake had crafted this emotional and often funny story about two unlikely and somewhat lost souls meeting – and then against all odds saving each other.  And of course the performances are stand out and I’m sure they will be recognized along the way.  We know we have something very special in our hands with this film and we’re delighted to be working with Jake Scott Free and Argonaut Pictures.” The cast includes Wunmi Mosaku Isaach De Bankolé Igal Naor Nonso Anozie and Nasser Memarzia. 
 
The film was produced by Andrea Calderwood and executive produced by Gail Egan and written by Jeremy Brock. The film is financed by the UK Film Council C4 Film Agency for Wales Limelight and Molinare.
 
 Producer Calderwood says “Gabriel is one of the UK’s most exciting new directing talents and has already made a big impact internationally. Working with writer Jeremy Brock he is crafting a powerfully universal film in an epic setting which will resonate strongly with audiences around the world.”
 
 Executive producer Katherine Butler says “This is an extraordinary and poignant story and in the hands of a world class award winning production team this stunning film will have universal appeal.” 
  ContentFilm’s president Carmichael says “We’re extremely proud to be working with such an accomplished production team. Jeremy’s powerful script has really captured everyone’s imagination and we believe that Gabriel’s film has every chance to be one of the most important UK projects of 2010.”
 ContentFilm International has also acquired international rights to Welcome to the Rileys directed by Jake Scott. North American rights are being handled by UTA’S Independent Film Group. Welcome to the Rileys premiered in competition in Sundance last week and will have its international premiere at the Berlinale in Panorama. The film stars James Gandolfini Kristen Stewart and Melissa Leo.
 
The film was produced by Michael Costigan Scott Bloom Giovanni Agnelli Ridley Scott and 
Tony Scott.
 ContentFilm International www.contentfilm.com ,1562
Digital Vision and CineForm Partner on New Software for SI-2K Camera,2010-02-25,Digital Vision has partnered with CineForm as a key element of its forthcoming Nucoda 2009.1 release. The new software which was unveiled in London will include native support for the CineForm RAW format used by Silicon Imaging’s SI-2K camera.   “Following a popular industry trend and feedback from our customers we have introduced native support for SI-2K material. This is a highly attractive proposition for film makers who were impressed by the success of the camera’s use on Oscar winning movie Slumdog Millionaire ” says Bruno Munger Digital Vision product manager. “Digital Vision is one hundred per cent committed to its customers and as such we are supporting one of the industry’s most popular digital camera formats to enable customers to provide clients with the choice flexibility and quality that they expect.” “CineForm RAW has earned the reputation in the industry as the compressed raw format of choice for pristine image quality ” says David Taylor CEO and co-founder of CineForm.  “Extending CineForm RAW to the Digital Vision workflow is a natural fit that will result in significant value-add for Digital Vision’s customers.  Our two companies share the same commitment of extremely high image quality throughout the workflow from camera to post production to finished product.” CineForm www.cineform.com Digital Vision www.digitalvision.se ,1563
RealD Works with LegoLand California to Bring 3D to Theme Park Guests,2010-02-25,In its first alliance with a theme park RealD and LegoLand California have partnered to present the LegoLand 4D presentations Spellbreaker 4D and Lego Racers 4D at the theme park’s Show Place Theater. “It is exciting for LegoLand California to be working with RealD Pro – the single projector technology is outstanding. It has improved the audience experience and reduced time and expense related to dual projector maintenance ” says Andy Morrison entertainment supervisor for LegoLand California Resort. “RealD is delighted to team with an institution with the pedigree and global reach of LegoLand California ” says Michael V. Lewis chairman and CEO of RealD.  “We’re excited to bring our expertise to this great brand and to broaden the scope of quality 3D content to audiences worldwide.” LegoLand www.legoland.com ,1565
Mytherapy Streamlines Digital Cinema 3D Mastering Workflows,2010-02-25,Central London post facility Mytherapy D-Cinelab has appointed David Wilson to head up its digital cinema mastering department. Our aim is nothing less than to change the way the DCM process works says Wilson. Because it is so new distributors often have to deal with inflexible workflows such as having to provide edited material in specific formats dealing with more than one facility to handle different tasks or more annoyingly having to wait a considerable amount of time for the process to be carried out. The facility's aim is to provide digital deliverables within 24 hours of receiving the finished masters. This includes adding logos and subtitles in multiple languages and if required passing the material to our grading department to subtly change the look of the project to emulate specific film stocks he says. Mytherapy D-Cinelab can also handle stereoscopic 3D deliverables working with directors to ensure subtitles are placed within the correct plane for the shot. This is an extremely important part of the 3D mastering process as subtitles that appear too close or too far away in a given shot can add unnecessary strain to the viewers' eyes. The workflow developed by Mytherapy also streamlines the creation of multiple delivery formats. At the same time as creating the digital cinema print we can also output Blu-ray and DVD masters as well as HD/SD tape masters for broadcasters who require them Wilson says. Says chief executive Dado Valentic We are very excited to have David on board. He brings a wealth of experience in both post-production and digital media. Mytherapy's digital cinema manifesto is to improve the current process for digital cinema package mastering and distribution as well as key delivery message generation to achieve a more efficient workflow for distributors and exhibitors. David's appointment helps us achieve that goal. Wilson was born in Melbourne Australia but he has worked in London for several years at facilities such as The Machine Room Dubbs Uncle (part of The Farm Group) and more recently at digital cinema mastering company Arts Alliance Media. Mytherapy www.mytherapy.tv ,1566
Omnibus Press Announces Independent Film Producer’s Survival Guide,2010-02-25, Omnibus Press has published The Independent Film Producer’s Survival Guide: A Business And Legal Sourcebook third edition by Gunnar Erickson Mark Halloran and Harris Tulchin. The new book provides information about how to produce and market an independent film—from the development process to deal making financing setting up the production hiring directors and actors securing location rights acquiring music calculating profits digital movie making distribution and marketing your film. Written by a trio of entertainment lawyers with over 60 years combined experience the publisher says The Independent Film Producer’s Survival Guide offers clear concise guidance for navigating the complex journey of making a movie and avoiding the legal pitfalls and business blunders. Omnibus Press www.Omnibuspress.com ,1567
CineMec XL Boasts of the Largest 3D Screen in Holland,2010-02-25,With a seating capacity for 1 050 people CineMec XL has a 20-meter by 8.10-meter silver screen and two Christie digital projectors and has established itself as one of the leading digital 3D cinemas in Holland. It is also proving to be an important venue for hosting key conferences for national corporations — offering facilities ranging from live satellite transmissions in high definition format on the big screen to infinite digital sound and image potential for audio-visual presentations.  Part of the International Cinema Technology Association seminar took place there last summer. The facility has a sound system that complements the big screen. Dutch-based specialists FTT Filmtronics based their audio specification around a matched system from QSC Audio using no fewer than 44 loudspeakers. This includes a combination of their SR-46 4 x 6.5-inch two-way surround loud speakers SB-7218 dual 18-inch subwoofer and SC-444 four-way screen channel speakers.  These loudspeakers are powered by ten QSC DCA2422 and four QSC DCA1222 two-channel digital cinema amplifiers and are controlled through an advanced DCM30 processor. The DCM30 processor provides signal processing and monitor functions in a single integrated system optimizing loudspeaker performance and covering cinema systems ranging from three to five screen channels 5.1 and 7.1 systems.  The DCMs are also compatible with all cinema processor formats including Dolby Digital Surround-EX and DTS-ES. Thomas Ruettgers general manager of FTT’s head office Film Ton Technik in Germany says “There are quite a number of special features that have to be taken into account when implementing such an extraordinary project.  QSC products are perfectly designed to meet all these special requirements which is why we decided to install their audio systems at CineMec in Ede.” QSC Audio www.qscaudio.com ,1568
2010 RAAM Awards Open the UK Awards Season,2010-02-25,In what has become the opening UK and Irish cinema awards show the 2010 RAAM Awards honored director Danny Boyle; distributor Stewart Till of Icon Films independent cinema operator David Williams of WTW cinemas and John Kelleher the recently retired director of the Irish Film Certification Board. Based on public voting through the Box Office these awards are presented annually to the individuals and companies working the UK and Irish film distribution and cinema industry. Twentieth Century Fox won the Distributor of the Year Award with Disney collecting the kudos for Technicolor 3D film of the Year Up which maintained its box office lead right up the final day of the year. A special award was presented to Fox to recognize Avatar’s performance in IMAX Cinemas as the top IMAX movie across the UK in 2009.  Warner Bros won Film of the Year with Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and Optimum enjoyed the best foreign language movie with Coco before Chanel. Entertainment Film was voted top independent distributor of the year. As expected CineWorld won awards in the box office driven UK and Irish cinema of the year categories with Vue setting the pace in the Retail Team of the Year. Independent cinema awards were presented to the Phoenix Cinema Falmouth and the Lighthouse Cinema Dublin. Roger Pollock executive vice president – International Distribution and Operations at Paramount Pictures International and a member of the Awards Board says “For the first time the UK market passed the £1billion mark. This is a major achievement and shows that despite the recession the UK and Irish cinema had a fantastic year. Box office figures confirm the public vote on the top movies released during the year. Last year was a great year for film distribution and cinema and we are looking forward to more of the same in 2010.” Hosted by Paul Coia 2010 was the sixth year of the awards which were held at the London Marriott Hotel- Grosvenor Square. RAAM AWARDS – 2010 – Industry Achievement Awards and Winners International Award – Danny Boyle Industry Award – Ireland John Kelleher Industry Award – Distribution – Stewart Till   Industry Award – Exhibition -  David Williams Movie of the Year Harry Potter – and the Half Blood Prince – Warner Bros Foreign Language Movie of the Year Coco Before Chanel – Optimum Releasing 3D Movie of the Year – Sponsored by Technicolor Up – Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures IMAX 3D Movie of the Year AVATAR – 20th Century Fox Distributor of the Year 20th Century Fox Independent Distributor of the Year Entertainment Films Cinema of the Year UK – Sponsored by Variety CineWorld – Glasgow Independent Cinema of the Year UK Phoenix Cinema - Falmouth Cinema of the Year Ireland – Sponsored by Britvic Ireland CineWorld – Dublin Independent Cinema of the Year Ireland – Sponsored by Coca Cola Bottlers Ireland The Lighthouse Cinema – Dublin Innovation in Cinema – Sponsored by BARCO Curzon Cinemas Retail Team of the Year – Sponsored by Britvic UK – Vue Entertainment ,1569
Severin Films Acquires Birdemic,2010-02-25, Severin Films has acquired all worldwide rights to Birdemic: Shock and Terror a feature from writer/producer/director James Nguyen. Described by Nguyen as a romantic thriller the film is a horror/action/special-effects-driven love story about a young couple trapped in a small Northern California town under siege by homicidal birds. Birdemic also tackles topical issues of global warming avian flu world peace organic living sexual promiscuity and lavatory access. 
Nguyen a 42-year-old Vietnamese refugee wrote cast and shot the film over the course of four years using salary from his day job as a mid-level software salesman in Silicon Valley. The film pays homage to Hitchcock's The Birds via location shooting in Mission Bay California as well as an appearance by Tippi Hedren star of The Birds. When rejected for an official screening slot at Sundance Nguyen spent eight days driving up and down the festival's nearby streets in a van covered with fake birds frozen blood and Birdemic posters while loudspeakers blared the sounds of eagle attacks and human screams. The tactic caught the attention of festival organizers filmgoers and local police as well as executives from Severin Films. 

Birdemic is truly unlike any other film we've ever seen says Carl Daft CEO and co-founder of Severin Films. The fact that James Nguyen wrote produced directed financed and self-marketed such a unique feature is in itself a story worth celebrating. On a certain level this is a landmark independent production and James is truly an auteur for our time. We're enormously excited for audiences to experience Birdemic for themselves.

 Severin Films is planning a limited theatrical release for Birdemic later this year. The film is the company's first contemporary acquisition. An EPK video for Birdemic can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/9082600. 
Birdemic www.birdemic.com Severin Films www.severin-films.com ,1570
Shyama Released with New Digital Distribution Strategy,2010-02-25,Obhi Chatterjee’s widescreen feature film Shyama brings Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s classic Bengali dance musical to a global audience for the first time with its pioneering digital distribution strategy. The film its soundtrack album and related books are all released by Inner Eye under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence allowing personal copying and sharing. Shyama is also free online using the Java-based technology of Forbidden Technologies plc. The HD version suitable for home screenings is available worldwide using IndieFlix’ online VoD rental platform. Speaking as the free version went live Chatterjee says “Every Bengali has heard of Tagore and Shyama but how many non-Bengalis have? Over 70 years after its creation digital technology now allows us to help Shyama cross linguistic boundaries and bring it to new audiences all over the world.” So far the film includes the first translations of Shyama into English French German Hungarian Italian Portuguese and Spanish. Shyama which had its Asian Première at the 2009 Kolkata Film Festival features leading dancers singers and musicians from Santiniketan. Kaberi Chatterjee dances the title role of Shyama whose songs are performed by Manini Mukhopadhyay Bagchi. TS Vasunni dances the role of Bojroshen sung by Jayanta Chatterjee. “Shyama may be one of the first films to have a commercially viable business model based on allowing personal copying and having a free online version ” says Kaberi. “We want everyone who is interested to be able to watch Shyama in whichever format and language they like and wherever they are. In one of his most famous poems Tagore dreamed of a world where knowledge is free. We share that dream.” Shyama www.shyamathemovie.com ,1572
SmartJog and Ymagis to Partner on Digital Distribution to Cinemas,2010-02-25,SmartJog a digital delivery service provider and Ymagis a digital cinema deployment company have signed a non-exclusive partnership agreement to integrate their technologies to offer a full digital cinema solution to Ymagis cinema operator clients.   In the first phase operators will be able to equip their cinema with a SmartJog Gateway integrated with their Ymagis Central Server. In the next phase Ymagis and SmartJog plan to install the SmartJog software solutions directly onto the Ymagis Cinema Central Server so that the latter can also serve as a reception Gateway. The companies say that exhibitors will benefit from efficient use of equipment space and efficiency of workflows. Ymagis clients will have access to SmartJog digital delivery services similar to what they currently have with the Ymaginet service. The integration will be completely transparent using the tools available on the Ymagis Central Server. The two companies may use each other’s delivery network. In particular the Ymagis mastering facility will be able to deliver Digital Cinema Packages to cinemas connected to the SmartJog network. Initially the implementation will begin with the French market and next the plan is to rapidly extend their services to all countries in which they have a presence. The two complementary services allow distributors and exhibitors to benefit from an integrated and complete solution for content distribution and reception. SmartJog www.smartjog.com Ymagis www.ymagis.com ,1573
Times Square Cinema signs with Cinedigm,2010-02-26, Times Square Cinema of Tyler Texas and a member of the National Association of Theatre Owners Cinema Buying Group has signed an agreement to deploy digital projection systems with Cinedigm. Cinedigm is working with many small exhibitors using a newly completed contract template developed for the (CBG) members.  The CBG represents more than 600 members of various sizes that collectively have over 6 000 screens.   Times Square Cinema selected Cinedigm’s Exhibitor-Buyer financing plan which means the exhibitor will purchase its own digital cinema systems and Cinedigm will administer and manage the systems under its virtual print fee agreements with all the major studios for up to a ten-year term. 

Times Square Cinema which operates six screens has selected Sonic Equipment Company based in Iola Kansas as their service provider. “We are very excited to be outfitting our theatre with digital cinema on all screens ” says Howard Charba owner of Times Square Cinema. “Cinedigm and the CGB have worked together to ensure that even the smallest independent exhibitors can transition to digital cinema bring new and innovative programming to our customers and compete with the larger chains.”   
  “Times Square Cinema is an excellent example of a company that is served by our CBG Exhibitor-Buyer Agreement.  It enables them to invest in their own business in order to compete in a changing market.  We’re delighted to have Times Square join the Phase 2 plan ” says Bud Mayo chairman and CEO of Cinedigm. Chuck Goldwater president of Cinedigm’s Media Services Group says “Times Square Cinema has been ahead of the curve in beginning a transition to digital cinema that makes sense for an independent cinema.  Cinedigm is proud to provide our Phase 2 plan which will enable Times Square to enhance even further their capability to bring the best quality programming including alternative content options to their audiences.”

   ,1576
EIB to Lend up to EUR 65 million to XDC for its European Digitization Rollout Plans ,2010-02-26,The European Investment Bank will grant financing of up to EUR 65 million to XDC in the framework of the financing structured by BNP Paribas Fortis to contribute to its digitization rollout plans in Europe. The loan facility granted by BNP Paribas Fortis KBC CBC and the EIB – the financing institution of the European Union – would finance digital cinema equipment aimed to be deployed in European cinemas in the scope of the virtual print fee co-financing scheme. The proposal based on cost sharing between exhibitors and distributors has been signed by XDC with the six major Hollywood studios to convert up to 8 000 screens to digital over the next four years. Ahead of these senior debt arrangements XDC entered into a financing agreement with Barco one of its preferred digital projector manufacturer partners. Barco will participate in this structure through a specific and tailor made vendor-financing program. Financing capacity and technical innovation are key matters for XDC’s business plan execution ” says Serge Plasch XDC’s CEO. “This EIB loan facility will secure our long term senior debt requirements. Moreover this will allow XDC to emphasize its R&D projects to serve the market with innovative solutions.” EIB President Philippe Maystadt says “We are pleased to support the development of XDC. It has created its unique position as a key contributor in its field bringing added-value to the distributors and exhibitors going to digital and becoming a leader in the high-tech world of cinema.” The European Investment Bank www.eib.org