Stefano Durdic executive producer of WestMidWest Productions and Kirt Eftekhar co-founder with Richard Abramowitz of Area23a have announced a partnership for a hybrid theatrical release of the documentary film Revenge of the Electric Car. Through a combination of major metropolitan area theatrical runs and special event screenings the film will open across the country in the fall of 2011. The film had its world premiere on Earth Day at the 2011 Tribeca International Film Festival where it garnered strong reviews and will close the 2011 Silverdocs the premiere documentary film festival in the US.
Filmmaker Chris Paine says We're very excited to announce our partnership with Area23a for our theatrical release at Silverdocs. Area23a has a strong team that understands the changing distribution model for documentaries. 2011 marks the return of the electric car to the world and I'm happy Revenge will be able to bring that story to people this fall.” We are thrilled to be working with Chris Paine on Revenge of the Electric Car and to have the opportunity to connect and inspire audiences across America with this fascinating film says Kirt Eftekhar co-founder of Area 23a. Revenge of the Electric Car provides communities with a one-of-kind platform to discuss how they can benefit from the use of electric cars and alleviate dependency on foreign oil.
As part of the non-traditional release potential audiences can visit http://www.revengeoftheelectriccar.com/see-the-film.html to request the film in their market. The markets with the most votes will get the film first. In addition Revenge of the Electric Car has partnered with Sierra Club Electric Drive Transportation Association and a number of other corporate and non-profit organizations to help promote the film.
Directed by Paine (Who Killed the Electric Car 2006) Revenge of the Electric Car tracks the race to be first in big business. Behind the closed doors of Nissan GM and Tesla Motors the film has unprecedented access to the teams that led the global resurgence of the electric car following these major players as they race to be the first and the best and to win over the public.
A WestMidWest Production Revenge of the Electric Car was co-written by Paine and P.G. Morgan and produced by Morgan and Jessie Deeter Durdic is executive producer. Chris A. Peterson edited the film and Thaddeus Wadleigh served as director of photography with additional photography by Haskell Wexler.
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Sonic Handling Conversion of Marshfield Cinema 8 in Wisconsin,2011-07-09,Rogers Cinema has chosen Sonic Equipment Company for the conversion of its Marshfield Cinema 8 in Marshfield Wisconsin. Under the agreement GDC Technology will supply the digital cinema servers to be deployed in the conversion program. As part of Sonic’s aggressive installation agenda Rogers Cinema anticipates the entire chain to be fully converted by the end of 2012. Scott Koran CEO at Rogers Cinema has been working closely with Sonic during the conversion process. Sonic has been very active in the state of Wisconsin having overseen digital conversions in theatres in Shawano Sturgeon Bay and Whitewater. Additionally conversions in Woodruff Rhinelander Ashland and Antigo are scheduled to begin later this summer. Rogers Cinema is a family-owned chain with 53 screens in Wisconsin and Michigan. Marshfield is the first of its locations to be designated for conversion. A second Rogers Cinema venue in Stevens Point Wisconsin has been recently added to Sonic’s installation schedule. The conversion calls for the deployment of a combination of Christie Series II projectors GDC servers and Datasat Digital’s popular AP-20 audio processor. Cinedigm is responsible for structuring and implementing the underlying VPF agreement enabling Rogers Cinema’s conversion to digital cinema as well as assuming the entire administration responsibility of the VPF program. “Datasat is proud to have been selected as the audio processor of Sonic and Rogers Cinema’s continued digital cinema transition ” says Dusty Thomas vice president of sales Datasat. “Our AP20 audio processor is also an alternative content switcher complimented by a full automation suite which helps cinemas limit their exposure to multiple warranties and different manufacturers within their digital rollout.” “We couldn’t be more pleased with the superior quality of GDC products and Sonic’s stellar services in overseeing the conversion says Scott Koran CEO at Rogers Cinema. “Needless to say we’re really looking forward to impressing our customers with cutting edge digital cinema and providing them with a movie going experience that’s second to none.” “We are completely delighted to have been selected by both Sonic and Rogers Cinemas for the Wisconsin conversion program ” says Dr. Man-Nang Chong founder and CEO of GDC Technology. “Having worked with Sonic previously we understand their passion for assisting independent exhibitors in converting to digital. We are pleased Rogers Cinema has decided to work with GDC. It’s a testament to Rogers Cinema’s commitment to movie lovers and we relish the opportunity to develop this partnership.” “We are pleased to embark on this new relationship with Scott and the entire Rogers Cinemas family ” said Eric Olson director of operations at Sonic Equipment Company. “Our focus on helping independent exhibitors across the country to find their way through the process to conversion is what has brought our two companies together. I look forward to many years of continued partnership.” ,2589
Spy Comes to the Rescue for Priest,2011-07-09, In the post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller Priest from Screen Gems a warrior man of the cloth ventures out from hiding when his niece is kidnapped by a pack of murderous vampires. Directed by Scott Charles Stewart from the graphic novel of the same name Priest was released in 2D and stereoscopic 3D and premiered last month. Spy a FotoKem Company based in San Francisco created 125 of the movie’s visual effects shots including a major sequence involving a high-impact train collision.
A longtime Nvidia client Spy’s visual effects pipeline takes advantage of the speed and flexibility of Quadro professional graphics processing units. Mike Janov VFX supervisor Spy says “One of the things we did extensively in our shots for Priest was blow stuff up. Without Quadro cards we wouldn’t have been able to interactively manipulate and display shaders particles and detailed CG effects elements that were necessary in developing the look of our sequences.”
Spy was tasked with exploding computer generated motorcycles that disintegrate upon impact and needed to find a way to make the motorcycles retain as much of their structure as possible right before hitting the ground and falling apart.
Accelerated with Quadro GPUs Spy utilized Autodesk Maya for their hard surface modeling Nvidia mental ray for rendering Autodesk 3ds Max for dynamics and effects and Thinkbox Software’s Krakatoa for particle effects. Compositing was done using The Foundry’s Nuke and Autodesk Flame.
Says Janov “We were able to achieve our desired look using Particle Flow in 3ds Max. In this case we were able to load the entire motorcycle as a set of particles enabling us to minimize the motorcycle dynamics pretty quickly. With the flip of a switch depending on how much precision we wanted we could actually set a binding value for it. The motorcycle would lose control hit the ground and parts would start to fall apart and disintegrate based on certain values defined within the binding system. Working with Nvidia Quadro gave us the speed and flexibility to create multiple iterations of this climactic effect.”
Spy has been building CG workstations since the ‘90s and relied on optimizing VFX pipeline performance to meet the compressed delivery schedule of their shots for Priest. “There are a lot of hurdles to overcome when multiple artists are collaborating to produce photo real shots ” says Eric Hanson senior vice president FotoKem Creative Services and co-founder of Spy. “We have always been able to overcome those hurdles with Nvidia GPUs in all of the platforms we deploy. We work with Quadro graphics cards because of what the technology brings to our VFX pipeline and the confidence that we’ll be properly supported by Nvidia.” ,2590
Rausch Blatz Launch United Motion Entertainment,2011-07-09,Calling itself the first Hollywood transmedia production company United Motion Entertainment has announced the launch of its business. The company includes branded entertainment veteran Dominik Rausch as CEO and producer-actor-musician Kelly Blatz as vice president of strategic partnerships. They describe UME as a hybrid production company/marketing firm that they say is set to revolutionize the way that entertainment is produced distributed and promoted. The company is expanding its line of production services to include legal accounting and post-production supervision in order to offer a full production package to advertising agencies studios and production companies alike in keeping with the company’s motto “You bring the concept we deliver the product.” Rausch who is best known as a producer of the successful branded entertainment web series Easy to Assemble Season 2 sponsored by IKEA and as a digital producer for Horizon Media. Blatz is best known as a television (Aaron Stone and Glory Daze) and film (Prom Night) actor and as a musician. UME will leverage its status as the only Hollywood production company that has mastered the creation of high-quality production value with small-to-medium-budgets to deliver both on-demand assignment work for clients as well as long-term cross-platform projects. “There are few people in the digital media world who understand how to deliver innovative productions on-budget and on-schedule as well as Dominik Rausch; I have worked with him on campaigns that would not have happened with anyone else. He understands how to leverage new platforms for storytelling in a unique way ” says Molly Sugarman director of digital media innovation at Horizon Media. “The industry needs more production companies like United Motion Entertainment that can make creative exploration using new technologies an inviting opportunity for clients rather than a scary proposition. Dominik has an uncanny ability to focus on the story and not allow digital media to cloud the conversation.” “As the studio of the 21st century we open up the story for a new generation of audiences by creating a product tailored specifically to the complex structure of today’s media landscape. Up to this point transmedia has worked on creating a single and linear narrative across multiple platforms. Our United Motion Marketing concept provides a richer set of access points in a 360-degree world created to capture different audiences around the main property; essentially developing multiple franchises around one story to satisfy everyone’s curiosities ” says Rausch. We are now seeing a new generation of producers who fully understand how to create stories that extend from all platforms to all audiences in an efficient manner and United Motion Entertainment's model is indicative of this says Bill Fay president of production for Legendary Pictures. This may be the film studio of the future with the ability to produce micro-budget features and new media projects with equal expertise and with the facility to provide turn-key services to a range of partners. United Motion Entertainment www.unitedmotionentertainment.com ,2592
3ality OffHollywood Announce Partnership,2011-07-28, 3ality Digital and OffHollywood have announced a partnership. “As 3ality Digital expands into more markets we are broadening our outreach with the most innovative partners in the industry. Our two companies bring the very best of both worlds together providing turn-key S3D production solutions for filmmakers as well as for episodic television producers ” says Lucas Wilson director of business bevelopment 3ality Digital. “Our new alliance with 3ality Digital enables our two companies to widen our unique and forward-thinking technologies to a worldwide industry of filmmakers ” says Mark L. Pederson CTO and co-founder OffHollywood. OffHollywood is 3ality Digital’s first partner in New York which is a growing market for S3D production. OffHollywood has provided cameras and support for the Academy Award nominated film Rabbit Hole starring Nicole Kidman the soon-to-be-released Our Idiot Brother starring Paul Rudd and for the hit television crime series Blue Bloods on CBS starring Tom Selleck. In addition OffHollywood has a special passion for the independent film community allowing these artists to access the superior 3ality Digital technology within the indie-rich New York City film community. “We are thrilled to have OffHollywood join our creative family and are excited by the possibilities this partnership will bring in making 3ality Digital’s S3D technology pervasive in the production communities ” said CEO Steve Schklair of 3ality Digital. 3ality Digital has pioneered some of the latest and most powerful tools for filmmakers enabling them to turn S3D into a ubiquitous medium. Upcoming films incorporating 3ality Digital’s leading technology include Sony Pictures’ The Amazing Spider-Man MGM/New Line Cinema’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and Legendary Pictures/New Line Cinema’s Jack the Giant Killer. The S3D technology innovated by 3ality Digital has caught the attention of the film industry and the demand for its use is on a rapid rise. 3ality Digital http://3alitydigital.com OffHollywood http://www.OffHollywoodny.com ,2596
Alamo San Antonio Celebrates Digital Conversion with Harry Potter Marathon,2011-07-28, Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas in San Antonio marked the unveiling of their digital conversion with a Harry Potter marathon showing the previous seven films starting at six in the morning and leading right up to the premiere of the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 at midnight. This digital upgrade at the Alamo franchise location in San Antonio continues the exhibitor’s emphasis on providing a range of amenities such as award winning food extensive beer selection and pre-show programming. It features Sony’s 4K digital cinema projection on each of its nine screens the first theatre in San Antonio to do so. Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas is known for its inventive alternative content events and rare film programming as well as showcasing first run films. Its latest efforts with the Harry Potter movies is just one more example of how digital technology can broaden a theatre’s range of programming options and deliver a unique out-of-home entertainment experience for consumers. Liz Burt director of sales and marketing for the San Antonio market says “We are excited to launch the best film presentation our industry has to offer. We know our loyal customer base will love the advancements that have been made.” “Sony’s unique 4K technology is an example of how digital technology is allowing exhibitors more flexibility in promoting movies like the Harry Potter franchise ” says Andrew Stucker national account manager for Sony’s Digital Cinema Solutions Group. “Movie goers will have every detail brought to life as part of an extremely vivid and immersive entertainment experience.” Alamo Drafthouse http://www.drafthouse.com Sony Digital Cinema www.sony.com/digitalcinema ,2597
Arri Releases SUP 4.0 for Alexa and Alexa Plus,2011-07-28, Arri has released the Alexa Software Update Packet 4.0 which provides a number of new features and improvements for both the Alexa and Alexa Plus models based on Arri’s ongoing research and development as well as feedback from film and television professionals working with Alexa in the field. The company says the Alexa system is expanding rapidly with two camera models already in widespread use and two more due for release before the end of the year: the Alexa Studio featuring an optical viewfinder and 4:3 sensor and Alexa M with a separate camera head for 3D applications and tight shooting environments. New features of SUP 4.0 applicable to both Alexa and Alexa Plus include: • Custom looks via Arri Look Files • New SxS PRO card options • Auto White Balance • Anamorphic de-squeeze • Peaking focus check • False color exposure check for Log C images • Fan improvements for hot shooting conditions • Image comparison options for the camera operator New features of SUP 4.0 applicable only to Alexa Plus include: • Master/Slave lens motor control and 3D sync • Enhanced Lens Data System (LDS) integration • Electronic level All new Alexas will have SUP 4.0 installed and all existing cameras can be upgraded to SUP 4.0. For more detailed information on SUP 4.0 you go to http://www.arri.com/downloads/alexa. ,2598
Cine Plaza SuntoMoon Japan’s First DCI-Compliant Theatre,2011-07-28, Cine Plaza SuntoMoon has become Japan’s first fully DCI compliant theatre. Located in the Shizuoka prefecture it has 12 screens and can seat more than 2000 moviegoers. Six of the screens have already been equipped with Barco digital cinema projectors.
This past month one DP4K-23B one DP2K-12C and four DP2K-15C projectors were added – making Cine Plaza SuntoMoon the first cinema in Japan to be equipped with 4K DLP projectors. Now that all of the Barco projectors are in place (both 2K and 4K) Cine Plaza SuntoMoon is also the first cinema in Japan to fully meet the DCI specifications. Fumiyoshi Otani sales director for Shizukatsu says “We have been using Barco products since the Series 1 projector. Barco's DLP cinema projectors are the only choice when you want to give moviegoers the highest quality cinema experience. Barco projectors are more robust easy to use and have a low total cost of ownership. Furthermore Barco helped minimize the cost of our digitization by perfectly matching our screen sizes with its range of projectors. We are very satisfied with Barco.”
Masao Sasano sales manager digital cinema for Barco Japan says “We are very pleased that Shizukatsu Company has recognized Barco quality from the beginning and that they have now added the 4K Enhanced Barco DLP cinema projector to their 2K projectors. We are proud to offer our highest image quality to their Cine Plaza SuntoMoon moviegoers while supporting Shizukatsu with cost-effective solutions.”
Looking ahead on October Shizukatsu is scheduled to open a new 10-screen cinema complex – called Cine City Zart – across from the Shin-Shizuoka station. All 10 screens will be equipped with Barco digital cinema projectors.
Shizukatsu http://www.shizukatsu.co.jp/top.htm ,2599
Carmike Opens BigD Theatre in Savannah,2011-07-28,Carmike Cinemas has unveiled a new BigD theatre at its Savannah Georgia Wynnsong 11 location. We're providing the ultimate entertainment experience that centerpieces large format digital with bigger screens bigger and better sound plus luxurious in-theater seating for cutting-edge presentation and the definitive enjoyment of our audiences says David Passman Carmike's president and CEO. With the Savannah opening this area is now one of the first in the nation to offer theatergoers the BigD format. The totally re-designed auditorium includes a wall-to-wall screen measuring 62 feet wide and three stories tall the latest in 7.1 surround sound and digital projection of both 2D and 3D features. It is powered by a Christie Brilliant 3D flash projector. Images are projected onto a ceiling-to-floor screen. The end result is a light output of 30 000 lumens. The custom QSC digital audio system is tuned to a 7.1 speaker array with 16 channels and the ability to upgrade to 11.1. The new environment also includes plush leather rocking seats placed in a stadium-seating configuration. The success over the past years of 3D releases for features like Avatar Cars 2 and Transformers Dark of the Moon proves that audiences are excited about and enjoy the new digital experience and are demanding it Passman says. These early successes will no doubt persuade producers to release more movies in this format and with the BigD experience Carmike has the full capability to provide our audiences with the technology and total luxury that brings theatergoing to a new level. Carmike Cinemas www.carmike.com ,2601
Deluxe Technicolor Join Forces as Film Print Business Declines,2011-07-28,Deluxe Entertainment Services and Technicolor have formed an alliance that the companies say will ensure continued high quality customer service during the motion picture industry's transition from 35mm film to digital. With digital cinema projectors becoming ubiquitous in North America and film volumes declining Technicolor will subcontract its 35mm bulk release printing business to Deluxe in North America. In addition Deluxe will subcontract its 35mm print distribution business in the U.S. to Technicolor. In London as a result of digital image capture overtaking film capture; Deluxe will subcontract its 35mm/16mm original color negative processing business to Technicolor. Deluxe will provide 35mm bulk release printing at its Denham and other European facilities. In related news The Globe and Mail in Montreal has reported that In the latest blow to the use of 35 mm film prints in North America’s movie houses and on television Technicolor is shutting its release print manufacturing operations in Mirabel Quebec just north of Montreal putting 178 employees out of work. Beginning this week Technicolor will place its 35mm release print orders with Deluxe's film laboratories in Hollywood and Toronto on behalf of its customers. With this new arrangement Deluxe will provide printing services in North America for all the major Hollywood studios. Technicolor will begin servicing Deluxe's U.S. 35mm release print distribution needs in September and Deluxe's U.K. 35mm/16mm original color negative processing needs at Technicolor's Pinewood facility starting next week. Today's agreement with Technicolor is the result of significant changes in our industry enabled by new digital technologies causing the rapid transition from film to digital says Cyril Drabinsky president and CEO of Deluxe Entertainment Services Group. This agreement will help maintain a high consistency of service for our customers through the remaining life of film. Deluxe has been processing film since 1915 and until the last few years was known primarily as a film laboratory. Today the bulk of its business is in digital services and technologies. Today's announcement is a further step in Deluxe's transformation into a post-production and digital services vendor to the entire entertainment industry. Deluxe Entertainment Services Group www.bydeluxe.com ,2603
Element Technica Delivers 200th 3D Rig,2011-07-28,Element Technica has delivered its 200th Technica 3D rig. Number 200 is an Atom model purchased by Evergreen Films who coincidentally took delivery of the very first Technica 3D rig about two years ago. The Atom is purpose-built to mount Red Epic 5K cameras. Evergreen Films president and co-founder Pierre de Lespinois puts a premium on durability which comes as no surprise as Evergreen currently has projects underway in remote locations in Alaska and Africa. “An ET Rig is just bulletproof it’s solid and I don’t worry about it ” he says. “If you’re in the field on a big movie and you have to worry about a piece of equipment and its durability you’re not focused you’re not your best.” De Lespinois and his partner Mike Devlin worked with Element Technica co-founders Hector Ortega and Stephen Pizzo on the original Technica 3D rig design. “We could tell even from the prototypes that they were on to something pretty great ” says de Lespinois. As owners of a total of 10 ET rigs in all the various sizes Evergreen finds the assembly and alignment procedures which are common throughout the entire rig family to be particularly beneficial. “We train our guys on the rigs and it’s nice to have the continuity and consistency ” says de Lespinois. “I can substitute one rig for another and there’s no problem.” Evergreen Films has worked hand-in-glove with Element Technica on delivering rig positioning metadata from the ET rigs. For the Africa film they will send 15 channels of metadata multiplexed by the ET rig 24 000 feet down a fiber optic cable. “When I bring an idea to them no matter how hair brained Hector and Steve give intelligent comments find how it can be done and how to incorporate it into the rigs ” says de Lespinois. Evergreen Films has established vertically integrated 3D-equipped studios in Los Angeles and Anchorage to produce projects from inception through post-production dedicated to maintaining high production quality. Since delivery of the first Technica 3D rig two years ago ET has developed a family of rigs to mount cameras of all sizes. They have become the stereoscopic rig of choice for dozens of motion pictures. They have also been key 3D components for the highest profile sporting and entertainment events including last summer’s FIFA World Cup soccer from South Africa and the recently completed Wimbledon Tennis Tournament. ,2606
Canada’s Empire Theatres Undergoing Renovations,2011-07-28,Canadian exhibitor Empire Theatres is currently making extensive renovations to its Dieppe New Brunswick. The changes we are making to our Dieppe location were designed to create the ultimate movie-going experience for our guests. We are thrilled to bring this community an enhanced entertainment experience at the movies and welcome them to come in relax and enjoy their new theatre once it's complete says Dean Leland vice president of studio and media relations Empire Theatres. The theatre which is located in the Crystal Palace complex will have eight auditoriums that will feature curved screens Dolby Digital Surround Sound stadium-style seating and comfortable wide rocker-style seats with lots of leg room. The auditoriums will also have 100-percent integrated DLP digital cinema projection as well as RealD 3D capability in four auditoriums. In addition Empire Theatres Dieppe will feature Empire Theatres' very own Empire Extra experience in one of its auditoriums. Empire Extra provides guests with a heightened sensory experience in a special auditorium designed to offer dynamic sound screen and seat quality. Empire Extra boasts custom-designed multi-channel sound system for the ultimate audio experience; stunning digital presentation on a massive wrap-around screen; and reserved seating in comfy high back leather-like rockers. Empire Theatres Dieppe will also include an expansive main lobby including a lounge area and large rooms that will be used for community and corporate use. It will also feature a new refreshments layout that is a first for Empire Theatres. The area will be open-concept and provide guests with easy access to multiple food stations that will allow them to customize their order with a large variety of hot and cold items. ,2607
The Foundry Releases Nuke 6.3 ,2011-07-28, The Foundry has released Nuke 6.3 to address the requirements of all VFX industries. New features will benefit small and medium companies using Nuke to create highly visual and engaging commercials at the same time as delivering new technologies that boost Nuke’s functionality for movie projects.
The new 3D Particle system Planar Tracking Presets Audio Scratch Track and speed improvements combine to save time on short form projects while redesigned Spline and Grid Warpers and a brand new Denoise algorithm bolster common compositing tasks.
Nuke product manager Jon Wadelton says Nuke is the industry standard Swiss army knife for VFX artists across the CGI film and television industries – each needing different tools to satisfy different demands. We’ve reached this point by listening to our audience and delivering an assortment of features catering to their unique requirements. This is what makes the 6.3 releases so significant; we’ve tailored Nuke to fit the demands faced by artists.”
Roy Trosh group technical director at The Mill says Nuke has become an integral part to our workflow at The Mill and has been welcomed with open arms by all departments. Having the site license means everyone can have a piece of the pie and our imagination is not limited by numbers. The ease of use speed and the technical prowess of the kit have ignited a new creative energy amongst our artists. Each week we are discovering new ways to achieve things using Nuke and the recent updates have made the future of Nuke even more exciting for us.” Nuke is available on Mac Linux and Windows and is priced at $3 800/ £2 300 while Nukex is priced at $6 600/ £4 000 respectively. Current Nuke user will access all Nuke and Nukex upgrades free of charge during their subscription term.
The Foundry http://www.thefoundry.co.uk/products/nuke/ ,2608
GDC Signs Agreement with Toho Company,2011-07-28, GDC Technology has signed a digital system agreement with Toho Company a Japanese entertainment company involved in film distribution.
Under the non-exclusive agreement Toho will pay usage fees for any of its exhibitors signed up with GDC and its partners. The agreement solely applies to equipment installations carried out before the end of March 2014 and is limited to Japan.
“The VPF agreement with Toho is a major accomplishment for GDC as it is among our first in a series of Japanese deals with distributors. This is just the beginning of GDC’s foray into the Japan market and we are looking forward to partnering with more and more exhibitors as part of our program. Renowned for cutting edge technology GDC’s digital cinema products simply belong in Japan and we are proud to help make it happen ” says GDC Technology founder and CEO Dr. Man-Nang Chong. ,2609
Industry Groups Launch Effort to Educate Public about Online Content Theft,2011-07-28, The Independent Film & Television Alliance and a coalition of its member companies have joined major broadband companies the Recording Industry Association A2IM and the Motion Picture Association of America to announce the launch of a jointly supported voluntary initiative to advise consumers about online content theft and legitimate alternatives.
The system creates a common Copyright Alerts framework which is similar to credit card fraud alerts and is designed to educate and notify Internet subscribers when their accounts have been identified as being misused for online content theft. This collaboration through which ISPs will educate subscribers about content theft on their Internet accounts protects consumers and copyright holders alike
IFTA and select member companies have issued the following statements:
“It’s extremely gratifying to see the music and film industry –independents and majors alike – and ISPs unite in a time of crisis and work tirelessly together for a common goal ” says Jean Prewitt IFTA president & CEO. “The only way to temper the spread of online content theft is by educating consumers about the problem and about the available legitimate sources of content. This voluntary program is unprecedented and we are eager to see the positive effects for independent companies and the industry overall.” Barbara Mudge president and founder of Worldwide Film Entertainment an IFTA-member company says “Every day I experience the catastrophic effects content theft is having on the independents – it’s a real-life horror movie. Each person we can educate and steer away from unlawful services will have a meaningful impact and this program could not have come soon enough.” Rob Friedman co-chairman and CEO of Summit Entertainment also an IFTA-member company says “Content theft continues to be a threat to our business both here and abroad. Initiatives such as a common framework for Copyright Alerts are a positive step toward both curbing the efforts of online content theft and educating consumers as to how their online accounts can be used by thieves to further their illegal activities.”
The Independent Film & Television Alliance www.ifta-online.org ,2611
ZON Lusomundo Cinemas to Open Portugal’s First IMAX Theatres,2011-07-28,IMAX Corporation and ZON Lusomundo Cinemas have announced a joint revenue sharing agreement to install three new digital IMAX theatre systems in Portugal. The deal marks the first IMAX theatres to open in Portugal. Under the terms of the agreement the systems will be installed in existing theatres in different parts of the country with the first expected to open by the end of the year. All three locations are expected to open before the end of 2012. We have been impressed by the growth and success of IMAX in Europe and we are thrilled to be bringing the premium state-of-the-art IMAX Experience to our customers in Portugal says Luis Mota general manager of ZON Lusomundo Cinemas. ZON Lusomundo Cinemas is the preeminent exhibitor in Portugal with numerous assets and its finger on the pulse of European filmed entertainment says IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. ZON Lusomundo's marketing assets make it an extremely attractive partner for the IMAX brand which has a strong foundation in Western European markets. Over the past 12 months our growth strategy has included seeding important markets like Spain Italy Germany – and now Portugal. Our partnership with ZON Lusomundo is strategic – not just as a partner for our first entry into Portugal - but supporting our broader growth strategy in Europe which is a key expansion market for us. Our joint revenue sharing model has proven to be successful in Europe and we look forward to building on this segment of our business in one of our most important growth markets says Larry T. O'Reilly IMAX's executive vice president theatre development. We are pleased to partner with ZON Lusomundo to introduce IMAX to audiences in Portugal. IMAX Corporation www.imax.com ZON Lusomundo Cinemas www.zon.pt ,2612
I3DS Announces Formation of Committee in Japan,2011-07-28,The Japan Committee of the International 3D Society held its inaugural meeting and formally began its activities in Japan on July 14th. The committee is an industry organization established for the purpose of contributing to the steady growth of stereoscopic 3D technologies and content creation through education awareness-raising and recognition activities. While working with I3DS committees in the US Asia and Europe the I3DS Japan Committee aims to improve the art and technology of 3D content and to support the development of 3D industry specialists through cooperation with related companies and organizations in Japan. Jim Chabin president and CEO of the I3DS says We are very happy to see the founding of the I3DS Japan Committee. We look forward to the realization of a 3D education curriculum and an awards program for Japan that have been localized based on the experience of the 3D University in the US and at the same time we expect to see collaboration between 3D University activities around the world.” Asia Committee chair Masayuki Kozuka from Panasonic Corporation says There has been a rapid increase in interest in 3D productions in Asia as well and it is very significant that these kinds of activities have begun in Japan. I3DS will contribute toward the expansion and popularization of appealing 3D content through these activities. I3DS Japan chair Takashi Kawai says In recent years there has also been a rapidly growing need for good quality 3D production in various areas such as in movies TV broadcasts and communications. We would like to engage in new efforts toward safe and appealing 3D content creation from the perspective of both users and creators.” The I3DS Japan Committee http://www.i3ds.jp ,2614
First Czech 3D Movie Screened at Film Festival in Zlín,2011-07-28,At the opening of the International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Zlín Czech Republic the young audience enjoyed a very special cinema experience: the long-awaited 3D fantasy musical Under the Duvet by director F.A. Brabec the first Czech feature-length movie shot completely in 3D. The feature premiered in the 1010-seat auditorium of the Zlín Grand Cinema. The 3D event was made possible by Kinoton's sales and service partner for the Czech Republic Kinoservis which professionally installed two DCP 30 LX Digital Cinema Projectors manufactured by Kinoton and based on projection technology provided by Barco. The projectors featured a Dolby 3D LS system specially designed for large screens. The 3D projection system stayed at the historic Grand Cinema during the entire Zlín Film Festival for additional large-size 3D screenings of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and the exclusive premiere of the eagerly anticipated Kung-Fu Panda 2. The film festival in Zlín is now in its 51st year. It is one of the oldest and most renowned international events devoted to film video and new media for children and young adults. This year the festival featured 244 films from 43 countries. ,2615
Linkin Parkʼs Iridescent to Screen in 3D at Theatres Worldwide,2011-07-28, Grammy-Award winning Linkin Park and Warner Bros. Records teamed up with PassmoreLab to create the bandʼs latest music video Iridescent in stereoscopic 3D. The song plays during the end credits of the number one box office film Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The 3D music video is playing in select independent theaters worldwide at the end of the movie. The video for Iridescent is abstract shot in black white and grey tones and intercut with images of snakes bulldogs futuristic architecture bionic entities and Transformer robots (which provide the only brief flashes of color). The video is all part of director (and Linkin Park turntablist) Joe Hahnʼs vision. “It explores how human existence might be affected by the elements of Transformers robots and the threat of the Decepticons says Hahn. What would it be like to be citizens in a decaying universe? I tried a lot of new things and we had fun shooting it. This is the second time Linkin Park has worked with PassmoreLab for 3D production. Last year PassmoreLab added the 3D post-production to the bandʼs video for the number one single Waiting for the End. The video touted as a “montage of melodic emotion ” received critical acclaim and earned Linkin Park and PassmoreLab numerous awards and praise at 3D film festivals worldwide. PassmoreLab provides stereoscopic 3D production and post-production services using a combination of traditional approaches and proprietary tools. “We had a very tight schedule to complete all the 3D elements of Iridescent in time for the Transformers 3 premiere. Throughout the 3D production process we worked very closely with the band's digital post-house Ghost Town Media in Los Angeles to stay true to the director's vision for the video. Without a high level of communication and efficient workflow between everyone involved with this project it would not have been completed on time. The collaborative end result is truly a beautiful and dramatic use of 3D. Hahnʼs post-apocalyptic vision and our 3D mesh wonderfully ” says Greg Passmore CEO of PassmoreLab. Iridescent provides a unique blend of gritty desaturated stylization and iconic imagery that is greatly enhanced after conversion to 3D. “Our proprietary 3D techniques and alternative style has become a sought after commodity in the music industry ” says James Humann executive producer with PassmoreLab “We feel that ʻIridescent 3Dʼ is a game changer for the music video business and weʼre looking forward to continuing to work with bands and artists to produce and distribute videos and live performances through the latest 3D delivery platforms.” Both Iridescent and Waiting for the End in 3D are available for distribution through PassmoreLab on multiple platforms including mobile devices video on demand television broadcast and theatrical. Linkin Park http://www.linkinpark.com PassmoreLab http://www.passmorelab.com Warner Bros. Records http://www.warnerbrosrecords.com
Revenge of the Car to have Hybrid Release
