Recognizing the abilities of the talented men and women behind the scenes who play a vital part in the creation of motion pictures commercials and television nominations have been announced by the Hollywood Post Alliance for the Fourth Annual HPA Awards. Winners of the prestigious HPA Award will be announced during a gala evening ceremony on November 12th at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles California. The awards launched in 2006 acknowledge creative and technical excellence in the art science and craft of post-production in twelve categories. In announcing the nominees HPA president Leon Silverman said Again this year the fourth for the HPA Awards we have been consistently impressed with the quality skill and talent of the entrants. These awards honor those people who make the art happen the collaborative partners throughout the creative process. It is no small accomplishment to take a vision contribute to it and make it reality. We are proud to present these nominees who make the magic real and we are grateful to the companies that support them and who make their work possible. Nominees for the HPA Awards include: Outstanding Color Grading – Feature Film in a DI Process “Pride and Glory” Dave Cole // LaserPacific Media Corporation “Julie & Julia” Steven J. Scott // EFilm “Defiance” Natasha Leonnet // EFilm Outstanding Color Grading – Television “Four Single Fathers” Sergio Cremasco // Rumblefish Mad Men – The Jet Set” Tim Vincent // LaserPacific Media Corporation “Yankee Stadium Tribute – Yogi’s Bronx” Siggy Ferstl // Company 3 Outstanding Color Grading – Commercial Pepsi “Pass” Stefan Sonnenfeld // Company 3 American Express “Members Moments” Valerie Junge // Big Sky Editorial Jaguar “XJ Launch Film” Alex Bickel // Outside Editorial Outstanding Editing – Feature Film “Star Trek” Maryann Brandon A.C.E and Mary Jo Markey A.C.E. // Paramount “The Hurt Locker” Chris Innis and Bob Murawski “Slumdog Millionaire” Chris Dickens A.C.E. Outstanding Editing – Television “Dollhouse – Omega” Harry B. Miller III A.C.E “Breaking Bad – ABQ” Lynne Willingham A.C.E. // Sony Pictures Entertainment “Lie to Me – Season Finale” David J. Siegel A.C.E. and David C. Cook Outstanding Editing – Commercial Bing.com Syndrome Chris Franklin // Big Sky Editorial NASCAR “Start Er Up” Neil Gust // Outside Editorial Jaguar XF/XK Neil Gust // Outside Editorial Outstanding Audio Post – Feature Film “Watchmen” Chris Jenkins Frank A. Montano Scott Hecker and Eric Norris // Universal Studios Sound “Up” E.J. Holowicki // Pixar Animation Studios Tom Myers Michael Silvers and Michael Semanick // Skywalker Sound “Quantum of Solace” Eddy Joseph // Soundelux London Jimmy Boyle Outstanding Audio Post – Television “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – Mascara” David F. Van Slyke // Slick Sounds Ruth Adelman Jivan Tahmizian Bill Smith Yuri Reese and Mace Matiosian // Todd-AO “Lost – The Incident” Tom de Gorter Paula Fairfield Carla Murray Scott Weber and Frank Morrone // Walt Disney Studio Post Production Services “Fringe – Unleashed” Thomas Harris Michael Ferdie Chris Reeves Mark Fleming and Tom Dahl // Walt Disney Studio Post Production Services Outstanding Audio Post – Commercial Sony “Extreme Detail Bond” Parv Thind // Wave Recording Studios Outstanding Audio Post – Commercial (continued) Honda Fury “Unleashed” Paul Hurtubise Richard Cooperman and Thom Blackburn // Solid Jeff Levy // Margarita Mix Santa Monica Honda Civic “Grooves” Nathan Dubin // Margarita Mix Santa Monica Outstanding Compositing – Feature Film “Star Trek” Eddie Pasquarello Grady Cofer Greg Salter and Conny Fauser // Industrial Light & Magic “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” Nelson Sepulveda Ben O’Brien Matthew Brumit and Robert Hoffmeister // Industrial Light & Magic Outstanding Compositing – Television “House – House Divided” Elan Soltes Dan Lopez Jeremy Jozwik and Changsoo Eun // Encore Hollywood “Krupp – Eine Deutsche Familie” (Krupp - A German Family) Thomas Tannenberger Olcun Tan Shane Cook and Josiah Howison // Gradient Effects Outstanding Compositing – Commercial NBA “Amazing Playoff Moments – Bird Steals the Ball” Geoff McAuliffe Jimi Simmons Sean McLean and Robin Hobart // Brickyard VFX Outstanding Compositing – Commercial (continued) “The Day the Earth Stood Still - International Landmark Destruction Campaign” Brady Beaubien and Brandon Peterson // Interlace Toyota “Ninja Kittens” Colin Renshaw // Animal Logic In addition to the categories announced today famed filmmaker sound designer visual effects expert and Academy Award winner Ben Burtt will receive the Charles S. Swartz Award which honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of post. The Award recognizes Burtt’s important contributions and his powerful artistic impact on the industry. Also on November 12th post-production icon Paul Haggar will receive the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Haggar rose through the studio ranks from the Paramount mailroom to apprentice editor and eventually to executive vice president of post-production for feature films a post he held for over 20 years. The HPA Engineering Excellence Award winners DVS Digital Video Systems for Clipster Signiant for Content Distribution Management and S.two Corporation for the OB-1 Uncompressed Digital Recorder will also be recognized at the gala. Tickets are now available. For further details about the Hollywood Post Alliance Awards visit www.hpaawards.net. ,1337
Wake the Witch Releases on the Internet,2009-10-22, In yet another example of the ways in which independent filmmakers are releasing their projects Unfiltered Entertainment last month announced that its movie Wake the Witch would be distributed through Amazon.com and FilmBaby.com this.
Inspired by Japanese horror the 90-minute feature tells the tale of three friends who unwittingly release the vengeful spirit of a witch from her resting place. Written and directed by Dorothy Booraem the low-budget film was shot on location in Wilderness Park in Lincoln Nebraska and other locations in the surrounding area last fall. Post-production was completed earlier this year using a PC-based Adobe Premiere Pro NLE system.
Handheld shots were used to “amp up the energy” during some sequences according to Chad Haufschild producer cinematographer and lead editor for Wake the Witch who used a JVC GY-HD250U camcorder for the shoot. He says the compact shoulder-mount GY-HD250U was “fantastic” for the handheld shots because of its excellent balance. “Going handheld was easier compared to smaller cameras ” he says.
Although the camcorder features a 1/3-inch bayonet mount and can accommodate a variety of lenses Haufschild used the standard 16:1 Fujinon zoom lens that comes with the GY-HD250U to help keep the shoot on schedule. “It’s the perfect lens for this kind of project ” he says. “It gave us the depth of field we needed to pull off the composition we wanted – and helped keep the pace of the shoot fast.”
Haufschild says he appreciated the GY-HD250U’s built-in focus assist feature and color viewfinder during the shoot and captured the action in 720p/24. “I was impressed with the image from the beginning ” he says. “When you see the image and it’s shot correctly it is actually pretty fantastic.”
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Marcus Midtown Cinema in Omaha to Install Kodak Digital Cinema,2009-10-22,The new Marcus Midtown Cinema at Midtown Crossing in Omaha Nebraska is installing Kodak Digital Cinema systems on all five screens of the four-level entertainment destination which is scheduled to open on November 6. Systems will include several models of NEC projectors supplied by Ballantyne Strong who will handle projector installation. We've decided to step carefully into the world of digital feature systems says Bruce J. Olson president of Marcus Theatres. We've been working with Kodak for some time and their depth of technology appeals to us. As our vision for the new Midtown complex began to take shape we invited the best brands to participate and are pleased to welcome Kodak as an important partner in what will be a showcase for entertainment in the Omaha area. This is a relationship where we'll each do what we do best - and the moviegoers will benefit says Drena Rogers director of strategic accounts for Kodak Digital Cinema. We took one look at Marcus's plans for Omaha and we knew we had to be involved. This is not just a gorgeous theatre: this is a rethinking of the future of cinema. We're excited to help them bring their vision to reality. The new five-screen four-level theatre will include two urban cocktail lounges the latest theatre concessions CineDine in-theatre dining and a four-story glass façade with views of the Omaha city skyline. Marcus Theatres is the seventh largest theatre circuit in the United States and currently owns or manages 663 screens at 53 locations. Powering the digital presentation in each auditorium will be the Kodak Screen Management Server which delivers the full program - pre-show trailers and feature - through the cinema-grade NEC projector. Images will be big bright and consistent; the presentation will be seamless and can be fully automated driven by the Kodak Theatre Management System. Connected to the complex's ticketing system the TMS loads and directs the show schedule so shows start on time automatically. Cinema managers can concentrate on serving their guests while the Kodak system contributes to the overall experience. With Midtown Cinema's creative dining concepts and sleek environment it's important to remember that the centerpiece of it all is the movie experience adds Olson and that needs to be first rate. We're confident Kodak will do their part to deliver that in a way that is complementary and consistent with everything else our guests will experience. The new complex will offer amenities that set a new benchmark for cinemas including a two-story atrium with grand piano music a 24-seat conference space with full catering services a features wall with streaming trailers on LED flat-screen monitors and an in-theatre call button system so guests can enjoy restaurant-style service in comfortable swivel chairs and tables while watching their favorite movie. Moviegoers who come to Marcus Theatres expect a great theatrical experience but in the new Midtown complex Bruce and his team will take that a giant leap forward says Rogers. This will be a magical place to socialize dine and to see movies at their very best - because when great brands join together magic happens. In addition to providing network installation Kodak is handling all training and support including remote monitoring of components and on-site maintenance as required. What Kodak is really offering adds Rogers is peace of mind in a unique cinema environment. Currently Kodak Digital Cinema feature systems are installed in sites owned or managed by 42 exhibition chains in 17 countries worldwide. Kodak www.kodak.com/go/motion Marcus Theatres www.marcustheatres.com ,1340
NEC Offers Financial Incentives for Digital Cinema Theatres,2009-10-22,NEC Display Solutions of America has announced the availability of financing incentives for theatre owners looking to upgrade cinema projector capabilities to digital. Now through December 31 NEC is offering eligible organizations special financing packages with low introductory payments on eligible NEC 3D-enabled digital cinema projectors. With the increased number of 3D movies scheduled to be released over the next few months now’s the time for theatre owners to improve their technology and benefit from the increased box office revenue associated with 3D movies says Jim Reisteter general manager digital cinema division NEC Display Solutions. We’re excited to offer special financing programs to help theatre owners obtain advanced digital projector technology for 3D that has the potential to pay for itself within 12 to 18 months. Combining advanced DLP Cinema projectors with multiplex and screen servers NEC's Digital Cinema Projector Series offers the most comprehensive digital cinema solution on the market today. These models enable theatres to deliver stunning digital images regardless of screen size while simplifying theatre management and reducing costs. NEC digital cinema projectors require the use of a 3D enabler in order to display 3D films and enablers are available through Dolby RealD and MasterImage. NEC's 3D-enabled digital cinema projectors the NC2500S-A and NC1600A-C meet DCI specifications for performance and reliability which are requirements in the cinema industry today. We’re thrilled to provide offers that allow theatre owners to take advantage of NEC’s innovative projector technology says Herschel Salan vice president and general manager NEC Financial Services. Theatre owners have a unique opportunity to affordably improve their digital cinema projector technology and subsequently reap the benefits of increased revenue due to 3D movies. During these difficult economic times we want as many theatres as possible to experience the value that NEC has to offer.” NEC Lease www.neclease.com
Nominees Announced for the Fourth Annual HPA Awards
