WebMovieNow.com an Osiris Entertainment company has formed an alliance with Nelson Madison Films that makes the studio’s catalog of more than 40 titles available for the newly launched online movie rental destination. In addition to bringing its own titles to WebMovieNow.com Nelson Madison Films distribution arm Indie Rights will also serve as an aggregator of film releases from other independent distributors for the movie rental Website.
Indie Rights titles to be showcased on WebMovieNow.com will include the critically acclaimed and award-winning social documentary Skid Row featuring Grammy award-winning artist Pras Michel who slept on the streets of Los Angeles for nine days to help raise awareness of the country’s growing homeless crisis. The film played the festival circuit where it was featured at the Pan African Film and Art Festival in Los Angeles and was screened in Denver during the Democratic National Convention courtesy of Harkins Theaters. “We are confident that exposure of the film through WebMovieNow.com will help bring the film and it’s subject matter the attention it deserves ” says Linda Nelson CEO of Indie Rights. Formed in 2003 by film producer Linda Nelson and producer-director Michael Madison Nelson Madison Films is a producer and distributor of theatrical motion pictures for the global marketplace. Among the company’s productions is the large format film NSYNC Bigger Than Live documenting the pop music mega group NSYNC which made its premiere in Los Angeles and screened at more than fifty IMAX and giant screen theaters worldwide. The company’s next film project is the action adventure Delivered.
“Linda Nelson and Michael Madison are talented film professionals who have built an industry-wide reputation as an innovate and savvy company. I am delighted to join with this outstanding creative team for the quality titles they bring to WebMovieNow.com as well as for the extensive relationships they have within the independent film community as we work together to build our Website’s offerings ” says Evan Crooke CEO of WebMovieNow.com.
WebMovieNow.com has emerged as an exciting online movie rental destination offering consumers diversity quality and convenience. We look forward to bringing our catalog of films to this unique service and to introducing WebMovieNow to independent film distributors as a new outlet for their product ” says Nelson. ,880
West Post Digital Completes Work on Skiing Everest,2009-04-14, West Post Digital has completed the finishing on a jointly produced film that turned 50 hours of DV and HDV footage captured by ski mountaineers over the last decade (1998—2008) into the full-length adventure feature Skiing Everest. The movie co-produced with veteran ski mountaineer Mike Marolt and acclaimed producer Les Guthman (Farther than the Eye Can See) previewed in January at Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House where it was back by demand and screened to a packed house last month.
Mike Marolt ski mountaineer co-producer and co-director of Everest says “West Post was not fazed by the technical issues on this project and was able to do things in the post process that other post houses had said could not be done. The overall work experience has been great and the images on screen show what can be done in a boutique facility with great talent.”
Skiing Everest is a feature-length HD production that takes adventure to a new level bringing audiences onto the pristine slopes of Mt. Everest Shishapangma and Cho Oyu in the Himalayas; Mustagh Ata on the China-Pakistan border and Mt. Cotopaxi in Ecuador—one of the highest volcanoes in the world. The movie documents a small elite fraternity of high-altitude ski mountaineers challenging the most dangerous slopes in the world under perilous weather conditions; facing hidden crevasses and 10 000 foot sheer face drops—carrying their skis and declining to use supplemental oxygen. Simultaneously it chronicles Aspen’s growth since 1898 and the role the Marolt family played in developing its status as a center for sports. Skiing Everest will be screened at The Explorers Club April 20 followed by a discussion with Guthman and Marolt.
“It was particularly challenging combining the recent HD footage with DV images from more than 10 years ago ” Marolt continues “The movie audience must also consider that the images came from an extremely hostile shooting environment; some footage is from altitudes as high as 8000 meters making the quality of the images all the more significant.”
West Post Partner Kenny Fields was co-editor on Skiing Everest and explains “We took all the SD DV and HDV footage shot by Mike (Marolt) and converted it into DVCPro 1080 using the Apple Final Cut Pro system. This allowed us to view the material in the delivery format all the way through the post process. Our Da Vinci 2K color corrector was instrumental in matching the shots from ten-year old DV cameras and current HDV cameras. The final part of the process was to output to Sony HDCam SR tape for delivery and distribution.”
As co-producers on Skiing Everest Fields and his West Post team were in close collaboration with Les Guthman writer producer director and co-editor of the project throughout the finishing process. Guthman a two-time Emmy nominee has been recognized as producer of three of the 20 Best Adventure Films of All Time.
West Post Digital www.westpostdigital.com
,881
World Copyright Summit Meets in Washington in June,2009-04-14,The World Copyright Summit: New Frontiers for Creators in the Marketplace will be held June 9-10 at the Ronald Reagan Center in Washington DC. The event will provide a series of keynotes Q&As role plays and discussions that are designed to show what’s in store for the future in terms of the digital evolution the new modus operandi between technology and content companies and rights owners the role of rights societies new means of distribution and new business scenarios. Under the aegis of CISAC president Robin Gibb of Bee Gees fame and vice president Alfonso Cuarón award-winning filmmaker several leading artists from various repertoires will join each panel discussion to express what they expect from the world of business and politics. They will also officially launch a Declaration that will collect together all their ideas regarding the future of creative works and their wishes about how creative works should be treated. There will also be sessions identifying the new revenue streams and new ways of financing the creative works of tomorrow. Here are some of the highlights of the event” Whose Right is it? A one-to-one debate between representatives of the manufacturers of electronic equipment Gary Shapiro (Consumer Electronics Association) and of rights-owners David Israelite (National Music Publishers Association) promises to be as exciting as the 2007 debate between Prof. Lawrence Lessig founder of Creative Commons and Brett Cottle Chair of CISAC Board of Directors and CEO of the Australian copyright society APRA. The Global Climate for Copyright Harmonization and Protection At a time when more and more copyright issues require global answers IP law experts will analyze the disharmony and potential for greater cooperation between the different copyright systems around the world. ISPs/Telcos: Part of the Problem or the Solution? Voices in many countries are asking for ISPs and telcos to be more pro-active alongside rights owners to find a solution to the vast amount of uncontrolled illegitimate material available through the net. There are also those who believe that ISPs should accept that content contributes to the success and the value of their services and that they should therefore share some of this success with the creative community. Executives from both sides will offer their views and discuss scenarios for the future relationship between rights owners and ISPs in what promises to be one of the hottest debates of the Summit. The US Agenda As a new administration takes over the White House and a new Congress starts work what is the country's agenda in the fields of copyright and intellectual property? What are the expectations of rights owners and content users? And is this agenda in synch with the rest of the world? An opportunity to discuss topics such as orphan works performers' rights CRB decisions and other issues. In addition tailored break out sessions will address a variety of issues such as: European Multi-territorial Licensing Two years after the inaugural Summit in Brussels has the European landscape fundamentally changed? What are the new schemes in place and has pan-European licensing been simplified at all? How does it impact creators publishers author's societies and content users and with cultural financial and traditional barriers in place will it ever become a reality? Resale Right’s Expansion In the European Union and in a growing number of territories visual artists now benefit from the re-sale right which gives them a share of the resale value of their works. A panel of specialists from visual arts societies art galleries auction houses arts foundations and creators debate the pros and cons of the re-sale right. The session will be preceded by an exclusive report about the impact of the re-sale right in the UK. Rights Management Information’s Benefits to Your Business Can modern rights management information systems improve business conditions for media content service providers rights owners and copyright societies? This session will explain why the RMI architecture proper monitoring tools authoritative worldwide databases and interoperability of identifiers are crucial to the digital business. World Copyright Summit www.copyrightsummit.com/conference/agendas ,882
Xtreme Cinemas in Czech Republic Installs XpanD 3D Systems,2009-04-14,XpanD has installed 3D systems in four Xtreme Cinema theaters in the Czech Republic. New X101 series 3D glasses and other system components were installed by Xtreme Cinema's technical support and service arm XCData in theaters in Prague Louny Sokolov and Dobrany. “We are extremely pleased to ally with Xtreme Cinemas in providing leading edge digital 3D cinema in the highest quality presentation format to moviegoers in Eastern Europe ” says XpanD CEO Maria Costeira. “As a dynamic growth oriented company with considerable technical expertise Xtreme Cinemas is helping to define the modern movie experience.” Xtreme Cinemas Ltd is currently pursuing the expansion of its cinema network into the Slovak Republic Hungary and Poland. XpanD just rolled out the X101 Series 3D active glasses. The glasses interface with an XpanD infrared emitter box to create stereoscopic 3D with any DCI compliant digital cinema projection system. XpanD www.xpandcinema.com Xtreme Cinemas www.xtremecinemas.cz ,883
Your Local Cinema.com Founder Honored ,2009-04-14,The Chancellor of the Exchequer has presented the annual Daily Mail Newspaper Enterprising Young Brits - People’s Choice Award to Dean Rhodes-Brandon founder of Your Local Cinema .com a not-for-profit cinema listings and information service for people with hearing or sight problems. Thousands of people including readers of the Daily Mail newspaper voted for the twenty finalists. Winner Dean was a finalist in the teen category and his company Your Local Cinema .com received the most votes overall. The company runs an information service and website that exists to create awareness of – and increase audience figures for – subtitled and audio described cinema releases and shows. The company has worked with the UK film industry technology companies and charities representing people with hearing or sight problems to ensure that the UK leads the world in accessible cinema. Most popular cinemas now have facilities to screen the latest films with subtitles and audio description (a narrated soundtrack) for people with hearing or sight problems. Speaking at the event Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling said '” have been enormously impressed with the talent of the winners and the finalists. They have excellent ideas and also have the enterprise to develop those ideas. The enterprise imagination and determination to succeed of these young people send a clear message that there is a good future out there. It is all to play for.” The event was hosted by the Institute of Directors Pall Mall London and recognizes young people who have turned their ideas into reality. Finalists had to endure a Dragons Den style pitching process and a Q&A session from the high profile judges including Make Your Mark’s chief executive Harry Rich; property investor and star of Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire Caroline Marsh; Alex Brummer city editor of the Daily Mail; Homeserve’s Richard Harpin and director general of the Institute of Directors Miles Templeman. Chairman of the judges Harry Rich chief executive of Make Your Mark the campaign behind the awards said “It's great to see people making it in these tough economic times and we hope this signals a bright future for British business.” Eighteen-year-old winner Dean who is profoundly deaf founded the popular Your Local Cinema .com information service and website while still at school. Today he runs the film industry-sponsored service with the help of his family as well as finding the time to study at College three days a week. Dean said “Winning this award will really help to spread awareness of accessible cinema. It's an especially important one because it's voted for by the general public. It shows that my service makes a real difference to people with a hearing or sight problem. As we get older we may all lose some hearing or sight. We may appreciate services that can help us enjoy sound and vision.” Your Local Cinema www.yourlocalcinema.com ,884
India’s 8mm Productions Installs Scratch-Red 4K Workflow
,2009-04-30, 8mm Productions is a production and post-production company with its roots firmly grounded in the heart of Bollywood. Two years ago 8mm ventured into for it the then unknown world of digital 4K cinema. Today they have incorporated Assimilates Scratch digital system as the data pipeline that completes its 4K workflow. David Premier 8mm Productions says “Many of our clients – MTV Channel V Nirvana Films Black Magic Productions Fingerprint Productions to name a few – have all shot with our Red One 4K Cameras and are extremely pleased with the final output from Scratch. A few of our projects include commercials for Piaggio Ape Truk Radio Mirchi and Shaadi.com. We’ve also done documentaries and corporate films for Reliance Industries Limited and several diamond manufacturers/exporters in India. Our list of 4K (Scratch/Red) films includes director/DP Nikhil Sinha’s Alla Udhal (Saga Arts); director Siddharth Anand Kumar’s Semshook with cinematographer Pankaj Kumar (Elephant Films); director Aditya Sengupta’s Channel V Promo with cinematographer Saurabh Vishwakarma.”
“We’re talking about a giant leap into a digital revolution that seemed incredibly daunting ” he says. “Bollywood has long been content to follow the conventional ways of shooting and processing various film formats. It seemed any new technology was negated by traditional methodologies that were known and comfortable. So naturally Red had its fair share of skeptics and while it still does there are now many enlightened users of the 4K digital cinema technology worldwide.”
8mm realized the Red footage needed a real-time data pipeline of software tools geared to handle the Red 4K digital files. So the next logical step was to build an entire data pipeline from off-line to finishing. A clear choice for editing at the off-line stage was Final Cut Pro hooked up to a Promise Raid 12TB Storage and LTO Drives to back-up and archive all the footage. For the digital intermediate – conform color grading edit/reviews dailies through to finish – 8mm chose Assimilate’s Scratch Digital Process Solution for its rich feature set agility and speed in handling the native RedCode RAW files. Scratch runs on a customized Globalstor workstation. Premier says “Scratch gives us a real-time data workflow that can handle a variety of formats in and out. This was a totally new experience for us. We had no idea this was possible and it’s proved invaluable in our day-to-day post-production operations. We had a demo with the Benchmark Microsystems (Scratch reseller) and quickly realized its power depth of functionality and ease of use. We’ve also had great training and support from Mithun D’Souza at Benchmark which has given us the confidence to utilize the full capabilities of Scratch.” “For 8mm Scratch obviously made a lot of sense because it was the only software that could handle the 4K media directly from the Red One camera without any painstaking conversions ” he says. “Red and Scratch open up a whole new world of filmmaking to a broader spectrum of filmmakers and post teams. At first glance it seems like a drastic change in tried and true methodology but the proven high quality results at incredible price/performance outweigh any presumption of risk.” Premier says “Skepticism was the first reaction to a Scratch-Red 4K Data Workflow within the Bollywood community but patience worked for us. We were able to prove to the industry experts how easy it is to use the Red cameras edit on the FCP with QuickTime proxies use the EDLs and then on Scratch do the conform and color grading get the DPX files out do the finishing and then create a variety of deliverables in different formats. The time and cost savings alone – for example bypassing lab time and doing edit/review in real time – are profound; and then consider the high quality results and the Scratch-Red process is downright amazing.” He says “Today we own two Red cameras for production and for our post-production facility Scratch is the heart of our digital pipeline. A few years ago this kind of a set up would only have been wishful thinking. But thanks to the visionary thinking and technology of Red and Assimilate we now have an efficient and affordable means to produce high-quality films comparable to 35mm. This 4K digital revolution has given us the independence to think freely and more creatively; to create films with stronger visual impact; and not worry about high production or post-production costs.” ,905
AMC Entertainment to Install Sony 4K Digital Cinema Technology,2009-04-30,AMC Entertainment has reached an agreement in principle with Sony Electronics to install 4K digital cinema projection systems across its theatre circuit. With 309 theatres and 4 628 screens AMC will be the largest entertainment company equipped with 4K digital technology in North America. The decision accelerates the momentum behind AMC's transition to digital projection technology. At AMC we deliver movies and other great entertainment presented in an immersive big-screen viewing environment says Gerry Lopez chief executive officer and president AMC Entertainment. The agreement with Sony drives the quality and experience in that environment to the next level and is a prime example of our strong advocacy of the industry's move to a digital platform. Digital cinema provides a new world of programming flexibility and opportunities for exhibitors as well as a more efficient method of supplying content to our theatres. Sony 4K technology is a key and will result in an enhanced entertainment experience for our guests. AMC's digital roll-out using 4K technology is a breakthrough for the digital cinema industry and is a model for how these systems can transform an exhibitor's operations says John Scarcella president of Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Business Solutions Company. Looking beyond theatrical projection Scarcella said the motion picture industry is now working with studios and cinematographers to produce and release 4K features. Sony Pictures Entertainment recently announced they will make and release most of their filmed productions using 4K technology. Sony is currently developing a complete line of digital 4K-cinematography production equipment including systems for 4K acquisition storage and post-production. AMC's decision to install Sony's 4K projection systems is a clear commitment to provide an entertainment experience that far exceeds any other venue says Gary Johns vice president of Sony Electronics' Digital Cinema Systems Division. We are thrilled to join AMC in its effort to raise the level of theatrical presentations. The AMC roll out of Sony digital projection systems is planned to begin in the second calendar quarter of 2009 and continue across AMC's North American theatre circuit through 2012. Currently AMC features Sony's digital projection systems in 11 theatres on 150 screens throughout the circuit; 29 of the current Sony-equipped screens feature 3D capabilities with additional 3D screens planned as the AMC roll out continues. The AMC and Sony agreement is part of an initiative being led by Digital Cinema Implementation Partners an organization formed in 2007 by AMC Cinemark USA and Regal Entertainment Group. DCIP is charged with planning and implementing the deployment of digital cinema. AMC Entertainment www.amctheatres.com Sony Electronics www.sony.com/digitalcinema ,906
All Mobile Video Offers EX3 Carrypack Portable Production System,2009-04-30, New York City-based All Mobile Video recently built a new multi-camera tapeless EX3 Carrypack portable production system around Sony PMW-EX3 camcorders and Fujinon lenses. Three Fujinon XS13x3.3 wide-angle lenses were purchased specifically for the multi-camera unit. AMV also uses several Fujinon lenses with the EX3 Carrypack including the HA42x9.7ERD HD premier series stabilized telephoto ENG-style lens HA22x7.8 HD telephoto lens and HA13x4.5BERD super wide angle ENG/EFP lens among others.
The EX3 Carrypack was used on its first project this month a multi-camera studio production at AMV’s Unitel Studio in Manhattan for a new MTV game show Silent Library. The show was shot over three weeks using five EX3 cameras with three Fujinon HA22x7.8 and two Fujinon XS13x3.3 lenses plus one Iconix Studio2K lipstick camera with a Fujinon 2.8X lens. All isolated shots and line cut shots were recorded to Sony XDCAM EX recorders.
According to Tom D’Angelo director of rental services the Fujinon XS13x3.3 wide-angle lens represents a key component in the new carrypack infrastructure. “We have acquired a significant level of flexibility with that lens ” he said. “The Fujinon XS13x3.3 performs very well in that it allows us to achieve longer focal lengths when shooting wide angle focal lengths that require a lens made specifically for a 1/2-inch imager. Adding in the HA22x7.8 2/3-inch lens via an adapter all the cameras match and look fantastic. They perform beautifully – whether on set with one of our HD mobile units and studios or on a more conservative level of production. Budget restrictions do not impede our clients’ expectations which is why we’ve come to rely on Fujinon as manufacturer of high quality lenses for all these platforms.”
Since equipping the EX3 Carrypack D’Angelo says the company is able to offer cost-effective multi-camera HD acquisition to its clientele. “We can provide high quality 1920x1080 multi-camera shoots at price points similar or in many cases lower than standard definition was just a short time ago. The economic challenges today demand that facility providers work more efficiently. We’re confident that the AMV EX3 Carrypack with the Fujinon XS lenses fits the bill.” ,907
Dimension 3 Expo to take place in Paris in June,2009-05-01, Dimension 3 the world’s leading festival for professionals involved in 3D stereoscopic production post and display will take place in Paris France June 2-4.
Now in its third year Dimension 3 will again be the crucial meeting-point for performers technical and business professionals who create 3D stereo content for cinema TV video games home entertainment communications and training – underlining its position as the No.1 forum on the calendar for the 3D industry.
This year Dimension 3 will take place at the National Dance Centre (Centre National de la Danse) Pantin in the Seine-Saint-Denis region of Paris an area that strongly supports 3D research and production.
For three days visitors and exhibitors will discover the latest innovations in 3D stereo while also evaluating the maturity of current creation and visualization solutions dedicated to the 3D imagery and their diverse applications.
More than 60 international experts will gather at the International Forum dedicated to 3D images to discuss technological creative and economic matters in a series of illuminating Dimension 3 Lectures and Masterclasses.
A new feature at this year’s Dimension 3 will be a space for professional 3D producers to present their 3D creations and technical know-how. There will also be a brand new Immersion Area showcasing cutting-edge 3D stereo experimentation in video games telecommunications and business marketing tools. The Immersion Area provides a unique opportunity to discover test and try all of today’s 3D novelties which could become tomorrow’s commercial essentials.
Dimension 3 third edition will continue its entertaining and educational ambitions with an exhibition about the history of 3D technologies. Dimension 3 will also offer bilingual (French/English) training programs and support for the development of 3D content with a Writing Talent Grant.
Companies already supporting Dimension 3 2009 include: 3D Revolution Assimilate Attitude Studio Auditoire Autodesk BskyB Color Code Dassault Systems Digimage Cinema Dolby Doremi Cinema Eutelsat The Foundry Imax Inition In-Three Iridas Iz3D Futuroscope Mercenaries Engineering Panasonic Principal Large Format Samsung Sensio SMPTE Tempere University of Technology Thomson and Xpand.
Dimension 3 www.dimension3-expo.com ,918
AMC Entertainment to Install Sony 4K Digital Cinema Technology,2009-05-01,AMC Entertainment has reached an agreement in principle with Sony Electronics to install 4K digital cinema projection systems across its theatre circuit. With 309 theatres and 4 628 screens AMC will be the largest entertainment company equipped with 4K digital technology in North America. The decision accelerates the momentum behind AMC's transition to digital projection technology. At AMC we deliver movies and other great entertainment presented in an immersive big-screen viewing environment says Gerry Lopez chief executive officer and president AMC Entertainment. The agreement with Sony drives the quality and experience in that environment to the next level and is a prime example of our strong advocacy of the industry's move to a digital platform. Digital cinema provides a new world of programming flexibility and opportunities for exhibitors as well as a more efficient method of supplying content to our theatres. Sony 4K technology is a key and will result in an enhanced entertainment experience for our guests. AMC's digital roll-out using 4K technology is a breakthrough for the digital cinema industry and is a model for how these systems can transform an exhibitor's operations says John Scarcella president of Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Business Solutions Company. Looking beyond theatrical projection Scarcella said the motion picture industry is now working with studios and cinematographers to produce and release 4K features. Sony Pictures Entertainment recently announced they will make and release most of their filmed productions using 4K technology. Sony is currently developing a complete line of digital 4K-cinematography production equipment including systems for 4K acquisition storage and post-production. AMC's decision to install Sony's 4K projection systems is a clear commitment to provide an entertainment experience that far exceeds any other venue says Gary Johns vice president of Sony Electronics' Digital Cinema Systems Division. We are thrilled to join AMC in its effort to raise the level of theatrical presentations. The AMC roll out of Sony digital projection systems is planned to begin in the second calendar quarter of 2009 and continue across AMC's North American theatre circuit through 2012. Currently AMC features Sony's digital projection systems in 11 theatres on 150 screens throughout the circuit; 29 of the current Sony-equipped screens feature 3D capabilities with additional 3D screens planned as the AMC roll out continues. The AMC and Sony agreement is part of an initiative being led by Digital Cinema Implementation Partners an organization formed in 2007 by AMC Cinemark USA and Regal Entertainment Group. DCIP is charged with planning and implementing the deployment of digital cinema. AMC Entertainment www.amctheatres.com Sony Electronics www.sony.com/digitalcinema ,920
eDIT 12 Filmmaker's Festival to be Held in October,2009-05-01,In cooperation with IMAGO the European federation of cinematographers and A.C.E. the organization of Cinema Editors eDIT 12 Filmmaker's Festival will take place in Frankfurt Germany October 4-6. The three-day program will consist of presentations workshops panels and screenings developed in cooperation with the filmmaking community. The main subject areas covered are cinematography editing animation visual effects and general production. Each year acclaimed international speakers from all areas of filmmaking present their work and share their ideas with their peers. Past speakers have included Giuseppe Rotunno Vilmos Zsigmond Michael Ballhaus Peter Greenaway Terry Giliam Phil Tippet and Bill Plympton. The program is designed to inform and teach filmmakers about creative and technical improvements in storytelling and innovations and enhance mutual understanding and teamwork in the whole production process. All members of IMAGO are entitled to greatly reduced entrance fees. To register and for all current developments surrounding the event especially program and speakers details check out the website at www.filmmakersfestival.com. ,921
Waterfront Studios Offers Lens-to-Finish Digital Cinema Production Package,2009-05-01,South Africa’s Waterfront Studios in partnership with Cinegate and Take 2 Films has developed a lens-to-finish digital cinema production package aimed at the under-R3 million-feature film production market. The three film industry suppliers are committed to supporting sustainable growth of quality South African feature films and recognize that independent filmmakers are critical to this process. The package includes: A four-week rental of a Red One or SI2K camera kit complete with lenses and all camera accessories An on-set digital imaging technician (DIT) and equipment All data handling for post 10-weeks of FCP or Avid offline suite hire A full uncompressed 2K digital intermediate grade and finish 5.1 surround as well as stereo audio mix Restrictions to shooting ratio apply and while an HD digital master is included as well as a backup of the uncompressed master 2K data all tape and sound deliverables need to be specified and added to the package. The major advantage of an all-in-one package apart from the potential cost savings is the continuity in technical knowledge and support provided from the first day of the shoot to the last day of the grade. The risks associated with this new technology managing the data on set and ensuring a hassle free post experience are reduced to an absolute minimum. The package is heavily discounted and is only available for local South African feature films with a maximum budget of R3-million. ,922
Epic Theatres Installs GDC Digital Cinema Servers ,2009-05-01, Epic Theatres in DeLand Florida will install 25 GDC SA-2100A series servers into its cinemas. Privately held and founded in 2003 Epic Theatres is operated by third generation exhibitors whose family built its first theatre in 1947. It currently operates 39 screens located at six sites in three southern states in the US. Epic took a cautious and methodical approach in its digital conversion program. It began with the trial run of one single GDC SA-2100A server at its Multiplex in Deland. Following tests the exhibitor placed an initial order of eight servers for its multiplex in Clermont Florida which was set to open in April. This was followed by another order for their 16-plex in St. Augustine Florida.
“Epic began small with a lone GDC SA-2100A server ” says Epic Theatres vice president Clint DeMarsh. “It quickly became clear to us that the machine has most if not all of what we wanted for our theatres. We are impressed by the advanced functionality of the SA-2100A server and also GDC’s first-class customer service.”
Epic Theatres www.epictheatres.com GDC Technology www.gdc-tech.com ,923
United Entertainment Corporation Installs GDC Digital Cinema Servers ,2009-05-01, United Entertainment Corporation will install GDC’s SA-2100A series servers into its cinemas. UEC is a privately held motion picture theatre circuit and entertainment company based in Minnesota operating over 100 cinema screens.
“UEC is pleased to partner with GDC Technology in bringing Digital Cinema to our locations ” says Mike Daniels development manager United Entertainment Corp. “We found GDC's excellent customer service advanced product and ease of use to be the compelling factors that led us to our decision.”
“The SA-2100A offers the best choices in technology performance and reliability to our customers while keeping the price affordable ” says Dr. Man-Nang Chong founder and CEO of GDC Technology. “UEC is among our growing list of U.S. exhibitors who have clearly recognized and appreciated the GDC offer; we are hopeful to win the hearts and minds of even more U.S. exhibitors in the near future.”
GDC www.gdc-tech.com ,924
Dolby Launches European Digital Cinema Satellite Service,2009-05-01,Dolby has launched Dolby Direct Distribution Services a pan-European satellite content delivery network for digital cinemas. The service is provided in association with leading digital network solutions provider Arqiva and uses their international satellite infrastructure to distribute feature movies trailers and advertising content direct to their participating exhibitors and cinemas throughout Europe. Dolby Direct Distribution Services will simplify the cinema distribution process eliminating physical delivery and manual upload of digital content onto individual cinema servers. The new services coupled with Dolby’s world class JPEG 2000 compression and two-pass encoding system delivers Digital Cinema Packages efficiently without compromising quality. The incredibly low file sizes offered by Dolby DCPs are a key element in the efficient use of satellite as a highly effective delivery platform. “Dolby is committed to utilizing the most effective methods to deliver cinema content. Our new service using Arqiva’s satellite delivery network offers very exciting opportunities in that area ” says Richard Welsh digital cinema services Manager Dolby Laboratories. “Arqiva’s extensive experience in delivering live content via satellite to cinemas coupled with their core satellite expertise and international infrastructure makes them an excellent technology partner for this innovative service.” Arqiva operates at the heart of the broadcast and mobile communications industry and is at the forefront of digital network solutions and services. The company provides much of the infrastructure behind television radio and wireless communications in the UK and has a growing presence in Ireland mainland Europe and the United States. “We see electronic content distribution as the future of cinema and satellite is the most efficient means of delivering content to multiple sites across countries and continents ” says Barrie Woolston commercial director of Arqiva’s satellite and media division. “We are delighted to have entered into this partnership with Dolby which we believe represents an important advance for digital cinema.” ,925
IDC and Sensio Work Together on First Live HD 3D Event in Europe,2009-05-01, International Datacasting Corporation and Sensio Technologies have announced the beginning of their first operational roll out of live 3D in high definition for digital cinema in Europe. The announcement was made following the first 3D live broadcast via satellite of a complete basketball game in Europe to multi locations across Italy on April 19th. The Sensio 3D technology used in the system adds additional revenue generating capability to Opensky's new satellite broadband DVB-S2 distribution network which has been deployed specifically for live events and alternate content delivery to theatres across Europe equipped with digital cinema projection systems.
As part of their digital cinema service offering OpenSky has formed the 3D Stereoscopic group (3DSG) a partnership with dBW Communication and Eutelsat for the end-to-end production and distribution of 3D live events across Europe. This first event on an operationally deployed network is a major milestone for all participating companies. We are pleased to be working with IDC and SENSIO on this very exciting network expansion. Their leading edge technology and their practical experience with the satellite delivery of digital cinema content and 3D live events means we are able to get to market quickly. The system transmission is bandwidth efficient and delivers the rock-solid high performance needed to impresses audiences with a totally immersive 3D experience says Walter Munarini managing director of OpenSky Italy. This was an invitation only event that provided experts and stakeholders with the opportunity to enjoy the game and to prove the outstanding quality of the 3D Live provided by our team. Very soon cinema customers in the OpenSky network will enjoy a commercial event with sport music and more.
This milestone marks another step forward for IDC as we continue with our strategy of providing the advanced technology solutions needed for the international digital cinema market. Our partnership with Sensio Technologies along with the licencing of the Dolby technology we announced a couple of weeks ago and our ProFline sales and support team in Europe were all key to making this happen and position us well for the future saya Ron Clifton IDC president and CEO. We are pleased to see this initial rollout in Europe. Our partnership with IDC with their technology and international distribution experience is paying off by ensuring we get deployed along with the first professional digital cinema distribution networks. With more and more events being produced with our Ssensio 3D technology and the momentum building in response to the excellent high definition quality we are demonstrating with real events to real audiences means we are quickly becoming the de-facto standard in the digital cinema industry and this is bringing great brand recognition to our consumer 3D market activities says Nicholas Routhier Sensio's president and CEO. ,926
IntoPix Opens North American Subsidiary in Virginia,2009-05-01,IntoPix has opened a U.S. based subsidiary IntoPix America headquartered in Virginia. The move signals the company’s intent to grow its business and support in the North American markets. Jeff Segal former chief technology officer of Cinea has been tapped to run the new entity. The new subsidiary will focus on supporting existing customers and expanding IntoPix’s market presence in current and new market segments. “IntoPix technology is already integrated and deployed in the US market supporting post production digital cinema and the broadcast industry” says Jean Francois Nivart IntoPix’s CEO. “The opening of a US office is crucial to providing world class support of our North America customers and to our future growth. Nivart says “Having a regional presence is very important to IntoPix as it will allow us to have a stronger relationship with our customers and will enable us to react more quickly to our customer’s needs. With over ten years of experience in marketing selling and delivering technology and solutions to the entertainment industry Jeff Segal already has relationships with many of our customers and will quickly add value to both IntoPix and our clients.” Segal says “IntoPix is already recognized as providing world class technology for hardware assisted security cores and for JPEG 2000 codec and I am excited to be able to help them serve their existing customer base and to grow their presence in North America.”