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Launch Experience

Submitted by Nick Dager on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 12:40.

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The big screen version of what it’s like to ride the space shuttle.

3ality Digital Receives Global Media Visionary Award 

Submitted by Nick Dager on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 11:10.

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Sports Video Group have presented the Global Media Visionary Award to 3ality Digital for its live 3D production of the 2009 FedEx BCS Championship Game, which took place last January in Miami, Florida.   3ality Digital was presented with the honor alongside Sony, Fox Sports and Cinedigm Digital Cinema, all of whom were partners on the project. The groundbreaking event marked the first time a live 3D broadcast was made available to consumers nationwide, with thousands of college football fans filling scores of movie theatres coast to coast to see the University of Florida Gators take on the University of Oklahoma Sooners. 

Michael Goi Named ASC President

Submitted by Nick Dager on Mon, 06/29/2009 - 11:05.

Michael Goi has been named president of the American Society of Cinematographers.  "The members of ASC are committed to the ideals of the great cinematographers who created images for the classic movies we love," Goi says. "I remember being enormously touched when I saw The Graduate when I was eight years old. I didn't recognize it then, but years later I appreciated how the artful use of light, shadows and composition by Robert Surtees served the story. When I became a member of ASC, I was surprised by how open and friendly everyone was. My heroes became my friends who openly shared their knowledge and feelings about filmmaking. There is an unbreakable camaraderie which I treasure."

The Big Picture

Hollywood’s Corporate Delusion

By Nick Dager

The first big summer of stereoscopic 3D movies is underway and so far the early box office and critical returns are overwhelmingly positive. Audiences have flocked in big numbers to both Monsters vs. Aliens and Up and critics have generally praised both movies. But 3D itself still has its detractors. One of the most prominent and most vocal of these is the venerable film critic Roger Ebert. In a recent lengthy blog entry he called the 2D version of Up “the true film” and he referred to the whole notion of stereoscopic 3D as “Hollywood’s mass corporate delusion." Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would take Hollywood’s side against someone like Ebert, a man I’ve respected for decades. But in this case “Hollywood” isn’t just the guys in suits who – right or wrong – many of us sometimes believe don’t really care about movies as an art form. In this case Hollywood is also the entire creative community, the people who are pouring their hearts and souls into understanding the possibilities of this new, immersive storytelling capability. In this case Ebert isn’t merely wrong, he clearly just doesn’t get it.

Feature Stories

Alternative Content

Creative Excellence Awards

Cinema Advertising Council Names the Top Campaigns of 2008

The Cinema Advertising Council, the trade association of cinema advertising companies that represent 82 percent of U.S. movie screens, has named the winners of its 2008 CAC Creative Excellence Awards. The annual awards recognize high-quality, entertaining advertising that has been showcased in movie theatres during the past year, on a national, regional and local basis.

In Production

A Close Collaboration

Public Enemies Brings Director Michael Mann and DP Dante Spinotti Together Again

“I started working with Michael Mann on Manhunter,” says cinematographer Dante Spinotti, ASC, AIC. “It was a story about a serial killer, which Michael took to a transcendental level. I loved every minute of that experience. Michael’s decisions about the visual dynamics, camera angles—why we put a camera two inches to the right as opposed to inches to the left or two inches higher as opposed to two inches lower—or why the background has to be slightly blue-green. That was the opportunity I was looking for. It was a total immersion in a filmmaking experience right down to the very last drop of blood circulating in my veins. It was an amazing experience. We spoke very little, and just about basic issues. He probably liked what I did because we did a few more movies together after that one, including The Last of the Mohicans and Heat.”

Guest Column

If it’s 3D, it’s (Maybe) 2K

By Michael Karagosian

While most people are aware that the DCI Specification calls for a compatible distribution of images having either 2K or 4K resolution, there are several related issues that are worth explaining. One of these is the natural limit in resolution of 3D images.

Coming Soon

Postales

The IFP chooses Josh Hyde’s film for its Narrative Lab.

Complete story in our next edition

News Stories

Oklahoma Film Incentives Program More Than Doubles 

Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has signed into law a measure that increases the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate up to 37 percent cash back on Oklahoma expenditures, officials with the Oklahoma Film Music Office announced. 

Singapore’s MDA International Film Fund Appoints Distribution Workshop Sales Agent

Following the launch of its new International Film Fund at the start of the Cannes Film Market, Singapore's Media Development Authority has announced the appointment of Hong Kong's Distribution Workshop as the worldwide sales agent for the first batch of films produced under the IFF.

CVMP Convenes in London November 12-13

CVMP, the European conference on visual media production has announced its call for submissions. The conference takes place November 12-13 at the BFI Southbank, London. The goal of the two-day conference is to provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge between researchers and media industry specialists working at the cutting-edge of visual media production and delivery.  

Sundance in New Mexico Partnership Announced

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has announced a new collaboration between Robert Redford and the State of New Mexico that is currently referred to as “Sundance in New Mexico.” The initiative will partner with the Department of Cultural Affairs and the New Mexico Film Office to create and expand upon training programs in film, arts, and the environment. These programs will be designed specifically for New Mexico’s Native American and Hispanic filmmakers.

Shows / Conferences

Sundance in New Mexico Partnership Announced

Submitted by Nick Dager on Thu, 06/11/2009 - 14:42.