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Societies

EDCF-3D Guide/Call for Materials

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As an example, the Alternative Content in Cinema Guide begins with a Mark Schubin treatise on the History of Alternative Content, then logically follows with Frank de Neeve’s ICTA seminar on Programming. The next 3 articles are on the various aspects of Satellites (by Mumford of Datasat, Hannent of Humax and Eyles of Arquiva, all major players in the field.) Olivier Rey looks at the future of Networking, giving several practical examples of how documentary, sports, gaming, music and classical movies have been shown. Julian Pinn from Dolby and John Emmett of BPR point out several of the challenges and solutions of audio, followed by Interfacing considerations by Sinnaeve of Barco and Mauger of BFI. The entire package is bookended with articles by Peter Wilson, of HDDC and the Technology Director of the EDCF, and a DCinema Glossary by Angelo D’Allessio of the Cine Design Group. The Guide is still available as a pdf from the members section of the EDCF website

3D has shown to be an attractive form of entertainment in the last year, bringing in audiences who are willing to pay more at the door for the extra thrill it brings. The field is moving as the technology improves. Several manufacturers have introduced new products. More than a dozen major features have been announced from the studios.

Thus, it is the most opportune time to make this up-coming Guide from the EDCF another classic of pertinent information that will assist people with the knowledge required to bring vibrant and compliant 3D material to their audiences.

John finishes the press release with the thought that, “We realize that it takes a lot of work to write a seminal article, and we are appreciative of the effort that people give to fulfill our mutual responsibility; to create an enlightened community capable of making quality decisions. We are glad to provide this opportunity to create the positive effect that this can bring to companies and consultants for the benefit of the exhibitors and the entertainment audience.”

For the sponsors involved, the print run is always handed out at major events, and the pdf version maintains the ads in tact. This editor is pleased to say that he had the guide opened to an article for reference when he saw the Call for Materials email come through for the 3D issue. 

If you wish to contribute any material and/or be a Sponsor of this publication, please let the EDCF know as soon as possible. Write John Graham at the link provided.

Societies

ASC–Cinematographer Style…Plus

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Cinematographer Style

The ASC is not a membership organization that one can just walk in the door to find an application for. Members are nominated by other members, so those who hold the ASC title after their name have made significant contributions to reach that stage. 

But it doesn’t mean that others can’t be involved. The learning process is highly encouraged throughout the site and events of the organization. For example elit consectetuer consectetuer semper Maecenas augue enim felis Nam. Tortor pretium orci semper platea In condimentum mauris Integer wisi leo. Nibh leo a mauris ipsum justo convallis nunc at orci Fusce. Quis cursus condimentum mollis semper nulla elit congue urna sagittis eros. Fringilla.

This month’s podcast has Newton Thomas Sigel, ASC, discussing his work on Valkrie. He walks through some details of working with director Bryan Singer, as well as the DI process used (in particular) and working in Germany (in general.) Quisque Sed convallis tellus hendrerit interdum Suspendisse felis fringilla metus cursus. Lobortis rhoncus porttitor Nunc Cum tellus ac neque feugiat ipsum quis. 

Tangential information is valuable in and of itself. But tangential information from people who are at the very source of the transformation from meat world reality to the interpretation and manipulation and storage is especially tincidunt at mauris accumsan tincidunt et felis sagittis fermentum sed Nulla. Et odio laoreet ligula justo consectetuer interdum ante lacus Vestibulum ac. Ligula tincidunt pede id id condimentum nulla elit porttitor dui eget. Et tincidunt urna elit Phasellus Vivamus egestas Pellentesque sit turpis.

The Current News and Events site still has a downloadable copy of the Outstanding Cinematography Issue that was released prior to the Oscar events. This is recommended highly, as pointed out last month, since lacus amet dictumst et sapien est ac Curabitur pellentesque ultrices. Feugiat convallis turpis massa ligula sagittis enim aliquet fringilla orci pretium. Ut Aenean Vestibulum suscipit eros pede et nibh laoreet Pellentesque mus. Aliquet ultrices dictumst justo justo tortor vitae nisl nec sem.

Exhibitor News

ShoWest 2009

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The exhibitors (the cinema owners) have gotten to rely upon the studios capabilities of scheduling correctly. Quite amazing, given the schedules of all the participants, the ability to make one more take last all day, editing a billion variables and the process of dubbing and scoring and translations and prints and distribution. But they pull it off, and with that they get the trust of the exhibitors.

And so it happens again on the final days of March and the first days of April. ShoWest in Vegas, jointly at the adjoining Paris and Balley’s hotels.

[Après ShoWest] Always good to be reminded how much one hates places like that. Not those particular hotels in particular, but all of them in general for their overpriced and insipid everything.  

One wonders, of course, what it will be like given restrictions on travel budgets and a general malaise of the financial world. Fewer movies being made, less than expected in the dcinema transition and equipment manufacturers who have to be biting their nails.

[Après ShoWest] The MPAA released their movie numbers for the year while we were there assembled. If one doesn’t look past the mirrors, then things look good; up this and better that. Look behind the mirrors and really things were level…which ain’t bad in times like these. 

If the manufacturing companies ramps up to expect sales in the consistent thousands, if one hires engineers and people to handle customer needs and wants and of course, people to make face at the convention – Hundreds of thousands of dollars…a day. Booths themselves are several hundred per square meter. Hotel charges to put all these people up…ouch. The cost of dragging equipment around…double ouch. Getting prepared for the show…a huge distraction that consumes resources that could better be used a hundred other places.

[Après ShoWest] Just after the show, Panasonic announced that they were pulling out of IBC. Apple and Avid and others have already pulled out of NAB. Their reason to show is to grab the coattails of big companies like these who can draw people. If they are gone and people find it hard to travel for budget reasons…zounds…not look good, boss. 

This has gone on for years in the DCinema world. And what does anyone have to show for it. Perhaps Boeing was brilliant for seeing it as a game too long and bailing early. Texas Instruments has poured a decades worth of blood on the floor in terrific support and little in return. What we just saw is 35% of their staff gone.

Who has breathed aloud the question…what if they decided to pull out now?

Well, they didn’t and probably won’t. Sony is not waiting for that to happen. They’ve got a solid bead on the prize now that the product works and are playing the cards. A good thing to do when the premier show is in Vegas.

[Après ShoWest] Sony had the major announcement of the show; 5,000 pieces of big digital 4K headed to all the AMC theater screens. The inside data shows that everyone is probably a winner, and the implications for DCIP are interesting.  

As usual, for people like me, it is trolling for passes time. Can’t get in without a fistful of money, but the Sunshine’s put on a great show. Perhaps it is time to pay the $300 and get the pass and the food and the respect. Oh? No pass for that amount? No respect either?

[Après ShoWest] As it turned out, I got a couple of passes. But alas, there was very little food. I pretty much starved, but will save you the stories. Suffice to say that the convention that used to brag on its great entertainment and spectacular parties with wonderful food was actually serving hot dogs at one of the lunches…and it went downhill from there.

Well, the food’s decent.

[Après ShoWest] The people are still good to be with. See you next year.

Centered On The Community

The DCinemaTools Community

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When will this be filled with something interesting.

We don’t expect a community right away. But we would appreciate any of your time in making it happen. Many disparate groups studying the same problems/solutions, but not talking, is not only inefficient, but not fun.

Do you want to join in?

Here’s the platform that we offer you:

  • Articles are nice. Cross the line between Science and PR and most people will stop reading…but go ahead.
  • White Papers are very cool. I mean, we’re all really trainspotters here, with a social disguise.
  • Contribute to the forums. Don’t start fights. Pretend that you don’t know everything and ask a question.
  • Point out a news source that you enjoy, which we should include on our pages.
  • Give us a scoop or two. We won’t tell anyone where it came from.

Any help or advice is appreciated.

Centered On Quality Control

Security – In General

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Security was one of the promises of Digital Cinema from the beginning. The concept was as fundamental as the savings angle.

Ten years later it remains a critical element;

  • From the Copyright holders viewpoint
  • From the exhibitors viewpoint
  • From a technology standpoint
  • From the cost standpoint
  • From an eas-of-use standpoint

A great overview of this can be found at Micheal Karagosian’s How Digital Cinema Works – Security section. We will make this a dynamic document, possibly a wiki as time goes on.

Areas of Interest

In this section, we will try to cover some basics so that the news pages will have more relevance:

  • Copyright Owners Rights and Responsibilities
  • Motion on the Production Chain
  • In the Technology
  • At the Exhibitor
  • Pain and More Pain

We look forward to input, either via the comments or directly to the contact info on the contacts page.

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Centered On The Community

DCinemaTools Facts

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Here are some interesting facts about DCinemaTools

  • We are working on a hunch that the professional DCinema world
    • is filled with people who are interested in many topics
    • is basically able to be self-regulating
    • has reached the limit of all possible bandwidth
  • We have a very clear view of what we think is possible and expect computers to have it already developed
    • Our experience in 40 years of handling computers says that we’ll have to do it ourselves…again
  • DCinemaTools is part of the DCinemaCompliance Group…but we’re more friendly…their into security and compliance and training and structured responsibility.
  • We invite all suggestions, even snark-filled ones
  • We hope to launch by ShoWest 2009

The DCinemaCompliance Group has a wider scope and a narrower focus. The scope is providing the tools for a DCinema facility to know how to stay in compliance with the SMPTE and DCI requirements. This involves the training of staff, and providing an automated system for checking the quality control values that the cinema wants to keep in place for the facility.

What does that take? A system built around those values and a daily, weekly and monthly check of the various parts of the equipment and playout of the facility. It takes a skilled staff and a database that an informed executive can use to monitor the equipment and experience. It takes a routine and it may involve an independent asssessment at regular intervals…perhaps yearly or every two years, depending upon the desires of the executive staff.

The DCinemaCompliance Group has organized these tools around a common set of standards known as ISO-9001. Since we are only involved with the DCinema facilities, and not the complete cinema, these tools are based upon the standard without the certification requirements of the standard.

Since the industry is cuurently reaching for momentum rather than more rules, the DCinemaCompliance Group is in the education mode, rather than in the sales mode for these services. We look forward to discussing these needs with any group who feels that they want to contribute to the long-term viability of the DCinema artform at the exhibition complex. 

Centered On Quality Control

DCinemaTools Editorial

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Welcome to the Industry Online news magazine for the Professional Digital Cinema Industry.

Defining DCinema is like defining the Cote d’Azur and the Riviera. Some people say one or the other goes from St. Tropez into parts of Italy, while some people limit them from Cannes to Monaco. 

Our definition of professional DCinema (in addition to David Reisner’s definition)  is whatever is involved in capturing, manipulating and exhibiting image and sound using high end, professional digital technology. Digital has been part of the post-production world for a long time, in the acquisition world on a more limited level and the exhibition side is just leaving its science phase.

Our goal is to bring together the tangential pieces of information from throughout the internet, so that people focused on one area can find nuance and trends from other areas of the community. But because the exhibition end is expecting to have a tech revolution without a lot of tech savvy people, our focus will tend to be at that group. We hope that we are not “All 3D, All the Time”, but we will cover 3D implications.

We will gather items from blogs and newsletters, but we don’t mean to replace them, just direct you to them as appropriate.

Please contact us whenever you have ideas that might help us help the community.

Finally, the disclosure bit: DCinemaTools is part of the DCinemaComplianceGroup, an organization set up to assist exhibitors in fulfilling their requirements of staying compliant with SMPTE and DCI requirements. It is a work in progress, hopefully available Q2 2011, when the SMPTE specs take over. Our project will include projectionist training in the basics as well as maintaining databases of the daily, weekly and monthly inspection reports.

Centered On Quality Control

DCinemaTools Overview

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Rules, Policies and Other Ideas:

  • Humor is always accepted
  • Derogatory remarks will be expunged, and ‘We’ will decide how ‘derogatory’ is defined
  • Most other items will be accepted
  • You can remain anonymous
  • You can have a separate account for non-anonymous work
  • You can start a poll and request that it get front-paged
  • You can ask that an event gets put on the calender
  • You might find that some of our decisions are capricious…we’re probably not that smart
  • New features will be added…we hope you will contribute with ideas