Studio Daily

3D Potential: An Interview with RealD CEO Michael Lewis

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 0:00:00 EDT

Why the recent surge in animated and live-action 3D productions from DreamWorks, Disney/Pixar and others? Because 3D films outperform their 2D counterparts at the Box Office by a margin of about 4-to-1. With maturing technology, most agree those profit margins will only increase in the months and years to come. In this video, Studio/monthly’s Beth Marchant summarizes the digital roadmap that’s led to the latest 3D revolution and interviews RealD CEO Michael Lewis about improved viewing experiences and the hurdles to wider 3D adoption in theaters nationwide and across the world....

Plantec’s POV: Building a Blazing-Fast, Reliable Drive System

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 0:00:00 EDT

It’s been a while since my last report. I’ve been traveling and hosting film and animation conferences. In the mean time I’ve been refining my Software test bed computer. I spent a lot of time researching what would be the best way to go and it has paid off. I expected a little bit of speed gain from my old Pentium Core II test bed, which was actually a bit faster in terms of CPU speed. I was surprised at the tremendous increase in productivity that I actually achieved....

Producing Expedition Africa

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 0:00:00 EDT

A lot can be accomplished in a year if you put your mind to it. Take it from Maria Baltazzi, executive producer for History Channel’s Expedition Africa: Stanley & Livingston. From the initial development meeting for the show to delivery of the first finished episode, almost exactly a year elapsed. And in between those two points was extensive pre-production work, grueling logistical challenges and a trek across the country of Tanzania. In short, a lot of blood, sweat and tears....

Co-Producer Bryan Carroll on the Tech Behind Public Enemies

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 0:00:00 EDT

A turning point in the career of Public Enemies producer Bryan Carroll was when he worked as a film and visual effects editor for James Cameron on Titanic. “That’s what sparked my interest into shooting movies digitally from script to screen,” he said....

DP Dante Spinotti on Public Enemies

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 0:00:00 EDT

Public Enemies, the John Dillinger biopic directed by Michael Mann and starring Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Marion Cotillard, is one of the summer’s most hotly anticipated films. The feature pairs Mann with his frequent collaborator, cinematographer Dante Spinotti. Spinotti shot this digitally, using the Sony CineAlta F23 camera system. Film & Video caught up with Spinotti in Australia, where he is prepping for another F23 project, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, directed by Michael Apted....