Looking for help gathering info . . .
 

Hi Everyone -

I havn't been around in awhile. Been really busy with my site. Some of you may already know it, but if you don't check it out: Check it out if you like. http://www.moviemarkdvd.com

Coming Soon:
http://underground.moviemarkdvd.com
http://filmmakers.moviemarkdvd.com

2 cool sites in development so there's not much to see yet. The filmmaker site is up but is still in development

the underground site will be strictly for indie DVDs that do not have any kind of official distribution deal anywhere. i've been talking to several filmmakes whose DVDs will be added when this site goes live in April

the filmmakers site will be where filmmakers can find out how their films can be sold on my site, plus pricing for services such as DVD authoring, duplication and replication. The rest of the site will be filled with how to's and articals all about getting a movie onto DVD and how to self distribute. There will be a forum over there to discuss distribution, DVD authoring and other related subjects involved with getting a final cut to the public.

that being said - - -
I am looking for artical submissions about anything dealing with authoring or distribution that I can reprint on my site.

I'm also looking for resource links. Links to places to sell your DVDs, festivals, lawyers, authoring articles or how to's, marketing stuff and anything else relevant to distribution.

I want to make this a very comprehensive resource for filmmakers.


please email me at margerake@yahoo.com

Shooting8mm Board
 

Does anyone know what happened to the "Shooting 8mm" film board?

Pioneer DV-588A-S (Plays divx, SACD, DVDA, Progressive DVD w/line doubler, etc.)
 

i hate to gloat, but this is one the best/cheapest universal DVD players ever made. i think it deserves recognition, for those of whom that like high end audio and video as well as convenience.

http://www.idealav.com/item.aspx?pid=93703

i already placed my order. they will receive the product wednesday ready for shipping =). here's more info on it:

How Many Formats Can Your DVD Player Play?
Pioneer Player Works With DVD, DVD-Audio, SACD, WMA, .mp3, DVD-R, DVD-RW, .JPG, DivX

Las Vegas, NV January 5, 2005 At times it seems like the movie studios and recording industry release a new type of format or disc every week. With so many acronyms on the market – DVD, SACD, DivX®, etc. – it’s tough to figure out which formats or discs work with which player. While no DVD player can guarantee its ability to playback every format available, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is working to simplify the situation with the introduction of a DVD player that plays many of these new formats and discs. Pioneer’s new DV-588A-S is a full-featured, single-play DVD player that brings high-resolution music and movies into thousands of homes with playback of DVD-Video with PureCinema™ progressive scan, DVD-R and DVD-RW discs for home recordings, DVD-Audio and SACD for multi-channel music, DivX for viewing Internet video material, .mp3 and WMA for compressed music, and .jpg for photo viewing.



For the value-oriented consumer, Pioneer is also introducing the DV-285-S, an entry-level workhorse offering the best in performance with playback of DVD-Video with PureCinema progressive scan, at a price that can’t be overlooked. It also offers playback of .mp3 and WMA compressed music formats and has a PhotoViewer for digital images.



“These new DVD players offer performance features at a great value to consumers,” said Gary Bauhard, director of marketing for home entertainment of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “In today’s digital world, players need to be flexible enough to playback a majority of digital audio and video formats especially compressed audio content.”



Both DVD players offer outstanding image quality with Pioneer’s PureCinema progressive scan circuitry and 108 MHz/12 bit video signal processing. They also process both Dolby™ Digital and DTS™ for a complete surround sound experience from DVD. They offer component and S-video outputs.



The DV-588A-S and DV-285-S will be available in April at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $199 and $99 respectively.

1TB Drives in the near future!
 

I just saw this, an announcement from Hitachi says they will have 1TB 3.5 inch drives by 2007. Wow, wouldn't that be nice?!

Find the article here

Movie marketing material
 

Hey, for anyone that's always wanted a clear understanding about what type of marketing the studios want for your film...take a look:

http://www.moviepublicity.com

The more you click around..the more you'll find. It's a good place to see how they're selling films.

News Release: Reality TV Hits eBay
 

An somewhat unusual distribution method:

http://press.xtvworld.com/modules.ph...ticle&sid=4773

Has anyone seen this? They the first show archived as a webcast at: www.openchoice.tv

New XBox to debut on MTV
 

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...e/xbox_2_debut

But I'll always be a PC gamer...

Big change ahead for Sony?
 

Interesting article on BusinessWeek about Sony.

http://yahoo.businessweek.com/invest...5837_pi044.htm

Microsoft launches huge advertising campaign
 

Mad Max Tribute Filming Ends in Trouble
 

Interesting tid-bit on IMDB:

http://www.imdb.com/news/sb/2005-04-19/#5

New contest from MPS Digital Studios (my company)
 

A year and a half ago, we ran a contest: if you signed up for our non-spamming email newsletter, you'd be entered to win a free DVD or VHS copy of our first film, Skye Falling.

We have a new contest: sign up right here for our email newsletter, and you'll be entered to win a free 9:04 AM t-shirt! What's 9:04 AM? It's our next feature film! And those of you who are already signed up for our newsletter, you're entered to win, too!

Good luck!

Heath

For those who loves SACD/DVD-Audio (MLP)/mp3/Divx/DVD-video unversal players:
 

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...c=PriceGrabber

there's a really good reason why i'm bragging about this product. i just bought one myself for $212 from online as well and this player REALLY rocks. just as good as my DVP 642 in terms of divx playback and the biggest thing going for it is the DVD-Audio and SACD playback on top of divx as well as the usual mp3, dvd-video. this is one player that reads EVERYTHING.

Court: DVD Copy Protection Violated Privacy
 

"A French court has ordered DVD vendors to pull copies of the David Lynch film 'Mulholland Drive' off store shelves in France as part of an unprecedented ruling against copy protection techniques."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,154663,00.html

When is 720p not 720p?
 

Taken from Slashdot:

"Home theater displays around the resolution of 720p (most DLP, LCD, and LCOS displays) must convert 1080i material to their native resolution for display. No surprise there. But many displays do this by discarding half of the 1080i HD signal, effectively giving 720p viewers an SD signal - not watching HD at all! "


http://www.hdblog.net/index.php/2005...720p-not-720p/

"Walking With Prehistoric Beasts"
 

No, I'm not refering to my visit with relatives in Texas. This was a 3-hour special from the BBC, that was shown last weekend on the Discovery Channel.
Even though the program selection on this channel has been badly degraded in recent years, "Walking With Prehistoric Beasts" was extraordinary.

It was produced with a blend of live shots, animatronics and computer animation. It showed very refined and lifelike images of animals interacting, dating from over 200 million years back, to just a few thousand years ago.
They depicted a few behavioral details that were in disagreement with some
studies, but mostly, I thought they gave a scientifically sound presentation.
If this 3-part series is repeated, I urge everyone to watch it.

An interesting mishap occured during the live action, that wasn't edited out.
This gave an insight as to the methods used during production. When a tribe of Australopithecus (our relatives of 3 1/2 million years ago) was shown defending a youngster against a Dinofelis (ancient leopard), they were hopping around and throwing rocks. One rock hit the camera lens, cracking it. They showed a few more seconds of the shot with spider web cracks visible. This means that the scene was based on live actors----could have been Humans, chimps or baboons?? Then, they likely imposed model images of Australopithecus over those of the actors in post production, using the live actions as a framework to give realistic motion. I'm pretty sure they used a framework shot of baboons for a scene of them relaxing and grooming on a rocky hilltop. They probably used modern animals for many of the other framework shots, such as elephants for mammoths. The animatronics company was Crawley Creatures and they did an excellent job. I believe many of the closeups of the animals used animatronics. This was obviously not a low-budget project. I saw it on the SD channel and I don't know if it was also presented in HD. I'd want to permanently keep an HD recording of it, if it was available.

Star Wars Poster
 

I was bored today and decided to goof around with my old knowledge of star wars, photoshop, sarcasm, and irony. Here's a poster I made, enjoy:

www.rch-e.com/temp/saber.jpg

PS3 - playing a movie?
 

My friend really likes the video game Kill Zone for the PS2. He said there is now a trailer for Kill Zone 2 for the PS3. I looked it up and I was blown away! I'm pretty sure although it begins as a cut scene it is also gameplay. It looks like playing a CG movie. It was unbelievable. Check it out!
http://gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=1668

It's Time To Revise Copyright Laws
 

Before anyone jumps down my throat, please consider what I'm saying carefully.

I do not condone breaking the law, I'm talking about changing the law.

Unlike laws that protect life, freedom and physical property, copyright (and patent) laws are not expressions of intrinsic human rights that common sense finds in the natural order of things. No, by contrast copyright laws are arbitrary and contrived (what is natural about ownership that lasts for a limited time?). If you and I were the sole inhabitants of a desert island and you made up and whistled a tune as you watch me build a shelter I designed to shield me from wind and rain, you would have no common sense natural right to stop me from whistling that tune myself and I would have no common sense right to stop you from building an identical shelter of your own. As Ayn Rand observed, there is no such thing as the right to initiate the use of force against another. Live and Let live. But you would have the natural right to use force to prevent me from taking over your shelter.

But if we populate the island with many thousands of inhabitants and start to think about writing down the rules for living together, we may want to contrive some rules to add to the natural ones to make it all work better. Rules that allow you to make a living at making up tunes thereby freeing your time to do so would promote the quality of life for everyone in the society, as would rules that allow me to make a living at designing shelters. The criteria for the worth of those rules or laws is the benefit of society.

And that's where we got our copyright laws. But the technological revolution has caused a very real paradigm shift that truly changes what constitutes the optimal benefit to society. I can't install a purchased copy Windows on three family computers in the same house because then Bill will only have $100 billiion? Excessive. I can make a personal audio tape from a purchased album (if I understand this one correctly) but I can't put one of the songs in a family barbeque video? Irrational. A high school director can't preserve his many hours of creative effort and that of his cast and crew on a musical even on a single archival tape or disk because a third or fourth party now owns the the overlaping creative effort someone else expended 30 years ago? Morally wrong. You could be sued for singing a fourty year old Beach Boys tune at the beach if others turned toward you and were entertained? Insane. We could change the rules in such a way that creativity is still amply encouraged and rewarded, but some of the absurdly excessive restrictions on the use of music and such could be relieved.

Latest Shakira Video
 

Just caught the latest Shakira music video, La Tortura tonight.

My girlfriend happens to be a huge fan and has been playing the single for a week and I was literally about to tear my hair out UNTIL I saw the video.

Man, the video is absolutely smoking in the most unexploitative way. Many in the American mainstream media / music / movies have seemed to cross wires between pornographic and sexy... hold on, let me get off my soap box for a moment.

hahahah

Basically most music videos are so damn garish, but this latest Shakira one almost reminds me of the feeling I got watching classic "dish" films.

Great Video I thought, and the song has the catchiest hook... like every pop song, the simple rhythm that sticks in your head forever.

Check it out, or if you've seen it, feel free to discuss.

http://www.shakiramedia.com/
under videos "La Tortura"

Dean

Relaxation Channel- Mr Spotted Eagle Sighting?
 

So we're doing our huge bi-annual convention in downtown Atlanta. At the hotel as I clicked through channels I came upon the "Relaxation Channel," with flute tones sounding a lot like our own Mr. Douglas Spotted Eagle. Sure enough there was a dark outline of a long haired man playing the flute, against magestic mountains and waterfalls.

Was that you Douglas? Anyone else catch that channel?

Now I'm ready for an 18 hour day. Ah.

Jeff Patnaude

HBO's The Comeback
 

Anyone else watching this? It's hilarious - very, very dark comedy for those of us who enjoy that kind of humor. The premise gives the impression the show could be kind of 'eh', but it's that same kind of subtle undertone humor that made Curb Your Enthusiasm so d*mn funny (tho CYE has plenty of upfront comedy as well).

Very well written.. very well choreographed and edited.

I wouldn't say it's a gem, but it's worth checking out.

"Paparazzi" The documentary on BBC-3
 

Hello all,

Has anyone seen the doco on BBC-3 called "Paparazzi"?
I'm very keen to watch it but dont have BBC-3 here in Australia & have been trying to contact BBC-3 but there are no contact links on their website for this show.
Anyone in the UK that could help me out with a copy or some info? Would be much appreciated...

Thanks,
James

Video Workshop: Focal Point
 

Hello everyone, I am here to promote Focal Point, a filmmaking workshop, for anyone who wants a chance to bring their dreams to the screen. No previous experience is necessary. Just a passion to learn is required!

Focal Point is an intensive week of “hands-on” video study designed to give adults and mature high school students an opportunity to work with video from concept to finished product in one week. Students of all skill levels are welcome and course work is geared to accommodate specific interests and needs. For over 30 years Focal Point has provided this rich mix of learning and artistic collaboration.

Focal Point meets from 9am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, July 11-15, 2005 in metro-Detroit.

Tuition includes all instruction, use of equipment, most materials, lunch, and a compilation tape of all student work. University credit (3 hours) is offered through Central Michigan University for an additional fee paid to CMU.

For more information call Annette Alexander-Frank at 248-547-0847
or email areyoudaft@hotmail.com

Att: People in Canada- CBC Newsworld Monday Night, Can anyone help?
 

Hello Canadians,

Check this link on a CBC Newsworld show on Monday night July 4th 8pm:

http://www.cbc.ca/programguide/progr...gram=Paparazzi

Its meant to be an interesting doco on paparazzi photogs. I've been trying to get a copy of this show from the BBC as they were first to broadcast it but they couldn't help me. Is there anyone who could do me a huge favour & record this show for me? Any format is fine, I can cover your costs through paypal or some other method. If anyone can help it'll be muchly appreciated..

Thank You....

Twisted Nightmare Weekend (NE Ohio)
 

Hey guys. I usually spend most of my time posting in the alternative imaging area of the boards. I'm not trying to spam or anything, so i figured this was the best place to post this. I co-run the twisted nightmare weekend convention. It's a horror, sci-fi convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The show is coming up in a few weeks and I figured I'd post real quick and let anyone who might be interested know about it. If you want more info just check out the site at...

www.twistednightmareweekend.com

If anyone is interested in checking it out post back here or PM me and let me know.

Name of the classical piece in XL2 intro flash?
 

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/con...&modelid=10350

that one :)

thanks!

Global Censors Live HD feed from Rockerfeller Center on SNL!
 

I don't know why but Global censored the new Live HD feeds on SNL looking at the Empire State Building from the rooftop of Rockerfeller center! You only got to see the HD signal for half a second and then it breaks off! I don't know if it's intentional so that we poor canadians can't see the new HD signal or there's a timecode error in the commercial tape server. Did anyone in the US see the new HD signal?

Independent Film & Videomaking in Uganda
 

There was an interesting segment on "The World" today, a public radio program, about the growing movie-making activity in Kampala, Uganda. The center of focus was the Maisha Film Lab, an institute that teaches and encourages would-be movie producers. It was founded by Mira Nayer, a producer from India, who made "Monsoon Wedding". A main theme of the instruction there is that "Something explicitly
local, can become international in importance". A reference was made to the saying that every waitress and bank-teller in Los Angeles is working on a screenplay and how that could also apply to Kampala. It would be nice if someone from this group would log-on to DV.Info. You can listen to the 4 min. 55 sec. radio feature here, with Windows Media Player:
http://www.theworld.org/latesteditio...20050729.shtml

Flat panel TV prices dropping, sales rising
 

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/050813/flats...ices.html?.v=1

Apple extends G4 agreement
 

http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/stoc.../10240000.html

Early Draft of the PotC Script
 

An early draft of the Pirates of the Caribbean - Curse of the Black Pearl script is posted on the Wordplay website. To improve my writing, I find it helpful to compare scripts, especially early drafts, to the finished movie.

http://www.wordplayer.com/whatsnew.html

Intel vs. AMD
 

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/77062/in...escalates.html

heath

Beware it's 'Troll Season'
 

This is Troll Season...that special time when all the mysterious first time posters come on board writing up lengthy first-time post arguing against this new camera, or for that new camera. I wouldn't even argue with these (marketing) people, but then I guess there are those whom don't want to see misinformation spread, I can understand that.

Anyone keep movie development logs?
 

Was wondering if anyone likes to keep dev. logs on their movies or short, maybe online. Do you reveal any plot information or script excerpts, or what do you say at all?

I'm thinking of documenting all the stuff I'm researching and learning, with thoughts and ideas I may be working on at the time - but of course, I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, or have an idea ripped off.

I'd be interested in reading other's if they're out there, though.

Can't afford a PSP?
 

http://www.fazed.org/video/view/?id=100
Buy one of these!

More on Soderbergh's new film deal (it's radically different all right)
 

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/0...SCH325697.html

heath

"The Clearing" (2004) Music
 

Hello all,
Just curious if anyone knew the song used in the trailer of the film "The Clearing". The same song is also being used in a trailer for the TV show "Cold Case" on TNT, which is currently being run. If anyone knows that would help me out a lot, so thank you for taking the time to read this. Hopefully someone can help me out.

Alex B.

Circuit City goes rental through Web
 

OT:who's been listening to Pendulum
 

Who here has been listening to Pendulum's debut album 'hold you colour' for the last few months?

Best breaks I've heard in years and years. These guys are taking things to new levels - in my opinion anyway.
If you're into break beats, drum & bass, or any sort of electronic music, check it out.
Favourite track at the moment is "Tarantula" followed closely by "Slam".

Sorry, I know this isn't about DV but, I know alot of you appreciate great music, plus, it's extremely rare these days that I find a whole CD that makes me jump out of my seat.
Besides, it would make an awesome film soundtrack ;)

NASA uses a new telescope gyro cam to examine shuttle liftoff.
 

I just saw this on a Daily Planet special about the Discovery mission and the footage was so shaky!!! if you watched the DVCPRO HD footage on a big screen TV, you would get motionsick within 5 seconds of starting the file. but the tech details is that it is attached to the nose of a high-altitude jet and can resist a fair amount of shake though the controls are very difficult to learn. Speaking of controls, it must use heavy-duty high voltage motors to drive the thing and it would definitly be hard to keep frame of the shuttle! Doug. E, what do you have to say about this?