Corrections or additions?
This article by Doug Dixon was prepared for the September 13, 2000
edition of U.S. 1 Newspaper. All rights reserved.
Digital Video Revolution: Brian McKernan
Filmmaking does not have to be on film, says Brian
McKernan, editorial director of Videography magazine. “The
development of digital technology has democratized access to content
creation. The tools are getting affordable and leveling access to
the playing field.”
From independent filmmakers and freelance videographers, to small
video production houses and in-house business video departments, and
even to Hollywood studios, digital technology is creating a revolution
in both the equipment and the process for creating films.
A panel entitled “Digital Cinema: The Future Of Filmmaking?”
is scheduled for Thursday, September 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sarnoff
Corporation, Routes 1 and 571. Sponsored by the Moving Image
Professionals of Central Jersey (a chapter of the Media Communications
Association International, formerly known as the International
Television Association), the meeting is free. Call Vince
Wright at 609-518-7646 (E-mail: wrightfilms@macconnect.com or
McKernan is the editorial director of the Video Division at United
Entertainment Media, which includes Videography and Television
Broadcast magazines and their websites (www.videography.com). Digital
Cinema, his new magazine that debuts next month, targets digital
filmmakers and people making movies using digital tools “from the
high-end to independents and everything in between.”
“Technology is making digital cinema possible,” says McKernan.
“Even low-end independent filmmakers can shoot with a digital
camera, edit digitally, distribute over the Internet, and even show
their productions in small theaters with a digital projector. All
you need to add is talent.”
McKernan and his panel will discuss the impact of digital technology
in each step of the digital cinema production process. Joining
McKernan
will be Scott Marshall, digital cinema engineer and contributing
editor for Widescreen Review magazine, Ken McGorry, editorial
director and associate publisher for Post magazine, and Peter
Putman,
senior contributor for Video Systems magazine and contributing editor
for Millimeter magazine.
Marshall, who is a digital cinema engineer, writer, speaker,
historian, and filmmaker, will discuss the interplay between the art
and the
technology in motion pictures, and how the features and limitations
of various advances in film and video technologies affect the
storyteller’s art. He is also a video game designer (U.S. 1, December
1, 1999) and
is creating a multimedia project for Nickelodeon.
McGorry will discuss approaches to digital editing for post-production
and the digital edit suite (www.postmagazine.com).
Putman will discuss digital projection systems and the distribution
of digital content. He has written articles on such subjects
as large-screen projection systems, electronic cinema, HDTV, and DVD
and also known for his annual review of the Projection
Shoot-Out at INFOCOMM (www.projectorexpert.com).
McKernan believes the opportunities for digital media have never been
greater. “The moving image is the most powerful form of human
communications,” he says, “and the most effective form of
communication in the 20th century.” Signs of the times:
High-end Hollywood is going digital, especially inpost-productionand editing effects. “George Lucas is shooting Star Wars EpisodeII digitally, shooting film without film,” says McKernan.”It’sa natural for someone using digital post-production. Why introduceanalog? Which is not to say that film is dead; it’s just the continuedintegration of film and digital.”A new generation of filmmakers is growing up with digitaltechnology. “Young people coming out of school are not weddedto film.”Access to lower end professional and “prosumer”equipmentgives more freedom to motion picture producers. “Affordable toolslike the Apple G4 computer, Apple’s Final Cut Pro video editor, andAdobe After Effects can provide a high-quality and effectivesolution.”New distribution channels provide more open access toexpression. “That’s the beauty of the Internet: let everyone beheard. And broadband communication is providing a more TV-likeexperience. Even the festivals like Sundance are open to showingdigital films,”says McKernan.Filmmaking can be done by small firms, boutiquebusinesses, and entrepreneurial organizations. “The age of thegeneralisthas arrived,” he says. “The overhead is less, butprofitability is not as great as it used to be. Larger companies canno longer chargethe same premium.”Small boutiques can also work together for specializedjobs. An independent producer might team with a graphics modelingexpert.Businesses need to be flexible to respond to a wide rangeof client needs. “On Monday the client wants a videotape for acorporate production or TV station. On Tuesday they want aninteractiveDVD production. And on Wednesday they want a little independent film,not a trivial undertaking, and also to have it stream on theInternet.””Ultimately it’s just about storytelling,” saysMcKernan.”You need a story to tell, something to say, and to say iteffectivelyand artistically. Without a story, regardless of budget, you havenothing.”And filmmaking requires passion, “People who love what they aredoing, who have a love for the moving image,” says McKernan.”Thereis more access to tools than ever before. Just don’t expect to makeHollywood movies from the get go.””Everyone can buy a pen,” says McKernan, “but we can’tall use one like Shakespeare. Now everyone can afford the `pen’ ofvideo production equipment. But you’ve also got to have talent.”Creative talent is still at a premium, and larger organizations canretain the cinematographers, screenwriters, and the graphics effectsartists. But, he says, “it will be interesting to see if studiosstill dominate 10 years from now.”— Doug DixonAnother chance to learn about new video products will be theexpo staged by Videomaker magazine, from Thursday to Saturday,September 14 to 16, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the East Brunswick Hilton.Cost: $75 per day. Call 530-891-8410 (or go towww.videomaker.com).Previous StoryCorrections or additions?This page is published by PrincetonInfo.com— the web site for U.S. 1 Newspaper in Princeton, New Jersey.
