Cost-Effective Stereo Storytelling

A pioneer in HDTV production since 1986, Randall Dark says he’s always keeping his eye out for something that will rev up his creative gears and throw him into a new world of images, workflows, and storytelling possibilities. Film & Video's Bryant Frazer talks with Dark about field-testing the Panasonic AG-3DA1 3D camcorder, China's first Digital Cinema Festival and how 3 Cities In 3D all came about:

Field-Testing the Panasonic AG-3DA1 3D Camcorder

courtesy: Film & Video

First Macao China International Digital Cinema Festival a Success

Its founders and participants are calling the recently completed Macao China International Digital Cinema Festival and Entertainment Technology Expo a huge success. The Festival began with ceremonial Chinese pomp and circumstance, except the traditional ribbon cutting was replaced with a film cutting. The festival’s creative director, Randall Dark says, “I thought it was poetic that we cut 35mm film to launch our event.” The keynote speaker was Scott Ross, former CEO and founder of Los Angeles post house Digital Domain. Seminars on 3D followed with industry experts such as Pierre De Lespinois and Scott Billups. Its founders and participants are calling the recently completed Macao China International Digital Cinema Festival and Entertainment Technology Expo a huge success.

Dark says, "It was amazing to have Chinese and Americans on the same panel discussing their mutual passion for this hot topic. Sharing ideas and passion is what makes an international festival so important.”

The final day ended with more than a hundred children from the city of Macao enjoying a private screening of Disney's Tinker Bell And The Lost Treasure. A special digital cinema was created in the Venetian Hotel for this event that showcased the Cantonese version the film.

After the screening producer, Sean Lurie accepted questions from the young audience. "It was great fun to watch the children enjoy our movie”, says Lurie, “but what was amazing was that one of the questions I was asked was whether the next installment would come out in 3D.”

Dark says, "The mandate of our Festival is not just to involve industry professionals but also the local community. Seeing all those children take part in our event was probably the most important moment for me during the festival.”

Festival chairman Jeff Greene says, "Getting support from the Macao Government was key to launching a successful festival at the world class Venetian Hotel. This was their first festival and after only one day, they initiated discussions on how to make it bigger next year.” Macao China International Digital Cinema Festival and Entertainment Technology Expo

reposted with permission from Digital Cinema Report

Festival Opens Doors for Collaboration Between US & China

MACAO, CHINA - Filmmaker Randall Dark recently returned from China, where he served as the artistic director for the inaugural Macao China International Digital Cinema Festival and Entertainment Technology Expo with a 3D Summit (www.macaodigitalcinema.com). Dark says the purpose of the event was to showcase American and Chinese feature films and documentaries, as well as to host panels that address increasing globalization, technological expansion and changing standards. 3D was a hot topic, he notes.

The event also served as an opportunity for filmmakers to discuss possible collaboration, co-productions and distribution deals between the two countries, and to exchange creative ideas.

The Savannah College of Art and Design’s students served as an international education partner for the event, which wrapped up with a screening of Disney's Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure for over 100 children from the city of Macao.

"The heart and spirit of our festival was showcased during the Tinker Bell screening," says Dark. "Not only is the event designed to bring together the best minds in both the creative and technical industry world wide, but I want to also involve the community. Let them share in the excitement of world class events such as this.”

“Getting the support from the Chinese Government was key to launching a successful festival and already they have initiated discussions on how to make the festival bigger next year,” adds festival chairman Jeff Greene.

The festival kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that made use of 35mm film. Click on images to make larger.

reposted with permission from Post Magazine