February 2014 – Below the Line

BVE Expo Shows an Industry on the Rebound

February 28, 2014 Phil Rhodes Comments Off

Nestled as it is between the single-camera specificity of BSC Expo and the titanic international might of NAB, London’s BVE Expo is always at risk of a degree of “trade show fatigue.” There are only so many ways to walk over cheap carpet while squinting at the lighting exhibits. Even so, if sheer footfall at the event is any barometer of economic mood, those rumors of recovery are justified, because at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, the exhibition hall seemed better filled than I’ve seen before. Over the three days, organizers report that more than 15,000 visitors attended. […]

Milken Institute Report Recommends Changes to California’s Tax Incentives

February 28, 2014 Staff Comments Off

The Milken Institute issued a report yesterday that found that California’s stronghold on the entertainment industry is loosening as production jobs are lured to other locations due to production credits and other tax breaks. Between 2004 and 2012, the state lost more than 16,000 jobs in filmed production employment – more than a 10 percent drop. Meanwhile, New York, California’s main rival, added more than 10,000 such jobs. These jobs contribute to state revenues and provide sustainable incomes that result in significant local spending. In California, they are high-paying middle-class positions that pay more than $95,000 on average. […]

SMPTE Announces 2014 Director Appointments

February 28, 2014 Staff Comments Off

The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), a society committed to pursuing motion-imaging standards and education for the communications, media, entertainment, and technology industries, announced the 2014 SMPTE directors. Alan Lambshead, SMPTE standards vice president, appointed Bob Edge, Oliver Morgan and Howard Lukk to serve as standards directors; Paul Stechly, SMPTE membership vice president, appointed Bruce Devlin, Karl Kuhn and William C. Miller to serve as membership directors; and Patrick Griffis, SMPTE education vice president, appointed Michael DeValue, V. Michael Bove, Peter Putman and Al Kovalick to serve as education directors. […]

FujiFilm’s Cabrio Series Addition Debuts at NAB

February 28, 2014 Staff Comments Off

Two lenses from the Optical Devices Division of FujiFilm, North America, will make their NAB debut this year – the Premier PL 14-35mm Cabrio wide-angle lens [ZK2.5×14] and the XA55x9.5 HDTV Telephoto Box Style lens. Other 2014 NAB exhibited innovations from the Optical Devices Division will be announced prior to the event. This year marks FujiFilm’s 80th anniversary, 40 years for the Optical Devices Division, formerly known as FUJINON, in the U.S. […]

Film

ProAm USA’s First Annual International Student Film Competition

February 28, 2014 Staff Comments Off

ProAm USA, a manufacturer of production equipment for film and video enthusiasts and professionals, announced it has received over 70 entries from around the world for its first annual 2014 International Student Film Competition. Students from countries including Germany, Singapore, Croatia, Columbia and the U.K. have entered their unique films into the competition. The competition is open for entries until March 16, 2014, with prizes benefiting both the student and the school they represent. […]

The Sound of Lone Survivor

February 27, 2014 Michael Coleman Comments Off

In this exclusive profile, SoundWorks Collection talks with the Oscar-nominated sound team behind director Peter Berg‘s film Lone Survivor which is based on the 2007 nonfiction book of the same name by Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson. […]

New Marvel Netflix Series Goes to New York

February 27, 2014 Staff Comments Off

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, The Walt Disney Company, Marvel and Netflix announced that Marvel’s landmark live-action television series, which will bring Marvel’s “flawed heroes of Hell’s Kitchen” characters to Netflix, will principally film in New York State. Produced by Marvel Television, in association with ABC Television Studios, this new series is Marvel’s most ambitious foray yet into live-action television storytelling and represents the largest film or television production project commitment in New York State history. […]

Location Managers Guild Announces Award Nominees

February 27, 2014 Staff Comments Off

The Location Managers Guild of America (LMGA) announced nominations for outstanding achievement by location professionals in feature films, television and commercials competing in the first annual Location Managers Guild of America Awards. The awards ceremony announcing winners is scheduled for March 29, at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills. […]

AlphaDogs Rescues Dialogue for Pacoima Can Wait

February 27, 2014 Staff Comments Off

Burbank-based AlphaDogs announced it has completed post services for its new romantic comedy, Pacoima Can Wait. The story follows the adventures of self-destructive Nigel Waferhouse, who through his humiliating calamities discovers he can still be a knight, even if it’s in beer-soaked shining armor. The film will screen later this year at film festivals across the country. […]

ShootersNYC Signs Editor Debbie McMurtrey

February 27, 2014 Staff Comments Off

ShootersNYC, a creative multi-dimensional content company, has signed editor Debbie McMurtrey to its roster, which also includes editors Anthony Marinelli, Dave Bradley and Mark Hutchinson. Regarding the company’s new addition, Ray Carballada, ShootersINC president/CEO, said, “Debbie is an incredible editor, who has worked on commercials, as well as long-form projects for some time. She epitomizes the kind of talent we are looking to add to Shooters.” […]