March 2023 – Page 2 – Below the Line

Cine Gear Expo Returned to New York Showcasing All the Creative Ingenuity in New Production-Related Gear

March 20, 2023 Edward Douglas Comments Off

For the first time in almost eight years, the Cine Gear Expo returned to New York City with all the best filmmaking gear and tech in tow after the planned 2020 expo was canceled amid the early days of the pandemic. This year’s Cine Gear was held within Brooklyn’s Industry City, a massive eight-building complex that houses markets, merchants, and crafts experts with unique skills such as blacksmithing and swordsmithing. […]

MPC Appoints Ludovic Iochem, Sal Umerji as Heads of Montreal and London Studios

March 20, 2023 Staff Comments Off

Award-winning global VFX company, MPC, adds to its new leadership team hiring Ludovic Iochem and Sal Umerji as Heads of Studio for Montreal and London respectively. With over 20 years of experience in the VFX industry and extensive expertise in production operations, Iochem started his career in visual effects in Paris, where he worked for numerous French film studios as a VFX artist before moving to London. Iochem worked as […]

Sam Craig Named Vice President of Cloud Production Engineering for Advanced Systems Group

March 20, 2023 Staff Comments Off

Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), a technology and services provider for media creatives and content owners, announced that Sam Craig has joined the company as Vice President of Cloud Production Engineering. Craig will be part of ASG’s cloud-based live production division, reporting to Chief Cloud Officer Claudia Souza. Craig comes to ASG with a successful track record leading collaborative teams to ensure the proper translation of engineering technicalities into a […]

Cine Gear: Industry Professionals Discuss Expo’s Return to New York as Vendors Hawk Their Wares

March 18, 2023 Daniel Eagan Comments Off

Camera geeks flocked to Brooklyn’s Industry City March 10 and 11 for the first New York-area Cine Gear Expo in several years. Attendance spiked over 2,000 for an event that included panels, presentations, and displays of the latest in visual technology. “Our last event in New York was 2015,” Juliane Grosso, co-founder and CEO of Cine Gear Expo, said. “We had planned to return in 2020 until Covid hit. Now […]

Union Roundup: This Past Oscar Season Was One of Risk and Gratitude — All At Once

March 17, 2023 Mark London Williams Comments Off

Although Michelle Yeoh has had many occasions this award season to grow used to ovations — many of them standing — she received her final one of the season walking into the media interview room at the Dolby after winning her Best Actress Oscar, and that one, apparently, took her by surprise. “That was quite a welcome!” she said. “Are you sure you’re press?” But indeed we were. After all, […]

Shazam! Fury of the Gods Review: Childish Superheroes Deliver Low-Stakes Magic in DC’s Latest Sequel

March 17, 2023 J. Don Birnam Comments Off

The DC Extended Universe, which will come to a close later this year with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, hasn’t done many things right, but director David F. Sandberg‘s Shazam! is one of the few exceptions. The title character is played by a charming Zachary Levi, and his teenage alter-ego is Billy Batson (Asher Angel), who lives in a Philadelphia foster home. He’s gifted magical, god-like superpowers by an ancient […]

Martin Carrier Departs as President of MELS

March 17, 2023 Staff Comments Off

Martin Carrier, President of MELS, is stepping down from his position on March 24. After three years at the helm of the company, announced by TVA Group. Mr. Carrier has informed management that he wishes to pursue new challenges. Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quebecor, thanked Martin Carrier for his contribution to the company. In addition to his role in developing MELS’ business and extending its […]

Tom Joyner, First A.D. on Steven Spielberg’s Jaws and UPM on The Blues Brothers, Dies at 79

March 15, 2023 Staff Comments Off

Tom Joyner, who served as First Assistant Director on Steven Spielberg‘s Jaws, died last month following a long battle with cancer and heart disease, reports Deadline. He was 79. Joyner began his career in the film industry in 1969 when he was accepted into the DGA’s program for assistant director. He got his start as a Second A.D. on Spielberg’s Sugarland Express and Clint Eastwood’s High Plains Drifter before being bumped up to […]

LIV Golf Strips Broadcast Crews of Healthcare and Other Benefits Despite $1 Billion in Projected Spending

March 15, 2023 Staff Comments Off

Broadcast workers are integral to the success of every sports production and take pride in their work to bring quality content to audiences worldwide. However, many behind-the-scenes technicians responsible for LIV Golf coverage feel far from valued team members. In LIV Golf’s inaugural season last year, crewmembers worked under a union contract, which contributed to the healthcare and retirement benefits that all workers deserve. But the deal changed for the […]

Cinema Audio Society Names Peter Kurland President, Unveils New CAS Board of Directors

March 15, 2023 Staff Comments Off

The Cinema Audio Society has announced its newly elected CAS Board of Directors. Taking the helm as CAS President is Peter Kurland, CAS, while Steve Venezia, CAS, Frank Morrone, CAS, and Lee Orloff, CAS were re-elected to their executive positions as Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, respectively. Kurland previously made headlines last year when he resigned as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences over the org’s decision […]