ShoWest 2008: The Preview

http://digitalcinemareport.com/showest2008.html

 

3D will dominate what Promises to be a Lively Event

 

When the exhibition industry gathers in Las Vegas later this month for ShoWest 2008, 3D will likely be one of the most widely discussed topics. But there will be a lot more including the business and technology issues associated with the ongoing digital cinema rollout, continuing concerns about movie theft, and the boost the home theatre market is certain to get now that Blu-ray has won the high definition DVD competition.

 

In that regard, one of the highlights of the show could be the fact that Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation SKG, is scheduled to speak at the opening day ceremonies. Katzenberg will speak about the developments in 3D, opportunities for the exhibition community and DreamWorks Animation’s plans to utilize 3D technology for all of the company’s animated releases starting in 2009.

 

DreamWorks Animation will release Monsters vs. Aliens, its first-ever film produced in “Ultimate 3D” technology next year.

 

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to address this important audience at the ShoWest opening day ceremony,” says Katzenberg. “Starting with DreamWorks Animation’s 2009 release ofMonsters vs. Aliens, audiences will see and feel first-hand how the latest advancements in 3D animation technology can fully immerse them into a brand new kind of movie-going experience.”

 

Of the many sessions scheduled for the event two by Michael Karagosian are of particular interest to anyone interested in digital cinema. Karagosian is technology adviser to NATO.

 

“The two presentations are an overview of NATO's Digital Cinema System Requirements 2.0, which isn't released yet, but hopefully will be by ShoWest and a ShoWest University seminar on digital cinema geared towards independent theatre owners,” he says.

 

“For the system requirements overview I'll start with "why" a revision. Over the coming year, vendors will strive to meet DCI's specification with their products, a significant effort and a significant milestone. DCI's spec brings uniformity to two important areas: distribution and security. But it doesn't bring uniformity and interoperability to the processes that govern key management, it doesn't introduce uniformity to theatre operations, and it doesn't bring interoperability to the digital cinema server.”

 

“On that last point,” Karagosian continues, “if an exhibitor buys a server from vendor A, and attempts to replace it with one from vendor B, the chances are that the software infrastructure that moves movies, keys, play lists, schedules, and logs around will no longer function without rework.”

 

“NATO's system requirements were created to promote the specific needs of exhibition that are not addressed, or not addressed adequately, in the DCI spec. It is not a specification, but a list of requirements designed to guide standards committees, service providers, and equipment manufacturers.”

 

“Unlike the DCI spec, which studios have set a timeline to meet and vendors are striving to comply with, NATO will not set a timeline for compliance. However, some theatre owners may choose to set dates. NATO will, however, work closely with the vendor and standards community to create standards that will fulfill these requirements, setting the stage for future compliance in an organic manner. Now is the time to take such action.”

 

“As you have noted many times,” he says, “now is a time unlike any other in the cinema industry. Today we have new technology experts who are tuned in to the needs of theatre owners, and we have a productive standards committee whose makeup reaches across the industry with people who have demonstrated a strong willingness to work together. This is indeed a rare time, and NATO intends to take advantage of it.”

 

“It is anticipated that digital cinema equipment will require replacement every 10 years, and digital cinema servers may require more frequent replacement. The frequent replacement cycle sets the stage for the introduction of compliant equipment as demand requires. The ShoWest University seminar will cover a wide range of topics in digital cinema.”

 

“I'll review the current marketplace status, and will review my recent analysis addressing the cost of ownership under different financial conditions. I'll review the basics of the technology to bring familiarity to the concepts and terminology that a theatre owner will encounter, including key management. I'll review the current issues with interoperability and the issues in the supply chain. I'll review how 3D works. And I'll review in a little more detail the requirements in NATO's v2.0 document to give it context in the overall picture,” Karagosian says.

 

New technology is always a highlight of ShoWest. This is what we knew going into the show.

 

In the very near term, Kodak is expected to announce a continuing series of sales and to make other announcements as the company continues to broaden its participation in the worldwide digital cinema marketplace. Kodak currently has its digital feature systems deployed on more than 200 screens with 38 circuits in 14 countries.

 

Doremi will highlight that its DCP-2000 cinema server provided 3D playback on 80 percent of the screens for Disney's record breaking 3D film; Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert.

 

Michael Archer, vice president of sales at Doremi, says, "The complexity of 3D film production and playback has been simplified with digital cinema. Digital technology has heralded the start of a new era for 3D cinema with Doremi's servers and mastering stations helping to lead the way. From the start, we have ensured that all our installed cinema servers are 3D capable."

 

GDC Technology will unveil the True 3D Digital Cinema Server, which it claims is the first and only server in the market that brings what it calls “a true 3D digital cinema experience” to moviegoers.

 

And, as is tradition, ShoWest will honor several people and companies for their achievements. What follows is a list of some of the winners that will be announced at the show:

 

International Exhibitor of the Year

The Greater Union Organization, Australia’s largest and oldest film exhibitor

 

Producer of the Year

Charles Roven, Atlas Entertainment

 

International Achievement in Filmmaking

Sergei Bodrov

 

Female Star of the Year

Anne Hathaway

 

Male Star of the Year

Robert Downey, Jr.

 

Female Star of Tomorrow

Abigail Breslin

 

Distinguished Decade of Achievement in Film

Brendan Fraser

 

Groundbreaking Filmmaker of 2008

Alan Ball