By Carolyn Giardina
WEST LOS ANGELES --The production community is readying for Cine Gear Expo 2006, which will be held June 23-24 in a new location–the Wadsworth Theatre and Grounds in West Los Angeles. Now in its 10th year, Cine Gear has grown as a film, video and digital media expo, networking event and seminar series. An estimated 6,500 are expected to attend.
Like last year, when the event was held in Burbank, members of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) and the International Documentary Association will conduct a panel series.
The ASC sessions will include “How new film, digital and hybrid tools are affecting the art and craft of cinematography.” Here, ASC members will discuss their experiences with cutting-edge tools while shooting commercials and narrative stories for the cinema and television. Topics will include the revolution in Super 16 filmmaking, how digital intermediate technology is affecting the role of the cinematographers, and things to consider when deciding whether to produce your project in film or digital format.
In “Dialogue with ASC Cinematographers, the panelists will answer questions such as why they chose to become cinematographers, what films and which cinematographers inspired them, what are the most important issues facing cinematographers today, and what is the outlook for the future? A third ASC session “Point of View,” will be a discussion about favorite clips. George Spiro Dibie, ASC, and industry veteran Bob Fisher will co-moderate the ASC sessions.
In other program news, several screenings/sessions will be hosted by companies, including Panavision, Dalsa, Fuji Film and Band Pro Film & Digital. Burbank-headquartered Band Pro, for instance, will present a screening and discussion forum on both June 23 and 24 titled, “Compressed or Uncompressed: You Decide!”
Using original Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) Standard Evaluation Materials (StEM), HDCAM SR recordings will be compared to the original uncompressed DCI data files and presented via 2k digital projection and 35mm film-out. Test materials were created under the auspices of the ASC Technology Committees with participation from Technicolor, Fotokem, Pac Tel, and Sony. Audience members will be invited to take part in a Q&A session following the presentation of the test materials. Panelists will include Band Pro CTO Michael Bravin, Sony’s Rick Harding and Simon Marsh, David Stump, ASC, and Jon Fauer, ASC.
Exhibitors include Arri, Band Pro, Doggicam, Eastman Kodak, Fuji Film, K-5600, Innovision Optics, Matthews Studio Equipment, Mole Richardson, OConnor, and Panavision. Red–the company that attracted a lot of attention at NAB–reported that it would be on hand with its nonworking prototype camera.
After the two-day Expo is completed, Cine Gear will conclude on June 25 with master classes held at nearby locations. (Preregistration is required for these sessions.)
Brand New School Extends Reach Internationally Via Partnership With Animation Studio BRUT
Brand New School (BNS) has entered into a strategic partnership with BRUT, a Barcelona-based animation studio. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in BNS’s expansion strategy, with BRUT serving as its inaugural global outpost.
Under the leadership of executive creative director Martin Allais, who will now be represented by BNS for directorial ventures, BRUT joins BNS as part of its collective roster. This partnership combines BNS’s established reputation for innovative creative work with BRUT’s expertise in diverse artistic techniques, including 2D cel animation, stop-motion, 3D animation, and seamless integration of live action.
With Allais leading BNS Spain, Brand New School is expanding its reach to serve a growing network of global clients. This partnership incorporates BRUT’s fresh methodology of working and diverse pool of talent to create content that resonates across cultures. Located in the heart of the European market, the new BNS location will further support and enhance its work with international clients, broadening its ability to meet their unique needs. This partnership represents a thoughtful blend of creativity and expertise, designed to strengthen and grow Brand New School’s global presence.
BRUT was founded by director Allais as an experimental incubator for innovative ideas and techniques. He is also a multidisciplinary artist of Latinx heritage who brings a wealth of creative experience to the partnership. His portfolio spans commercials for global brands like Oreo, Facebook, Samsung, and Dr. Pepper, earning accolades including Cannes Lions for his work on the Samsung Holiday campaign. Recently, Allais’ animated VR experience capturing New York City’s punk scene in the ‘70s, narrated by... Read More