The Ninth Annual Cine Gear Expo, a production industry event expected to draw roughly 7,000 to Warner Bros. Studios June 3-4 in Burbank, will feature leading commercial cinematographers presenting their views on the future of the industry. Scheduled to appear on the panel, titled “The Art of the Commercial” and presented by the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), are Curtis Clark, ASC; Peter Lyons Collister, ASC; Allen Daviau, ASC; Jon Fauer, ASC; Guillermo Navarro, ASC; and Bill Bennett, ASC.
Prior to the start of Cine Gear, each was asked to select one of his commercials. These spots were to be posted in HD at Hollywood-based post house Laser Pacific, to be screened during the Cine Gear session as part of a discussion about the advantages of posting and airing commercials in HD (as film is a high resolution medium, the production format does not require a change for HD broadcasting).
Additional panel topics will include grabbing and holding a viewer’s attention in a television landscape with hundreds of channels, as well as the potential impact of Tivo on TV advertising.
During another Cine Gear session, the ASC will detail the latest developments from its Technology Committee, whose purpose is to explore issues related to advancing the art and craft of visual storytelling. The committee, chaired by the aforementioned Clark, includes subcommittees that have been investigating standards and practices for digital intermediate (DI) postproduction, the evolution of new generation digital cameras, film preservation and restoration, and the need for a universal metadata standard for digital media.
The digital intermediate process will be further explored from cinematographers’ perspective on another ASC panel with scheduled panelists Allen Daviau, ASC, Matty Libatique, ASC, Dean Semler, ASC, ACS, Kees Van Oostrum, ASC, and Amy Vincent, ASC. This discussion will focus on the realities and myths of DI, how it is affecting the role of the cinematographer, and the outlook for the future.
The International Cinematographers Guild (ICG) will host a roundtable discussion about the changing workplace, moderated by DP Matthew J. Siegal, chairman of training and new technology for ICG Local 600. Topics will include the evolving roles of the DP, camera assistant, digital imaging technician, and video controller with the advent of new technology for film and HD. Meanwhile, a panel on documentary production will be produced by the International Documentary Association (IDA).
During the two-day event, some 200 exhibitors including manufacturers, rental houses and lighting companies are scheduled to showcase their wares; expect to see gear from companies including Eastman Kodak, Panavision, Arri, Thomson’s Grass Valley and Dalsa.
Master classes will be held June 5 in a separate location; Speakers include cinematographer Bennett.