News Stories

Coming Attraction: Movie Theaters In The US Industry Market Research Report Now Updated By IBISWorld

2.5.2012

[Daily Markets]

A gradual recovery in business and consumer spending and the lagging recovery in unemployment continue to hinder demand for the Movie Theaters industry. According to IBISWorld industry analyst and report author Agata Kaczanowska, “enhanced cinema experiences, such as 3D technology and luxury theaters, attract a steady audience, partly counterbalancing low consumer spending. However, industry revenue is expected to decline at an annualized rate of 1.2% over the five years to 2012; this growth includes an increase of 0.2% from 2011 to 2012.” IBISWorld anticipates that increasing consumer spending, driven by disposable income growth, will contribute to revenue of $12.9 billion in 2012.

The Movie Theaters industry competes with many video product viewing and access alternatives, including cable and satellite TV, iPods, cell phones and internet movie downloads to computers and game consoles.  …

In 2011, the industry’s top four players are expected to control about 55.9% of revenue, influenced by the continuing consolidation of operators. This concentration has increased from about 45.9% in 2006, because a number of the major operators purchased many small and larger operators after their release from Chapter 11 proceedings. The major industry players are Regal Entertainment Group, AMC Entertainment and Cinemark Holdings.  …

Read the full story here: http://www.dailymarkets.com/stock/2012/02/04/coming-attraction-movie-theaters-in-the-us-industry-market-research-report-now-updated-by-ibisworld/

Ready to wire: New Digital Age clothes and accessories let you place a call, write email and stream 3D movies

2.5.2012

[New York Daily News]

… The hot trend in the not-too-distant future? Tech togs — as in clothing, eyeglasses, headgear and even watches and jewelry that make phone calls, send emails, take pictures, track your location, stream your favorite 3D movie and even monitor your vital signs.

“What we’ re starting to see with wearable technology is that we’ re bearing the fruit of several generations of the digital revolution,” said technology and electronics expert Jim Barry, aka The Digital Answer Man.

“With battery life getting longer and devices getting smaller, we can actually wear them and use them for so many different things, whether it’ s incorporating a digital camera into your glasses or getting global positioning information on your watch,” added Barry.

Already on the market is a fun and functional frock called the M-Dress — a clingy, sexy, silk garment that doubles as a mobile phone. Made by British firm CuteCircuit, M-Dress has built-in wiring and a place in the hem where you install a standard SIM card to make and receive and calls with the same number as your cellphone — just lift your sleeve to talk.

…

Reminiscent of Gaga’ s futuristic shades in her “ Poker Face” video, the glasses have a built-in 12-megapixel camera for taking secret snapshots, while the lenses double as mini-screens that play video and display photos.

Movie buffs can take high-tech eyewear a step further with Sony’ s totally immersive Personal 3D Viewer, which debuted during the holiday season and goes for about $700.

…“ We’ re really just at the start of the trend of a long series of innovations in wearable technologies,” said Shawn Dubravac, director of research for the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), …

Read the full story here: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/money/ready-wire-digital-age-clothes-accessories-place-a-call-write-email-stream-3d-movies-article-1.1017245?localLinksEnabled=false

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Specification for Naming VFX Image Sequences Released

ETC’s VFX Working Group has published a specification for best practices naming image sequences such as plates and comps. File naming is an essential tool for organizing the multitude of frames that are inputs and outputs from the VFX process. Prior to the publication of this specification, each organization had its own naming scheme, requiring custom processes for each partner, which often resulted in confusion and miscommunication.

The new ETC@USC specification focuses primarily on sequences of individual images. The initial use case was VFX plates, typically delivered as OpenEXR or DPX files. However, the team soon realized that the same naming conventions can apply to virtually any image sequence. Consequently, the specification was written to handle a wide array of assets and use cases.

To ensure all requirements are represented, the working group included over 2 dozen participants representing studios, VFX houses, tool creators, creatives and others.  The ETC@USC also worked closely with MovieLabs to ensure that the specification could be integrated as part of their 2030 Vision.

A key design criteria for this specification is compatibility with existing practices.  Chair of the VFX working group, Horst Sarubin of Universal Pictures, said: “Our studio is committed to being at the forefront of designing best industry practices to modernize and simplify workflows, and we believe this white paper succeeded in building a new foundation for tools to transfer files in the most efficient manner.”

This specification is compatible with other initiatives such as the Visual Effects Society (VES) Transfer Specifications. “We wanted to make it as seamless as possible for everyone to adopt this specification,” said working group co-chair and ETC@USC’s Erik Weaver. “To ensure all perspectives were represented we created a team of industry experts familiar with the handling of these materials and collaborated with a number of industry groups.”

“Collaboration between MovieLabs and important industry groups like the ETC is critical to implementing the 2030 Vision,” said Craig Seidel, SVP of MovieLabs. “This specification is a key step in defining the foundations for better software-defined workflows. We look forward to continued partnership with the ETC on implementing other critical elements of the 2030 Vision.”

The specification is available online for anyone to use.

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