"Club Penton" - Ask questions to Hollywood insider "Penton-Man"

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

that is why they have a maple Ketchup and a corn Ketchup.

Hey, thanks for your support on the 3D Hate thread. I found P@t_Mtl’s response to be unnecessarily sarcastic and coyly staying within the rules of forum decorum. Certainly, not worthy of me providing him the appropriate amazon.com link for the 2D version.

Since I know you’re a 3D aficionado, here’s another little tidbit for your kindness. Last summer, Sony Pictures (with FIFA) did screening events at 550 Madison Ave. in Manhattan where hard-core soccer fans, regular Joe’s from the local financial community, and lastly, avid gamers were brought in.

Turned out the gamers loved the *in your face as much as possible* 3D settings which made the financial folks and even the hard-core soccer fans very uncomfortable with that particular type of 3D rendering. If you’re like me (somewhat similar age and background), think what a bursting brain aneurysm would feel like while watching the type of rendering the gamers loved.

So, the bottom line is that the screening tests showed the pleasure factor for home theater 3D rendering to be somewhat individualized in the sense that it is different for different ages, different for different backgrounds/interests, etc. Kind of like ‘Different Strokes for Different Folks’. I think the challenge for stereographers for home media renditions will be to find that *sweet spot* which will appeal to the broadest range of potential viewers willing to rent or purchase the particular titles.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

...Then you can swing down to Toronto and get that beer I promised you.

Thanks.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

That never happened to the other fellow

Sources tell us that you're scheduling plastic surgery at the same time to hide your secret identity

You know, that's not too far off. I've actually been offered that option (make the nose straight for once) by the ENT guy when all the swelling goes down a bit.

[Talkstr8t]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Next step will eventually most likely be a 6 hr. heart ablation procedure at Cedars.

Penton, if it's any consolation, in the late '90's I was on a business trip to Providence, RI, and was on a first date with a woman I had met at a retreat (though given that we lived on opposite coasts the relationship really didn't have much of a future). During the date I noticed my heart racing at around 200 bpm, in a way which didn't seem to be purely from being in the company of an attractive woman. Other than feeling a bit tight-chested I felt fine, but after returning to the hotel (Holiday Inn, as I recall), I decided maybe it wasn't a great idea to go to bed with my heart still going at 200 four hours after it started. I asked the desk clerk for directions to the nearest hospital, and drove myself to the county hospital (never having needed to find a hospital on my own before, I didn't have the forethought to ask for one which catered primarily to those who actually have health insurance, but I digress).

Given that I had no obvious gunshot wounds, missing limbs, nor a PCP-crazed look the ER staff regarded me suspiciously, but upon confirming my pulse of 200 they rushed me into the ICU, cardioverted me, explained that I had supra-ventricular tachycardia (SVT), and kept me for the night in a room flanked on one side by an 85-year old nearly deaf man to whom the nurses had to yell every 30 minutes to take some medication, and on the other by a man pumped up on morphine who was apparently not expected to make it more than another day or two whose wife was weeping bedside through most of the night. The night wasn't a total loss, however, as once the sun came up I did have a lovely view of the Rhode Island trees bearing their autumn finest.

Six months later I had a similar incident at home, upon which I availed myself of the far more serene setting at Stanford Hospital, and after a second cardioversion booked an RF ablation, which I had a few weeks later, and which was a breeze other than some slight soreness in the groin where they inserted the catheter.

So, assuming you've read this far, my advice is that the ablation is a piece of cake and not to worry!

- Talk

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Talkstr8t

Penton, if it's any consolation, in the late '90's I was on a business trip to Providence, RI, and was on a first date with a woman I had met at a retreat (though given that we lived on opposite coasts the relationship really didn't have much of a future). During the date I noticed my heart racing at around 200 bpm, in a way which didn't seem to be purely from being in the company of an attractive woman. Other than feeling a bit tight-chested I felt fine, but after returning to the hotel (Holiday Inn, as I recall), I decided maybe it wasn't a great idea to go to bed with my heart still going at 200 four hours after it started. I asked the desk clerk for directions to the nearest hospital, and drove myself to the county hospital (never having needed to find a hospital on my own before, I didn't have the forethought to ask for one which catered primarily to those who actually have health insurance, but I digress).

Given that I had no obvious gunshot wounds, missing limbs, nor a PCP-crazed look the ER staff regarded me suspiciously, but upon confirming my pulse of 200 they rushed me into the ICU, cardioverted me, explained that I had supra-ventricular tachycardia (SVT), and kept me for the night in a room flanked on one side by an 85-year old nearly deaf man to whom the nurses had to yell every 30 minutes to take some medication, and on the other by a man pumped up on morphine who was apparently not expected to make it more than another day or two whose wife was weeping bedside through most of the night. The night wasn't a total loss, however, as once the sun came up I did have a lovely view of the Rhode Island trees bearing their autumn finest.

Six months later I had a similar incident at home, upon which I availed myself of the far more serene setting at Stanford Hospital, and after a second cardioversion booked an RF ablation, which I had a few weeks later, and which was a breeze other than some slight soreness in the groin where they inserted the catheter.

So, assuming you've read this far, my advice is that the ablation is a piece of cake and not to worry!

- Talk

Heh, for Penton I assume the true horror of this tale is the thought of staying at a Holiday Inn

(Glad to see it's not something more serious, Talk)

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Talkstr8t

Penton,....So, assuming you've read this far, my advice is that the ablation is a piece of cake and not to worry!

- Talk

Are you kiding me , you had me with this line “During the date I noticed my heart racing at around 200 bpm, in a way which didn't seem to be purely from being in the company of an attractive woman. Other than feeling a bit tight-chested I felt fine, but after returning to the hotel (Holiday Inn, as I recall), I decided maybe it wasn't a great idea to go to bed with”

Talk, great hospital story.
I assume you’ve had no further episodes of SVT since then? I’m not really concerned about the procedure itself….it’s the complications which, albeit rare, can be pretty serious.

Right now, I’m inclined to give this current anti-arrhythmic drug which I’m on a chance to be successful but, realistically, I think the statistics show that long-term, it is not curative and I’m delaying the inevitable.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

I guess you learn something new every day on this thread.
Tell me, have you heard any buzz around town about the upcoming 3D hockey broadcasts….http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/stor...#ixzz15kTRsLl1

no, just here.

And, will you have access to watch any of them on a consumer type display (at your home or, for that matter, any other venue) to report to us on how the broadcasts look?

I don't know of any bars with 3D displays, and I don't have one at home (and even if I did I don’t use satellite so I would not receive a 3D broadcast over the air) so I seriously doubt it. But if I do, I will let you know what I thought

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

Heh, for Penton I assume the true horror of this tale is the thought of staying at a Holiday Inn

Talk’s story reminds me of one of my own hotel/motel stories. Back when I was racing motorcycles on the East Coast, before and during, the time I attended college, a bunch of us would drive caravan style to each race and it would inevitably involve an overnight stay. Well, we all would double-up and the hotels or motels wouldn’t really cost that much when you split the costs.

Anyway, we had one guy who always dragged this dang camper behind his pick-up to every race. Believe me, this guy wasn’t hurting for money (beautiful wife, two kids, nice home, etc.) so, the cost of a hotel/motel was of no apparent concern to him and additionally, the camper itself was very frugal in terms of creature comforts inside, so finally, one of us asked him (the guy’s name was Ben) what had been on all of our minds but which we were too shy to ask Ben directly about. I’ll never forget the exchange..........

One of us says-
“Ben, why do you always drag that damn camper to every out-of-state race we travel to and deal with the hassle of it all and not just get a room with one of the guys like everyone else here does. Damn, the gas savings in hauling that sucker around would almost cover your cost of the room.”

Ben –
“The hell if I’m sleeping in any bed which I know hundreds, if not thousands, of people have screwed in. That just bugs the hell out of me thinking about it while I’m lying there.”

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by DenonCI

Peter, don't get me started! The State is bankrupt but doesn't even realize it yet.

Denon and Peter, you’ve got to catch this…..
http://www.sonyclassics.com/insidejob/

It's already made the 15 title docu nomination list for the Academy (AMPAS).

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Denon and Peter, you’ve got to catch this…..
http://www.sonyclassics.com/insidejob/

It's already made the 15 title docu nomination list for the Academy (AMPAS).

I caught the "other" one at TIFF (CLIENT 9, which was only "OK"). I'm desperate to see INSIDE JOB, I hear it's a hell of a doc.

I also missed WAITING FOR SUPERMAN, which is likely to actually win (I also hear it's fantabulous, I was worried it'd be as dry as the Gore "doc"/powerpoint presentation).

Meanwhile, a total travesty that TABLOID wasn't nomm'd, nor was CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS. I guess they figured that Morris/Herzog have enough credit without yet another Oscar.

By the way, watched LAST WALTZ today (you may have missed my link to our AVS conversation about it from almost 4 years ago a few pages back) - had a friend that hand't ever seen it. I had watched bits and pieces on BD, but was amused to see that at least on first run through the rotoscoping of NY's nose seems to be missing, showing the coke blob in all its pre-FX glory.

Saw Mavis at the Rally for Sanity (well, "saw" from hundreds of feet away), but man she smokes the hell out of that performance with her sisters and Pops. A heavy, heavy version of THE WEIGHT indeed.

[sharkshark]

ps. LAST WALTZ viewing was prompted by this pretty excellent list - I've seen my fair share, but there are a number that I'm very interested in checking out:

http://newyork.timeout.com/arts-cult...-time?page=0,0

They've also put together this really fun list (hardly definitive, but at the least a good starting point for any debate!)

http://newyork.timeout.com/arts-cult...ecade?page=0,1

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Hey, thanks for your support on the 3D Hate thread. I found P@t_Mtl’s response to be unnecessarily sarcastic and coyly staying within the rules of forum decorum. Certainly, not worthy of me providing him the appropriate amazon.com link for the 2D version.

glad to help.

Since I know you’re a 3D aficionado,

I would not go that far, I saw Avatar in 3D almost a year ago, have not seen anythging else since then. I think tech advancements are good (if I can afford them or not) and I hate seeing people being mislead (like what Pat was doing in that thread).

here’s another little tidbit for your kindness. Last summer, Sony Pictures (with FIFA) did screening events at 550 Madison Ave. in Manhattan where hard-core soccer fans, regular Joe’s from the local financial community, and lastly, avid gamers were brought in.

Turned out the gamers loved the *in your face as much as possible* 3D settings which made the financial folks and even the hard-core soccer fans very uncomfortable with that particular type of 3D rendering. If you’re like me (somewhat similar age and background), think what a bursting brain aneurysm would feel like while watching the type of rendering the gamers loved.

So, the bottom line is that the screening tests showed the pleasure factor for home theater 3D rendering to be somewhat individualized in the sense that it is different for different ages, different for different backgrounds/interests, etc. Kind of like ‘Different Strokes for Different Folks’. I think the challenge for stereographers for home media renditions will be to find that *sweet spot* which will appeal to the broadest range of potential viewers willing to rent or purchase the particular titles.

I see that as more then normal (plus you see it all the time on this forum "It is a gimmick with stuff coming at you", "that was not 3D, nothing was in your face"), but it is true for any stylistic concept, how many people like extreme shaky cam and how many hate any of it? How many like short cut scenes and how many hate it when they cycle too fast....

[DenonCI]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Denon and Peter, you’ve got to catch this…..
http://www.sonyclassics.com/insidejob/

It's already made the 15 title docu nomination list for the Academy (AMPAS).

Penton,

I'll definitely catch that. Hopefully they explore how our politicians sold us out too. Fanny and Freddie were just as guilty in the whole affair. Frankly, some of these clowns should get the death penalty for all the harm they've caused countless millions of people.

Thanks for the link!

[DenonCI]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

I caught the "other" one at TIFF (CLIENT 9, which was only "OK"). I'm desperate to see INSIDE JOB, I hear it's a hell of a doc.

I also missed WAITING FOR SUPERMAN, which is likely to actually win (I also hear it's fantabulous, I was worried it'd be as dry as the Gore "doc"/powerpoint presentation).

I want to see Waiting for Superman as well. I have two kids in the public school system here in California and I can't believe some of the crap the teachers union gets away with.

[Talkstr8t]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Are you kiding me , you had me with this line “During the date I noticed my heart racing at around 200 bpm, in a way which didn't seem to be purely from being in the company of an attractive woman. Other than feeling a bit tight-chested I felt fine, but after returning to the hotel (Holiday Inn, as I recall), I decided maybe it wasn't a great idea to go to bed with”

I should probably clarify that it was the racing heart I felt uncomfortable sleeping with, not my date, whom I most certainly would have felt comfortable sleeping with, but sadly wasn't presented with the opportunity.

I assume you’ve had no further episodes of SVT since then? I’m not really concerned about the procedure itself….it’s the complications which, albeit rare, can be pretty serious.

I haven't, though I have no idea if my SVT and your atrial fibrillation share any sort of common medical foundation. My SVT was apparently caused by a second electrical pathway in my heart which, on rare occasion, created a "short circuit", and hence the racing heartbeat. The ablation was to cauterize the second pathway.

- Talk

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

...By the way, watched LAST WALTZ today (you may have missed my link to our AVS conversation about it from almost 4 years ago a few pages back) -

I did see it. Why do you think I included this specific YouTube clip in my response to you…
https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post4036376

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

I would not go that far, I saw Avatar in 3D almost a year ago, have not seen anythging else since then. I think tech advancements are good (if I can afford them or not) and I hate seeing people being mislead (like what Pat was doing in that thread).

Even better , as that is more of a pure motive.
Believe me, the apps are endless -

http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives...o_seconds.html

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

....Turned out the gamers loved the *in your face as much as possible* 3D settings which made the financial folks and even the hard-core soccer fans very uncomfortable with that particular type of 3D rendering. If you’re like me (somewhat similar age and background), think what a bursting brain aneurysm would feel like while watching the type of rendering the gamers loved.

So, the bottom line is that the screening tests showed the pleasure factor for home theater 3D rendering to be somewhat individualized in the sense that it is different for different ages, different for different backgrounds/interests, etc. Kind of like ‘Different Strokes for Different Folks’. I think the challenge for stereographers for home media renditions will be to find that *sweet spot* which will appeal to the broadest range of potential viewers willing to rent or purchase the particular titles.

Gamers,

Despite your interesting preferences for 3D settings with live-action fare, we still love ya …
http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...ng-built-in-3D

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by DenonCI

I want to see Waiting for Superman as well. I have two kids in the public school system here in California and I can't believe some of the crap the teachers union gets away with.

There are so many problems these days with our educational system and its direction that I wouldn’t know where to begin discussing them. The ole grey mare just aint what she used to be like when I went through my basic schooling.

For example, this quote is saddening…“The signs are everywhere. This year, for the first time in decades, the College Board failed to offer high-school students the Advanced Placement AB Computer Science exam. The number of high schools teaching computer science is shrinking, and last year only about 5,000 students sat for the AB test. Two decades ago, I was one of them.”

From…
http://chronicle.com/article/Decodin...mputer/125266/

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Talkstr8t

I should probably clarify that it was the racing heart I felt uncomfortable sleeping with, not my date, whom I most certainly would have felt comfortable sleeping with, but sadly wasn't presented with the opportunity.

I haven't, though I have no idea if my SVT and your atrial fibrillation share any sort of common medical foundation. My SVT was apparently caused by a second electrical pathway in my heart which, on rare occasion, created a "short circuit", and hence the racing heartbeat. The ablation was to cauterize the second pathway.

- Talk

As it’s Thanksgiving week, I’m just thankful that my a-fib was diagnosed, one way or another , before I threw a clot to my brain since I think the chances of a stroke for folks with uncontrolled a-fib is something like 7x the rate as that of the normal general population.

Thanks for the input and it's good to see you posting.