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

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Ben

I am extremely excited about this film... can't wait to hear the story! Was it Connie Hall with David F. or Connie Hall Jr.? Could this be a Panic Room story?

Yes, but I don’t want to panic any lurking forensic screenshot scientists that visit our forum as the story ultimately deals with heavy grain reduction.

So, I’ll do it in two parts to calm any nerves.

Part I –
Sony built an $8-9 million dollar house on their Manhattan Beach lot as the set for the movie with real walls (wood) etc. It was 4 stories tall and the ceilings in each story were 18-20 ft. high.

Originally, the Director, David Fincher (who demonstrates a Kubrick-like attention to detail) chose Darius K. as the D.P., whom he *let go* (apparently for creative differences) after only a few weeks, which is actually the Director’s prerogative as many focused Directors desire a D.P. to be a facilitator rather than a collaborator. I don’t believe the two have worked together since.
Anyway, David F. brought in the junior Conrad Hall to do the vast majority of the lensing for the shoot.

Part II to follow later.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by ThatArtGuy

Well, if it makes you feel any better I *am* American. I would think that British Columbia would qualify since it is a province after all. That and I'm not Danish.

Oh, and your Spidey set will be very well taken care of. I've been a Spider-Fan since the 70's, and I take exemplary care of my discs.

TAG

I hope you enjoy the set, it's nice to know that the discs will have a good home.
Re. B.C. -
You have no idea how many years my wife has bugged me to purchase a place on your island..........even since we had 'Tea' ($$) at that big hotel in Victoria.

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Yes, but I don’t want to panic any lurking forensic screenshot scientists that visit our forum as the story ultimately deals with heavy grain reduction.

So, I’ll do it in two parts to calm any nerves.

Part I –
Sony built an $8-9 million dollar house on their Manhattan Beach lot as the set for the movie with real walls (wood) etc. It was 4 stories tall and the ceilings in each story were 18-20 ft. high.

Originally, the Director, David Fincher (who demonstrates a Kubrick-like attention to detail) chose Darius K. as the D.P., whom he *let go* (apparently for creative differences) after only a few weeks, which is actually the Director’s prerogative as many focused Directors desire a D.P. to be a facilitator rather than a collaborator. I don’t believe the two have worked together since.
Anyway, David F. brought in the junior Conrad Hall to do the vast majority of the lensing for the shoot.

Part II to follow later.

I'm even more intrigued now
And I love that you spelled "prerogative" right.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Sorry, all you get is the following pic (the maid took me ole helmet off the desk in order to dust)……….as any more information would be far too revealing.

You should recognize the significance of the colors and the configuration of the white stripes.

Bell didn’t give these out to any Joe6Pack.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Although, it seems a heck of a lot of dem skunk helmet owners from over the decades showed up here for a reunion near Dalton…….(including Malcolm, for that matter).
Great fun to see and knock bars with a lot of old friends and competitors from different countries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVGmC...eature=related

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

I'm even more intrigued now
And I love that you spelled "prerogative" right.

Will do.
I’ve just got to be careful with my wording and be as diplomatic as possible.

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Will do.
I’ve just got to be careful with my wording and be as diplomatic as possible.

I love Fincher, one reason being that he is such a perfectionist.
I love Kubrick too, maybe Finch is his lost son
Have you seen Benjamin Button yet?

Did you get the today's sawker results??

[Penton-Man]

Good writing by Josh (who looks to be working on Sat. these days)……
Header reads - “Pioneer Unveils Ultimate Blu-ray Player”
From- https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=1700

Not as good writing by the gizmo………….
Header reads – “Pioneer Sneaks out $2200 Elite………”
http://gizmodo.com/5040707/pioneer-s...rushes-the-ps3

Why ?
Well, if gizmo had been at the Kuro Loft a couple nights ago, he or anyone else would have seen this hot baby was not “sneaked out”, but unveiled and naked to all in a room where black was the definite motif at the corner of Hollywood and Vine.
http://www.electronichouse.com/artic...ers_kuro_loft/

Scariest moment of the night ………….
hearing the prices floated around for some of the newest generation Kuro displays and seeing Chris Walker’s face blown up on a 50” plasma screen with no help from a digital colorist’s bag of tricks.

Just kidding Chris.
Guys, a local camera crew turned up for the event and I’ll search if the reporter ever posted any online video.
B.T.W. for the price, my PS3s still rule !

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

I love Fincher, one reason being that he is such a perfectionist.
I love Kubrick too, maybe Finch is his lost son
Have you seen Benjamin Button yet?

Did you get the today's sawker results??

At least I don't have to worry about Max teasing me.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Although, it seems a heck of a lot of dem skunk helmet owners from over the decades showed up here for a reunion near Dalton…….(including Malcolm, for that matter).
Great fun to see and knock bars with a lot of old friends and competitors from different countries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVGmC...eature=related

Big, high gear powerslides on damp grass....Oh the memories. Joffas and Carreras...

[frank_t]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

B.T.W. for the price, my PS3s still rule !

PS3s plural! Sweet

It's such a damn great value for the money. heck, at $599 it was a great value for the money!

[Anthony P]

Doubtful, unfortunately I have been promoted and I'll have less time than ever once I start work again in September.

congrats

Plus I won't be working directly with Blu-ray anymore, obviously I'll still have massive contact with movie studios, but my knowledge of Blu-ray current affairs will start to decrease rather rapidly now that I'm in a new department.

don't forget, most of us are not insiders. You don't need to be one to come in and say hi. Also I am sure that even then you would have more inside knowledge then most.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Guys, a local camera crew turned up for the event and I’ll search if the reporter ever posted any online video.
B.T.W. for the price, my PS3s still rule !

Guys and Gals,
I don’t remember which broadcast affiliate actually sent a reporter and camera dude to the Kuro Loft, so if the segment they shot eventually aired somewhere in the L.A. area on local TV, please somebody send me a PM regarding which channel, so I don’t have to search the video archives of all the local L.A. stations.

Thanks

[Kris Deering]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Although, it seems a heck of a lot of dem skunk helmet owners from over the decades showed up here for a reunion near Dalton…….(including Malcolm, for that matter).
Great fun to see and knock bars with a lot of old friends and competitors from different countries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVGmC...eature=related

Interesting stuff Penton. I've been riding enduro's since Kindergarten (got my first dirt bike the month after I got my first bicycle!) and I raced for a little bit. My brother still races from time to time and I like to smoke him when I get the chance. He says I missed my true calling but with my Navy career I've never been able to ride as much as I want to. I have a dirt bike now but I didn't get to ride last summer and I only got to ride once this year.

BUT, I just bought another bike this week. An 05 BMW GS1200 with lots of trimmings. That way I get to ride to work and if I get the itch to go up into our beautiful mountains, the bike will be more than capable. Washington has so many great logging and forest service roads that I am hoping it will get me out more. Not nearly as fun as the gnarly trails I'm used to riding, but it's something!

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

Interesting stuff Penton. I've been riding enduro's since Kindergarten......

Well , I got all patriotic with the Olympics going on and such-- esp. since ISDT (now called ISDE), is recognized by off-road racers/enthusiasts as “The Olympics of Motorcycling”…..which guys like DesFlurane and SquidPuppet obviously know about and appreciate.

Good to know you’re an ole dirt rider from way back.

[saprano]

Speaking of the olympics penton did you catch the closing ceremony? amazing right?

i missed the opening though,you wouldn't know where i could watch would you?

i love the olympics, everytime i watch it it puts me in a good mode

to bad its over

[micks_address]

cant imagine the pioneer will have 5 times better picture quality for the price..

any news on further AV updates to the ps3 penton - or has it reached its full potential on that front? Can the upscaling of dvds be refined more? also it would be nice if Sd footage played from Blu-Ray e..g most extras would be upscaled to 1080p rather than playing at their encoded resolution...

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Good writing by Josh (who looks to be working on Sat. these days)……
Header reads - “Pioneer Unveils Ultimate Blu-ray Player”
From- https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=1700

Not as good writing by the gizmo………….
Header reads – “Pioneer Sneaks out $2200 Elite………”
http://gizmodo.com/5040707/pioneer-s...rushes-the-ps3

Why ?
Well, if gizmo had been at the Kuro Loft a couple nights ago, he or anyone else would have seen this hot baby was not “sneaked out”, but unveiled and naked to all in a room where black was the definite motif at the corner of Hollywood and Vine.
http://www.electronichouse.com/artic...ers_kuro_loft/

Scariest moment of the night ………….
hearing the prices floated around for some of the newest generation Kuro displays and seeing Chris Walker’s face blown up on a 50” plasma screen with no help from a digital colorist’s bag of tricks.

Just kidding Chris.
Guys, a local camera crew turned up for the event and I’ll search if the reporter ever posted any online video.
B.T.W. for the price, my PS3s still rule !

[Slec]

Originally Posted by micks_address

cant imagine the pioneer will have 5 times better picture quality for the price..

Think audio... It has 8 dedicated high end Wolfeson DAC's which will make audiophiles .... audio and video boards are separated to limit interference... blu-ray isn't just about great PQ, its also about the amazing potential for sound.

[Bullseye]

Originally Posted by Slec

Think audio... It has 8 dedicated high end Wolfeson DAC's which will make audiophiles .... audio and video boards are separated to limit interference... blu-ray isn't just about great PQ, its also about the amazing potential for sound.

Shouldn't we be leaving the amps/receivers to sort out the audio?


The original posters comparison to a $399 PS3 is crazy IMO. Without the PS3 we wouldn't be playing BDs now we would be playing HD-DVDs. Give credit were it is due and stop comparing every high end player to the PS3.

[micks_address]

absolutely - i reckon the ps3 was the single biggest factor in the format war..

the ps3 is/was crazy value for money really when you consider it.. add to that the console sales model where you can sell hardware cheaper with the revenue recouped through software sales.. then sony had a winner on their hands for sure...

i would also wonder about the needs for 7 DACs... wouldnt you be better off investing the extra in speakers/receiver?

the only issue i have had with the ps3 is the fan noise... you wouldnt have that with a dedicate player.. but i have gotten around that by placing the ps3 in a cabinet with temp controlled exhaust fans..

in relation to video quality - will there be better blu-ray players than the ps3?

Originally Posted by Bullseye

Shouldn't we be leaving the amps/receivers to sort out the audio?


The original posters comparison to a $399 PS3 is crazy IMO. Without the PS3 we wouldn't be playing BDs now we would be playing HD-DVDs. Give credit were it is due and stop comparing every high end player to the PS3.