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

[Penton-Man]

Given that Josh posted a news tidbit on the News section of our forum concerning CSI Season1, I received a couple of PM’s about the technical aspects of the production and post production.

Season 1 was shot on Super35 and has a 1080 24p universal master. The standard definition deliverable (4x3) was generated from that universal master. It should not be a big deal at all to produce a widescreen Blu-ray version for that season.

[wallendo]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Pre-Production

...
if too thick, and the resultant appearance could prove to be overtly blatant and most viewers may start thinking about the filter itself and tone out the performance of the singers…….or, at least relegate them to a secondary thought, which was exactly the opposite outcome that Joshua was striving for.
...

Unfortunately, that is the effect it has on me. I look forward to the "rest of the story"

Thanks

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Given that Josh posted a news tidbit on the News section of our forum concerning CSI Season1, I received a couple of PM’s about the technical aspects of the production and post production.

Season 1 was shot on Super35 and has a 1080 24p universal master. The standard definition deliverable (4x3) was generated from that universal master. It should not be a big deal at all to produce a widescreen Blu-ray version for that season.

Is it safe to say that this is a test to see how well a catalogue series will sell on blu?

Speaking of which, how did Firefly do on bluray?

[Jeff Kleist]

Speaking of which, how did Firefly do on bluray?

Not that great, charging $89.99 SRP for a show you can get for $20 on DVD fairly easily wasn't the greatest move on earth. Amazon.ca did gangbusters selling them for $30 a pop post Christmas tho.

It's not a lack of demand, it really shouldn't have been priced more than around $60.

CSI already had HD widescreen masters from its original broadcast

Is it safe to say that this is a test to see how well a catalogue series will sell on blu?

Dexter was catalog, Prison Break etc. If anything they're trying to find out what kind of shows people are willing to upgrade

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

Not that great, charging $89.99 SRP for a show you can get for $20 on DVD fairly easily wasn't the greatest move on earth. Amazon.ca did gangbusters selling them for $30 a pop post Christmas tho.

It's not a lack of demand, it really shouldn't have been priced more than around $60.

I own it and I can safely say that it doesnt look a whole lot better than its dvd counterpart.

Sure, Im glad to have it, but I got it for real cheap.

[Jeff Kleist]

I own it and I can safely say that it doesnt look a whole lot better than its dvd counterpart.

I'd say that definately depends on how big a TV you're watching on. The softening and compression artifacts on the DVD were pretty bad a lot of the time. There's a lot of increase in fine detail, you just have to look past the surface. Mindblowing upgrade? Certainly not. Worth $50 or less? probably.

TV production just wasn't firmly pointed at HD until 2004-5, heck Fox wasn't even broadcasting in HD at the time, just "enhanced widescreen"

[NL197]

Here in Canada, a channel called Showcase went HD in 2006.

On Christmas Day of that year, they began airing CSI from the beginning. It was HD, widescreen but not in true 5.1 surround - I suspect that was an audio glitch on the part of the channel, not the show, because all their programs had problematic sound.

Seeing it actually angered me, as I had broke down and picked up that first season on DVD for Christmas which was sub-standard regardless. Never did watch that set.

The image from every season 1 episode rerun on this HD channel was as crisp and clear as current seasons. The Blu-ray release of this first season WILL be stunning, no question.

[NL197]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

I'd say that definately depends on how big a TV you're watching on. The softening and compression artifacts on the DVD were pretty bad a lot of the time. There's a lot of increase in fine detail, you just have to look past the surface. Mindblowing upgrade? Certainly not. Worth $50 or less? probably.

True. Only the visual effects shots are soft and a bit obvious in that it's not HD, but it's hardly a deal-breaker. It's very clean, and the show's filmed elements look as good as any HD release.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by wallendo

Unfortunately, that is the effect it has on me. I look forward to the "rest of the story"

Thanks

Shucks, you make me feel like “old Adams”, except with eyesight intact………
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRA3S...eature=related

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Next installment………Testing

Testing

So, in-camera filters were manufactured and test scenes were shot on the backlot.

Following which, the D.P. (Shamroy) recommended to Joshua L. that they shoot the motion picture with and without filters, just to be safe. Joshua then showed the color tests to the producer (Buddy Adler) and asked for his input/approval on the matter.

The producer agreed with Shamroy and thought it was an excellent idea to shoot the picture both ways due to the importance of the film so, he green lighted the procedure.

Next installment…………..Production.

[BluDomain]

The BDA really needs to stay abreast of Holiday's. No
blu-ray discs can compete.
Forget the article, just watch the proceeding advertisement.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/....building.wtlv

[DenonCI]

Did anyone see this?

.................................................. .......

(Contains harsh language, but no nudity...so don't expect a call from your HR department.)

[Penton-Man]

Well, my friend I don’t think you are very familiar with what a Human Resources dept. considers to be inappropriate behavior as it also includes offensive language at the workplace and that video clip you linked goes way beyond *acceptable* …….. so your post has been modified by a moderator.

As a substitute, I’ll offer this as a commercial break to those that watched/listened and may be in dire need of some comic relief after having had their auditory senses molested with that foul mouthed clip.

Warning: This has no harsh language but, does have its fair share of topless nudity…………
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3uTQ...eature=related

[DenonCI]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Well, my friend I don’t think you are very familiar with what a Human Resources dept. considers to be inappropriate behavior as it also includes offensive language at the workplace and that video clip you linked goes way beyond *acceptable* …….. so your post has been modified by a moderator.

As a substitute, I’ll offer this as a commercial break to those that watched/listened and may be in dire need of some comic relief after having had their auditory senses molested with that foul mouthed clip.

Warning: This has no harsh language but, does have its fair share of topless nudity…………
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3uTQ...eature=related

I did warn about the harsh language

Penton, that commercial ended about 10 seconds too soon!

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Followed by principal photography as in Production, as in ……………

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/st...4960578&EDATE=

I see that Jeff Kleist has done a fine report on Akira located on the News page of Blu-ray.com
Kudos to Jeff for the time and effort. This also ties into a post I made on the last page, which I quote above, as several members have asked in PM’s what is “motion capture”.

Well, Jeff should be able to address any individual questions regarding the technique.
In the meantime, this is a little primer on the subject in regards to a title that has recently made its way to Blu-ray…………
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/king-kong2.htm

I will add; however, that people in the industry prefer the term “performance capture” to the phrase “motion capture” and because of misinformation or past experience with unskilled technicians, it has become quite a controversial topic amongst directors and other people outside the visual effects realm as it seems that some look at ‘performance capture’ as a way to exclude animators (who can be very expensive) from the filmmaking process for a motion picture.

In reality, this is far from the truth and at top end companies such as ILM or Sony Pictures Imageworks……http://www.imageworks.com/
there is a partnership between animation and ‘performance capture’, which is just another tool in the filmmaking process.

For those that have a technological interest in ‘performance capture’ and live in SoCal, might I suggest you attend the Hollywood Section meeting of the SMPTE on Tues. March 14 which will be held here at the House of Moves in Marina del Rey (rather than at the typical location, i.e. Linwood Dunn Theater).
http://www.moves.com/technology.htm

^ The above link should also answer the question that someone posed to me about what cameras are typically used for ‘performance capture’ (the MX40).

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Next installment…………..Production.

Production –

So, on location in Kauai (which b.t.w., is my most favorite island in the Hawaiian chain) Joshua L.(Director) and Leon Shamroy (D.P), who carried the nickname “Shammy” proceeded to shoot the film. They had shot several color changes but, they always played it safe by shooting each scene designated for ‘color filter’ with and without a filter so that they would have a choice as to picking the prime shot at the final cut with the intention that if the colored sequences after printing were not subtle on the big screen, they would go with the unfiltered shots for the final edit.

‘So, anyway, without warning, without any hint or preview’ ( < film enthusiasts, what movie is that quote from…..anyone?), the producer, Buddy Adler who had been viewing the dailies in SoCal, got on a plane and showed up on the set unannounced.

I think at this point of the story, I will stop and dust off the writings of Joshua Logan which I have at home, in order for me to accurately quote exactly who said what to whom on location, as this was a defining moment in the film’s production and I wouldn’t want to rely solely upon my recollection of my past readings of the events as described by Mr. Logan.

To be continued, in a couple days or so………………..

[Jeff Kleist]

Thanks for the kind words Penton

Which technique? Motion capture and how it'll be used in TinTin?

I will add; however, that people in the industry prefer the term “performance capture” to the phrase “motion capture” and because of misinformation or past experience with unskilled technicians, it has become quite a controversial topic amongst directors and other people outside the visual effects realm as it seems that some look at ‘performance capture’ as a way to exclude animators (who can be very expensive) from the filmmaking process for a motion picture.

In reality, this is far from the truth and at top end companies such as ILM or Sony Pictures Imageworks……http://www.imageworks.com/
there is a partnership between animation and ‘performance capture’, which is just another tool in the filmmaking process.

This is completely true. The performance capture is used as a basis, but if that was the only thing used, you'd get pretty wooden performances, it takes a skilled animator to put back in that extremely important 10% the computer misses. Basically what PC does is give a really good reference and save a lot of time on the "busy work" parts of animation, allowing the artist to spend the lion's share of their time on the "flavor" aspect.

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

‘So, anyway, without warning, without any hint or preview’ ( < film enthusiasts, what movie is that quote from…..anyone?)

...my first BD.com post, and it's to point out a Desperado reference... eesh.

Mind you, considering the line's from the mind of the 10 minute film school, the reference seems apt. Penton, nice to see you keeping up the good work over here, and thanks for the continuing insight into the history of major productions. It took a while to step in these waters (the churlishness of "Us vs. Them" from the so-called format war still colours many posts, even in this illustrious thread) but it's certainly worth a read.

Lots about mocap and its implementation from the extras on the PJ major productions (LOTR, Kong), extras that will maybe one day be on BD. Hell, my recent Kong purchase was only the fifth set of shiny discs... Production Diaries, 2 disc theatrical SD, 3 disc special ed SD, 2 disc, HD DVD (!), and of course BD... I've frankly given up on worrying about such trivialities, what's another couple bucks for yet another version?

Having watched another classic on BD this week (Munchausen) I was flipping between the (excellent) doc about the making of on the BD, and the extras that Criterion put together for the LD. Curious if you had any stories about this film coming to BD from the inside?

[GabrielB]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kleist

This is completely true. The performance capture is used as a basis, but if that was the only thing used, you'd get pretty wooden performances, it takes a skilled animator to put back in that extremely important 10% the computer misses. Basically what PC does is give a really good reference and save a lot of time on the "busy work" parts of animation, allowing the artist to spend the lion's share of their time on the "flavor" aspect.

That's why I never understood why they had the actors of The Matrix sequels do the performance capture themselves. Their performances simply never translated into what I've seen of the game...

[Jeff Kleist]

Well, the first matrix game was kinda cruddy, mostly worth playing for the 30 minute sidestory footage. They spent so much time getting the moves and bullet time to chain properly they forgot to make a good game, and never quite nailed it

The Path of Neo was a much better game, and looked much more like the movie in terms of motion, had a great story, and a hilarious secret last boss sequence where the Wachowski Bros tell the player they realize the movie ending is unsatisfactory for a game, and so they changed it

The real problem I think came from a common problem in many games these days. The development time on the engine takes away from the actual gameplay. You see it with Assassin's Creed for example. The underpinnings are great, but the actual game has suffered. Now that they have the "busy work" done, the sequels can concentrate on the "flavor"