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

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

Just watched BEN-HUR. Sir, LAWRENCE better look this damn good after this long of a wait...

Do you think that fans of Lawrence of Arabia, or simply, in general, fans of old epics shot on a grand scale, would be interested in a BIG screen (theatrical) offering… something on the order of, let’s say, roughly for hypothetical purposes, about 100 participating theaters throughout the U.S. with maybe a smattering in Canada, as an appetizer or supplement to their upcoming Blu-ray experience with Lawrence?

Or wouldn’t there be much interest in that sort of theatrical exhibition of the new restoration in commemorating the 50th anniversary of LoA?

[horseflesh]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Do you think that fans of Lawrence of Arabia, or simply, in general, fans of old epics shot on a grand scale, would be interested in a BIG screen (theatrical) offering… something on the order of, let’s say, roughly for hypothetical purposes, about 100 participating theaters throughout the U.S. with maybe a smattering in Canada, as an appetizer or supplement to their upcoming Blu-ray experience with Lawrence?

Or wouldn’t there be much interest in that sort of theatrical exhibition of the new restoration in commemorating the 50th anniversary of LoA?

Bring it to Ireland and you've got at least one ticket sold.

[GORT]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Do you think that fans of Lawrence of Arabia, or simply, in general, fans of old epics shot on a grand scale, would be interested in a BIG screen (theatrical) offering… something on the order of, let’s say, roughly for hypothetical purposes, about 100 participating theaters throughout the U.S. with maybe a smattering in Canada, as an appetizer or supplement to their upcoming Blu-ray experience with Lawrence?

Or wouldn’t there be much interest in that sort of theatrical exhibition of the new restoration in commemorating the 50th anniversary of LoA?

I would be in line to see the restored Ben-Hur in a theater in a heartbeat.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Do you think that fans of Lawrence of Arabia, or simply, in general, fans of old epics shot on a grand scale, would be interested in a BIG screen (theatrical) offering… something on the order of, let’s say, roughly for hypothetical purposes, about 100 participating theaters throughout the U.S. with maybe a smattering in Canada, as an appetizer or supplement to their upcoming Blu-ray experience with Lawrence?

Or wouldn’t there be much interest in that sort of theatrical exhibition of the new restoration in commemorating the 50th anniversary of LoA?

Penton,

I need LoA....SOON!! After my Phillies performed an epic nosedive, I'm afraid that Guns of Navarone won't be enough to "hold me over" until pitchers & catchers report!

[cjamescook]

On the odd chance you haven't seen it, consider the integration of the following into movies: Rendering Synthetic Objects Into Legacy Photographs

[ole geezer]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Do you think that fans of Lawrence of Arabia, or simply, in general, fans of old epics shot on a grand scale, would be interested in a BIG screen (theatrical) offering… something on the order of, let’s say, roughly for hypothetical purposes, about 100 participating theaters throughout the U.S. with maybe a smattering in Canada, as an appetizer or supplement to their upcoming Blu-ray experience with Lawrence?

Or wouldn’t there be much interest in that sort of theatrical exhibition of the new restoration in commemorating the 50th anniversary of LoA?

Yeah....I'd go see Lawrence of Arabia on the big screen if it showed up at my local theater. I gotta admit though, I'd see it mostly as a sense of duty to support the effort as I've seen this 'darling' many a time on my HT big screen in HD.

On the other hand, if LoA or...say Close Encounters of a Third Kind or old classics such as The Sound of Music were to be presented in such a manner AND in 3D, I'd be as excited as a little school girl on her way to a Beatles concert.

I'm glad Hollywood seems to be interested in converting and re-issuing old classics in 3D as a result ofThe Lion King.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by horseflesh

Bring it to Ireland and you've got at least one ticket sold.

Probably more feasible would be...How long does it take to get from Portmarnock to London?

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by ole geezer

Yeah....I'd go see Lawrence of Arabia on the big screen if it showed up at my local theater. I gotta admit though, I'd see it mostly as a sense of duty to support the effort as I've seen this 'darling' many a time on my HT big screen in HD.

On the other hand, if LoA or...say Close Encounters of a Third Kind or old classics such as The Sound of Music were to be presented in such a manner AND in 3D, I'd be as excited as a little school girl on her way to a Beatles concert.

I'm glad Hollywood seems to be interested in converting and re-issuing old classics in 3D as a result ofThe Lion King.

Can’t speak specially about LoA on that, but it will be interesting to see if the conversion of an old live-action motion picture, namely Titanic…
https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post5202555

proves as successful as the animated flick, The Lion King in 3D. I would suspect that even with a cost of 18 million to do the 2D -> 3D conversion for Titanic, that the project will end up being a very profitable investment.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by rickah88

Penton,

I need LoA....SOON!! After my Phillies performed an epic nosedive, I'm afraid that Guns of Navarone won't be enough to "hold me over" until pitchers & catchers report!

Well, in the meantime, The Guns of Navarone will have to suffice, which reminds me, I’ll try to post some tidbits about the production of ‘Guns’ sometime over the next several days but first I guess I should start with clarifying this past post from last month…. https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post5223271

Long story short, there is a boat in the movie which blows up. I don’t think that ruins the plot for anyone as it is just a regular part of the on-going action. Anyway, the boat had been loaned to the movie production by the Greek Navy and the special effects supervisor assured them that they would place a steel plate down the side to protect the hull and so the boat would not be damaged…except perhaps cosmetically. In the end, the explosives which had been placed just outside the steel plate, away from the boat, indeed still holed the boat below the waterline.

Well, what had happened was, even though the steel plate had been secured in position with heavy-duty ropes, when the boat got underway, the drag of the water pushed the plate astern which left the hull exposed to the full blast of the explosives….and voilà , gaping hole in hull.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Well, in the meantime, The Guns of Navarone will have to suffice, which reminds me, I’ll try to post some tidbits about the production of ‘Guns’ sometime over the next several days but first I guess I should start with clarifying this past post from last month…. https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post5223271

Long story short, there is a boat in the movie which blows up. I don’t think that ruins the plot for anyone as it is just a regular part of the on-going action. Anyway, the boat had been loaned to the movie production by the Greek Navy and the special effects supervisor assured them that they would place a steel plate down the side to protect the hull and so the boat would not be damaged…except perhaps cosmetically. In the end, the explosives which had been placed just outside the steel plate, away from the boat, indeed still holed the boat below the waterline.

Well, what had happened was, even though the steel plate had been secured in position with heavy-duty ropes, when the boat got underway, the drag of the water pushed the plate astern which left the hull exposed to the full blast of the explosives….and voilà , gaping hole in hull.

Neat little story! That's the type of stuff I love to hear about during filming. I guess it's why I'm a big extras geek, as I want all the possible material(for that given film) as possible!

[Penton-Man]

Still on ‘Guns’,

During the production of ‘Guns’, there were several shots (which, using tools of that time) mimic what I did (albeit, digitally) to the second picture here -

https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post2480314

Namely, some day-for-night material.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by rickah88

Neat little story! That's the type of stuff I love to hear about during filming. I guess it's why I'm a big extras geek, as I want all the possible material(for that given film) as possible!

It’s actually kind of amazing that film ever got made. But, that is a story for yet another day. Meantime, maybe something which will focus the attention of your baseball team is to have them drive the “Sure-Kill” during rush hour.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

It’s actually kind of amazing that film ever got made. But, that is a story for yet another day. Meantime, maybe something which will focus the attention of your baseball team is to have them drive the “Sure-Kill” during rush hour.

Hah! Yes I have driven parts of that roadway too many times, unfortunately!
Almost everytime hitting the "Conshohocken(Conchey) Curve". It's been a while, thankfully, but I'm sure I'll be there on New Years after the Winter Classic!

[Donat96]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Do you think that fans of Lawrence of Arabia, or simply, in general, fans of old epics shot on a grand scale, would be interested in a BIG screen (theatrical) offering… something on the order of, let’s say, roughly for hypothetical purposes, about 100 participating theaters throughout the U.S. with maybe a smattering in Canada, as an appetizer or supplement to their upcoming Blu-ray experience with Lawrence?

Or wouldn’t there be much interest in that sort of theatrical exhibition of the new restoration in commemorating the 50th anniversary of LoA?

Oh god yes! These epics were made to be seen on the big screen!

[Icemage]

Originally Posted by cjamescook

On the odd chance you haven't seen it, consider the integration of the following into movies: Rendering Synthetic Objects Into Legacy Photographs

Gah. No, no, no, no, no, no, a thousand times no! Please don't give the marketing spooks any more bad ideas.

They're already doing stupid things like this with TV sitcom re-runs. If something gets "digitally inserted" into, say, LoA, expect large amounts of pitchforks and torches.

P.S. P-Man, I'm not in any way shape or form suggesting you are a "marketing spook".

P.P.S. If anyone points this tech out to George Lucas, I will personally hunt you down and slap you silly with a rubberized hose.

[Kris Deering]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Do you think that fans of Lawrence of Arabia, or simply, in general, fans of old epics shot on a grand scale, would be interested in a BIG screen (theatrical) offering… something on the order of, let’s say, roughly for hypothetical purposes, about 100 participating theaters throughout the U.S. with maybe a smattering in Canada, as an appetizer or supplement to their upcoming Blu-ray experience with Lawrence?

Or wouldn’t there be much interest in that sort of theatrical exhibition of the new restoration in commemorating the 50th anniversary of LoA?

Well as long as I'm not riding a submarine this weekend I am slated to go see LOA in 70mm this Saturday at the Cinerama in Seattle as part of their 70mm event. Honestly, if I could get the wife to sit through it, I would go to all three of the 70mm presentations they have on slate Saturday. Sound of Music, LOA and then 2001, all in 70mm. But getting her to sit through that many films would be nearly impossible. Unfortunately I've missed the showings they've had already this past week. I would have loved to see some of their lineup so far but alas work and family have been keeping me on my toes.

[ole geezer]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Can’t speak specially about LoA on that, but it will be interesting to see if the conversion of an old live-action motion picture, namely Titanic…
https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post5202555

proves as successful as the animated flick, The Lion King in 3D. I would suspect that even with a cost of 18 million to do the 2D -> 3D conversion for Titanic, that the project will end up being a very profitable investment.

I totally agree. Avatar/James Cameron "hooked" huge throngs of people on the wonders of 3D a couple of years back... including a lot of people, maybe, that hadn't been to the theater in years. Some of this audience may have stopped going to the theater because Hollywood just couldn't deliver a quality f/u on that scale.

Will they come back for Titanic 3D? Mr Cameron thinks so and has this guy ever been wrong.

Ya gotta love it. Open Titanic 3D in theaters just like you would a major new release. Pay the $18 million cost out of petty cash (sure beats paying out 200+ million for a new production like The Lone Ranger) than watch the money roll in. I'll bet the eventual revenue in a 3D Blu ray release down the road will more than pay for the costs of the conversion.

And, as an added bonus, we have Star Wars 3D as a f/u. It doesn't get any better.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

Well as long as I'm not riding a submarine this weekend I am slated to go see LOA in 70mm this Saturday at the Cinerama in Seattle as part of their 70mm event. Honestly, if I could get the wife to sit through it, I would go to all three of the 70mm presentations they have on slate Saturday. Sound of Music, LOA and then 2001, all in 70mm. But getting her to sit through that many films would be nearly impossible. Unfortunately I've missed the showings they've had already this past week. I would have loved to see some of their lineup so far but alas work and family have been keeping me on my toes.

Do you normally ride in submarines on Saturdays? If so, your country is eternally grateful for your service!

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by ole geezer

I totally agree. Avatar/James Cameron "hooked" huge throngs of people on the wonders of 3D a couple of years back... including a lot of people, maybe, that hadn't been to the theater in years. Some of this audience may have stopped going to the theater because Hollywood just couldn't deliver a quality f/u on that scale.

Will they come back for Titanic 3D? Mr Cameron thinks so and has this guy ever been wrong.

Ya gotta love it. Open Titanic 3D in theaters just like you would a major new release. Pay the $18 million cost out of petty cash (sure beats paying out 200+ million for a new production like The Lone Ranger) than watch the money roll in. I'll bet the eventual revenue in a 3D Blu ray release down the road will more than pay for the costs of the conversion.

And, as an added bonus, we have Star Wars 3D as a f/u. It doesn't get any better.

Hmmm, that may be debatable...see: Sanctum

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Icemage

P.S. P-Man, I'm not in any way shape or form suggesting you are a "marketing spook". ...

True, my interest lies mostly in science/technology (such as "Perhaps surprisingly, 4K's biggest impact might be seen on HD or even standard-definition screens." …http://www.ccwexpo.com/sessions_byDay.asp#2784
but, I do enjoy dabbling in marketing (as a hobby) from time to time, ergo –http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...28425020111010

P.S.
Hi Kris . Long time no hear from. Which reminds me, Denon CI, where are you?... here’s a new meaning to the term ‘water hazard’ on a golf course -
http://www.3news.co.nz/Sharks-infest...6/Default.aspx