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

[Penton-Man]

To Blu-Ray Watcher - your authentic Spider-Man crew cap should go out in the mail either on Fri. or Mon. so keep a look out for a small box.

To neo reloaded –
https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post4106437

To Kris Deering - Probably the best summary (by the DI supervisor) on the internet as to the choices which were made, and it saves me typing time -

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showpos...&postcount=273

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by micks_address

Hi Penton,

Went to see the Green Hornet last night in 3d.. thought it was good.. but what I wanted to ask if its looking like it will have a sequel? I think a sequel could be a lot of fun..

Primarily depends on how it does.

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

To Blu-Ray Watcher - your authentic Spider-Man crew cap should go out in the mail either on Fri. or Mon. so keep a look out for a small box.

To neo reloaded –
https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post4106437

To Kris Deering - Probably the best summary (by the DI supervisor) on the internet as to the choices which were made, and it saves me typing time -

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showpos...&postcount=273

That REDuser.net link is fab, thanks P.

[Blu-Ray Watcher]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

To Blu-Ray Watcher - your authentic Spider-Man crew cap should go out in the mail either on Fri. or Mon. so keep a look out for a small box.

Nice!

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

That REDuser.net link is fab, thanks P.

Thank you. Although, one of my qualms with his post is the statement…”But during that time and throughout the early portions of the decade, the notion of simply acquiring in 4K was full of resistance. Thanks to RED, we now (mostly) unanimously feel that (RED) 4K acquisition is not only made simple, but justified. 4K mastering and distribution will inevitably be experienced by tens of thousands of people within the decade-just like 4K acquisition today.”

^ Which I personally find at least a little misleading about the way Michael expressed himself with that short history lesson and henceforth what he portrays as driving ‘4K’ mastering and distribution forward. It isn’t the Red and it hasn’t been the Red.

Keep in mind, the effective resolution of the Red One is 3.1 or 3.2k. Combine this with the fact that the effective resolution of OCN 35mm film stock, boasts around that same ‘k’ figure or even a little higher (for instance, depending on whether it’s 250 or 500). So, we have, and have had, comparable resolution to the Red One (in film) for awhile, not to mention, significantly greater latitude with celluloid.

So, if you want to truly give credit where credit is due and pass out thanks to the right people for expediting as quickly as economically feasible “4k mastering and distribution”, I think it’s far more accurate to thank the visionaries at the particular studios (for instance Sony Pictures and Warner) and post houses who have set up 4k pipelines and scanned some 35mm modern day films at 4k and actually finished (color corrected) a film or two in that resolution. For that matter, there are a lot more 4K Digital Cinema Packages based on 35 mm film sources in the marketplace now, than there are DCPs based on Red acquisition.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by DenonCI

Penton,
Did you see Robert Downey Jr. on the Golden Globes? He was freaking hilarious.

Yes.
I would like to see Ricky Gervais and him go at it mano-a-mano in a comedic form of dueling barbs. I wonder who would come out the winner with Robert D. having the more dry sense of humor compared to Ricky’s more overtly outrageous nature.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Hi Penton-Man,
Super excited to see the official announcement of Stand By Me, a wonderful film that still holds up just as well for me now as it did when I was 13 watching it for the first time in 1986.
I was wondering if you can share any info about the transfer...

See your PMs.

[Penton-Man]

File this under…“All the guy wanted to do was rent a copy of Piranha 3D and spend a quiet, blood-splattered night at home” …..http://www.gearlog.com/2011/01/briti..._from_pira.php

[Blu-Ray Watcher]

Hey Penton,

I know you're not really allowed to DESCRIBE Spidey's suit, but I just saw a set picture of the stunt man running in it, and it looks like he has this metal surface thing around the bottom of his foot. Is this just for the stunt man to run in, or is it an actual part of the suit?

[Penton-Man]

Revealing anything at all of that nature, at this particular time, would be against colleagues’ express knowledge and consent. There was already a little too much of that type behavior (revelations about thee as yet untitled Spider-Man Reboot) that occurred during the recent Golden Globes.

b.t.w., the Spidey crew cap shipped out Fri. afternoon. Enjoy.

[Penton-Man]

Let’s be careful out there people! –
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41188500...ews/?gt1=43001

[sharkshark]

FINALLY it seems there's an official announcement for TAXI DRIVER.

Sweet.

And, I assume given SPC buying the rights that you, P, have had a chance to screen INCENDIES before the Oscars?

[Blu-Ray Watcher]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Revealing anything at all of that nature, at this particular time, would be against colleagues’ express knowledge and consent. There was already a little too much of that type behavior (revelations about thee as yet untitled Spider-Man Reboot) that occurred during the recent Golden Globes.

b.t.w., the Spidey crew cap shipped out Fri. afternoon. Enjoy.

I'm guessing you're referring to the "Web shooters" slip up from Emma Stone.

And about the hat, awesome! I'll be looking for it.

Edit: Just got it in the mail. Thanks again, Penton!

[Dennis M]

[QUOTE=sharkshark;4299554]FINALLY it seems there's an official announcement for TAXI DRIVER.

Sweet.

QUOTE]

Double Sweet

[DenonCI]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Let’s be careful out there people! –
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41188500...ews/?gt1=43001

I had to share this with my kids. My 12 year-old son had one word----gross

[sharkshark]

I hope the intersite drama has reduced to a point that in this thread we can celebrate this link:
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh...mandments/6201

It's hardly as in depth as much of the stuff we usually get here, but it does touch on a wide number of issues/concerns that the regulars of this thread have addressed, including the pleasing fact that they've maintained the original mono as well as the augmented 5.1 "reconstruction" audio track.

Looks to be an epic release of an epic film!

[DenonCI]

Oops...don't comment on any female officials or you'll lose your job: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...s084520S93.DTL

Frankly, I think he should lose his job because she's no "looker" unless you have a few beers in you

[Penton-Man]

Wow, I received a titanic amount of PM's about the Walter Murch letter to Roger E. as posted by Mr. Ebert on his website. Honestly, I have no idea where to begin. I guess first I’ll start with Mr. Murch, then I’ll end with Roger E., the later of whom I’m actually more disappointed in with regards to his blatant close-mindedness and summary conclusions of Mr. Murch’s letter to him, i.e. in Roger’s words… “Case Closed”.

With all due respect to Mr. Murch who is an expert in his field(s) of editing and sound mixing. He is not an expert in the nuances of 3D and, for that matter, I don’t even think he is as astute as some of the more knowledgeable 3D aficionados on this forum, as well as regular ‘ol folks who have viewed just about every 3D theatrical and 3D Blu-ray available to the public….and enjoyed the ones exhibiting ‘good’ 3D but, on the other hand, not giving a free pass to the stinkers either. Just for starters, the ‘strobing’ which Mr. Murch refers to as one of the weaknesses of 3D is exclusive to single projector multiflash systems and is not perceptible with dual-projector installations.

Yes, 3D images are darker at your local cinema but, as technology advances this should become less and less an issue esp. with technological advancements like laser projectors in the early stages of development.

More importantly, he mentions “The biggest problem with 3D, though, is the "convergence/focus" issue” to which I’m told some folks in the mainstream threads on the various audio/video forums are reacting to as if this is some sort of original concept and to which Mr. Murch later follows with the resultant statement “which is why after 20 minutes or so many people get headaches” . Fact of the matter is, this finding (which is known as “vergence-accommodation conflict” in the scientific literature) has been already recognized, described and discussed amongst 3D experts (pro and con) at various professional meetings such as the SMPTE Digital Cinema Summit last April, last year’s Hollywood Post Alliance conference and last year’s NAB, etc. who (respectfully) know far more by either theoretical extrapolation or hours of first-hand experience than Mr. Murch has expressed in his letter.

They conclude that (when seated at an acceptable viewing distance from the screen), there is *a comfort zone* on either side of this vergence-accommodation conflict (which Mr. Murch calls the “convergence/focus issue”) and to which the vast majority of the audience indeed find tolerable and comfortable without experiencing any temporary symptoms like eye strain, headaches, etc. "after 20 minutes or so".

You don’t need to be a scientist or a 3D filmmaker to appreciate this fact because if such a *comfort zone* reconciling the “convergence/focus issue” didn’t exist at all, then a great deal of 3D theatrical audience members would never go back to watch another movie in 3D again for fear of another headache or barfing on fellow patrons. The key for 3D filmmakers (whether it be for the BIG theatrical screen or the home theater sized screens) is not to exceed this comfort zone with their images or, in more technical terms, don’t exceed the limits of positive parallax (behind the screen) or negative parallax (in front of the screen) according to guidelines/recommendations learned over time by more experienced 3D filmmakers or scientists.

Now to Roger…Mr. Ebert opens his blog with the introduction “I received a letter that ends, as far as I am concerned, the discussion about 3D. It doesn't work with our brains and it never will. The notion that we are asked to pay a premium to witness an inferior and inherently brain-confusing image is outrageous. The case is closed.”

On the contrary, Mr. Ebert, modern 3D is in its infancy and far from a mature technology. The case is far from “closed” and the technological advancements as well as discussion has just begun…
http://www.pwc.com/en_GX/gx/entertai...and-now-v2.pdf

or, for those that don’t like pdf’s -

http://www.scribd.com/full/47522536?...yk4wggv30hc98p

P.S.
And as for fast edits not being 3D friendly, something also of which I have already discussed here…
https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post4099321

As far as I’m concerned, ANYTHING (be it 3D or not) which can slow down the current quick editing style embraced by so many filmmakers these days is a blessing.

[Penton-Man]

Iceman, in view of the comprehensive and lengthy post above ^, I’m adding $2.00 to your tab.

Or, if you prefer, send me a coffee table book with pretty pictures of the Sami of Scandinavia and their beautiful reindeer.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

...And, I assume given SPC buying the rights that you, P, have had a chance to screen INCENDIES before the Oscars?

Yes.

But disregard what I think, what’s important is, what you, as an audience member, feels about the motion picture. Are you catching it at the Bell Lightbox later this week…or have you already viewed it?

P.S. Additionally, did you notice that IN A BETTER WORLD, also made the final nomination list, which was announced this a.m. by the Academy? Overall, I think it was a fine day.