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

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

One thing which I would have liked Sir Howard to mention (at least to remind *3D dooms-dayers*) is that internal figures have shown that despite the difficult worldwide economic conditions in most territories, year one adoption of 3DTVs outpaced sales of 2D HD tv set sales for the first year in which they were available (2003).

That's all well and good, but I really don't think the adjusted respective price-points are at all comparable.

[PaulGo]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

I think, for the most part, everything well at the press event. One thing which I would have liked Sir Howard to mention (at least to remind *3D dooms-dayers*) is that internal figures have shown that despite the difficult worldwide economic conditions in most territories, year one adoption of 3DTVs outpaced sales of 2D HD tv set sales for the first year in which they were available (2003).

A finding also confirmed by the outside market analysis firm Futuresource Consulting (see their Nov. 2010 report on their website)…. http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/...ls-hd-adopters

This is another good article:

DisplaySearch: 3.2 million 3D TVs were sold in 2010, this will grow to 91 million by 2014

DisplaySearch says that 3.2 million 3D TVs were sold in 2010, and they predict fast growth 18 million in 2011 and 91 million units in 2014. In 2010, only 4% of TVs sold (in 40" or larger sizes) were 3D TVs, and DisplaySearch says that lack of content is the main reason people are not quick to adopt the new technology.

http://www.3d-display-info.com/displ...1-million-2014

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

...I can't help but notice that they're pimping GREEN HORNET a bit...

How bout that.

A couple years back I specifically spelled out, to forum members ahead of time, what the presentation would primarily concern at the press event at CES in regards to a specific Blu-ray title, something of which other websites were completely clueless to as they had no access to that information; however, these days, the most I am willing to do is to subtly put something on your radar a few days before the event…https://forum.blu-ray.com/insider-di...ml#post4161861

In regards to The Green Hornet, John Schwartzman, the fine D.P. for the motion picture (as well as, I might add, the D.P. on the untitled Spider-Man reboot) is extremely happy with the final look of the imagery and if you catch the flick on the BIG screen at your local Cineplex in the coming weeks, I think you’ll notice that the intercut 3D RED One reshoots blend pretty much seamlessly with the 2D 35mm capture due to the excellent post production work.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ray Watcher

Local as in Los Angeles? Sadly, no. But I'm closer to NY...

I can’t help you there but, since I see you are a new member, as a welcome gift, when things loosen up for me towards the end of the month or so, I’ll have my Administrative Assistant send you my crew cap (baseball style) from Spider-Man 2, which was only given out to people affiliated with the motion picture. It's not some knock-off type Spidey cap. It's the real deal.

It’s never been worn, just collecting dust on the shelf and has embroidered logos on the front and back. PM me your address as to where you would like it sent. All I ask is that you post a confirmation on this thread (or better yet a pic) when you receive the gift. The last time I made such a gesture (sent someone an expensive authentic leather SONY Blu-ray jacket), I didn’t receive so much as a thank you.

Gotta run, the boss is calling.

[Dennis M]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

The last time I made such a gesture (sent someone an expensive authentic leather SONY Blu-ray jacket), I didn’t receive so much as a thank you.

That's just bad manners.

Seeing Lawrence this week in 70mm on large screen was a real treat. Small medium presentations just do not do it justice. The desert vista shots were absolutely breath taking.

Anyone who has the opportunity to see this wonderful piece of work, at this resolution, really should take advantage of it. The Bell lightbox theater will be showing it throughout the month of January. If your local make the effort to see it, you will not be disappointed.

There's just one bad side effect from the experience though Penton. Now I want it on a shiny little Blu-ray disc like yesterday. So I'm joining the Shark chorus of "When are we going to see Lawrence?".

[Blu-Ray Watcher]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

I can’t help you there but, since I see you are a new member, as a welcome gift, when things loosen up for me towards the end of the month or so, I’ll have my Administrative Assistant send you my crew cap (baseball style) from Spider-Man 2, which was only given out to people affiliated with the motion picture. It's not some knock-off type Spidey cap. It's the real deal.

It’s never been worn, just collecting dust on the shelf and has embroidered logos on the front and back. PM me your address as to where you would like it sent. All I ask is that you post a confirmation on this thread (or better yet a pic) when you receive the gift. The last time I made such a gesture (sent someone an expensive authentic leather SONY Blu-ray jacket), I didn’t receive so much as a thank you.

Gotta run, the boss is calling.

Woah, thanks man! I just sent it.

[HeavyHitter]

Penton,

Where are the Microsoft/HD DVD shills from three years ago who claimed Blu-ray would be dead by now since Blu-ray no longer had HD DVD competition and would be destroyed by downloading?

https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=5711

http://www.isuppli.com/Media-Researc...e-in-2010.aspx

Perhaps they're having barbecues or talking to hair dressers. lol

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

That's all well and good, but I really don't think the adjusted respective price-points are at all comparable.

I don’t know as I’m not an economic guru, nor do I claim to be one even by implication, I’ll leave that up to bloggers with their own websites who fancy themselves marketing gurus one day, technical gurus the next and economic forecast gurus the following but, actually aren’t successful in their real world skills to have even one full-time employee working for them….and definitely not several for which they have to pay them benefits like medical but, I digress.

Anyway, the way I see *the comparable situation* is that in ’03, the economy came roaring back. By December, the markets closed up for the first time since the internet bubble burst back in 1999….ending 3 years of 401K lackluster or non-performance thusly making consumers feel hopeful and much more comfortable about their discretionary spending.
In ’03, mortgage rates plunged to 30-year lows and homeowners rushed in force to refinance….that fairly simple exercise (a little paperwork by homeowners) and the President's tax cut package put money back in consumers' pockets and they went out and spent it.

I watch CNBC fairly often and I still remember Arthur Cashin on the floor of the NYSE saying something like…”The consumer has carried the economy upon his back like Atlas carried the world but, we don't know if he's going to shrug it off or he's going to get tired”….in speaking about the future, i.e. the upcoming year of 2004.

The way I remember the economic situation in more recent (2007 and on) past years is, for the most part, like this… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financi...7%E2%80%932010

And specifically (politics aside), for 2010 (when 3D sets first became available to consumers) probably should be generously characterized/described as a listless recovery year with many people still worried about potentially being laid off or their employment benefits further being cut by their employers.

So, I think the above has to be factored into your “adjusted respective price-points”.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Josh

What resolution are we going to get with Ultraviolet?

Hi Josh , my sis in Northern Va., says you guys are having a tough winter over there so far.

The New Year’s resolution, or intention is for UltraViolet not to replace Blu-ray. Its goal is to compliment the physical media.

If you’re referring to “resolution” in more numerically technical terms, I think that particular spec is best left to someone directly from the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem, like for instance Mark Teitell, to publically reveal or comment upon, at least at this time, rather than a spokesperson from one of the consortium's 60 or so alliance member companies.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Dennis M

...There's just one bad side effect from the experience though Penton. Now I want it on a shiny little Blu-ray disc like yesterday. So I'm joining the Shark chorus of "When are we going to see Lawrence?".

When it’s finished and the timing is right.

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

I don’t know as I’m not an economic guru, nor do I claim to be one even by implication

You don't have to be one, Penton. You just have to remember that the first couple years of HDTV availability featured sets at prices that never would've seen them anywhere near a Wal-Mart shelf.

To say that $1,600 sets are doing better with 3DTV early adopters than $16,000 sets did with HDTV early adopters really isn't saying a whole lot, IMO.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

Just got back from TRON -

I found the 3D to be most definitely underwhelming and actually quite disappointing given the high-profile status of the title…not to mention, some overt 3D technical flaws, which I can get into later when I have more time.

I wouldn’t have even commented about the 3D imagery except for the fact that it irritates me to no end when some of the filmmakers for the motion picture outright bragged at a local industry get-together (open to the public) about not needing and thusly not hiring a stereographer for this feature film when, after you see the end-product on the BIG screen, I feel it is readily apparent that they did indeed need the help and expertise of a stereographer, if not as an equal collaborator, at least as an outside consultant to guide them through the process.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ray Watcher

Woah, thanks man! I just sent it.

Very good.
I will post a heads-up to you on this thread the day the item is shipped. Like I said, please be patient, as it may take a couple weeks or so before I get around to it. Busy times and such.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

Penton,
Where are the Microsoft/HD DVD shills from three years ago who claimed Blu-ray would be dead by now since Blu-ray no longer had HD DVD competition and would be destroyed by downloading?...

Perhaps they're having barbecues or talking to hair dressers. lol

Last I heard, the main evangelist shill is still barbecuing out in the backyard. Somebody should find and pull JasonR’s classic pic of him doing so and post it for old times sake.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

^ I’m not surprised. One thing which I am surprised about though is the perception among some editorializing bloggers is that 3D is largely dependent upon filmmaking for home theater success. On the contrary, I know of six families in my neighborhood who purchased 3D capable televisions and their primary motivation in doing so was for upcoming broadcast 3D (in particular broadcast sports) and because their kids wanted to play some games in 3D.

3D is rather a diversified thing (not to mention some potential exciting medical and military applications which are beyond the scope of this discussion)

In regards to the phrase which I just bolded above, I forgot to include another application of 3D…..EDUCATION.

See….http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12060687
Although, the above video-clip ^ doesn’t show it, 3D is especially helpful to those students who have a difficult time in visualizing the semicircular canals, oval and round windows of the middle and inner ear and not just the hemidiaphragms of the thorax.

[Blu-Ray Watcher]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

Very good.
I will post a heads-up to you on this thread the day the item is shipped. Like I said, please be patient, as it may take a couple weeks or so before I get around to it. Busy times and such.

No problem! I could be patient. By the way, have you spoken to Marc Webb? What's he like? I'm interested in seeing how he approaches the character.

[sharkshark]

Originally Posted by Penton-Man

When it’s finished and the timing is right.

Don't screw around with the Timing, they already did that between the original DVD release and Superbit.

Or was that not what you meant?

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

Yeah, I'm really torn about Sundance, just not sure I'd make a good go of it, there's more crap than not there. Frankly, getting back to Cannes is a bigger dream, but that's even more of a nutbar proposition (I attended '96). Still, one day I've got to attend, you're correct.

Would have liked to hear your opinion of…
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1743720/

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ray Watcher

No problem! I could be patient. By the way, have you spoken to Marc Webb? What's he like? I'm interested in seeing how he approaches the character.

The right man for the job.

If memory serves and you go back several pages to that video which I posted of the 3D Technology Center at the studio, you’ll catch a quick glimpse of the chieftain who made the decision to choose him as the Director for the motion picture.

[Penton-Man]

Originally Posted by sharkshark

Don't screw around with the Timing, they already did that between the original DVD release and Superbit.

Or was that not what you meant?

Timing, as in the date of the Blu-ray release.