Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2001 7:27 pm
Posts: 6143
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In the past I have seen someone, on the zulm forums, looking for multi-media training.
Algonquin College Launches Digital Cinema Centre:
Ottawa's Algonquin College seems to have a good program. Recently they received $2.2 Million for the kind of equipment that George Lucas used for Star Wars ATOC.
http://www.algonquinc.on.ca/times/frontpg4.html
NEWS BEGIN QUOTES
October 30, 2002
The Force will be with them
By Anne-Sophie Dumetz
Algonquin Times staff
Luke Skywalker might not be on campus, but the same type of camera George Lucas uses will capture him if he’s ever around.
Algonquin is receiving $2.2 million worth of equipment to open its Advanced Digital Cinema Research Centre for a project of national and
international proportions this week.
“It’s exactly the same cameras as George Lucas used to film Star Wars,†said Ron Cormack, co-ordinator of the broadcasting and television
programs, of the digital 24-frame progressive high definition camera Lucas used to film Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones.
“As far as I know, we’re the only independent high definition cinema research centre in Canada,†said Jack Treuhaft, Algonquin’s director of research and development. He added that the centre is not affiliated with any one company but will collaborate its research efforts with Hollywood’s Digital Cinema Lab, a digital research centre at the University of California and the Japanese Communication Research Laboratory.
The equipment, which includes complete production, post-production and display systems, was purchased in part with a research grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
Some students will also be involved from the get-go.
“Each project will be a little different, and we’ll send out two or three students as camera assists,†said Cormack.
However, this year’s students will not have core classes using the equipment.
“It’s anticipated our program will be lengthened to three years,†said Cormack, “with a high definition cinema component in the sixth semester.
“An entire curriculum could be built around the equipment,†he added, saying it will probably be integrated by 2006.
The centre will work on a per case basis where Canadian filmmakers will send research proposals detailing what specific elements of high definition cinema research the project is to explore. Upon approval the cameras will be sent to location, if required by the project, along with a team that should include at least one student.
The centre’s research will look at the strengths of digital cinema and how it is going to exploit these strengths, explained Treuhaft.
George Lucas is one of the few innovative directors who has started experimenting with HD cinema in the last few years, because of its technological and financial advantages.
Immediacy is the main advantage of HD technology.
“You’re not limited to reels of film,†said John Renforth, technologist with the School of Media and Design. “You can reshoot right away,†he said, pointing out that seeing the final frames quickly enables directors to decide on location whether to film a scene again, saving them time.
However, some technical and artistic issues with this technology still need to be researched. For example, digital cameras and lenses are powerful and can capture images so well they can fool the eye, making it difficult for movie-makers to give an artistic feel to the final result.
“On a digital camera there’s a vividness that really mimics reality, but viewers are used to a different quality,†he added.
With the centre’s state of the art equipment, the college’s research will provide solutions about process and methods
that will benefit Canadian filmmakers.
“We’re looking at some early projects to collect data starting in November,†said Treuhaft, adding it’s still unconfirmed.
The college will be able to become a leader in this field of research. But Renforth sees the advantage of pushing digital as being more widespread, because of the continuous quality it offers audiences.
“To me, just being able to go to the movie anytime and seeing a clean print is worth it,†he said. “No matter when you go to see Star Wars, it would always look like it’s the first run.â€
NEWS END QUOTES
Rana
Edited By rana on 1036528317
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