Digital Video - September 2008 - (Page 4)

PREROLL BY DAVID E. WILLIAMS VICTORY THROUGH QUALITY? DV .COM VOLUME 16 NUMBER 9 SEPTEMBER 2008 D uring the Cold War, the Soviet Union was confronted by a technologically advanced Alliance in the West that had them soundly beat when it came to the quality of its weaponry. But the Soviets countered with the politically appropriate philosophy that “Quantity has a quality all its own.” Superior numbers of inferior forces would prevail, or so they believed. On the battlefield of the video production scene, quantity has also become an issue, as the accessibility of digital production tools and easy distribution via the Web has resulted in a seemingly endless blitzkrieg of media all fighting for our hearts and minds (and bandwidth). So what does it take for a creative video professional to establish a beachhead in the audience’s imagination? U.S. Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Scott Matthews had the issue of quality in mind when he took his RED ONE digital cinema camera to Afghanistan to photograph his fellow soldiers behind the lines for an official military project (see “RED in Combat” page 26). A videographer in civilian life, Matthews recognized the value of high-resolution images and how they can better communicate the subject at hand to the viewer. And, to accomplish his mission, he selected what he considered the best tool at his disposal, a recently purchased RED ONE camera. In addition, he saw the need for archival-quality images to document the war in Afghanistan for future generations — a vital consideration that no documentarian should ever overlook. One hopes his commanding officers take note of Matthews’ effort to go above and beyond the call of duty. Similarly, Los Angeles-based independent writer-director Dan Trezise sought quality on all levels while making his exceptional sci-fi short Outsource (see “Inside Outsource” on page 18). A high-end visual effects expert by trade, Trezise knew he could deliver impeccable CGI and finishing, but he didn’t neglect the other components of his creative puzzle. He instead hired exemplary production personnel — designers, costumers and fabricators — to physically realize his vision and then used Thomson/Grass Valley’s Viper FilmStream camera bring their work into his digital realm. There, he could apply his expertise and never have to worry about later apologizing for or explaining away any qualitative production deficiency. As a result, Outsource is one of the best-realized short films I’ve ever seen, and its acceptance in more than 30 film festivals is some measure of Trezise’s accomplishment. (Of note, the expensive Outsource was financed out of Trezise’s own pocket — he valued his pursuit of quality enough to sacrifice for it.) This is not to say that quality comes only from using high-end production gear. That’s just one possible approach to any project, and it can never replace developed stories or characters, but the clarity of crisp images and exceptional audio can help make a solid fictional narrative some degree better or add a certain intangible depth to a real human drama as it unfolds. Quality may just be the very edge you need for your next production. Unless, of course, producing quantity is the quality you’re after. David E. Williams, Editor dwilliams@nbmedia.com EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF David E. Williams dwilliams@nbmedia.com MANAGING EDITOR Katie Makal kmakal@nbmedia.com TECHNICAL EDITOR Jay Holben jayholben@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS J.R. Bookwalter, Chuck Gloman, Robert M. Goodman, John Jackman, Matt Jeppsen, Nels Johnson, Carl Mrozek, Oliver Peters, Jay Rose, Justin Stanley, Stefan Sargent, Jon Silberg, Ned Soltz, David O. 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Box 221, Lowell, MA 01853 Telephone: 888-266-5828 (USA only, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST) 978-667-0352 (Outside the US) Fax: 978-671-0460 E-mail: newbay@computerfulfillment.com NEWBAY MEDIA VIDEO/ BROADCAST GROUP EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Carmel King VP SALES/GROUP PUBLISHER Eric Trabb EDITORIAL/CREATIVE DIRECTOR Anthony Savona EDITORIAL DIRECTOR - BROADCAST Carter Ross EDITORIAL DIRECTOR - VIDEO Cristina Clapp EVENT & EVENTS MARKETING MANAGER Jessica Piechota WEB MANAGER Mike Lemmerling ONLINE PRODUCTION MANAGER Robert Granger WEB ANALYST David Leach WED AD PRODUCTION SPECIALIST Lesley Keller NEWBAY MEDIA CORPORATE PRESIDENT & CEO Steve Palm CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Paul Mastronardi VICE PRESIDENT OF WEB DEVELOPMENT Joe Ferrick CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Denise Robbins IT DIRECTOR Greg Topf CONTROLLER Jack Leidke HR DIRECTOR Ray Vollmer REPRINTS AND PERMISSIONS: Please contact our Reprint Coordinator at Wright’s Reprints: 877.652.5295 PUBLISHED BY NEWBAY MEDIA L.L.C. 810 Seventh Avenue, 27th Fl. 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Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Digital Video - September 2008

Digital Video - September 2008 Contents Discproducer PP-100 Frameforge 3D Studio 2 First Cuts Expodisc Bird's-Eye View Instant Expert Inside Outsource Red in Combat Tools & Technology My Studio DV101 Production Diary

Digital Video - September 2008

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