FOCUSING ON ACTV, HDTV and FILMLOOK®

When choosing video or film for shooting a production, the most logical and economic choice is; of course, shooting video and processing in FILMLOOK. Video producers have consistently been satisfied with the image FILMLOOK provides, as well as with the cost savings involved. But what does the future hold for producers who are faced with producing programming for Advanced Compatible Television (ACTV)?

And what about high definition television? Will FILMLOOK be ready for that?

For one thing, broadcast digital television is over a decade away from being fully implemented and enforced. It promises to be better than current terrestrial broadcasting, with full digital component video and digital audio capabilities. For the time being, it will be compatible with current NTSC since it will still be 525/60 video, and most television sets that exist today will still be around for ACTV and will require an ACTV converter anyway. FILMLOOK will continue to be in use during the transition to ACTV.

Okay, you ask, but what about high definition television? Wouldn't it be better to shoot only on film thus being completely compatible with future high definition technologies, including super high definition? Wouldn't it be better for future high definition syndication to have film originated programming? Shouldn't we just continue to shoot film?

Film will definitely be compatible with any high definition system, no matter the format or the decided lines of resolution in the future. But at what cost? A film program that is telecined to NTSC is still limited to 525 lines. The problem is compounded by the fact that nearly all television programs are electronically posted and that unlike a theatrical feature, no "film print" of an edited television program exists-only the takes to be used are telecined, then edited onto the final videotape master. Currently only a handful of television studios are ambitious enough to go through the expense of actually cutting an archival film negative of a program that conforms to the edit decision list of the video master, but this is rare. To see your film program in high definition video, it will have to be telecined on a high definition film transfer system and few producers will want to re-post and spend more money on their finished program for the benefit of syndication in high definition.

High definition FILMLOOK? Regularly broadcasting high definition television in the U.S. is many years away, but whatever hi-def system is decided upon by the FCC and by the marketplace, we will definitely be ready and compatible.

FILMLOOK'S WINDY LENO

CHICAGO - FILMLOOK was used to help create the opening title segment for "The Tonight Show" when Jay Leno visited Chicago. The segment combined film and video elements, the latter of which was processed in FILMLOOK and integrated into the edited sequence.

LAST BULLET LOADED ON FILMLOOK

SYDNEY - Beyond Films LTD, Nine Network, and NHK television have utilized FILMLOOK to process the historical drama "The Last Bullet."

Set in the jungles of Borneo during the final days of World War II, the psychological drama was shot on high-definition video then downconverted to NTSC for final FILMLOOK processing.

FILMLOOK'S MOST DANGEROUS

HOLLYWOOD - To heighten the dramatic impact of the re-creation segments, Termite Productions and DBA Associates, of "World's Most Dangerous Animals 2" and " World's Most Dangerous...," have turned to FILMLOOK to process their video shot pieces.

The programs are special presentations that have aired on CBS and may eventually lead to a regular series.

"MOMMY" MAKES GOOD

MUSCATINE - The thriller "Mommy" is now currently being shown on the Lifetime network. "Lifetime has exclusive domestic rights to broadcast the feature for a two year period," according to director Max Allan Collins. In addition, "Mommy" will also be available soon on laserdisc in special limited edition boxed sets.

NANNY FINISHES ON FILMLOOK

CULVER CITY - The hit sitcom "The Nanny" finishes another successful season with two episodes that utilized the FILMLOOK process for special segments.

The producers have often used FILMLOOK in the past to differentiate the on location pieces from their in studio work.

BEAKMAN BOUNCES BACK

CULVER CITY - The popular science program "Beakman's World" returns to CBS's Saturday morning lineup for a third season. "Beakman's World" has utilized the FILMLOOK process in the past for the entire series, and is now in production at Columbia Pictures.

"Beakman's World" has been described as "a mix of equal parts MTV and Mr. Wizard" and is the creation of ELP Communications.

FILMLOOK congratulates and thanks Columbia Pictures and "Beakman's World" for another season of using our patented film simulation.

FOREVER IN FILMLOOK

Congratulations to Televisa for selling their latest telenovella "Forever."

SUNSET ON FILMLOOK

HOLLYWOOD - The sensual mystery "Sunset After Dark" from Wildcat Entertainment is being released on home video this June by Vista Street Home Video. "Sunset" stars screen legends Anita Page and Margaret O'Brien. It was shot entirely in Betacam SP video and processed in FILMLOOK.

Director Mark J. Gordon found savings and flexibility in using FILMLOOK for his feature. "With the combination of Betacam SP and FILMLOOK," states Gordon, "we were able to deliver production values and meet technical specs for markets around the world. We also saved a considerable amount of money by shooting on video."

In addition to its domestic release, the feature is being entered into the International Mystery Film Festival in Cattolica, Italy. "Sunset" has already been sold to international territories including the U.K, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Africa, and Argentina

USA TODAY, CNN HONOR TAYLOR AD

NEW YORK - Both USA Today and CNN recognized former Republican presidential candidate Morry Taylor's ad campaign with top honors. The commercials were shot in Betacam SP by Cloud Nine and Strategic Perception Inc. and processed in FILMLOOK.

USA Today awarded the television campaign as "Best Ad in the Presidential Election" while CNN gave the ads the "Best Picture Award." Director, Fred Davis, has utilized the FILMLOOK process for newly elected state senator Mike Inhofe's successful television campaign and for B.U.M. Clothing.

POST POSTED IN FILMLOOK

WASHINGTON D.C. - The Washington Post's latest ad campaign "If You Don't Get It, You Don't Get It" features offbeat characters recorded in video and processed in FILMLOOK.

The ads feature secret service agents in front of the White House trading lime food recipes, talking parrots arguing over economic issues, and teenaged mall denizens discussing archaeology.

INTERACTIVE TV SPOT DIALS FILMLOOK

MYRTLE BEACH - A unique interactive commercial promoting Myrtle Beach has used FILMLOOK to give the video-shot spot the unique look of film.

The commercial was created by Rik Dickinson of Encore Video Productions. It lets viewers hold up their phones to the television and use the touch tones on the soundtrack of the spot to call for information on vacationing in Myrtle Beach. The spot has aired on TNN and CMT.

CONGRATS TO NEK

Neil Kearney of NEK Media has informed FILMLOOK Inc. that his client, Missouri Furniture, won an Addy award from the Mid-Missouri, a chapter of the American Advertising Federation. We congratulate Mr. Kearney and Missouri Furniture for their award!

© 1996 FILMLOOK Inc. All rights reserved. FILMLOOK is a registered trademark of FILMLOOK Inc.

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