Comments on: Reason #6,348,234,985 to Solve the Problem http://www.sagwatch.net/2009/06/reason-6348234985-to-solve-the-problem/ Observing the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:49:15 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: vested http://www.sagwatch.net/2009/06/reason-6348234985-to-solve-the-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-10988 vested Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:38:33 +0000 http://www.sagwatch.net/?p=2072#comment-10988 Digital. Audio and video. Digital is mainstream across the map "at this moment in time." I suspect it will be so for as long as it takes to discover yet another form of delivery. Holograms are being experimented with ... so we could see someone perform in one place, when they are actually in a completely different location. That's just one example. Here are some "stops" we've made along the way; some had sticking power, some didn't. Some, like cable, we failed to take seriously when it arrived, and it cost us plenty. But check it out: Television Rock and Roll Vinyl records 8 track tapes Cable cassette tapes Home Computers CD's DVD's File sharing MP3's The list could go on, but you get my drift. Purists and audiophiles will always turn to film and tape as an art form. But - as a way of doing business in the present day - the mainstream industry has moved beyond these formats. V. Digital. Audio and video.
Digital is mainstream across the map “at this moment in time.” I suspect it will be so for as long as it takes to discover yet another form of delivery. Holograms are being experimented with … so we could see someone perform in one place, when they are actually in a completely different location. That’s just one example.

Here are some “stops” we’ve made along the way; some had sticking power, some didn’t. Some, like cable, we failed to take seriously when it arrived, and it cost us plenty. But check it out:

Television
Rock and Roll
Vinyl records
8 track tapes
Cable
cassette tapes
Home Computers
CD’s
DVD’s
File sharing
MP3’s

The list could go on, but you get my drift. Purists and audiophiles will always turn to film and tape as an art form. But – as a way of doing business in the present day – the mainstream industry has moved beyond these formats.

V.

]]> By: Billy http://www.sagwatch.net/2009/06/reason-6348234985-to-solve-the-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-10965 Billy Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:55:51 +0000 http://www.sagwatch.net/?p=2072#comment-10965 I remain unconvinced the digital medium itself is saving anyone much money. This isn't to say it is not possible, but the manner in which the technology is currently implemented is, to be kind, awkward. But, it has allowed the studios to significantly reduce their crew-related expenditures... and, my impression is the actors have similar language in their contracts. Most people I know prefer film because it pays better. It's also generally more reliable, particularly because no one wants to pay for an electronic maintenance person any more (I used to get an $8/hour bump <em>and</em> a parking spot on the lot, right next to the stage, for that). A few years ago I was on a show called Teachers. The crew was so unhappy with the videotape gear that the producer went to NBC and got them to approve shooting on film. But -- I suspect it was the last time that'll ever happen. Even Jim Burrows (a sitcom director with extreme clout) is now shooting on videotape... I remain unconvinced the digital medium itself is saving anyone much money. This isn’t to say it is not possible, but the manner in which the technology is currently implemented is, to be kind, awkward.

But, it has allowed the studios to significantly reduce their crew-related expenditures… and, my impression is the actors have similar language in their contracts.

Most people I know prefer film because it pays better. It’s also generally more reliable, particularly because no one wants to pay for an electronic maintenance person any more (I used to get an $8/hour bump and a parking spot on the lot, right next to the stage, for that).

A few years ago I was on a show called Teachers. The crew was so unhappy with the videotape gear that the producer went to NBC and got them to approve shooting on film. But — I suspect it was the last time that’ll ever happen. Even Jim Burrows (a sitcom director with extreme clout) is now shooting on videotape…

]]> By: marisa redanty http://www.sagwatch.net/2009/06/reason-6348234985-to-solve-the-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-10959 marisa redanty Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:32:12 +0000 http://www.sagwatch.net/?p=2072#comment-10959 Mike It's dollars and sense. IMHO what the DP's prefer doesn't matter any longer in these day's of cutbacks, saving money and spending freezes in all industries. The economy (even if the film industry has seen profits) is the main issue. Mike
It’s dollars and sense. IMHO what the DP’s prefer doesn’t matter any longer in these day’s of cutbacks, saving money and spending freezes in all industries. The economy (even if the film industry has seen profits) is the main issue.

]]> By: mike http://www.sagwatch.net/2009/06/reason-6348234985-to-solve-the-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-10955 mike Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:01:53 +0000 http://www.sagwatch.net/?p=2072#comment-10955 Its my opinion, that the AMPTP SAG impasse and the fact that AFTRA had a contract, is what put the final nails in the coffin of film, in TV. Most DP's would still prefer film. Its my opinion, that the AMPTP SAG impasse and the fact that AFTRA had a contract, is what put the final nails in the coffin of film, in TV. Most DP’s would still prefer film.

]]> By: Dr. Giggles http://www.sagwatch.net/2009/06/reason-6348234985-to-solve-the-problem/comment-page-1/#comment-10954 Dr. Giggles Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:59:11 +0000 http://www.sagwatch.net/?p=2072#comment-10954 Well, since TV is now broadcast digitally it makes sense. I know Law & Order was experimenting with digital: shoot in NY then transmit the footage to studios in LA for editing. Saves tranport costs, and lab fees. Besides, when you shoto on fim, the footage is then digitiezed for editing on the Avid, then sent back to film for theatrical. That's also changing, with 1000's of theatrical venues outfitted with digital projection. This only underscores the need to merge - the question is to find a way to make it happen. Well, since TV is now broadcast digitally it makes sense. I know Law & Order was experimenting with digital: shoot in NY then transmit the footage to studios in LA for editing. Saves tranport costs, and lab fees. Besides, when you shoto on fim, the footage is then digitiezed for editing on the Avid, then sent back to film for theatrical. That’s also changing, with 1000’s of theatrical venues outfitted with digital projection.

This only underscores the need to merge – the question is to find a way to make it happen.

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