First Interactive Doco From ABC/Austar

ABC New Media has produced Australia's first interactive television (iTV) documentary, which will be broadcast through the ABC's services on Austar's digital satellite platform on Sunday December 1st at 7.30pm AEDT.
Long Way to the Top - Live In Concert is an interactive experience and the first of its kind produced in Australia, made possible by the collaboration between the ABC's New Media and Television divisions. The program offers an enhanced viewing experience, created around the popular Long Way to the Top documentary series and concert, which toured Australia in August and September this year.
The program takes viewers backstage at the concert to see a string of exclusive interviews with the stars, rare archival footage and puts viewers at the concert itself with some of Australia's greatest rock legends.
Around 1 million of Austar's viewers across regional Australia will be able to experience this exciting program, in more than 300,000 iTV-enabled households around the country that have access to Austar's interactive digital satellite service. These viewers simply need to tune into ABC Channel 2 on Austar from 7.30pm on Sunday December 1 to be immersed in an interactive rock experience. The ABC's Long Way to the Top - Live In Concert is designed with intuitive navigation and easy to follow prompts that lead the viewer through the service, whilst offering a high level of choice and interactive features.
The content is synchronised for play out on four parallel video streams for 24 hours, allowing viewers to return to the program segments any time during the continuous broadcast to interact with the content.
For more details and pics, click here

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ACCC Okays Foxtel-Optus Deal

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced that court-enforceable undertakings proposed by Foxtel, Optus, Telstra and Austar address the ACCC's concern about the potential anti-competitive effects of the planned pay-TV arrangements between Foxtel and Optus. As a result, the ACCC will not oppose the arrangements, which allow Optus and Foxtel to share pay TV programming.
The undertakings are designed to provide access to programs for pay TV operators, broader choice for consumers and access to Telstra's cable network and Foxtel's set-top boxes.
For more, click here

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DMC Digital Opts For Avid Unity

Sydney post-production house DMC Digital has become the country's first company to install the latest version of Avid's recently-released shared storage system, Avid Unity LANshare. Designed for small editorial workgroups, the Ethernet-based Avid Unity LANshare V3.0 delivers the best of the Avid Unity shared storage technology at an entry-level price. In addition to Avid Unity LANshare, DMC also runs five Avid Media Composer editing systems.
DMC took full advantage of the workflow-enhancing features of Avid Unity LANshare when it was commissioned for post-production of Auction Squad, a weekly Channel 7 lifestyle program that chronicles the sale of residential properties from 'makeover' through to auction.
For more, click here

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Alston Launches DTV DVD

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon Richard Alston, launched Digital Broadcasting Australia's (DBA) consumer information initiative to raise consumer awareness about the benefits of digital television. A key part of the initiative is a DVD, titled What is Digital Television?, which has been funded and produced by DBA and the free-to-air broadcasters for display on widescreen televisions in DBA member retail stores during November.
The DVD demonstrates the benefits that can now be experienced with free-to-air television, namely, clearer DVD-quality pictures, digital sound, widescreen programs, extra channels and enhancements.
"With the boom in sales of DVD players and widescreen televisions and plasma screens, DBA member retailers are enthusiastic about the prospects for digital television. This DVD will be a great tool for retailers when informing consumers about the benefits of digital television and promoting prime-time widescreen programs during shopping hours" said Mick Morris, DBA Chairman.
The DVD is part of an all-industry initiative. The commercial and national television broadcasters have provided content and funding, consumer electronics suppliers have co-ordinated distribution and the major retail groups and specialist retailers are providing the in-store displays during November 2002.
"'The creation, production and distribution of the DVD and related materials illustrates what can be done when broadcasters, consumer electronic suppliers and retailers co-operate in raising the level of consumer awareness about digital television," added Mr Morris.
The DVD will be showing in over 700 DBA member stores located in digital TV reception areas throughout November 2002.

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Atlab the Hero in Chinese Film

From Director Zhang Yimou (Raise the Red Lantern), Cinematographer Chris Doyle (Rabbit Proof Fence, The Quiet American) and Producer Bill Kong (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon), Hero, which premieres in China on December 19, needed a postproduction company that could provide the complete package. Atlab was chosen over international competitors to provide the necessary film laboratory and digital film laboratory post-production services.
Hero is a martial arts movie, based in the Wuxia style made famous by Ang Lee in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and is steeped in fantasy.
After the commercial success of Shanghai Triad, Yellow Earth, and Raise the Red Lantern, a loyal fan base will eagerly await Zhang Yimou’s new film both here and in his native country of China. Visually rich, beautiful and dramatic, Zhang’s films have helped bring the Chinese aesthetic to the West. Key to conveying this strong aesthetic is a powerful use of colour, relied upon to portray strong visual symbolism and also allowing the film’s message to cross cultures.
Atlab completed all lab postproduction and most of the digital lab services including, scanning and recording, wire removal, optical effects, digital colour grading and release printing.

For more details, click here.

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TX Takes Harris

TX Australia, the broadcast transmission services provider for Australia's three commercial metropolitan television networks, has placed a significant order for DVB-T transmitters from Harris as they continue to rollout their DTV service.
The medium- and low-power transmitters from Harris Broadcast Europe's product family will be configured as re-transmitters, with integrated DVB-T receivers, COFDM encoders and GPS receivers for single-frequency network (SFN) operation. These re-transmitters will operate in two SFN networks in the metropolitan Sydney area that will need to be commissioned and operational in December 2002.
The order, sold through Harris' distributor BSA Pty. Ltd (bsa), facilitates the continued transition to digital services mandated in Australia. Since beginning digital services in January 1, 2001, Australia's broadcasters continue to be at the forefront of the digital transition.
"As we continue to build out our digital infrastructure, we needed to find a partner that had in-country expertise and a product portfolio which would meet our extremely high technical standard expectations and implementation timelines," said Joe Giovenco, CEO from TXA. "With the partnership of bsa and Harris, we found exactly what we needed."
"bsa is extremely pleased to be working with TXA on this project as we believe it will be the worlds' first DVB-T off-air fed SFN operation" said Darren Kirsop-Frearson, national sales manager for bsa.
"With this order, bsa and Harris Broadcast Europe demonstrate that we are significant contributors to the continued worldwide digital transition," said Andreas Manske, managing director of Hirschmann Solutions, Harris Broadcast Europe. "The strong relationship between our companies allows us to provide support, installation, training and ongoing technical expertise to TXA."

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DMC Digital Adds Second Smoke

Sydney’s DMC Digital has boosted its ability to tackle a range of projects, from TVCs through to longform, with the addition of a second Discreet smoke online editing and finishing system. The purchase follows DMC’s original smoke installation nearly three years ago – a move that saw DMC become the first facility in Australia to install smoke. The company has also upgraded its original smoke to version 5 software.
The smoke is the premier finishing suite at DMC, and while it is often used to finish imported offline EDLs, it is also used to add effects to projects that have already been conformed.

For more details, click here.

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Prime TV Signs TX Contract With bsa

Prime Television, one of Australia's largest commercial television networks, has signed an exclusive five year contract for the supply of Harris DVB-T transmitters with local representative and Harris partner, bsa.
The medium and low power transmitters from Harris Broadcast Europe's product family have the option to be configured as transmitters, re-transmitters, have integrated COFDM receivers for full signal regeneration and operate in single frequency networks (SFN).
Prime TV currently has 98 low power transmission sites across the country where the Harris equipment will be installed over the coming years.
"The combination of the Harris product and the local support partner, bsa, gave us the confidence we needed as we roll out our digital transmission network," said Gerry Smith, Group General Manager - Engineering for Prime TV.
"bsa are extremely pleased to be working with Prime on this project and we look forward to developing a strong partnership between our companies allowing us to provide support, installation, training and ongoing technical expertise" said Darren Kirsop-Frearson, National Sales Manager for bsa.

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NBN SHARECASTS WITH FLORICAL

NBN has employed Florical's ShareCasting automation system. The new system originates broadcasts for six regional NBN stations and two satellite channels that are uplinked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Asia Pacific broadcasts.
NBN is the first broadcaster to use Florical's new AirGuide automated electronic program guide that is automatically updated from the automation system to insure accuracy. The NBN system uses MediaMaster for asset management of two shared storage array video servers and a digital archive system. The Florical CueBrowser system provides frame accurate desktop browsing of MPEG-1 assets. Florical's AirBoss on-air presentation system controls play to air on all six NBN channels, the two ABC Asia Pacific broadcasts and one HDTV channel.

For more details and pictures, click here.

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FRAME SET & MATCH EXPANDS

Leading post production company opens a new level of facilities with an innovative level of technology and convenience. Only three years after opening their Northbridge location, leading post production company Frame Set & Match has today unveiled expanded facilities taking over another level of their Northbridge premises. The expansion means increased services to clients, housing a HD Theatrette, sound mixing on site (in collaboration with Stellar Sound), increased 3D capacity and more client rooms and recreational areas.
Rick Schweikert, Joint Managing Director of FSM says the new facilities are a huge convenience for clients with sound mixing and design now available on site.
"A strategic association with Stellar Sound has been developed whereby Stellar will supply the technology and the operational expertise, whilst FSM will supply all scheduling and coordination," says Schweikert. "The combination is a unique opportunity to enjoy the best of both the video and audio worlds."

For expanded story and facility pictures, click here.

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BULLANT IN iTV GAME WITH NDS

Bullant Studios, an Australian-owned producer of entertainment software has joined the NDS iPartners Program to develop interactive content and games using NDS' Value@TV solution. Melbourne-based Bullant Studios will also use NDS Core middleware as its preferred operating platform globally.
The NDS iPartner Program is designed for content developers writing interactive TV applications using the NDS Core HTML/Java authoring environment. It was developed to provide mutual support to the interactive TV development community and ensures broadcasters have access to the latest and most advanced applications developed globally.
Bullant will use the NDS authoring environment to create applications to suit most platforms with minimal adaptation, making it easy to re-use content and minimise production costs.
"Our partnership with NDS and use of its Value@TV solution will enable us to extend our range of entertainment services and efficiently deliver interactive entertainment into millions of homes on a global scale," said Ross Symons, CEO of Bullant Studios.
Bullant Studios is responsible for over 200 games titles already developed for leading game consoles, mobile phones and other games media. Using NDS' solutions, it will modify old favourites to run on the relatively low resources of a TV set-top box, as well as develop a new generation of interactive games for TV.
"The games market is one of the most exciting growth areas in interactive TV and offers broadcasters an enhanced range of solutions to grow their revenues per subscriber," said Sam Hamilton, iTV business development manager for NDS Asia Pacific Ltd. "Melbourne is considered to be third only to Los Angeles and London as a production centre for high quality digital games, and Bullant is the first major Australian developer of games to commit to NDS Core middleware as an operating system for the future."
With the combination of NDS' playout synchronisation and secure smartcard system, Bullant Studios will also develop interactive TV games that will provide new features such as score and position retention. This will encourage multiple visits and channel loyalty, as well as allow broadcasters to charge fees for individual levels, shortcuts or other optional advantages.
"Overseas trends show that viewers, particularly teenagers, don't play games on TV in the same way as on a games console. Therefore, we need to provide the mechanisms for them to retain scores, positions, shortcuts or even payments, in a simple and secure way," said Mr Symons.

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FLAME FOR FUEL INTERNATIONAL

Sydney-based post-production company, Fuel International has selected a Discreet flame effects system as it seeks to reinforce its position in the TVC market.
Fuel was incorporated two years ago, and is made up of five visual effects specialists - Jason Bath, Paul Butterworth, Andrew Hellen, Simon Maddison and Dave Morley - who met while working together on the sci-fi TV series Farscape. Morley has worked at several of Sydney’s premier visual effects companies, and has been a flame artist for over seven years. He was also the senior inferno artist for ‘Moulin Rouge’.
Fuel Company Director Jason Bath says that while the majority of the company’s work over the last two years has been involved in feature production, with credits including ‘Dirty Deeds’, ‘Garage Days’ and ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’, it is now seeking to expand its client base in TVCs.
Bath says that one of the major strengths of Fuel is the depth of experience in many different areas that is offered by its five company directors, and the innovative approach to projects this level of experience allows them to take.
“At Fuel we take a different philosophical approach from many other companies to visual effects,” says Bath. “We approach things on a project-by-project basis and we don’t have set rules. We like to be involved early on in production so that we can be open with the client about our processes and try to offer unusual and clever ways to solve their problems."
The first project for the new flame is a TVC campaign for Silk Air, directed by Vincent Ward. Fuel is currently also working on the up-coming feature ‘Danny’.
Fuel uses several workstations to collaborate on projects, and will integrate Discreet combustion to support the flame seat. It has a central storage disc array, and footage is digitised using video capture cards, then distributed as data over the network.

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FIRST OZ SALE FOR PANASONIC VARICAM

Rexel Video has sold the first Panasonic VariCam in Australia to Brisbane based rental and post-production facility ProCam.
ProCam has purchased the AJ-HDC27FE VariCam, the AJ-FRC27 Frame Rate Converter and AJ-HD3700 HD-D5 VTR. All will go into the ProCam Hire line-up and have been secured for several feature film projects in the New Year. ProCam has already finished its first feature in HD and has identified that there is a definite need for the variable frame rate features of the VariCam.
Ian Bates owner of ProCam says, "This type of camera is exactly what the HD film business has been waiting for."
As a pioneer of HD Technology ProCam is keen to use the VariCam on Music Clips, High End TVCs, and more Feature Films. The AJ-HDC27FE or VariCam HD Camcorder can be "under-cranked" or "over-cranked" just like a film camera. The camera can run at any frame rate from 4fps up to 60fps in 1 frame intervals. It allows producers to shoot on High Definition video with all the flexibility of film using high speed and low speed effects in the camera with the "Cine Gamma" feature making the picture more film-like.
Manufacturers of High definition disk-based systems such as Quantel and HD-Boxx are capable of taking the tagged frames directly into their systems and the AVID|DS HD will soon have the same functionality.
The VariCam has been already used in Australia for several commercials and music videos, including a new Government Anti-Smoking campaign currently in broadcast and an upcoming commercial for the RSPCA.
ProCam Broadcast Hire will have the VariCam, Frame Rate Converter and HD-D5 available for hire from late October 2002.

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TAFE NSW TO OPEN FUEL LAB

TAFE NSW (Enmore Design Centre), in conjunction with SGI, is to launch a new Fuel Lab Launch on Tuesday, October 15. The Fuel Lab is the latest addition to TAFE's Silicon Graphics Design Centre which offers courses in 3D animation, digital content and special effects.
According to the Centre, an investment in SGI FUEL workstations means students will now have access to equipment equal to, if not more powerful than systems being used in the industry itself, helping to significantly boost their performance capabilities in producing cutting edge animation projects.
With the reputation in Australian film, special effects and animation industries growing fast, TAFE says it is committed to playing a part in fuelling the growth of future generations of home-grown, highly skilled experts for these industries.

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DE SISTI CASTS LIGHT ON MATRIX II

In early May 2002, Simon Prictor responded to an enquiry from Simon Williams regarding the availability of De Sisti's 12kW Goya for use on the film Matrix II. With the commencement of shooting of the blue/green-screen components of the film, the film was in need of an extremely high output broadlight fixture.
After enquiring worldwide about the most suitable luminaire for the task, the De Sisti Goya was their choice. Not having a 12kW unit in stock at the time, Coemar De Sisti Australia organised for a sample unit to be air freighted in for Matrix to perform some trials. Within a very short timeframe, the Goya was dispatched to Fox Studios in Sydney.
Reg Garside is the gaffer for Matrix II and he was more than pleased with the performance of the Goya. Reg indicated during the trials that there were several specific requirements which they wished to meet using the Goya - namely the need for dmx control of the ballast and the ability to quickly ramp the dimmer of the ballast from the lowest dimming level to full (an idea being developed to supplement "lightning strikes" being utilised to produce a specific effect.)
Technical staff from the De Sisti factory in Italy indicated that they had already begun implementing DMX control of the ballast, but only for lamp on/off. However, development work for dmx control of the dimmer had been finalized and production models were scheduled for August/September of 2002.
Following the successful testing of the Goya on the project, delivery of the first two production ballasts with dmx dimming control implemented was fast-tracked to meet the Matrix II needs. The deal was finalised in a meeting between Leon Schuster and Coemar De Sisti Australia. Schuster's Lighting on the Gold Coast hold a strong position in the rental market in the film and television industry and were keen to take on the purchase and rental of the two Goya 12kW units.
On a subsequent follow-up visit to ensure that the units were performing to expectations, Reg Garside sought the availability of a smaller Goya, a 4kW unit, which Coemar De Sisti Australia were able to supply immediately from current stock.

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DFX SEMINAR VIDEO AVAILABLE

A video of a digital visual effects seminar held in October 2001, giving practical advice to filmmakers on the use of digital options to stretch production dollars, is now available from the FTO. The video features highlights from the seminar, examples and additional interviews.
The video, entitled How Long Is A Piece Of String?, is available in VHS or VCD (PC compatible) formats for $30, including postage and handling. For details on ordering the video, click here.
Meanwhile, this year's seminar, Adding Strings To Your Bow, was held during September. Case studies from local filmmakers demonstrated a range of digital options, from slick title work to bringing cg characters to life, and the use of digital solutions to overcome difficult or expensive locations, extending and embellishing sets and enhancing action sequences. Example projects included Farscape, Rabbit Proof Fence, Dirty Deeds and Scooby Doo and participating companies include Ambience Entertainment, Animal Logic, Complete Post, GMD, kotij, Photon vfx and Rising Sun Pictures.

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