By Elina Shatkin, January 22, 2004
Microsoft Corp. and the Sundance Institute announced that five full-length feature films will screen digitally at the festival using Microsoft Windows Media 9 Series. For the third year in a row, Windows Media is supporting the Sundance Film Festival, and this year the following films will be screened in Windows Media 9 Series: "BAADASSSSS!," starring David Alan Grier, Ossie Davis and co-writer/director Mario Van Peebles, who is starring as his father, co-writer and acclaimed filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles; "Carandiru" from Academy Award-nominated director Hector Babenco; "Open Water," from writer/director Chris Kentis; "Sky Blue," a groundbreaking high-definition, multilayered animation epic from Moon-Sang Kim and English version from Sunmin Park; and "Speak," from writer/director Jessica Sharzer, starring Kristen Stewart, Steve Zahn and Elizabeth Perkins.
In addition, Microsoft today announced the creation of an independent film Web site on http://www.windowsmedia.com/, dedicated to showcasing indie films and filmmakers. Windows Media 9 Series provides moviegoers with the high-quality theatrical experience they are accustomed to, while offering producers and distributors the cost savings associated with mastering and releasing films digitally
.
Using its specialized Cinema System, Digital Cinema Solutions will digitally project the films in Windows Media 9 Series using HP Workstation xw4100 systems. Windows Media 9 Series joins traditional 16 mm, 35 mm and HDCAM as a recognized format used in screening films at the Sundance Film Festival this year.
In conjunction with the screenings at the Sundance Film Festival, Microsoft will host two technical workshops at the Digital Center on Main Street in Park City. One workshop will be held in conjunction with Avid Technology Inc. and HP; the second, presented by Microsoft, will cover digital film solutions ranging from digital filmmaking and distribution to applications for digital dailies and encoding and projection for the big screen.
Classes with Avid and HP will be held Jan. 17 through Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m., and will feature Avid Xpress Pro with Avid Mojo, PowerProduction StoryBoard Artist, Panasonic 24p DV cameras and Windows Media 9 Series, all running on HP Workstation xw4100 systems. Members of the press are invited to attend a special version of the class Monday, Jan. 19 from 6:30--7:30 p.m. Microsoft's digital film solutions workshop will be held Monday, Jan. 19 from 12:30--2 p.m. in the Digital Center.
.
|