Category: The Business of Production

The Business of Production The Technology of Production

Pre-NAB thoughts on the Digital Production BuZZ

Post author By Philip
Post date March 26, 2011

On Thursday night I did one of my regular sessions for the Digital Production BuZZ, where Larry wanted to me to predict what was going to be “hot” at NAB 2011. But before we got to that, he played back my predictions for NAB 2010 – the equivalent show of a year ago.

You can listen to my segment on the BuZZ with this year’s predictions and last year’s roundup here.

I thought I did OK and the live chat audience during the show gave me 100% accurate. Check it out and tell me whether you think I’ll be as good with 2011!

Distribution Item of Interest The Business of Production

Netflix To Enter Original Programming

Post author By Philip
Post date March 15, 2011
3 Comments on Netflix To Enter Original Programming

Netflix To Enter Original Programming With Mega Deal For David Fincher-Kevin Spacey Series ‘House Of Cards’ http://bit.ly/ewSQgH

In yet another sign that modern distributors don’t feel like waiting around for the legacy industry (with the good content) any more. In a move that presages what could happen more widely, particularly if Apple and Google started into production.

There’s zero reason why any of the new content aggregators or distributors couldn’t go to the exact same producers and production companies that produce for the network and cable outlets, for exclusive content for their distribution.

EXCLUSIVE:Â Video streaming juggernaut Netflix is becoming an original programming player. In what is probably the biggest gamble inÂ its 14-year history, I hear Netflix has outbid several major cable networks, including HBO and AMC, for Â Media Rights Capital’s dramaÂ seriesÂ House of Cards, executive produced and directed by David Fincher and exec produced by and starring Kevin Spacey.

Negotiations are still going on, but I hear Netflix landed the drama project by offering a staggering commitment of two seasons, or 26 episodes. Given that the price tag for a high-endÂ drama is in the $4 million-$6 million an episode range and that a launch of a big original series commands tens of millions of dollars for promotion, the deal is believed to be worthÂ more than $100 million.

Distribution Item of Interest Monetizing The Business of Production

Power to the People: The Democratization of Film.

Post author By Philip
Post date March 12, 2011

Power to the People: The Democratization of Film http://tinyurl.com/4d6o3wq

This is a really good read by Jeff Steele that starts with how production has been democratized through the use of less expensive tools. That ignores a whole lot of costs associated with quality production that aren’t associated with less expensive tools of production, but let’s allow the point for the moment.

His primary point is that, while production is democratized, financing and distribution are not. Again, I wouldn’t argue.

Distribution Item of Interest The Business of Production

YouTube Buys Next New Networks

Post author By Philip
Post date March 7, 2011

YouTube Buys Next New Networks in First Big Content Acquisition http://tinyurl.com/45zosv6 As well as beet.tv’s coverage, paidcontent.org andÂ Silicon Alley Insider have coverage.

As I suggested over a year ago, Google are getting into the content business. As rumored two months ago, Google have purchased Next New Networks for an undisclosed sum. This makes sense as Next New was heavily dependent on YouTube for distribution.

General Item of Interest The Business of Production

The Terence and Philip Show Episode 20

Post author By Philip
Post date February 23, 2011

With the advent of high quality acquisition tools for relatively little money, is there really a role for the highest quality production outside of niches?

Terry and I have different understandings and it makes for an interesting show.

Interesting Technology Item of Interest The Business of Production

The essence of being human involves asking questions…

Post author By Philip
Post date February 16, 2011

“The essence of being human involves asking questions, not answering them”

It’s the final Â end quote from http://tinyurl.com/6bful7u on Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Assistance (unrelated to my company) that comes out of a NYT writeup of IBM’s Jeopardy playing Watson.

Item of Interest Studio 2.0 The Business of Production

Episode 19: Starting over in a “Green Field” revisited

Post author By Philip
Post date February 11, 2011

Episode 19: Starting over in a â€œGreen fieldâ€ revisited. http://tinyurl.com/4suc5bu New episode of The Terence and Philip Show: a clean start.

Assisted Editing Business & Marketing Item of Interest Metadata Monetizing The Business of Production The Technology of Production

Episode 18 of The Terence and Philip Show

Post author By Philip
Post date January 21, 2011

What’s going to happen in 2011? http://tinyurl.com/48f979s

Our longest show ever!

In this episode Terence and Philip, with Greg Huson fromÂ Secret HQ, look forward to what we can expect in 2011.Â Â You might want to pace yourself on this one as we’ve set a new record for show length.

What will the Microsoft Kinect be used for? Who’ll be releasing new software this year – will we see new versions of Media Composer, Final Cut Pro or Adobe Creative Suite? Will Avid open up to 3rd party hardware? What will be in those releases? Is this the year Metadata (finally) takes off?

How many movies have to not make money from 3D before the fad is over? Or will 3D TV spark 3D production? Will we see RED Epic this year and will it be a success? What will develop with large sensor cameras?

How will the collapse of State Governments affect production subsidies? Will runaway production come back to LA?

When will the tipping point come when distribution breaks out of broadcast and cable channel models? Is ivi going to be ruled legal? What’s the future of Netflix? Is a social network a replacement for channel guides?

What do we wish we could predit for this year? More use of metadata for production automation and where it comes from? What if we didn’t do a first string-out manually? This leads to a discussion of the philosophy of editing.

What will be this year’s surprise? Another DSLR? Another daVinci/Smoke on Mac?

What will happen in distribution? What’s the future of DVD Extras?

What isn’t going to happen that needs to happen?

Interesting Technology Item of Interest The Business of Production

SundaySky Will Create 1.4 Million “Videos” in January alone!

Post author By Philip
Post date January 15, 2011
1 Comment on SundaySky Will Create 1.4 Million “Videos” in January alone!

SundaySky Will Create 1.4 Million “Videos” in January http://tinyurl.com/4z2f2k3

Assisted Editing Item of Interest Metadata The Business of Production Video Technology

Join MediaSilo, Oasis (and me) for Free Metadata Event in LA

Post author By Philip
Post date January 12, 2011
2 Comments on Join MediaSilo, Oasis (and me) for Free Metadata Event in LA

RT @zbutcher: Join MediaSilo & Oasis for FREE event in LA http://eepurl.com/cdZ4T

Metadata is crucial in todayâ€™s ever-changing, competitive post production environment. New, exciting tools continue to emerge. Trying to sort through it all? Join us for a special event in LA onJanuary 27 @ 6:30.