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 PANASONIC
ANNOUNCES FOUR GRAND PRIZE WINNERS IN
DIGITAL FILMMAKERS GRANT PROGRAM
Additional Filmmakers Receive Camera Package Awards
Apple and Abel Cine Tech Provide Vital Support to
Foster Independent Cinema
SECAUCUS,
NJ (May 23, 2004) – Panasonic
announced today the four grand prizes winners in its
Digital
Filmmakers Grant program for independent filmmakers,
as well as the creation of a new web site, www.digifilmmakersgrant.com,
that documents the work of the award winners.
Grand prize winners receive an equipment package, with
a rental value of more than $17,000, that includes
a three-week rental of the AJ-SDX900 camera and Fujinon
Broadcast zoom lens, 10 hours of DVCPRO50 videotape,
a 10-week rental of an editing package consisting of
a Power Mac G5 and Final Cut Pro 4 editing software,
and a Panasonic DVCPRO50 VTR with an IEEE1394 Firewire
card.
The grand prize winners are Brandon David Cole of King
Midas Films, Los Angeles, CA, for his film, "Bristol
Boys"; Ken Saba of Burbank, CA, for his film, "The
Untitled Michael Chordas Project"; Stephen Schaefer
of Centrifugal Films, New York, NY, for his film, "Confess";
and Glenn R. Schuster of Film & Video Production,
Brooklyn, NY, for his film, "Mating Bird."
"Panasonic is proud to nurture independent filmmaking
by equipping these filmmakers with the advanced tools
they need to tell their compelling stories," said
Jan Crittenden, Product Line Business Manager, DVPRO50/DVCPRO
products, Panasonic Broadcast. "We would also
like to recognize Apple and Abel Cine Tech for their
outstanding support of the program."
Writer/director Stefan Schaefer has already completed
shooting of the political thriller, "Confess." Commenting
on his work with the SDX900, he said, "I had
always imagined Confess as a digital feature, and for
several years considered how best to create the most
compelling visual palette. The script calls for a combination
of ‘spy-cam’ footage, footage shot on DV
by the film’s protagonist, news footage, and
the main narrative look of the film - let’s call
this Camera A. My concern was always how to make a
clear distinction between the formats with less digital
information and Camera A. Being awarded the SDX900
solved this problem because the quality of the image
was so superior to a 3-chip look and that of the spy-cams.
The ability to switch between 24p and standard video
also enabled us to create the film and TV news look
desired."
In addition to the grand prize winners, Panasonic granted
several more awards consisting of a three-week rental
of the AJ-SDX900 and 10 hours of DVCPRO50 videotape.
Rental value of these awards is more than $4,500. The
camera package award winners
included: Lorraine Aromando of Communcations High School,
Wall, NJ; Chris Bray, New York, NY; Todd Broder of
Lovett Productions, New York, NY; Andy Cockrum, Austin,
TX; Susan Genard, Los Angeles, CA; James Richard Ford
Jr., Los Angeles, CA; Rosser Goodman of KGB Films,
Los Angeles, CA; Paul Patrick Hogan, West Hills, CA;
Lindsey Johnson, Port Jefferson Station, NY; Daniel
Junge, Denver, CO; Eric Kepner, Little Falls, NJ; David
Klein, Los Angeles, CA; Yiuwing Lam, Los Angeles, CA;
Francisco Menendez, Henderson, NV; Michael Mills, Astoria,
NY; J. Carlos Peinado, Ventura, CA; David W. Schoener
Jr., Cedar Grove, NJ., Sean Sullivan, Teaneck, NJ;
and Patrice Williams, Century City, CA.
David Klein, whose Director of Photography credits
include the Kevin Smith-directed films "Clerks" and "Chasing
Amy", has already shot his short feature, "The
Ape", with the SDX900. He said, "The camera
met all of our expectations. I was surprised by its
latitude and depth of field, both of which were assets.
"Image quality has a very realistic look. Sometimes
HD looks very electric and artificial, but this SD
24p format is softer and sometimes more flattering
to actors. I would use this camera again in a second.
It’s perfect for a project that has limited funds,
but requires a quality format that can handle film
out and other post processes."
The Panasonic Digital Filmmakers Grant program is being
overseen by Abel Cine Tech. Equipment is procured out
of Abel’s New York or Los Angeles location. Additional
equipment for all awards can be rented from Abel Cine
Tech at a preferred, grant program rate. In addition,
winners’ production teams are being trained at
Abel Cine Tech’s New York or Los Angeles office
in the operation of the AJ-SDX900 and learn how to
optimize the
camera and post equipment for their particular project.
The AJ-SDX900 provides filmmakers a seamless production
path to shoot native 16:9 24p standard definition video
with 4:2:2 color sampling and then transfer this high-quality
DVCPRO50 video directly into Apple's new Final Cut
Pro HD system. Then, thanks to Apple’s inclusion
of the DVCPRO50 codec and real-time 24fps extraction
in
Final Cut Pro HD, filmmakers can enjoy the speed of
24-frame editing from AJ-SDX900-originated material --
natively
and
render-free.
The Digital Filmmaker Grant winners will continue to
shoot and edit their projects over the rest of this
year. By NAB 2005, Panasonic plans to offer a completed
DVD of finished trailers from all of the works of these
gifted filmmakers.
From September 1st through December 31st, 2004, Panasonic
will have another call for applications for grants
to be executed in 2005. Visit www.digifilmmakersgrant.com during this time period to download an application.
About
Abel Cine TechAbel Cine Tech Inc., established in 1989,
is a Value Added Reseller for Panasonic DVCPRO HD and
DVCPRO50
product lines. With offices in New York and Los Angeles,
Abel Cine Tech is recognized as one of the most comprehensive
and knowledgeable sources for HD, DV and film equipment
in the US. For more information on the company and
its services, go to www.abelcine.com. |
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