International Edition No. 18 - year 2 - 28 March 2007
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To read the course programme, please click here.
Launched in 2004, this is the only initiative
that the European Union’s MEDIA Programme offers for training on
digital technologies specifically applied to movie theatres. Once again
this year, Barco, leading European producers of digital projectors, will
be hosting the course in their Kuurne headquarters, in Belgium.
Sixteen countries are represented on the course, which will end on Sunday,
1st April.
Amongst the main topics are an analysis of the present position of digital
cinema and its prospects, as well as an evaluation of the most widespread
business models. In this connection, Jens Rykær,
President of MEDIA Salles, commented: “this course is born of the
conviction that theatres should not experience the digital transition
passively, nor feel that they are besieged by the expansion of the new
technologies. It is the latter that should be at the service of the cinema.
It is therefore impossible for there to be a single business model valid
in all situations, and it is the exhibitor who must choose”. This
is the direction taken in the talk by Thierry Henkinet,
who, on the basis of his past experience with Éclair Digital Cinemas,
one of the first companies to have signed Virtual Print Fee deals for
Europe with US Studios, explained that this model must be adapted to the
demands of a market with specific characteristics like Europe’s.
The need to offer customized business solutions to the different types
of theatres and exhibition companies was also confirmed by Barco, in the
words of Nico Vernieuwe, Vice President of Events and
Digital Cinema, and Glenn Wastyn, Market Director Digital
Cinema, during a presentation which highlighted the similarities and distinctions
between the different world markets involved in digital transition. The
day came to an end with a first opportunity for the course participants
who have shared their expectations and experiences to compare notes. Awareness
of the enormous impact of this technological innovation is expressed in
the words of Matthieu Bakolas, a Belgian exhibitor taking
part in the course: “digital technology announces a revolution in
the film industry. Such a technological evolution will indeed have a direct
influence on all cinema professions, from directors to cinema owners”.
MEDIA Salles, a project operating within the framework of the European Union's MEDIA Programme, with the support of the Italian Government, fosters theatrical distribution of European audiovisual products, both by high profile campaigns involving Europe's cinema exhibitors and by initiatives to raise the visibility of European productions with industry players and potential audiences, creating specialized information channels on a global scale. Thus the current initiatives from MEDIA Salles dovetail in a program with a triple focus – training, promotion and information – and maximum combined effect.
MEDIA Salles
Via Soperga, 2 – I-20127 Milan
Tel.: +39.02.66984405 – Fax: +39.02.6691574
E-mail: infocinema@mediasalles.it
Website: www.mediasalles.it