Multimedia
Blogs
Forum
Affordable HD
Whitepapers
Newsletters
Events
Advertisers
Blogcast
MillimeterPanasonic Announces Digital Filmmakers Grant
Sep 29, 2003 12:00 PM
Panasonic has announced a Digital Filmmakers Grant program that each quarter will reward an independent filmmaker with a complete production package to produce a feature or documentary project. Grand prize winners will receive the use of an AJ-SDX900 dual-mode DVCPRO Cinema camera package with Fujinon lens, Apple Final Cut Pro 4 editing system, and a DVCPRO50 deck with IEEE 1394 card, courtesy of Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Company, Abel Cine Tech, and Apple.
"Panasonic appreciates the tremendous support that filmmakers have provided our 24p cinema camcorder family, especially the phenomenal response the new AJ-SDX900 has generated," said Stuart English, vice president of marketing, Panasonic Broadcast. "We would like to reward independent filmmakers for their support by helping them turn their ideas into reality with the Digital Filmmakers Grant program. The AJ-SDX900 brings to the filmmaker a tool that offers the ease of editing in the DV domain but with production control that rivals 16mm film. This new camera system offers tremendous potential for the cost-conscious storyteller."
The recent availability of the AJ-SDX900 presents a much-anticipated production path to filmmakers: shoot native 16:9 24p standard definition video with 4:2:2 color sampling, capture this high-quality DVCPRO50 video directly into a Final Cut Pro 4 system, then (thanks to Apple's inclusion of the DVCPRO50 codec and real-time 24fps extraction in FCP4) enjoy the speed of 24-frame editing from AJ-SDX900-originated material -- natively and render-free.
Applications are being accepted now at www.panasonic.com/dvcpro through the end of the year (Dec. 31, 2003) for the first grant. Entrants will be asked to submit: a 1-2 page treatment; a description of the proposed production path (i.e., how will the project be edited?); a comment on the features of the AJ-SDX900 that suit the project; a copy of the script or rough script; and a sample of the DP's work, among other criteria. The first grand prize winner will be announced during first quarter 2004. Notification of all winning applicants will be made within 10 days of the close of each quarter.
Each winner will be selected on the basis of the presentation of all key elements of the application packet submitted, the creative and technical merit of the proposed project, as well as the program partners' confidence that the filmmaker(s) will be able to complete the film as proposed.
Quarterly grand prize winners will receive 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. Rental value of this equipment package is more than $17,000.
Based upon the strength of submissions, additional prizes may be awarded per quarter 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 Panasonic Digital Filmmakers Grant program will be overseen by Abel Cine Tech. Equipment can be procured out of their 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 will be trained at Abel Cine Tech's New York or Los Angeles office in the operation of the AJ-SDX900 and will learn how to optimize the camera and post equipment for their particular project.
For more information about the Panasonic Digital Filmmakers Program or to obtain an application, visit www.panasonic.com/dvcpro.
Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Co. is a leading supplier of broadcast, professional video and presentation products and systems. Panasonic Broadcast is a unit company of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, the principal North America subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC), one of the world's leading producers of electronic and electric products for consumer, business and industrial use. For more information on Panasonic Broadcast products, access the company's website at www.panasonic.com/broadcast.
Abel Cine Tech Inc., established in 1989, is a value added reseller (VAR) 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 U.S. For more information on the company and its services, go to www.abelcine.com.
Continue the discussion on “Crosstalk” the Millimeter Forum.