Sony Pictures Entertainment Launches Filmmaking Workshop

CULVER CITY, CA-In an effort to further the understanding and use ofdigital filmmaking, "LAB24P: An Exploration in Digital Filmmaking," islaunching at Sony Pictures Entertainment in association with sponsorsDigital Image, Efilm, Laser Pacific, Panavision, Post Logic, SonyPictures Imageworks and Technique, it was announced by Gary Martin,President of Columbia Pictures Production Administration.

Part demonstration, part hands-on experimentation, LAB24P will offerprofessional artists and technicians currently involved in featurefilmmaking an opportunity to try out the latest technologies associatedwith digital filmmaking within a workshop atmosphere, includingshooting in 24P, digitally timing material and viewing resultstransferred out to film.

"Filmmakers have already begun to test and embrace digital. Thisworkshop will give a greater number of professionals the opportunity toexplore, make mistakes, experiment and become comfortable with theseremarkable new technologies, with the goal of furthering the creativeprocess," said Martin.

LAB24P will be held every Thursday and Friday from August 22 throughDecember 13, 2002 on the Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City, CA.Participants will have a chance to shoot interiors and day/nightexteriors with additional tests on details and textures in set designand makeup, hair and wardrobe. In addition, LAB 24P will explore theuse of associated digital technologies such as "Digital Dailies" and"Live Digital Compositing."

LAB24P participants will include members of the American Society ofCinematographers (ASC), Directors Guild of America (DGA) and theInternational Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, Moving PictureTechnicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States and Canada(IATSE).

"Just as the digital age has revolutionized film editing, it willalso revolutionize filmmaking," said DGA President Martha Coolidge."Digital filmmaking is the way of the future. Demand for those who knowthe ins and outs of this new technology will continue to rise, so I'mglad that Sony Pictures is providing our members with a chance to learnmore about it."

"I look forward to this opportunity for our members to participatein the hands-on experiment of LAB24P," said Tom Short, InternationalPresident of IATSE. "And I owe a debt of gratitude to Sony Pictures forthis venture, and in particular Gary Martin."

"Our members who have already used this new medium have found that avery short learning curve is all that it takes to use these new toolseffectively," said Steven Poster, President of ASC. "These workshopsare another opportunity, along with the training the InternationalCamera Guild, Local 600 has already done for the top Directors ofPhotography, to learn and demonstrate how to overcome the limitationsthat exist in any visual medium and make the very best images. Just aswatercolors are to oils, this is another great way for us to tell ourstories with pictures."

Since its introduction, 24P technology has had a significant impacton the creation of feature films, prime-time episodic televisionprogramming and commercial production by providing professional artistswith new creative flexibilities.

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a division of Sony Corporationof America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE'sglobal operations encompass motion picture production and distribution;television production and distribution; digital content creation anddistribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainmentacquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities;development of new entertainment products, services and technologies;and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony PicturesEntertainment can be found on the World Wide Web athttp://www.sonypictures.com.