Creating Magical Moments

In the dream factories, countless disciplines work for the magic of cinema. Successful results could for example be seen at the German Film Prize in Berlin. One film won “Lolas” by the dozen: Best cinematography, best production design, best editing, best costume design, best make-up and best sound editing for the historical drama “Anonymous”. Its director Roland Emmerich had returned to his home country after more than 20 years to shoot in the studios of Babelsberg. His “comeback” is also a festival of this magical art of filmmaking which is much too often overseen in the subcategories.

Everybody who wants to learn more about the technology behind the captivating images will head to Munich by the end of summer. From 22 - 24 September 2012, Europe’s leading international Trade Show for Cine Equipment and Technology takes place in the MOC Events Center in Munich, Germany. More than 150 manufacturers from 15 countries will present their novelties, amongst them innovative and internationally renowned companies like ARRI, Briese Lichttechnik, Chrosziel, Cooke Optics, Denz, Dedo Weigert, Filmotechnic Europe, Fischer Connectors, Fuji-Film, Grip Factory Munich, Kino Flo, Lee Filters, Lightequip, Osram, Servicevision, Technocrane, Tiffen, Transvideo, Zeiss and many more.

The technical changes, which were a very hot topic 10 years ago, have been implemented for a long time. It is no longer the question whether to shoot on film or digital, but rather how to achieve the best result.  Hardly have the discussions about digital shooting and the first hype about Stereo 3D died down, and the next debate is imminent: Are 24 frames per second really the measure of all things?

This is no new question for technicians, but the director Peter Jackson (“Lord of the Rings”) has now brought it to the public. His long awaited fantasy film „The Hobbit“ has not only been shot in Stereo 3D, but also at a rate of 48 frames per second. The result is supposed to be brighter, clearer, more realistic. Too bright, too clear, too realistic, the viewers complained who saw the first scenes. “Where is the magic of cinema which lets us dream?”

How can a better image be created? This will be the core topic of this year’s seminar programme of the cinec. Advantages and disadvantages of a higher frame rate for shooting, presentation and watching will be discussed as well as the use of new light sources, laser projection for brilliant images, current trends in optics and much more. On Monday, moving images in the digital society will be the topic. Four years ago, the photographer Vincent Laforet amazed the world with a movie clip which he had shot with his Canon digital single-lens reflex camera. By now, the first DSLR-films are already shown in cinemas and cinematographers even experiment with Apple’s iPhone. What about so many different new possibilities? In which direction are we heading?

A highlight of the trade show and also a reflection of the state-of-the-art technology will be the presentation of the cinecAwards during a state reception in Munich’s residence on the trade show Sunday. The cinecAwards belong to the most important prizes for film technology – innovations which are appraised during the show by an expert jury will be awarded.