THE FUTURE OF FILM VISITS BELFAST

BELFAST’S Waterfront Hall recently hosted the groundbreaking 'Celluloid or Silicon?' roadshow.
Backed by the DTI, the roadshow unveiled the potential for digital technology to revolutionise the film and TV industries, from source to screen. Demonstrating the flexibility offered by electronic film technology in the capture, processing and display of a wide range of programme material, the roadshow highlighted potential cost savings in production, distribution and display.
Richard Taylor, CEO of the Northern Ireland Film Commission, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to host the roadshow and contribute to the knowledge base that will underpin the industry’s future development in our region”.
The roadshow opened with a short film and a presentation exploring the issues raised by the new electronic media, in film and television, including visual examples that demonstrated its flexibility. The sessions rounded off with a robust open forum session led by a panel of locally based industry experts.
Panel member Michael McAdam, the Managing Director of the Movie House Cinemas, when asked if the cost of a trip to the cinema would rise if digital technology took over, replied: “I have been asked this question before, and I have the same answer every time. If people can afford to go out and buy cigarettes and alcohol, then surely they can afford to go to the cinema.”
Peter Owen, Project Manager for the 'Celluloid or Silicon?' roadshow, said: "Britain has a global reputation for the quality of their film and TV programmes, just one of the reasons why the roadshow is supported by the DTI and the DCMS. The UK is also among the world leaders in the relatively new field of digital film technology.
“The standards of electronic film and video production, distribution and projection are now being formulated and UK companies will need to be able to participate in the discussions with practical experience of the technology.”
The roadshow is organised by, and includes technology from, Aston Electronic Designs, BT, Cintel International, Digital Projection, HD Thames, Quantel and Snell & Wilcox, with additional support provided by the BFI and media analysts Screen Digest. (CD)