DV Expo:
A Brave New World for Digital Filmmaking

 James G. DeRuvo, Hardware Editor

    For 2002, the Hardware Department of VideoVerdicts.com will become more active in covering the latest tools to make film, rather than simply watching it. With the advent of the internet in every home around the world, the ability to produce, market and distribute one’s own film is now within reach of more than just studios and movie moguls with the money available to make sure ventures a reality.

    With the emergence of this bold new method of telling a story, many filmmakers are choosing the Internet as their distributor of choice. Working to practice and refine their craft, they can, at the same time, create an audience for themselves and get noticed by the "big boys" in Hollywood. 

    From original short films broadcast on such internet portals such as ifilm.com and atomfilms.com to the growing underground phenomenon known as "fanfilms," anyone armed with a camcorder and a PC can make an entertaining film and distribute it worldwide via the Internet. Even creating and marketing their products on DVD is no longer out of reach for the budding filmmaker looking to make a splash in the entertainment ocean.

    Over the course of the next few months, VideoVerdicts.com will highlight both hardware and software tools and the journey one takes to make a short film, then explore the options to distribute it on the Internet. 

    As such, Hardware editor James DeRuvo was dispatched to DV Expo in Los Angeles to discover the latest in hardware and software for the independent filmmaker. This is his story.

    DV Expo is a conclave for the Internet filmmaker. A high tech candy store where one can see the latest in software from the leaders of desktop video. Representing the field were Apple, with their latest video editing software FINAL CUT PRO 3, as well as the Cadillac of desktop video … the Apple G4 with Imovie, DVD Studio Pro, and other supporting software. 

    Competing directly with Apple is ADOBE, whose PC and Mac based Premiere 6.0 goes neck and neck against Apple and in some cases can even pull ahead with its suite of supporting software such as After Effects, Go Live!, and many others. Pinnacle Systems has thrown its hat in the ring with such products as Hollywood DV Studio, Commotion for special effects, and DVD Pro. And Sonic Foundry’s Vegas Video software is starting to turn people’s heads with it’s competitive interphase for the price.

    Finally, making a quiet presence at the Expo was an old favorite … the Video Toaster. Initially invented for the Amiga platform, Video Toaster began to make the transition to a PC based platform after Amiga died a lingering death. Now it’s ready to compete on the high end with broadcast capable switching, editing, and amazing 3D titling which can turn a filmmaker’s garage into a television studio.

    Additionally, there are some terrific ancillary products which are must haves in the desktop video world. When George Lucas announced that "Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones" was to be shot on digital video, everyone on the back side of the camera scoffed. But the technology is now there and the word is that the quality of the footage is stunning. 

    Canon’s new line of miniDV camcorders gives filmmakers options for making digital video features that can begin to compete with this new boom in filmmaking without the film. And with software plugins like Cinelook, that grainy film look can now be applied to the digital image. There is even HOODMAN, which create hoods for camcorder screens, laptop computer screens, and small monitors … making it easier for cameramen to see what they’re filming on location.

    DV Expo was Nirvana for desktop filmmaker and in our next report, we shall get into each individual exhibitor’s wears in-depth and explain why, or why not, these new products can help the next Spielberg to make a mark in the world of digital story telling.

    NOTE: DV Expo East, an East Coast version of the annual DV Expo West Coast event. DV Expo East will be held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, June 25-26, 2002.

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