Resource Categories Production

GSCA’s Digital Cinema Naming Convention tool

GSCA Digital Cinema Naming Convention GSCA's Digital Cinema Naming Convention tool The GSCA Innovations Committee has established best practices and created a tool for naming DCDM files, similar to practices established by the Inter-Society Digital Cinema Forum (ISDCF). The GSCA Digital Cinema Naming Convention tool generates a file name that will inform vendors what the file contains so the artistic integrity is maintained during exhibition. This tool is especially important for submitting content for GSCA events. It is critical that when the file is received, [...]

By Tammy Barrett|2024-01-26T19:46:57+00:00January 26th, 2024|

Camera Assessment Test (2023)

In July 2023, the GSCA Innovations Committee conducted a test to show the strengths of six higher-than-6K-resolution cameras to show filmmakers how each performs in challenging situations. Under the direction of GSCA Innovations Committee Co-Chair Michael Daut and with renowned cinematographer James Neihouse, ASC, serving as director of photography using a wide variety of cameras, lenses, shooting situations, and locations, this test will provide invaluable information to filmmakers as they decide which equipment to use for different types of shoots. This is a follow-up to [...]

By Kelly Germain|2024-04-02T17:41:00+00:00November 21st, 2023|

Gen Z: Opening Our Doors to the Future

The future is Gen Z. If you want to understand the future of our industry—whether it’s exhibition, production, or distribution—you need to understand Gen Z. Born 1997–2012, Gen Z is engaged and entering the work force and our theatres as we speak! They are expressing their opinions and rewriting the norms. Members of Gen Z are resourceful and independent learners who value diversity, inclusivity, and authenticity. They are passionate about social impact and environmental responsibility, and their top priorities include wellbeing and mental health. Do [...]

By Kelly Germain|2023-12-06T17:38:12+00:00November 21st, 2023|

New Models for the New Normal

Fundraising of film production budgets and distribution marketing will become increasingly more challenging in the competitive, post-COVID environment. Investors require ROI, but well-aligned sponsors present a unique opportunity to drive box office and differentiate a film’s support package when in consideration from buyers. In this session, we’ll explore the new approaches for the new realities, not only for producers and distributors, but for theaters too. The session will be broken up into three sections: The role of equity investments and sponsorships Making sponsorships work for [...]

By Kelly Germain|2023-12-06T17:50:45+00:00July 6th, 2023|

Camera Tests

The Background A keystone of the Giant Screen Cinema Association’s (GSCA) strategic plan is to build a pipeline of quality educational and entertaining content. To fulfill that plan, GSCA, through its Technical Committee, has conducted a number of tests in the past four years to help filmmakers capture the best images possible for the giant screen. It started in 2014 with two iterations of Bring Back Our Wide Shots (BBOWS), with the main goal of testing whether images from the latest 4K digital cameras could [...]

By Kelly Germain|2023-12-06T17:58:20+00:00July 6th, 2023|

Focus on Film Scanning

As part one of a session to be continued at another time on the giant screen, we explore the challenges of capturing high-quality and high-resolution digital scans of 65mm film. Four companies, including FotoKem, IMAX, Prasad Corp, and MacGillivray Freeman Films, share their techniques, innovations, and unique approaches to digitizing film. In part two, when we are able to meet in person, we will see examples of scans using the same film source in a head-to-head comparison in 4K, 8K, 11K, and 16K scans on [...]

By Kelly Germain|2023-12-06T18:01:52+00:00July 6th, 2023|

High-Resolution Camera Shootout

Led by Pawel Achtel ACS of the Innovations Committee and shot by a team of ACS cinematographers, we evaluate the performance of the following state-of-the-art cameras: RED Monstro 8K, ARRI LF, Blackmagic Design 12K, Canon R5, Achtel 9x7. We see each camera’s performance in dynamic range tests, rolling shutter tests, zone charts, resolution charts, and real-world shooting locations. In part two of this session, at a future time when we meet in person, we will see the footage compared back-to-back on the giant screen. The [...]

By Kelly Germain|2023-12-06T18:03:44+00:00July 6th, 2023|

Production and Postproduction Workflow Guidelines (P3W)

The GSCA’s Production and Postproduction Workflow (P3W) documents were designed to provide filmmakers with technical guidelines on how to produce content for the Giant Screen. There are two workflows, one for picture and one for audio. Both include a workflow diagram and a textual document providing more detailed information on the specifics of the production and postproduction processes. The GSCA Innovations Committee created these documents to help ensure films brought to our giant screens meet our historically high standards of picture and audio quality. The [...]

By Kelly Germain|2024-01-17T21:37:09+00:00July 3rd, 2023|

Theater and Filmmaking Insights: Sharing for Success: Susan Todd, Archipelago Films

Previously titled “Giant Screen 101,” this session is more than just a first-timer’s introduction to the giant screen industry. Seasoned veterans and newcomers alike will take away new ideas and contacts from this highly engaging and informative session. The session includes post-COVID success stories, how to program feature films and documentaries, and how to make giant screen theaters stand out from the competition. Filmmakers share insights on the challenges of making films for the giant screen as well as the wonderful creative opportunities provided by [...]

By Kelly Germain|2023-12-06T18:06:56+00:00June 22nd, 2023|

Theater and Filmmaking Insights: Sharing for Success: Jonathan Williams, BBC Earth

Previously titled “Giant Screen 101,” this session is more than just a first-timer’s introduction to the giant screen industry. Seasoned veterans and newcomers alike will take away new ideas and contacts from this highly engaging and informative session. The session includes post-COVID success stories, how to program feature films and documentaries, and how to make giant screen theaters stand out from the competition. Filmmakers share insights on the challenges of making films for the giant screen as well as the wonderful creative opportunities provided by [...]

By Kelly Germain|2023-12-06T18:08:11+00:00June 22nd, 2023|