For more information, telephone 626 449 9296, fax 626 449 9219, email LFCA2000@LFCA.org or consult the Web site at http://www.LFCA.org.
Symposia On Motion Simulation And Digital Production For Large Format Cinema Association
Ideas And participants Sought For May Meeting In Los Angeles
Motion simulation and digital production are the subjects of two Spotlight Symposia presented by the Large Format Cinema Association (LFCA) on May 17 and May 20. The LFCA Spotlight Symposia are day-long, professional intensives on topics of current interest to the large format industry, that will bookend the annual LFCA Conference and Film Festival, May 17-20 in Los Angeles. The symposia are a separate function from the LFCA 2000 conference, requiring separate admission, and may be attended separately or in combination with the main conference. ""The Spotlight Symposia are a manifestation of LFCA's mission to serve all facets of an industry that is exploding with growth and change,"" comments LFCA Conference Chair Paul Giguere, who is Regional Vice President, Europe, Africa & the Middle East, MegaSystems Corp. ""If you want to stay current with what's happening in our business and industry, attending these meetings is crucial."" ""Our core event - the LFCA Conference and Large Format Film Festival - visits all aspects of the industry, including exhibition, production, post production, history of the medium, large format pioneers and new films,"" says LFCA President Christopher Reyna, who is President of IMAGICA USA INC. ""We gave the Spotlight Symposia their own space in order to do them justice - to allow sufficient time and attention to the vital topics they cover. We're looking forward to healthy attendance at all of our meetings this year."" The first Spotlight Symposium is ""Special Venue Theater: Focus on Motion Simulation,"" held Wednesday, May 17, prior to the opening of the main conference. The symposium will cover history, technology, business issues, content and the future of the medium. It is co-chaired by Cliff Hay of Clifford Hay & Associates, and Gil Perez, Director of Rides and Attractions, Luxor Hotel. Hay and Perez share several years' experience working as a team developing rides and attractions for Mandalay Resort Group. ""Special venue theatre is a keystone of the large format industry, yet it is rarely addressed in its own right,"" says Hay. ""Motion simulation experiences such as ëBack To The Future: The Rideí have had a profound effect on the application of cinema to entertainment attractions as well as education."" The second Spotlight Symposium is ""The Next Wave: Digital Techniques InLarge Format,"" held Saturday, May 20, following the close of the main conference. The symposium will encompass the use of digital tools and processes in production and post production, applied specifically to large format. It will be co-chaired by Ray Feeney, President of RFX Inc., a principal supplier of hardware and software to the digital film industry, and Marty Shindler, whose company The Shindler Perspective provides business consulting to creative and technology companies. ""Digital effects in large format can be astoundingly effective and successful,"" remarks Feeney. ""But the unique technical and aesthetic characteristics of the medium demand a thorough understanding and a careful, planned approach. It's a costly mistake to assume that large format is just like conventional cinema, only bigger."" The Visual Effects Society and its Executive Director, Tom Atkin, will participate in the symposium. VES is the world's largest organization of distinguished visual effects professionals. LFCA is seeking suggestions, sponsors and speakers for the two Spotlight Symposia as well as the main Conference and Film Festival. Those interested in participating should contact LFCA Conference Headquarters in Los Angeles, tel. 626 449 9296, fax 626 449 9219, or by email at LFCA2000@LFCA.org. Conference information is posted and updated at the association Web site, http://www.LFCA.org. About The Main Event The official LFCA Conference and Film Festival opens the afternoon of May 17 and closes May 20. It will feature panel discussions on vital industry topics, technical sessions, historical tributes and awards and a keynote presentation. The LFCA Kodak Vision Award will be presented to a distinguished cinematographer, filmmaker or director in the field. The Large Format Film Festival will feature new films in 15/70 and 8/70 formats plus a gala event spotlighting a 5/70 Hollywood widescreen classic. On Saturday, May 20, a variety of LFCA member companies in the Los Angeles area will host open houses. LFCA 2000 is open to all members of the international large format film industry. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available. Pre-registration begins in mid-February. Hotel reservations are now open. LFCA Conference Headquarters in Los Angeles is ready to respond to inquiries about registration, participation, sponsorship, hotels and travel, or any other conference-related matter, telephone 626 449 9296, fax 626 449 9219, email LFCA2000@LFCA.org. About The Large Format Cinema Association Founded in September 1996, the Large Format Cinema Association (LFCA) is a not-for-profit international association open to all those interested in the worldwide large format industry, including filmmakers, suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, theatres and their support industry, as well as film students, film studios and theme parks. Current membership is approximately 330. Charter President is Christopher Reyna, President of IMAGICA USA INC. The mission of LFCA is to promote global public awareness of large-screen entertainment formats, to provide a forum for sharing information and to foster the growth of the industry. The next annual LFCA Conference and Film Festival takes place May 16-20 in Los Angeles.