Variety's ShowBiz Expo 2000: Enhancing The Art And Technology Of Storytelling

The ever-evolving and fast-paced world of technology is revolutionizing the entertainment business. As the art of filmmaking becomes more enhanced with the latest digital technologies, so too will Variety's 17th annual ShowBiz Expo, to be held June 23-25, 2000 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The premier event for the entertainment production industry since 1983, Variety's ShowBiz Expo will offer its attendees the latest technologies, products and services used in the production of entertainment - from script to screen - as presented by over 500 participating exhibitors. ""The creation, production and distribution of entertainment is changing, and ShowBiz Expo is changing with it,"" explained Cindy Strachan, Industry Vice President for Reed Exhibition Companies, producers of the event. ""From studio executives to craftsmen in the production community, there is a profound need to keep pace with new digital technology and understand how it will impact this business in the 21st century. We are positioning Variety's ShowBiz Expo to showcase the entire spectrum of products used for storytelling - both traditional and digital film technologies."" Recognizing the growing influence of the Internet and digital technology on the entertainment community, Variety's ShowBiz Expo 2000 will mark the debut of Hi-Tech Hollywood - a dedicated section within the exhibit floor focused on streaming media, digital production, HDTV, computer graphics/visual effects software and Internet providers. Companies such as Synthetic Software, Showiz.com, iStream, Creative Planet and Filmtrust.com will be participating in the event as well as dozens of others. In addition, over 500 exhibiting companies will showcase both the products and equipment important to the production of films and the new technology needed for the future production of film, video and multimedia. One of the highlights on the exhibit floor will be a 10,000 square foot Visual Effects Theater, which is being produced, created and sponsored by the Visual Effects Society, American Society of Cinematographers, and the Society of Motion Picture & Television Art Directors. According to Tom Atkin, Executive Director of the Visual Effects Society, ""We had an overwhelming response to last year's programming, and we are looking forward to working with our partners and sponsors, which include Fuji, VFX Pro, Bexel, NEC, and British Airways, to create an even more dynamic demonstration of the latest in visual effects and computer graphics."" Variety's ShowBiz Expo attracts professionals from the motion picture, television, cable, advertising, video and interactive media production communities. A total of 18,228 industry professionals, including cinematographers, art directors, producers, writers, production managers, lighting directors, film/video editors, directors, visual effects supervisors, technical management and post production supervisors attended the 1999 event. ""As the industry begins to embrace new forms of storytelling, it becomes obvious that Variety's ShowBiz Expo needs to offer the products and services as well as the education on all of the technological options that are now being offered,"" added Ms. Strachan. In addition to the show floor and the special events, the entertainment community will have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders on key issues and learn about the latest trends, tools and techniques being used by Hollywood. The conference program will include seminars on Editing Techniques, Art Direction, Digital Video Production, Runaway Production, the Revolution of the Internet, Preserving Celluloid Film, and an Overview of Digital Imaging. Beyond a repositioning of ShowBiz Expo, Reed Exhibition Companies is committed to delivering superior service to the entertainment industry. Toward that end, Belinda Collesar has been promoted to a newly created position of National Accounts Manager for ShowBiz Expo. As National Accounts Manager, she will identify attendees' and exhibitors' tradeshow needs to ensure the event continues to develop ahead of customer expectations. ""Belinda's promotion will enable us to have more continuous, direct contact with our customers,"" commented Strachan. ""This in turn will allow us to better serve the industry."" Dozens of industry organizations support Variety's ShowBiz Expo including the American Association of Producers (AAP), the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), Independent Feature Project West, the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG), the Production Equipment Rental Association (PERA), the Society of Operating Cameramen (SOC), the Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (SMPTE), the Society of Motion Picture & Television Art Directors (SMPTAD), the University Film & Video Association (UFVA) and the Visual Effects Society (VES). For more information, phone 203 840 5989, on attending phone 203 840 5688, or visit the Web site at www.ShowBizExpo.com. Variety's ShowBiz Expo is produced and managed by Reed Exhibition Companies, the world's leading organizer of trade and public shows with a current portfolio of over 334 events servicing 45 industries in 11 key sectors in 24 countries across five continents. Over 100,000 exhibiting companies take advantage of Reed's marketing opportunities, which attract approximately 5.5 million buyers globally. Reed Exhibition Companies is part of Reed Elsevier plc Group, a world leading business and information provider.Source: Reed Exhibition Companies