THE AVID DIGITAL EDITING ROOM HANDBOOK by Tony Solomons $26.95, paper, 233 pages, 8 1/2 X 11. ISBN: 1-879505-48-7 Silman-James Press (Distributed by SCB Distributors) Pub Date: June 15, 1999 Unraveling the mysteries of AVID is the courageous quest Tony Solomons undertakes in his revised Second Edition of The AVID Digital Editing Room Handbook. To the point that institutionalized obsolescence in the computer world allows: Solomons succeeds. Buzzwords are defined, and hardware hookups are explained in enough detail to get a new editor started, or, help an experienced editor out of trouble. This
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Dear IDA Community: In this 15th year of the IDA Distinguished Documentary Achievement Awards, Eastman Kodak continues as our founding sponsor and the awards remain true to their heritage. When first conceived by a committee chaired by Harrison Engle, the IDA Awards addressed our mandate to bring attention and recognition to the best documentary work produced each year. Multiple unranked awards were given that first year, thus avoiding a "winner takes all" scenario and allowing us to celebrate the diversity of work in the documentary genre. While IDA Award categories have grown and changed to
No individual, in broadcast or cable television, has done more to further the cause of independent documentary programming than has Sheila Nevins, Senior Vice President for Original Programming, Home Box Office. Currently responsible for documentaries and family programming, she has overseen production of more than 150 documentaries for HBO. Her programs, also featured on HBO's sister channel Cinemax, have earned six Oscars®, 17 Emmys®, 13 George Foster Peabody and 35 CableAce awards. A graduate of Barnard College and Yale University's School of Drama, she worked for National Education
Michael Apted is an original. While most of his contemporaries choose one genre, Apted often toils in both simultaneously and can be found shooting a narrative feature while editing a documentary, and vice versa. He is that rare filmmaker who has successfully and consistently crossed back and forth between the fiction and nonfiction worlds throughout his career. In 1962, Granada Television hired Apted as a researcher. He had just graduated from Cambridge University, where he studied law and history—not film. He joined the London-based studio and selected a cross-section of English children
IDA/Pare Lorentz Award WHERE THE SKY MEETS THE LAND Producer/Director: Frank Muller In the barren, mountainous region of the Central Asian Republic up to 3,000 meters above sea level lies the country of Kigistan—where the sky meets the land. Here the local tribe people undertake their ancient battle for survival against the wolves, the elements and a new enemy—a modern, massive, Canadian-owned gold mine. IDA/David L. Wolper Student Documentary Achievement Award A LITTLE BIT OF FREEDOM University of Manchester, England Producer/Director/Cinematographer: Lorna Kirk A Little Bit of Freedom is a
Well, it’s official. The introduction of the term docusoap to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary is proof that the genre is now fully entrenched in British culture. Not like any one in the UK was in any doubt no less than 65 documentary soap operas have appeared on the major British channels in the past four years. For the uninitiated, here’s the docusoap recipe: Take an industry, preferably one steeped in customer service such as an airport, hotel or ski resort. (Could also choose colorful geographic location at home or abroad). Find a range of people at organization/location who enjoy
"The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival is an excellent launching pad for new documentaries," says Stuart Alson, executive director. "Unlike most festivals that do not show documentaries, or, insist on film prints, this festival really caters to the independent documentary filmmaker.” The festival, now in its 7th year, is considered one of the largest, independent grassroots film markets in the nation. In order to accommodate the enormous volume of submissions, the fest recently split into three annual markets and film festivals which take place in September, May and
Any successful documentary maker will tell you that it’s much easier have a brilliant idea, than it is to get a brilliant idea produced—particularly for television. Despite the growing number of exceptional nonfiction outlets, it can difficult to find just the right niche for your show. How can filmmakers discern what the people with the checkbooks really want? The answer should be obvious to any documentary producer: Just ask. We posed this question to highly placed television executives from HBO, A&E, DISCOVERY,TLC and NOVA in an effort to determine exactly what they do want to see in terms
The Toronto International Film Festival, held Sept. 9-18, has grown by its 24th year to become the most important North American film festival. It is really two festivals, both of them superbly run. The business side includes separate press/industry screenings, a business center that provides space and mailboxes for industry, a video screening room and business meeting rooms. On the civilian side, Canadian cinefiles line up as early as 9:00 a.m. and as late as midnight for films that range from star vehicles to no-budget indies. This year they packed houses for, among other things, Michael
As the next millennium approaches, the "International" in IDA is getting more attention than ever. Getting IDA ready for greater international presence at festivals and markets are board members Sven Berkemeier and Marina Goldovskaya. Over the past few months they've been working to develop additional partnership s outside North America and to increase benefits and opportunities for TDA members around the world. Sven and Marina welcome your suggestions on how IDA can continue to improve relationships and services to documentarians around the world. Already, though, their efforts and those of