The Spiderman Cometh: Turning Comics into Movies

On February 18, 2006, the Cambridge Center for Adult Education presents Ryan Evans of MIT Labs in a talk about this recent phenomenon:Turning Comics into Movies. Illustration courtesy of ArtFilmDesign.com.

V for Vendetta, the latest in a resurgence of comic books adapted for the big screen, is slated for release next year. As Hollywood continues to struggle to keep viewers watching, we're seeing more and more of our popular superheroes remade into movies, from Batman to Spiderman (and the less popular, more wince-inducing Fantastic Four and Incredible Hulk).  

On February 18, 2006, the Cambridge Center for Adult Education presents Ryan Evans of MIT Labs in a talk about this recent phenomenon: Turning Comics into Movies.

"At first glance, the comics medium and the cinematic medium seem like they have much in common," says Evans. "Each combines visual with verbal communication, each is used to address similar subject matter. However, comics present an artist with many avenues of expression that are not available in traditional cinema and vice versa. Any filmmaker trying to adapt a graphic novel to the screen has to realize that comics are a medium with unique storytelling tools, some of which will conform readily to the screen and some of which will not." 

Turning Comics into Movies will pay particular attention to the ways that the cinema can improve upon graphic novels and the ways in which it falls short.  Says Evans, "I want people to leave the talk with a new appreciation of how their heroes make their way to the big screen."

Turning Comics into Movies begins at 7:30 at 56 Brattle Street in Harvard Square. Cost is $5. For more information visit www.ccae.org. 

MOVING THE MOVING IMAGE: Come and experience what is sure to be a "moving experience."

Steadicam and Glidecam Operator, John Correira, will demonstrate these cameras efficiencies at February’s SMPTE Meeting, titled “Moving the Image” at the Charles River Studios at High Output in Cranston, MA. Photo courtesy of John Correira.

On Thursday evening, February 16th, SMPTE presents "Moving the Moving Image" at the Charles River Studios at High Output in Canton, MA. Refreshments are served at 6:30 PM; the presentation starts promptly at 7 PM.

If most camera movement starts with two Dimensional Pan & Tilt, then it normally proceeds to a lateral (linear) dolly move and then perhaps to a vertical (linear) boom up or down on a jib or a crane. This meeting explores three ways to make the most of the 3rd dimension of camera movement in a non-linear manner.

The February meeting begins with John Correira, a DP/camera operator from Massachusetts who often uses the Pro Steadicam(tm); the Academy Award winning (Technical Achievement) motion picture camera stabilization system designed by Garrett Brown in 1976, and the Glide-Cam(tm); another camera stabilization system for film and video cameras worn by the camera operator, designed by Martin Stevens in 1991.

Next, a look at aerial camerawork using helicopters with Rhode Island native Brian Heller.

(See IMAGINE May 05 Cover Story). Brian is a Director of Photography with a wide range of International production credits who will provide some insight into the creation of aerial moving images and how they integrate with a total production.

The final presentation is the 1995 Academy Award winning (Technical Achievement) Flying Cam(tm). This concept of "close range aerial filming", integrating a camera and a small remote-controlled helicopter, was initially developed by Emmanuel Previnaire as his thesis for the prestigious Directors Film School in Belgium (IAD).

For more information visit www.smptene.org. For map and directions visit www.highoutput.com

16th Annual Pro Video Show and 7th Annual Photo & Digital Imaging Show  

Friday and Saturday, March 10th & 11th at The Boston Marriott Quincy. 

It's The Camera Company's 16th Annual Pro Video show and 7th Annual Photo & Digital Imaging Show...where New England photo and video professionals and enthusiasts come to see, save, and learn. Show hours are 9-9, Friday March 10th and 9-5, Saturday, March 11th.  There's plenty of free parking and admission, as always, is free.

This year's show will be held at the Boston Marriott Quincy, located at the junction of I-93, Route 3 and Route 128 in historic Quincy's Crown Colony Park. Those wishing to stay at the hotel should mention the show to receive a discount. 

Show visitors will hone their skills in dozens of workshops and seminars geared to many different levels of expertise. These classes are designed to keep industry professionals or amateurs right on the cutting edge of today's rapidly changing technology. Workshops cover such topics as lighting, editing, audio, and more.

Attendees can see and try products from: Panasonic, Sony, JVC, Canon, Apple, Canopus, Matrox, Avid, Adobe, Fujinon, Nikon, and many more. Manufacturer's technical representatives will be hand throughout the show to answer questions and offer free seminars on product applications.  

There will be many opportunities to save on a huge variety of equipment; many specials only available at the show. 

For more information, including workshop and seminar listings visit www.cameraco.com

New Hampshire Hires Communications and Events Coordinator

Kristen Vermilyea Harbaugh of Concord has been hired as Communications and Events Coordinator for the New Hampshire Department of Cultural Resources, where she will be working with the various Divisions including the Film Office. Photo courtesy of the New Hampshire Film Office.

Van McLeod, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Cultural Resources is pleased to announce that Kristen Vermilyea Harbaugh of Concord has been hired as Communications and Events Coordinator for the Department, where she will be working with the various Divisions housed within the Department, including the Film Office, Arts Council, Historical Resources and State Library. She joined the Commissioner's office on November 28, 2005.

A New Hampshire native, Harbaugh comes to the Department having recently moved back to the Granite State from New York City, where she had a career as a producer, writer and actress.  Most notably, she starred as "Nurse Ginny" for 4 seasons on the NBC hit, "Third Watch. " Upon returning to New Hampshire late last year, she produced the independent feature film, STRAIGHT FORWARD, a Film-Noir thriller, shot at her mother's farm in Pembroke. She also stars in the film.. 

"We're very excited to have Kristen join us" said Commissioner McLeod.  "Her diverse experience in marketing, public relations, theater, television and film combine to create an extraordinary resource to help enhance our informational network for New Hampshire's cultural industry."

Battle for the Brattle

This is a Wrinkle story only in the fact that area venues that are important to the independent film community everywhere struggle for their very existience. There are good wrinkles and bad ones. This one is not so good. Many in our community are coming forward to support distressed entities. This event is one of the many; please keep your eyes and ears open as to how you can help.

The Battle for the Brattle and in this instance also for the Zeitgeist Gallery will be held at the Regent Theatre in Arlington. The evening features Robin Lane and the Chartbusters, Willie Loco Alexander and the Boom Boom Band, Dave Maxwell's Maximum Blues, the Twinemen, and more! 

Hosted by George Bush and Dick Cheney (aka co-conspirators Ian MacKinnon and Eric Zinman); the food is provided by Blue Ribbon Barbecue.  Mark this date on your calendar, Thursday, February 16, 7:30-11:30 pm. Tickets $25 ($20 in advance), with proceeds to benefit the Brattle Theatre and the Zeitgeist Gallery. 

The Regent Theatre is located at 7 Medford St. in Arlington, MA.  For advance tickets and information call the Regent Theatre at 781 646-4849 or 781-643-4488, the Brattle Theatre at 617 876-6837, or the Zeitgeist Gallery's Alan Nidle at 857 991-8448.

Support local independents like the Brattle Theatre - determined to stay at 40 Brattle St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge. And the Zeitgeist Gallery - determined to relocate to 186 Hampshire St., Inman Square, Cambridge. 

New Hampshire to commemorate 25th anniversary of ON GOLDEN POND

Actor,Writer, Director Ernest Thompson will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the filming of ON GOLDEN POND, the most seen and studied film of the last 50 years. Photo by Robert Pushkar.

The New Hampshire Film and Television Office, in partnership with the Squam Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Plymouth State University and the Laconia Citizen will mark the 25th anniversary of the filming of the motion picture ON GOLDEN POND in New Hampshire with a series of exhibits and events commemorating the state's long-standing connection with the film.

The exhibit will initially run from May 18 to June 8, 2006 in the Map Gallery of the State Library in Concord and will then tour various venues around the Lakes Region throughout the summer.

"People in New Hampshire carry a great deal of pride having the movie filmed here," says Matthew Newton, Film Specialist managing the New Hampshire Film and Television office. "Visitors are still drawn to Squam Lakes and its surrounding communities as a result of the film. It has become a solid piece of New Hampshire's cultural heritage. The hope is to have an exhibit that celebrates the effect of the film as well as to showcase filmmaking in New Hampshire.

The New Hampshire Film and Television Office is looking to compile stories and memorabilia surrounding the filming of ON GOLDEN POND, and the public is invited to participate by submitting memories, photos and other artifacts for consideration. Submission inquiries can be made by contacting Project Coordinator Kathy McAuliffe at kmcauliffe@library.state.nh.us

Celebrations will occur in New Hampshire beginning in May and at Oscar Night America in Boston on March 5th, a benefit for the Ellie Fund.

Viewpoint Creative & HBO: Going Mobile

Viewpoint Creative adapts HBO campaign visuals to the mobile format using simplicity and a bright palette. Photos courtesy of Viewpoint Creative, Boston/LA.

Viewpoint Creative recently completed the identity package for HBO's newest network, HBO Mobile. Scheduled to begin broadcasting internationally in early 2006, the network will carry critically acclaimed original programming to a new medium: mobile phones. The design conveys the outstandingly entertainment brought to you by the network that defines quality television, HBO.

"Our goal in creating this brand package," commented Viewpoint Creative Designer, Jonny Ouelette, "was to maintain a very simple and bold design that can be easily read on a mobile phone, but at the same time is fun and interesting. We achieved this through the use of a strong, basic and bright color palette and an energetic treatment of our graphics."

The identity package, produced by Viewpoint Creative in five different languages, includes network ID's, opens, next-ons and wallpaper. 

For more information visit  www.viewpointcreative.com