Gateway Digital Cinema Supports the Premiere of 2 Indie Films

It is an acknowledged fact that the lack of financial resources and government support tend to put the development of Philippine cinema some step backwards. But this should not stop filmmakers, producers, and film industry institutions, companies, and entertainment-related businesses from helping one another for the improvement of our film industry.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Gateway Cineplex 10, and Colorwheel Media Studios present “Indie HD: Premiere of the Filipino and Korean Independent Short Films ‘Pera-perahang Lata’ and ‘Technophilia’ in HD format and a Discussion On Digital Technology in Indie Films Today.” Directed by Rianne Hill Soriano, the two films will be projected in HD format at the Cinema 1 of Gateway Cineplex 10 (Dolby Super Digital Cinema) on June 3, 2009, 6:30 p. m.

The two independent films share a common theme and treatment on factories – the normal factory setting reflecting various aspects of life for “Pera-perahang Lata” and the human factory effect of technology on people for “Technophilia.”

The digital technology of today can now provide more technically competent independent films. The lower cost of production puts a distinct advantage in maximizing resources for a more effective production workflow. "Pera-perahang Lata" is shot using the HD camera Panasonic Varicam with final output in HD. The film "Technophilia" is shot using 16mm film with screening format in HD. And these two films are privileged to be screened HD, not via a low resolution DVD projection, courtesy of Gateway Cineplex 10, home of two of the four digital cinemas in the country today.

HD is truly paving the future of cinema. The high resolution and mostly file-based filming in HD cameras make it easier for the footages to be utilized for post-production work. The file-based showing of films becomes a real advantage to film theaters as there are no more scratches and noises due to wear and tear of a 35mm print and there are no more possibilities for human error in rewinding and queuing up prints. A feature film normally has around four to six prints changed every 20 minutes (variable) of the film’s running time. Now, having things digital, the programming can be automated accordingly. And what the future can further bring is the easier transportation/sending of film files via satellite and other means instead of providing hundreds and thousands of film prints for a film that is “now showing” where every theater in the whole city, the country, or even the world should have a physical copy of the expensive prints. File-based systems in 2K and 4K resolutions also provide quality sound and visuals in par with what 35mm film projections can bring and even put the right subtitles for films of worldwide release. All these, in the long-term, entails lower cost than using film-based projections; thus making it more feasible for the Philippines to catch up with the technology in the global perspective.

“Indie HD” is made possible by the Gateway Cineplex 10, NCCA, Colorwheel Media Studios, Innovasia, Korean Embassy, Marikina Cultural Affairs Office, and NU 107. The premiere is open to the public. Email nordic.gift@gmail.com to reserve free tickets. First come, first served. You may visit www.peraperahanglata.blogspot.com, www.technophiliafilm.blogspot.com, and www.riannehillsoriano.com/blog for more information about the films.