One Woman Plus One Computer Equals Pro-Quality Films At Low Cost 

Using the breakthrough in software and hardware technology, filmmaker Alicia Dattner made a short film for a song. 

Dattner shot her short film on Super 16 mm stock (this format is often used for feature films by independent filmmakers) and then transferred it to High Density video (or HD, the same format George Lucas used to make Star Wars). HD is superior because it records much more detail than the Standard Definition (SD) used for regular television. (HD offers 1080 lines per picture, and uses the same frame rate as film -- 24 frames per second; compared with SD at 400 lines per picture, and 30 frames per second). "I used HD to maintain my film's resolution and the 'film look'", said Dattner.  

Dattner explained how the new technologies have been helping independent filmmakers to increase quality and reduce cost. "Only a year ago," said Dattner, "if you wanted to edit your movie on HD, you had to rent an HD editing system (at a cost of about $3,800 a day).  But last year, Apple released Cinema Tools, a software program that bridges the gap between shooting film and editing video on Final Cut Pro. This month, a new version of Cinema Tools has been integrated with Final Cut Pro 4, and it only costs $1000."

This enabled Dattner to take her 24 frame HD footage, convert it to 30 frame SD for "offline" editing on her home computer, and then expand it back to 24 frame HD when she finished editing, avoiding the high cost of renting the HD editing system until the final stage of editing.

"Renting a $100,000 HD camera wasn't an option," Dattner said. "I wanted to shoot on film, but edit on video." Dattner transferred the film at Retina, a new post production house that features San Francisco's only High Definition transfer facility with an IQ system.  "The footage is beautiful, and the resolution is incredible.  I'm spoiled for Standard Definition now," said Chris Martin, a colorist at Retina who worked with Dattner to transfer her film footage.  "I'm betting that HD will eventually become the standard.  Other formats don't come close to capturing the level of resolution film has", raved David Mallin, Dattner's cinematographer.  

"Comedy: The Other Black Gold", a mockumentary-style public service announcement directed by Dattner warns that funny comedic premises are dwindling, like a precious natural resource nearing extinction, and proposes innovative new methods of generating more comedy, for example, shock therapy. "It's heartbreaking," said Dattner, "to see these poor audience members suffer through the same tired jokes over and over again.  Their laughter rings out like tears of agony.  I just had to do something about it."  

The film features performances by local San Francisco favorites Joe Klocek, Bill Santiago, and Attaboy The public is invited to attend the film's screening at a release party with the cast and crew at the Odeon Bar in the Mission district of San Francisco, where the film was shot.  The  release party will be held at the Odeon Bar, 3223 Mission Street, San  Francisco, July 31 at 9 pm. The film is available from Dattner's website (www.monkpunk.org), which features still photographs, behind the scenes shots, out-takes, and screening information.