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The Revolution Evolves

Not Afraid! — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:08:26 +0000

The Revolution Evolves… again.

From my first post on the Red and SI-2K to our own purchase of the Canon 7D of the DSLR craze, Sony beats Panasonic and Canon to market releasing the first large sensor Prosumer Camcorder. We’ve been clamoring for it since Canon, Panasonic, and Nikon added HD video to their DSLR’s and have been making do with ergonomics, but this and Panasonic’s upcoming AG-AF100 are going to change the independent and low budget film market forever… well eventually.

Unfortunately Sony is taking baby steps with this system. They were last to roll out HD video in a still camera, and still haven’t in their Alpha series DSLR’s. It seems we’re in for a progressive evolution in the NEX series camcorders as well. While it has an APS sized sensor and can take Sony E and A mount lenses (A Mount lenses require an adapter) in a true camcorder body, with viewfinder and built-in audio, they hobbled the system with no XLR audio inputs and 59.94 1080i video. Non progressive? No 24 fps? That’s a huge turnoff for filmmakers. You came so close Sony. With Panasonic offering those features, plus HDSDI with an incredibly adaptable Micro 4/3rds mount, I think they’re going to capture most of that business when they release the AF100 at the end of the year.

What’s really exciting though, missing features or not, they are listening to the consumers and bringing these cameras to market, which will only spawn more innovation and competition to the benefit of filmmakers.

These camcorders should force Canon to put up or shut up and update their HD Camcorder line with APS and Full Frame Sensored camcorders as well. But Canon, if you’re listening please learn from your competitors and make sure you offer professional audio features, HDSDI, 24P, and a robust codec like your new 50Mbps 4:2:2 codec featured in the XF camcorder line. Or better yet a true Red Killer using the open Adobe CinemaDNG Raw video standard. A fella can dream right?

King Kong 360 3D Opens!

Not Afraid! — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:00:48 +0000

My latest project, King Kong 360 3D Premieres!

Completed astonishingly, in under two years, King Kong 360 3-D officially opens today. A unique collaboration between Peter Jackson and Universal Creative, the attraction transports you to Skull Island for a showdown between Kong and a V-Rex who’d like to make you dinner.

Stories and Reviews about the attraction:

LA Times

USA Today

Hero Complex

Yahoo! News

FearNet

Theme Park Insider

I spent most of the last two years developing, tweaking, and perfecting the immersive 3-D projection system for the attraction, that includes 16 2K resolution projectors, unique lensing, and 2 custom compound curve screens that stand 40′ tall and 187′ long.

The first challenge was deploying a 3-D film to guests riding in a linear tram. This meant that most guests will be watching the film from an off axis position, a big no-no for most stereoscopic systems. Not only that, in order to have image 360 degrees around the guests meant having screens opposing each other, which opens up issues of light contamination from one screen to the other, or cross-talk as it’s commonly referred to.

To solve these issues, I first mocked the system up, in Howard Hughes Spruce Goose hangar in Playa Vista. Working with 3-D consultant Peter Anderson, and Electrosonic Systems , we fine tuned screen shape, texture, and gain to come up with a system that played to the guests off-axis viewing position, while mitigating the cross-talk. The system was also used by Peter Jackson, Weta, and the Universal Creative team to view dailies and 3-D tests which due to the size and complexity of the system, couldn’t be viewed any other way.

King Kong Mock-up System

Once complete we rebuilt the screens from scratch and moved the system to the show for integration. In the last few weeks as we approached the finish line, Peter Jackson, Matt Aitken and the team at Weta outdid themselves creating an amazingly beautiful stereoscopic short film that makes the experience. The original sound designer, Brent Burge and mixers Mike Hedges, and Peter Lehman mixed the 22 channel final audio in the space, which really made it come alive.

Now with all the technical challenges behind us, the attraction is open to the public, and the response has been tremendous. Standing in the back of the space as guests cheer, scream, and applaud really is the projects best reward. Eliciting that visceral, emotional response from the audience is what it’s all about, whether I’m making a film or an attraction.

To learn more about the project, I have embedded some behind the scenes videos provided by Universal, or you can watch them at the official website.

Delicious Destiny

Not Afraid! — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:30:56 +0000

Check out Not Afraid!’s entry into the Doritos Crash the Superbowl Contest, Delicious Destiny.

Spicy Nacho Chips, “Zen” and “Reluctant” discuss their lives, purpose, and destiny.

I didn’t learn of this contest until a week before the deadline, so this entire spot was put together from conception to completion in less than a week, and turned out to be the last project I shot on my Canon XL2 before going HD.

Written, Shot, Cut, and Directed by Paul Cuoco
Creative Consultant: Jeff Loach
Voice Talent:
Zen: Michael Musa
Reluctant: Steve D’Arcangelo

Glazed Remastered

Not Afraid! — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:39:31 +0000

Among the great response we’ve received from the re-issue of Inheritance, some of our collaborators and fans asked when Glazed may get a similar treatment. With the speed and processing power available to us today that we didn’t have then, we figured, why not. So we’ve completely remastered Glazed from it’s original source material realizing many of the color and visual effects we weren’t able to do first time around.

In addition to it’s new look, we’ve also updated the official website www.glazed.notafraid.com and created a Facebook Fan Page to help spread the word and hopefully enlist some new fans. So please become a fan and share it with your friends.

Enjoy.

Inheritance Now on DVD

Not Afraid! — Fri, 15 May 2009 03:45:25 +0000

As I mentioned last month, we have been working on a new Inheritance DVD, and today we are pleased to announce that it is now available on DVD in partnership with Create Space and Amazon.com. We know the film is available in it’s entirety on-line right here, but with the DVD not only do you get a high quality image with none of the web artifacts, you’re also financially helping to further the education of the holocaust, because all proceeds from the sale after production and duplication fees will be donated to the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust. Plus we intentionally didn’t include the normal DVD encryption that prevents you from making copies so you can freely make additional copies of the DVD to share with friends, neighbors, and strangers. It’s not about the money, it’s all about reminding people that this can not happen again.

Each DVD is only $10 and includes:

Newly remastered film from the original source files and enhanced for playback on widescreen televisions
Photo gallery featuring a sampling of Anthony Cuoco’s original photographs, including some not used in the film
Digital copy of the original screenplay and press kit.
No CSS copy protection. We encourage you to make additional copies to spread the word.

Please help us remind the world that the holocaust was real by buying a copy now through the Not Afraid! Create space store.

64 Year Anniversary of Buchenwald

Paul — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:29:14 +0000

64 Years ago today, April 11th, 1945, the US Army liberated the Buchenwald Concentration camp in Germany. 12 years ago, my grandfather, Anthony Cuoco passed on, and in the aftermath we discovered that he had been there. He never talked about it. We were never able to hear the details first hand, but through those pictures I began to dig and research, and the culmination of that research and his photos was my first short film, Inheritance.

The film was very much a labor of love, but much more than that I felt a responsibility to make sure this story was told. I had the tools, the training, the knowledge, and the proof.

My friend and producer Jeff Loach and I poured our hearts and souls into making the film happen. Jeff as the amazing producer that he is, wouldn’t rest until we secured Harrison Young our first choice to play my Grandfather.

The film debuted April 9th 2005 at the San Fernando Valley International Film Festival, just two days prior to the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Buchenwald. The timing was not lost on me, and I felt there was more to it than serendipity. Harrison Young, passed away only a few short months later.

Recently, I have seen a spate of blog posts, you tube videos, and other hateful communications saying that these concentration camps never existed. That the holocaust was a massive conspiracy. I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears, even though my research had told me that 17% of American’s don’t believe this happened, it seems that worldwide those numbers are even greater. For a moment I felt like a failure. That despite my best efforts, we as human beings are doomed to repeat these horrible atrocities. In the news, I see examples of ethnic cleansing still happening today and I’m sick to my stomach.

Then I received an e-mail from a history teacher in Bradenton, FL. He had watched the film online on IMDB.com, and contacted me to get a copy of the film to show is students, telling me that, “It says more in less than 10 minutes than I could tell them myself in 90 minutes.” I remembered, that this wasn’t the first such request. I had received dozens over the years including a man from Italy who asked for a transcript since the online version had no subtitles. While others can post world-wide about how it never happened, I can still provide that much needed counter-point.

So today, on the 64th anniversary of the liberation of Buchenwald, I am making the film available online for the first time in it’s full resolution via Vimeo.com. I will also be releasing the the film to the public on DVD in cooperation with Amazon.com, and will be donating all proceeds from the sale of these DVD’s to the American Veterans Association and the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust.

I know many have you reading this have seen it previously at film festivals, personal screenings, and on-line, but I urge you to please watch it again, then pass it on. Share the links, forward the e-mails, talk about it with your kids. As I wrote in the film, “This can not happen again.”

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Paul Cuoco

Mercy – Now Available on DVD!

Paul — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:28:05 +0000

Mercy Now Available on DVD

After a successful run on the festival circuit, MERCY is now available for purchase on DVD!

To celebrate the release (and let’s face it, to entice some of you to buy) we’ve cut together a new trailer! Watch it below or click through to Vimeo to see it High Definition.

The special edition DVD is available exclusively through Amazon.com, for only $10 USD. We’ve put a lot of work into putting as much entertaining information as possible into the DVD while simultaneously showcasing the work of some extraordinarily talented collaborators who helped make MERCY a reality.

First, watch the 14-minute mini-action-mystery-movie, featuring special effects, swordplay, and the “Breakout Action Star of the Year” as a sexy siren in a plaid skirt… and then experience a multitude of special features. THREE commentaries featuring director Tony Teofilo and actors Emilee Harris and James Pomichter, photo galleries, concept art, a music-only track, test footage, alternate scenes, and DVD-ROM features that allow you to download production art for your own use.

So please click through and pick up a copy, then head back to Amazon.com and write us a review to let us know what you think. If you’ve already seen the film at a film festival, private screening, or from a review copy, we’d love for you to leave a review on Amazon.com as well. The more positive reviews, the more likely someone who doesn’t know about Mercy might take a chance on her, and we want her story to be viewed by as many people as possible.

Thank you all for your support!

Simpsons Wins 2008 THEA Award For Outstanding Achievment – Attraction

Not Afraid! — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:20:23 +0000

The Simpsons Ride wins the the 2008 THEA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT - ATTRACTION. For those not in the know, that’s the equivalent of winning an Oscar in the theme park biz.

The awards are given out by the Themed Entertainment Association, a non-profit association representing the world’s leading creators, developers, designers and producers of compelling places and experiences.

From the press release:

The prestigious Thea Awards recognize and honor excellence in the creation of outstanding visitor experiences, attractions, exhibits and places,” said Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) President Nick Farmer of Farmer Attraction Development, Leicester, UK. “Truly international in their recognition of outstanding productions, the Thea Awards focus international attention on innovation within the Themed Entertainment and Experience Design Industry.” The Awards will be formally presented March 7, 2009 at the 15th Annual Thea Awards Gala sponsored by Economics Research Associates, a lavish, black-tie dinner event at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA.

As TEA continues to rise in stature – the association is an increasingly valuable resource to the entertainment development community and its many intersecting lines of business – the Thea Award becomes more prestigious. The Thea Awards Nominating Committee evaluated more than 120 nominations in order to recommend the current slate of 17 Thea recipients, with final approval by the TEA International Board of Directors.

Recipients – 15th Annual Thea Awards

Thea Lifetime Achievement Award: Robert L. Ward
Thea Classic Award: EPCOT, Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement (AOA)
Attraction: The Simpsons Ride, Universal Studios Hollywood CA & Orlando, FL
Attraction Limited Budget: BeWILDerwood, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
Attraction Limited Budget: The Forgotten Mine, Molenheide, Belgium
Museum: The Newseum, Washington DC, USA
Museum: National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, VA, USA
Museum Exhibit: Operation Spy, International Spy Museum, Washington DC, USA
Museum Exhibit, Limited Budget: Forces of Nature, Arizona Science Center, Phoenix AZ, USA
Learning Experience: Air Force One Discovery Center, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, Simi Valley CA, USA
Technical: Muppet Mobile Lab, Hong Kong Disneyland, China
Science Center: Audubon Insectarium, New Orleans LA, USA
New Theme Park Land: Jungala, Busch Gardens, Tampa FL, USA
Event Spectacular: 2008 Summer Olympics, Opening Ceremonies, Beijing, Chiina
Live Show: Finding Nemo, The Musical, Walt Disney World, FL, USA
Live Show: Legend of Mythica, Tokyo DisneySeas, Japan
Casino Attraction: Tree of Prosperity, Wynn Macau, Macau, SAR, China

I want to congratulate every member of the Universal Creative Simpson’s team in both Orlando and Hollywood, for all the hard work in creating a truly world class attraction.

More Than Meets The Eye

Not Afraid! — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:44:28 +0000

Universal officially announces my latest project, the Transformers Ride. Read the article in Variety for the information, or the press release at Superhero Hype as I won’t be giving out any other details.

New Kid on the Digital Cinema Block

Not Afraid! — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:24:41 +0000

Move over RED ONE and Silicon Imaging there’s a new kid in town. Ikonoskop a Swedish company known for small form factor 16mm cameras introduces an HD Raw digital film camera the A-cam dII

This small file based camera sports a Super 16MM sized CCD sensor with global shutter. That means no jello-cam on fast moving shots like you might see on the CMOS based Red One, SI-2k or even the Sony EX-1.

The camera specs from their website:

Image size	1920 x 1080 pixels
Format	Individual files in RAW sequences. DNG format
Colour depth	12 bit
File size	3,5 MB/frame in RAW
Sensor	CCD: 10,6 mm x 6 mm (Super-16)
Framerate	1 – 60 fps
Sound	2 channel 48 kHz
Timecode	5 pol. Lemo SMTPE
Video output	Monitor and HDMI
Data output	USB 2.0
Power	7,2 V in, or onboard Sony NP-F770
Lens	Ikonoskop 9mm f/1.5 cine lens
Body	Milled aluminum
Measures	222 mm x 91,5 mm x 83 mm
Lensmount	PL, Leica M, IMS and C-mount
Threads	3/8″ and 1/4″
Weight	Less than 1,5 kg incl. memory cartridge and battery

Special features:
1:1 pixel zoom in viewfinder while recording for checking focus. Histogram. Preview monitor on right side for directors and sound people.

The preliminary price is €6.950 (about US$9,800) and includes 1 battery, 1 Ikonoskop 9mm lens and 1 Ikonoskop 80GB Memory Cartridge.

I love the fact that they are using the open standard of DNG files (pioneered by the folks at Adobe) , though a workflow will still need to be developed.

This doesn’t get you the resolution or depth of field characteristics of a Red One, but is a great alternative for 16MM film productions, or low budget independents who still can’t afford a Red with all it’s required accessories. I’m glad to see the revolution continues. We’ll all benefit from it.

A shout out to Stu Maschwitz for posting first!

UPDATE: now with video: