The art film company Picturehouse, which folded in 2008, will mark its return with the debut of an unusual combination of concert footage and scripted fantasy in “Metallica Through the Never” at next week’s Comic-Con in San Diego. The 3D IMAX film will be a loud re-introduction of the company as it looks to rebuild itself and make more films. Picturehouse is not generally known for music, but neither is Comic-Con. Continue reading Heavy Metal and 3D Movie Join Forces To Rock Comic-Con

The BBC announced it will take a hiatus from developing 3D TV programming based on the public’s “lack of appetite” for the technology. Kim Shillinglaw, the BBC’s head of 3D, says that British television viewers have not taken to the format, despite the fact there are now an estimated 1.5 million UK households with 3D TVs. As a result, the BBC is planning a three-year break from its 3D project once the current two-year pilot comes to an end later this year. Continue reading BBC Places 3D Pilot on Hold, Cites Lack of Public Interest

The bidding process for Hulu concluded on Friday and the Los Angeles-based streaming media company has reportedly narrowed down the list of suitors to DirecTV, The Chernin Group and Guggenheim Digital Media. Previous offers had reached at least $1 billion, people familiar with the dealings said in May. Some reports suggest that DirecTV may be the likely frontrunner, since the satellite TV provider could have the most to gain. Continue reading Hulu Bidding Concludes, Reportedly Down to Three Suitors

Netflix has launched a new recommendation service called “Max” that chats with users and plays amusing games to help viewers discover new TV shows and movies. The games center on genres and actors to help gauge user preferences. Available only on the PlayStation 3 for now, the Netflix blog reports that Max will be available for other devices in the future, with the iPad version expected next. According to Netflix, Max is “rumored to be the child of Siri and HAL 9000.” Continue reading Gamification: Max Wants to be Your Personal Netflix Host

During our CES coverage in January, we reported that Sony was planning to launch a 4K Ultra HD Media Player, preloaded with 4K movies from Sony Pictures Entertainment. On Monday, the company began taking pre-orders for the $699 device, which will be available this month (new 4K content will be added to the service by the fall). Those who purchase Sony’s 4K TVs will receive a $200 introductory discount on the media player. Continue reading Sony Takes Preorders on New 4K Media Player, Ships in July

Now in its ninth year, the Aspen Ideas Festival (June 26-July 2) gathers thought leaders from a wide range of areas such as economics, policy, environment, science, education, arts, global affairs and philosophy. Presented by the Aspen Institute and The Atlantic, this year’s event includes discussions on a number of compelling media topics. We’ve gathered some of the more interesting quotes from leaders in social media, film and television, online distribution and more. Continue reading Industry Leaders Share Thoughts at the Aspen Ideas Festival

Amazon Studios announced that it is expanding its call for original content to include short concept videos for development options. On the heels of green-lighting its first slate of shows, and launching its new Amazon Storyteller storyboarding tool, the studio is soliciting concept vids that offer compelling ideas for theatrical feature films. Filmmakers can submit videos up to 15 minutes in length in hopes of joining the studio’s film development slate. Continue reading Amazon Widens Call for Movie Projects with Concept Videos

The release of “Some Girl(s)” marks Vimeo On Demand’s first foray into day-and-date releases. The film was directed by Daisy von Scherler Mayer and written by Neil LaBute, who adapted the script from his own stage play. The film’s “path to viewers through Vimeo On Demand is a highly-visible milestone in the growing direct‑to-consumer distribution movement, as Hollywood and independent creators alike look to bring films to market with greater speed and flexibility,” suggests the press release. Continue reading Feature Film Makes Day-and-Date Debut on Vimeo On Demand

Barnes & Noble announced this week that it will stop producing its own color tablet e-reader, the Nook, in favor of third party, co-branded devices. The company’s decision may reflect a trend in the decline of dedicated e-readers competing with the growing popularity of tablet devices. Consumers are looking to tablets, which have more features and apps available, including e-reader capability, compared to standalone e-readers. Continue reading In the Wake of Heavy Losses, Future of Nook is Uncertain

During its CineEurope press conference in Barcelona yesterday, Sony described 4K technology as achieving “mainstream” status. The company screened a 4K trailer of “Elysium” in addition to a range of 2K and 3D clips (the company reports 15,000 installed 4K projectors), and detailed its plans to test 4K sports coverage at this year’s Wimbledon Championships. Sony also launched Theatre Management System Lite, its workflow management software for cinemas. Continue reading CineEurope 2013: Sony Details Progress of 4K Technology

RealD is launching a new large format brand, LUXE: A RealD Experience, with hopes of becoming the standard for premium 2D and 3D cinemas across Europe. The cinema technology company presented its LUXE initiative to exhibitors at CineEurope in Barcelona on Monday. The new packaging of LUXE technology standards for screen size, brightness, sound and seating could become a competitor to large format exhibitor IMAX. Continue reading CineEurope 2013: RealD Rolls Out LUXE Large Format Plans

A new report published by IHS researcher Screen Digest indicates that the conversion of theaters worldwide to digital projection is “approaching the end game,” with 90 percent of global screens expected to be digital by the end of 2013. By the close of 2012, 68.7 percent of all screens had been converted, with North America at 84 percent. The news comes one day before this week’s four-day CineEurope exhibitor conference in Barcelona, Spain. Continue reading Digital Cinema Conversion to Reach 90 Percent This Year

Hollywood studios are experimenting with a new business model in South Korea that offers movies through video on demand while they are still screening in theaters. “Django Unchained” was made available to rent online or via cable weeks after premiering in Korean theaters. A similar approach was taken with animated features “Wreck-it Ralph” and “Brave.” If the “super premium VOD” tests prove successful, they could impact how the studios view exhibition. Continue reading Studios Test Super Premium VOD During Theatrical Runs

Newly released statistics indicate that Apple’s iTunes and subscription service Netflix continue to lead the Internet video market. Earlier this month, we reported that Netflix held a clear lead in SVOD viewership over Hulu and Amazon for Q1. Yesterday, Apple announced that iTunes viewers are purchasing more than 800,000 TV episodes and 350,000 movies per day. Additionally, Apple announced that HBO GO and WatchESPN are now available directly on Apple TV. Continue reading Apple iTunes and Netflix Dominate the Online Video Market

Video discovery and viewing service Vdio, which was created by Skype co-founder Janus Friis, officially came out of its limited beta this week, making it available for anyone interested in renting or purchasing movies and TV shows in the U.S. and U.K. Vdio is available online and as an iPad app. According to the Rdio Blog, “starting today, you don’t have to be an Rdio listener to buy, rent and share your favorite movies and shows with friends.” Continue reading Vdio Comes Out of Beta: Offers Movies and TV Episodes