High Def Community Gathers For Another Educational Event

Burbank, CA: HD EXPO surpassed expectations at their last event, held on March 6th, HD EXPO: High Def Mardi Gras. Those interested in the field of high definition traveled to Gearhouse Broadcast to get that latest information surrounding the area of high def where they were greeted by a bead dispensing Carmen Miranda. “The evening served as an informational event for all those interested in the field of high def,” states Kristin Petrovich, Executive Producer of HD EXPO. With the attendees numbers growing, the need is there for more education.

As guests arrived, they walked through a corridor illuminated with projection logos of some of the event sponsors. With the walls serving as a television screen, passing through the corridor provided quite a visual show. Beyond the corridor, the event opened up to many educational opportunities. With two tents and a room filled with exhibitors, attendees had the option to peruse the showroom floor, listen in on the educational seminars, grab a Mardi Gras-infused cocktail, take a bite of a burger (compliments of In n Out Burger) and chat with friends.

Inside the educational seminar tent, attendees had the opportunity to gather high def insight from three different panels. With the first panel, “Independent Filmmaking – HD”, moderated by industry journalist Debra Kaufman, guests had an opportunity to watch segments of “Living in Walter’s World” (Director/Producer Phil Kaufman and Camera Operator/Engineer Keith J. Duggan), “QIK 2 JDG” (Director Melissa Balin and Director of Photography Joe DiGennaro) and “Quest for the Holy Porcelain” (Writer/Director Ari Eisner, Director of Photography Jay Holben, and Producer Michael Spenelli) and ask relevant questions.

The second panel was lead by Panasonic, a platinum sponsor, with a look at the soon-to-be-release “Hitters”, producer by Three Kings Entertainment. An Eric Weston film, the attendees were flooded with information on production values and techniques that Panasonic’s representative Doug Leighton as well as the film’s Director of Photography, Irv Goodnoff, and Director Eric Weston clarified.
The final panel discussion of the evening, “The HD Production and Post Production Process”, moderated by Carolyn Giardina, industry journalist, provided listeners with a dialogue between Robert Primes (Emmy and ASC-winning Director of Photography) and Josh Touber (Chief Operation Officer of Ascent Media Creative Services).

The middle area of the EXPO served as a hub for those in attendance with the opportunity to sit down and talk with their peers about issue relevant to them, issues that spilled over from the discussions and demonstrations inside.

Kristin Petrovich, Executive Producer of the HD EXPO, says, “Our mission is to create content-driven and theme-based events where both film and video industry professionals are entertained and learn more about HD EXPO related products, services, and issues.” Petrovich stresses that her focus is not just on informing attendees of the HD EXPO but also focusing on making the event an entertaining one that fosters and helps to creating a unique HD community.

Oz Publishing Inc., an Atlanta based publisher specializing in the development and production of directors and periodicals for the film, television, and visual arts industries hosted an advertising give-away at the event. Participants at the event were given the opportunity to drop their business card into a bucket with the hope of winning a full page color ad in the upcoming edition of Definition: The HiDef Sourcebook 2003.5. Charles Schner, a 24p Director of Photography was the lucky winner.

Petrovich is proud to announce the launch of HD EXPO Workshops. There will be five workshops in 2003, throughout the Unites States, including the use of Panasonic's VariCam. HD EXPO is currently working with other manufacturers to develop additional workshops and educational programs. For more information of VariCam workshops and other HD EXPO Workshops please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call (818) 842-6611.