Creating Digital Content : Video Production for Web, Broadcast, and Cinema [Paperback]

Brian McKernan, John R. Rice (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071377441 | ISBN-13: 978-0071377447 | Publication Date: September 26, 2001

Over the coming years more stations will switch to DTV transmitters, cable programmers will begin to offer wide-screen and HDTV signals via satellite, cable systems will begin to deliver digital television programming to homes, and non-broadcast applications from Digital Cinema to corporate presentations will explore ways these technoligies can impact their business. Much of the process of creating images for the screen will be similar to the processes of the past and many of the processes will be radically different. The purpose of this book is to provide a resource for the various production aspects of DTV, and, at the same time it should allow a discussion of differing techniques, ideas and approaches to DTV.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

JOIN THE DIGITAL PRODUCTION REVOLUTION!

Not very long ago, there was television, film, video, and other forms of moving imagery. Now, in the Digital Era, all of this is "content," a stream of bits providing superior picture and audio quality and options for HDTV, interactivity, e-commerce, and new ways to create and consume the world's favorite forms of visual entertainment and information. The digital content creation revolution is ushering in an exciting -- and a confusing time in TV, motion-picture, and video production. A new generation of affordable digital cameras and video-recording systems is democratizing the production industry with new opportunities for talented film- and video-makers. At the same time, cable, satellite, and Internet distribution are multiplying program-distribution options. Creating Digital Content presents a series of chapters written by industry-leading experts and journalists to help you understand this exciting new era, which is impacting everyone from corporate video professionals and major movie studios to local TV stations and talented digital filmmakers.Edited by two industry experts at the forefront of the content revolution, Creating Digital Content includes chapters on:

* Digital Cinema
* High Definition (24P) Production
* Streaming Media
* Datacasting
* Webcasting
* Interactive television
* Asset Management
* DVD
* Interviews with George Lucas and James Cameron
*And much more

Along with outstanding post-production tutorials, the authors also provide in-depth explanations of the new business models, revealing must-know information on surviving and profiting in a digital content creation environment.

At a time when clear and accurate introductory information on the technology transitions sweeping the worlds of TV, motion-pictures, and the Web is hard to find, this is THE guidebook for surviving--and thriving--in the digital content-creation age.

About the Author

John Rice (Philadelphia, PA) is a Senior Communications Manager at Sony and a columnist for Videography magazine. Brian McKernan (White Plains, NJ) is the Editorial Director of Television Broadcasting, Videography, and Digital Cinema magazines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional (September 26, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071377441
• ISBN-13: 978-0071377447
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,377,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Revealing Account of Content in the Digital Age, November 8, 2001

By 

tim wetmore (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creating Digital Content : Video Production for Web, Broadcast, and Cinema (Paperback)

This book reveals the true nature of the nearly tectonic shift in the landscape of content being caused by digital technology. Even as the editor of Digital TV magazine, I have not read a book that examines, in such a penetrating manner, and with such a dazzling collection of expert voices, the depth of this dramatic change and what it now means. Further, it reveals the implications for the future of creating and distributing content in the digital age. This book is a must for anyone who cares about navigating the new world of digital content.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Digital Revolution "Bible", October 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Creating Digital Content : Video Production for Web, Broadcast, and Cinema (Paperback)

This is a "must buy" for anyone interested in the digital revolution that is changing the way we communicate. It explains how camcorders, Avids, and computers have changed video, movie-making, web streaming, and how to become part of it. "Digital content" is really what video, TV and movies have become. You can re-use your video and audio in many different ways to better serve clients or create original programming. The book explains what's going on very clearly. Digital video is really computer data, so it's cheaper and easier to work with than "regular" video. And the image is better! You can produce any type of show for less money than ever before, and you can do more things with your video; stream it on the web, put it on a DVD disc, project it as a movie, or re-use clips for other programs. Audio and sound techniques are also included.
"Creating Digital Content" starts off with a funny story by Firesign Theatre's Peter Bergman that makes you realize how much digital video and software has changed the way movies and TV are made. Then there's a really interesting section on what "digital" really means, which is the most concise definition I've ever read. Really helpful is the fact that they go into specifics about the best equipment available... over 25 chapters all about computers, Avids, camcorders, memory, etc. which can be used to make HDTV, corporate video, interactive TV and yes, feature films! Whether you're at a local TV station, a production house, a university A/V department, or you're an "A" list DGA feature film director, these are the NEW tools that you must be familiar with and ready to use.
You'll understand how computers, software and camcorders have become the new ways to make TV, streaming video, and big budget movies. Plus amazing interviews with the giants in the field, such as George Lucas and James Cameron.
I highly recommend "Creating Digital Cinema". It's an invaluable resource for anyone seriously interested in video, TV, streaming, and movies, and at the same it's a great read.

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have, October 19, 2001

By 

Glenn Estersohn (Scarsdale, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creating Digital Content : Video Production for Web, Broadcast, and Cinema (Paperback)

For a subject rife with hype and confusion, the editors bring together articles that are by turns surprising, authoritative and laugh-out-loud funny. For industries with notoriously short attention spans, the book reveals the lessons learned from decades of failure and success in Interactive TV and digital TV and gives roadmaps to the future.