NCAA and NFL same package?

FOX Network's recent foray into college football is surely seen as gutsy. Why? Well, it appears that FOX is keeping the same production package as they have used in the NFL broadcasts. The methods are the same, the gear packages are about the same and the production is run the same as well. At first glace, this sounds great. However, I think that you need some separation of the two.  The college audience is different than the NFL crowd. They have different viewing habits, styles and allegiances.

Signing the PAC-12, Big-10 and C-USA shows they mean business. But, what sort of "business" do they mean? I happen to like the FOX NFL broadcast. I think they do a swell job, but I like having a separate feel to my Saturday viewing.

They must keep up though. With the SEC Network, Big-10 Network and the Longhorns Network, over-the-air networks have to maintain a high level of production. Perhaps, FOX sees the NFL as being so successful, so why not use what is proven?

The Saturday football needs it's own identity. Essentially, they are marketing to audiences that have vast differences in disposable income. This is really what's important. Because the marketing department knows who they are targeting, the rest of the company must follow.

This could be a lifetime game-changer

Imagine acquiring video images in a vector based format. This had been discussed in the early stages of vector development. Michael Phillips, designer of the industry standard Avid Media Composer, told me that benefits were weighed as to pixel to vector conversions would be had. Since Micheal has been a big part of the image conversation, he would know. As well, Alvy Ray Smith, the inventor of digital images, has worked for years trying to improve his product. Alvy was a founding partner of Pixar, and he has expressed to me some thoughts on digital imagery. Both of these people are Academy Award recipients. Their achievements in imagery have changed the motion picture world.

At the recent International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam, a group led by Bath University announced they have obtained patents on a new process. This new process eliminates the problem of pixelezation of images. Think of the effects implications. The ability to zoom images is exponentially increased. The amount of data able to be used is increased, but the gains far outweigh the possible negatives.  Having to depend on bits as the primary image display is erased, or at least altered.  Bit depth will not bog down computers. The computing power needed will likely remain the same, but you can just do much more with much less. With the increase in people capturing images in 4K, this will make all the difference.

I can't imagine how much easier it will be to composite images, or even work with images of "different bit depths." This has the potential to be as big as color TV being introduced. It can't be fully grasped yet, but this is just so big. In the coming 2-5 years, this will revolutionize how images are seen by everyone in every aspect of production and TV viewing. If you think regular 1080p looks great, you have not even scratched the surface of the potential.

Are you prepared?

Being prepared, or not. This seems to be the lesson of the day. When considering the advice from business experts, and I mean those that have actually had a successful business, my one big takeaway is be prepared. In business plans, having it all of the necessary information is being ready.

I somewhat noticed this from another expert I recently met with. A friend of mine was speaking to a group recently. She is a movie executive and deals with business plans of sort. Her sort of business dealings is when a movie is to be made; all logistics have to be planned. This is what she deals with day in and day out.

During this recent gathering, a future professional inquired about having my friend produce her film. I was startled at the question, but it wasn’t unexpected. What was unexpected was the response. The guest gave the audience member an opening. The reply was “what is your movie about?” The extremely lackluster answer (well, I’m not done with the story yet) was deflating to me.  When presented a potential life changing opportunity, the ill-prepared person could offer nothing in return.

This was my lesson, which coincidentally goes with this assignment. Had this person been ready, the opportunity ship could have sailed with the audience member aboard. This is like the business plan that is not complete. How can you expect a reader to judge your plan if it doesn’t paint the picture? The plan is just that, a plan. If the business owner doesn’t have a clear vision of the business, how can they expect anyone else to get one?

You must have a well-defined plan. This plan manifests itself on paper for people to read. A proper idea fleshing out is requisite for any measure of success.

Best practices of business plan writing

While I prepare write my business plan, I have sought the wisdom of those individuals that have mastered the art. I will share two of these people and what I've found to be good advice from well-versed experts.

First, I have looked at Elizabeth Wasserman. Elizabeth has written for Inc. Magazine and since I'm an avid reader, have seen her material. She is the Editor of Inc.'s technology brand. She lives in Washington (many think tanks there) and has over 17 years of experience writing for various publications and in many mediums.

What I took from Elizabeth was essentially that the business plan is your map. If it's a map for your business, it had better be a correct map. This doesn't mean it error free. What it does mean is that your map needs to have north, south, east and west correct and your direction must be defined. She writes about how it must be committed to memory. Memory doesn't need to have everything, but you need to have the vitals at the forefront of your lobe. Knowing your plan and that it constantly changes is the biggest challenge. Also, when you think you're being conservative with your numbers, reduce them again and don't be too optimistic.

The other expert I looked at is Mark Cuban. Mark is the owner of NBA's Dallas Mavericks, an investor on "Shark Tank" the TV show and founder of broadcast.com. Not only does he know computer technology well, he knows a great deal about successful business.

I've read his blog many times over the last handful of years. He is a big proponent of open-source anything. The concept is that many eyes looking at something can only help your business in the long run. With business plans of all types, you must have a clear vision. This vision is only better defined within the plan.

A couple of years ago he invited the public to post their business plans on the Internet via his blog. Then, if you fulfilled certain requirements, he would invest in your company. This is a very scary prospect, but I'm sure it turned out well for some people. Even if he didn't invest, the amount of readers giving feedback on the plans could have proved priceless. Of course, theft of an idea would be the most concerning. All said though, if you think you've got a tight plan, why not go for it? Showing your plan is very well done would be the component needed for investors.

I don't think I would have done the posting, but I certainly admire those that did.

NHK Super Hi-Vision at Olympics

This year, the 2012 London Summer Olympics (starting next week) will be the focus of the world. However, it will also be looked upon as a technical achievement too. NHK out of Tokyo will have a few broadcast sites across the world. The marvel is found in Super Hi-Vision, an 8K broadcast signal. This is significantly larger and has more resolution than HD movie theaters.

I’ve seen tests of this on a huge 100”+ TVs that has the capability of producing such a high end signal. It appears that Washington DCwill have the United States’ feed of this broadcast and will have a demo site set up.  The other sites seem to be in Tokyo and the United Kingdom. It’s likely that these viewing sites will have some sort of hi-res monitors. It’s been reported that a 520-inch screen will be made available as well as a 360-inch one as well.  I’ve never seen anything close to those sizes except the American Idol Experience at Disney Hollywood Studios. Even then, I’ve only seen high definition. This Super Hi-Vision makes HD look like a second step cousin.

This sort of technology won’t really be available for consumer use for many years, if ever. However, it explores the possibilities out there. This 8K resolution will require a tremendous amount of bandwidth. This issue really seems to be the limiting one. There is a finite amount of space, and it can’t be exceeded. Therein lies the challenge, compress it more. However, with compression, you bring upon more nasty looking images. So, the challenge is then, how do you compress a very high-end signal, then uncompress it so it looks like perfect. This is always the dilemma. Since we’ve gotten far with TV, we can really only imagine the possibilities of the future.

Canon EOS c300

The other day I had the opportunity to check out the Canon c300! This cinema camera packs a huge 4K punch. It seems heavy at 3 plus pounds, but still very easy to hold. I handled 2 configurations. The first was a simple setup in sticks with a feed going to a monitor. The second was a handheld ENG style unit with a basic lens and pistol grip attached. I must say that I'd like to see some of the accessories available, as going handheld would not be an option as is.

The beauty of the camera was in it's simplicity. Acquisition can be done in log format, which is very nice. The Suer35mm chip is amazing! The recording is 8-bit MPEG, which is OK, but I'd really like to see 10-bit. We were told though that 10-bit tests showed the camera got so hot, parts started to melt. So, until those issues get resolved, 8-bit it is. Also, the MXF option is terrific! It would be so easy to ingest this footage into an Avid system and begin the edit right away.

Another feature I like is the 2 card slot setup. They can be used as one, or separate, doubling record time.  I'd prefer to use my second slot as a safety though. We all know how temperamental computer gear can be. I certainly don't want to be the one to lose footage because of a simple failure.

The camera can be purchased as a PL mount or a EF one. This way, whatever lenses you have, your camera can use them. Just make sure you buy the right one. At about $20,000, you want to make sure you're buying the right body.

Check out these videos that were shot with the c300. These shorts are from Jameson Whiskey. The adult beverage company sponsored these short films, all of which star Kevin Spacey. Below is my favorite one. However, I'd have to say "The Ventriloquist" is a very close second!

Ad generating revenue?

Check out this video about logo usage and how they can be used. It's not family friendly at all, so don't watch this with your kids. This short film won many awards including an Academy Award.

Although this is not a real campaign, I thought it relevant when sponsorship opportunities arise. Now, when I think of marketing possibilities and corporate partnerships, I think of how often a logo is seen by the intended audience and how it's portrayed. This example was likely not welcomed by the companies here, but it' free marketing in a sense.

When a relationship is formed, there are many considerations. One such team I think about is the Orlando Solar Bears. They are a reborn franchise and are just about to kick off the new season. They have been seeking corporate partners that can get some good exposure right out if the gate. One tactic I noticed was more interaction with players and management. Season ticket holders will potentially be able to visit with them. I know this has worked for the Magic as a friend of mine has 6 floor seat season tickets. She meets with the team regularly and is exposed to many other "treats" as a top tier client.

This sort of fan interaction and activity is exactly what is needed. There has to be some amount of "buy-in" by the every day fan, especially the season ticket holders. This is where the right sponsors come in. Part of the whole experience is these sponsorships. When I go to an event, I need to be intrigued, or at least able to identify who is sponsoring the event. This is not so much for the product itself, but the consumer sees the brands identified together. Nike NFL jerseys or Spaceship Earth presented by Seimans; partners.