James Cameron and his producer Jon Landau will share a conversation about “Avatar” with attendees to promote a special edition of the movie on Blu-ray Disc at the third annual Blu-Con conference on Tuesday, Nov. 2 at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
The conference of industry trade organization DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group focuses on the current and emerging technologies related to Blu-ray Disc and brings together about 400 creative, marketing and business experts from across the entertainment and electronics industries.
Cameron and Landau will discuss why Blu-ray offers the best viewing experience of “Avatar,” as well as the state of filmmaking and 3D in general from 11 a.m. – 12 noon.
“James Cameron and Jon Landau redefined the theatrical movie experience, and are at the forefront of doing the same in the home with high definition Blu-ray,” said Mike Dunn, Worldwide President, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Secretary, DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group.
Last March the filmmakers engaged in a conversation about the first Blu-ray Disc release of “Avatar” at a media event, where Landau said an ultimate edition of the movie would be released on Blu-ray in November. A special edition of the movie with extra footage is being re-released in 3D theaters Aug. 27 for two weeks.
“Avatar” recently became the most successful Blu-ray disc since the format’s inception, and with influential voices like Landau and Cameron supporting it, we will see continued growth in record numbers,” Dunn said.
Special sessions will also be held on Blu-ray 3D, BD-Live and classic films on Blu-ray; along with the networked players and other emerging trends that are anticipated to drive Blu-ray sales in the fourth quarter.
The schedule:
8 – 9 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast
9 – 9:05 a.m. Welcome:
Amy Jo Smith, Executive Director, DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group
9:05 – 9:10 a.m. Opening Remarks:
Ron Sanders, President, Warner Home Video and President, DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group
9:10 – 9:40 a.m. Retail Report: Expanding the Blu-ray Market
Bill Carr, Vice President of Music and Video, Amazon.com
9:40 – 10:40 a.m. The Blu-ray Experience: A Conversation with James Cameron and Jon Landau
Introduction: Mike Dunn, President, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Secretary, DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group
10:40 – 11 a.m. Coffee Break
Coffee/Networking – BD Partner Pavilion exhibit area
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Presidents Forum:
Building on last year’s discussion, the home entertainment industry’s studio president leaders will discuss the current and future state of expanding the market for Blu-ray Disc. Two prominent business analysts will lead this candid dialogue, while also sharing their perspectives on the business.
Panelists: Steve Beeks, President, Lionsgate
David Bishop, President, Sony Pictures Worldwide Home Entertainment
Mike Dunn, President, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment;
Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment;
Ron Sanders, President, Warner Home Video
Co-Moderators: Michael Nathanson, Managing Director and Head of US Media and Telecom Equity Research, Nomura Securities; Spencer Wang, Managing Director and Senior Media and Internet Analyst, Equity Research, Credit Suisse
12:00 – 12:45 p.m. Setting the Stage for Blu-ray 3D
This panel will examine the creative and marketing challenges posed by Blu-ray 3D and discuss the various efforts underway to promote this exciting concept at retail.
Panelists: Kris Brown, Vice President, Worldwide High Def Market Expansion Warner Home Video
Jim Mainard, Head of Production Technology, Dreamworks SKG;
Dan Schinasi, Senior Marketing Manager, Consumer Business Division, Samsung Electronics America
Brian Siegel, Vice President, Home Audio & Home Video Group, Sony Electronics
Moderator: Marc Finer, Technical Director, DEG
12:45 – 1:45 p.m. Networking Luncheon Wilshire Ballroom
1:45 – 2 p.m. The BDA Perspective: An Update on the Latest Blu-ray Disc Developments
An inside look at the BDA’s various activities, including a brief history, working committees, ongoing efforts and new projects.
Andy Parsons, Chair, U.S. Promotions Committee, Blu-ray Disc Association and Senior Vice President, Product Development & Corporate Communications, Pioneer Electronics
2:00 – 2:10 p.m. Introduction to the Film Foundation Project
David Bishop, President, Sony Pictures Worldwide Home Entertainment and Vice President, DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group
2:10 – 3 p.m. Film Classics: New Opportunities for Blu-ray Catalog
Blu-ray’s unsurpassed picture and sound make it the ideal medium for archiving treasured film classics. This panel will highlight some of the latest BD restoration projects and examine the marketing opportunities for rejuvenating catalog sales.
Panelists: Jeff Baker, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Theatrical Catalog, Warner Home Video
Rita Belda, Director, Asset Management, Film Restoration and Digital Mastering
Bob Buchi, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Paramount Home Entertainment Sony Pictures Entertainment
Dave Shaw, Senior Vice President Marketing, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Moderator: Bill Hunt, Editor, The Digital Bits
3 – 3:30 p.m. Afternoon Break
Coffee/Networking – BD Partner Pavilion exhibit area
3:30 – 4:15 p.m. Platform as Portal: The Blu-ray Connected Customer
Blu-ray has become the most connected consumer entertainment platform ever. This panel will discuss the variety of interactive applications and services that BD players can support, along with the latest updates on BD-Live and Digital Copy.
Panelists: Jeff Cove, Vice President, Technology and Alliances, Panasonic Corporation of N.A.
Jeff Cowan, Vice President of Training Development, D&M Holdings N.A.
Tracey Garvin, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Marketing, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Robert Read, Senior Vice President, Worldwide High Definition Marketing, Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Moderator: Josh Zyber, Contributing Editor, Home Theater Mag
4:15 – 5 p.m. Blu-ray and Music: Storytelling Through Sound
Blu-ray is emerging as an alternative format for both concert videos and high resolution music. This panel takes a closer look at how viable this concept is in an increasingly digital world.
Panelists: Jim Belcher, Vice President Advanced Technology, Universal Music Group
Adam Sosinsky, Vice President, New Technology, Sony Music Entertainment
Mark Waldrep, Founder & President, AIX Records
Moderator: Marc Finer, Technical Director, DEG
5 p.m. Closing Remarks
Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and
Vice President, DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group
The day’s sessions will be streamed to the DEG’s sister organizations, the DEG Europe in London and DEG Japan in Tokyo.
For information on sponsorships, please contact Martin Porter at 516-767-6720 or at ideas@martinporter.com.