Look Solutions’ CRYO-FOG low-fog system is contributing to the theatrical magic of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” now enjoying an open-ended run in Mexico City. Four CRYO-FOG machines are used throughout the show as low smoke in forest scenes and around the castle exterior.

“Ten years ago ‘Beauty and the Beast’ opened in Mexico City with four liquid nitro machines,” recalls Nic Phillips, the show’s technical advisor and programmer. “It was the first big musical for the producers and Disney’s first in Latin America. When they moved it to Spain all the equipment went with it. Since then this production and it’s equipment has been touring the world. Now back in Mexico for the tenth anniversary, the producers asked me to replace some equipment, including liquid nitrogen low smoke machines which were actually dangerous.” more

Carlisle, PA, January 21, 2008 – RF Central, a leading digital microwave technology provider, is pleased to offer the new RFX-PMR-II portable digital receiver. The receiver is available in both SD and full HD configuration. The rugged unit offers exceptional performance for portable links and is designed for easy and quick set-up for ENG and field applications. In addition, it is weather resistant for broadcasts during adverse climate conditions. more

To view the spot and images go to: http://www.flickerlab.com/pr/stjoseph/

When a patient is first diagnosed, the options for cancer treatment may seem overwhelming. For “Many Roads,” a :30 animated spot developed through BeaconFey, LLC (Baltimore, MD), one of the leading health care marketing and communications agencies in the Mid-Atlantic region, FlickerLab‘s animation promotes the multidisciplinary care available from the Cancer Institute at St. Joseph Medical Center (Towson, MD). The spot begins airing in the Maryland region on January 21. more

New High-Speed Mini-SAS Storage Arrays Heat Up HD & 2K Production Markets

Santa Fe Springs, CA – January 22, 2008 – Proavio, U.S.A., a leading developer of storage systems and tools for digital media production, announced today the release of the new EditBOX Mini-SAS (MS) storage line. Designed for use with the latest PCI-Express Mini-SAS RAID controllers, EditBOX MS line integrates new features including a standardized cable type, industry-standard SFF8088 interface ports with professional locking connectors, native internal Mini-SAS system architecture and an overall increase in performance by up to 20%. Proavio’s leading-edge SAS/SATA technology guarantees the industry’s most comprehensive support for 3rd party RAID controllers including Areca Technology, Atto, High-Point Technologies, LSI Logic and Apple. more

Matrox and Adobe have joined forces to present a new seminar series - the Matrox Hardware Advantage for Adobe CS3 Production Premium. The free two and a half hour sessions will teach video editors how they can save time on every project, concentrate on creating their best work, and building their businesses. more

The Brief:
Version2’s Micah Scarpelli cuts this serenely beautiful spot for Smirnoff North, a new blend of the classic vodka flavored with Nordic berries. CD/Inferno Artist Kieran Walsh and Director Mikon Van Gastel collaborated to create the seamless melding of live action with intricate CG and VFX. A sweeping camera pan shows snowy glaciers, ice shelves, and deep blue water as the narrator speaks of a place so exquisite, the line between earth and sky is blurred. As we are drawn into this arctic Eden our tranquility is interrupted as a giant blueberry-skewered sword suddenly drops from the sky, piercing the highest ice cap. The utopia transforms into a cocktail glass full of the vodka, with mountains of ice and a garnish of berries…a new heaven to experience. more

Whether the situation calls for gelatinous germs, crunching car crashes or anything in between, the uber-creatives at Assemble can deliver the visual goods. The Berkeley, California-based band of designers, animators and artists is known for high-concept digital effects and design production on feature films, promos and commercials including Superman, Hollowman 2 and XBOX 360. The company was founded in 2005 by Asa Hammond and Mauchi Baiocchi, veteran CG and animation supervisors with tenures at The Orphanage, ILM and other top effects houses, and combined credits including Terminator 3, Sin City, Spider Man, and The Hulk, to name just a few. more

From Anonymous Content’s Integrated Division, 2 Sense Productions, and Awesome and Modest Productions come three comedic clips for AOL which are running as banner ads and viral films. Using word of mouth promotion from the online community, these virals have already found a niche and tens-of-thousands of views on famed public forum YouTube, and AOL Video. more

Over 150 Robe moving lights, 20 Robe StageQube 324 LT video panels and a Robe Media Fusion digital media server had a rigorous few days in the Live Action Arena at the “Autosport International 2008 - The Racing Car Show” event, staged at Birmingham NEC.

Engineered to quench the appetite of adrenalised fast car enthusiasts for pure speed, screeching tyres and burning rubber, the equally high performance technical production - sound, lighting, video and staging - was supplied by Network Productions. more

Captain Abu Raed by Amin Matalqa Debuts at Festival

Park City, Utah: January 21, 2008 … Captain Abu Raed, the first feature film entry from Jordan, will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2008. Written and directed by Amin Matalqa, Captain Abu Raed was shot on the ARRI D20 and finished with SpeedGrade DI. more