Month: May 2014

Gabriel Dusil • Q&A on Startups with the University of Economics, in Prague

2014 May 22 / / 1 Comment

 

Graphic - Interviews with Gabriel Dusil (dusil.com)

• Video

• 32 minutes 14 seconds

• Q&A with the University of Economics

• This interview by arranged by Cole Castellarin and recorded at the Visual Unity Global office in Prague, on the 6th of May 2014.

• As part of the course, Managing Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Turbulent Times, students were asked to conduct an interview with a local start-up company. The objective of the assignment was to gain an in-depth understanding of how these companies operate and grow within the business environment. Students were encouraged to seek out the obstacles and challenges that start-ups face, relative to their large multinational competitors.  Also to determine which sort of advantages that can leveraged, to compete with established firms into the future. Conducting an in-person interview with the management team of a start-up allowed the students to obtain first hand, practical knowledge on the topic of start-up companies – specifically within the hi-tech industry.

• Vysoká škola ekonomická, Prague (VŠE)

Logo - University of Economics, VŠE, Prague

• The University of Economics, Prague (VŠE) is currently the largest public university of economics in the Czech Republic. VŠE offers its students the ability to learn in many different fields, having six different faculties including: Finance and Accounting, International Relations, Business Administration, Informatics and Statistics, and Economics. VŠE offers not only a Bachelor’s programs, but also Master’s and Doctoral programs. Through the schools accreditation with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), VŠE has been able to establish a strong international presence, partnering with over 200 other schools across the globe, and sending over 700 students on exchange programs on an annual basis.

• Tags

2nd Screen, Broadcast, Cole Castellarin, Connected TV, Digital Video, Gabriel Dusil, Internet Video, Linear Broadcast, Linear TV, Multi-screen, Multiscreen, New Media, Online Video, Online Video Platform, OTT, Over the Top Content, OVP, Recommendation Engine, Search & Discovery, second screen, Smart TV, Social TV, Streaming Video, Television, TV, TV Anywhere, TV Everywhere, University of Economics, Visual Unity, Visual Unity Global, Vysoká škola ekonomická, VŠE

Entertainment • 30 Movies that Need a Sequel!

2014 May 12 / / 0 Comments

Attention, Fans of Cinema!

A lot has been written about Hollywood running out of original ideas.  In fact, it may be argued that this has already been partially addressed with the Hollywood “black list”, which started back in 2004 –  It’s a publication of the top 100 screenplays yet to be produced.

This blog post rather focuses on what Hollywood loves to do best – producing remakes and sequels. And I’m fine with that.  Maybe the following list of 30 movies (not counting follow-on sequels to round out trilogies, and such) will help guide the big-wigs in right direction. Mind you, I’m not privy to the politics, copyright tie-ups, or industry in-fighting related to the background of releasing these movies. So, apologies to those in-the-know if my list is a no-brainer, or already in pre-production (some in fact, already are planned to be released shortly).  If that is the case, then consider this post as affirmation that producers are on the right track.

…I take that back… no apologies from my side!  I’m just another humble movie lover, just like you (if you a reading my post).  I love being immersed in a great story, on a THX certified 15 meter screen with 22.2 surround sound, chowing down on popcorn that has been marked-up by 3,000%!

So here we go…  This is my collection of great movies that seriously need to be remade, or at least get green-lit for a sequel immediately – for no other reason than they were awesome, and are due for some serious modern-day production infusion. Have I missed anything? Chime in with your comments below.

Heroes

City Hunter (1993)

 This movie was my introduction to Jackie Chan. Back in 1993, when I first moved to Prague, I went to the movies with my friend Rob Fridrich, deep in the suburbs of Prague, in an aging shopping mall. We were planing to see something totally different, and found ourselves sitting and watching City Hunter. We decided to give it 10 minutes – If we didn’t like it we would leave.  It was initially difficult to overcome the quirky English dubbing, but after that it was a wild ride through to the end, and the experience created two more life-long Jackie Chan fans. I just can’t figure out why he didn’t make a whole bunch of these.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0451279/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

Wonder Woman (TBD)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0217869/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Unbreakable (2000)
What’s taking so long!? Was Megan Fox asking for too much money? Just pay her what she wants, and make the film, so that my expectation-anxiety can be put to rest.  Anyway, it seems that something is already in the works. I wait with baited anticipation. Both Samuel L. Jackson and Bruce Willis are at their best as villain and hero.  With Night (we’re on a middle name basis) not able to pull off the same level of brilliance in his recent pictures, maybe a sequel is in order, no?

 

Thriller

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289043/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

28 Days Later (2002 & 2007)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1259521/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Cabin in the Woods (2011)
Please do “28 months Later”.  This then leaves room for “28 Years later”, to round out a beautifully constructed quadrilogy. This movie was simply brilliant! It redefined the horror genre for many people.  I can only hope that they will do a series of prequels and/or sequels.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1228987/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Let Me In (2010)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1029234/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Martyrs (2008)
In fact, I loved the Swedish original “Let the Right One In” better than this one. Regardless, I think there is a lot of scope to turn this into a franchise. Granted, this is a very hard movie to watch.  But for the torture-porn genre, it’s a giant amongst men. The story-line is Hostel-esque, and deserves the same trilogy treatment.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1187064/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Triangle (2009)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0905372/?ref_=nv_sr_2

The Thing (1982 & 2011)
This is such a completely mind-blowing film. I’m surprised it hasn’t resulted in a franchise already. Prequel, sequel, remake! I don’t care!  Just make another one, two, or three more of these, please.

Drama & Suspense

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091635/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_33

9½ Weeks (1986)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266308/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Battle Royale (2000 & 2003)
Who, in my x-Generation, didn’t fall in love with Kim Basinger, and want to be cool like Mickey Rourke when this movie first came out? I think that a remake would be a real treat for the Millennial generation. Who’s with me? I had such an adrenaline rush when I saw this the first time ’round.  I think it would be an awesome Hollywood remake for today’s American audience.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119174/?ref_=nv_sr_1

The Game (1997)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080120/?ref_=fn_al_tt_5

The Warriors (1979)
This is another example of great story telling, with David Fincher at the helm.  I can’t figure out why they didn’t franchise this one, as well. I saw this in my teens, and it was riveting at the time.  I think it should be redone as a Mixed Martial Arts movie.  MMA fans chime in and let’s start a petition!

Historical

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075572/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4

Roots (1977)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172495/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Gladiator (2000)
Now that 12 Years a Slave won the best picture Oscar in 2014, maybe the world is ready for a reboot of this Alex Haley epic novel?  Looks like it may already be in the works… How many times does Ridley Scott have to be asked in an interview if he will make a prequel/sequel to Gladiator, before he finally gives in? I think it’s Russell Crowe‘s Magnum Opus.

Fantasy

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416449/?ref_=nv_sr_2

300 (2006)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101272/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4

Addams Family (1991 & 1993)
The sequel is already in the theaters as I write this blog post. I’m just hoping for a trilogy. Rodrigo Santoro as Xerxes stole the show, in my opinion! OK, I know that the brilliant Raul Julie died in 1994 (RIP), preventing this franchise from continuing. But there must be another way!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0448157/?ref_=nv_sr_1 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1498780/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Hancock (2008 & TBD)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0489099/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Jumper (2008)
We should have already seen this as a trilogy… like… a long time ago! Am I right?  What’s up with that? Will Smith was awesome.  This is another obvious trilogy in my view. IMDB is indicating that something is in the works… sigh! What happened to this story? I thought it was an obvious candidate for a sequel.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120737/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Lord of the Rings (2001, ’02, ’03)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117038/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Michael (1996)
I’m not talking about the Hobbit trilogy. Once they make a billion US$ from that, then please keep going and bring Silmarillion to the big screen. I understand that it will probably need some serious rewriting, but I’m confident that the artistic collective of Hollywood, and the Shire, can pull it off. John Travolta did a great job as a convincing angel.  There seems to be a lot of scope for many more angel movies.  How about “Gabriel”. Maybe I just have an affinity to angel movies 🙂 Wink Wink Nudge Nudge.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1663662/?ref_=nv_sr_1 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2557478/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Pacific Rim (2013 & TBD)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822847/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Priest (2011)
My boys and I loved this movie. Guillermo del Toro did an wicked job of bringing great characters together in this Godzilla + Transformers theme. Paul Bettany was fantastic in this flick. Please make it into a trilogy! Vampires in a dystopian future! What’s better than that?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113497/?ref_=nv_sr_1 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2283362/?ref_=nv_sr_3

Jumanji (1995 & TBD)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0253556/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Reign of Fire (2002)
Seems that something may be in the works. They buried the game at the end of the movie, for f’s sake! A sequel is a no-brainer. Bring back all the original cast, …even if they’re just cameos… pretty please! One of Christian Bale‘s pre-A-list movies.  I loved the dystopian + dragon story line.  This is one of the few live action dragon movies that I like.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458481/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Sin City (2004 & 2014)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0122718/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Small Soldiers (1998)
I know we are in for another one this year.  I just hope that Robert Rodriguez keeps making more of them. Wouldn’t today’s CGI be awesome for this story? I think it’s due for a long overdue reboot. Lots of scope here. Message to Hollywood: “It’s Toy Story on steroids!”

 

SiFi

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114746/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

12 Monkeys (1995 & 2014)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1731141/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Ender’s Game (2013)
This is early Brad Pitt as a crazy dude. Unforgettable!  Definitely scope for as sequel. What are you guys in Hollywood waiting for?  Can I help in any way?  Just give me a call… Something is in the works,… maybe? OK, I don’t know what Hollywood will do with this one, but there are six books in the series, right? Besides the fact that the poor kid has ‘ass’ and ‘butt’ in his name,… never mind… Asa Butterfield was brilliant! …I digress…
This movie is simply epic.  Best performances ever from Ethan Hawke and Jude Law.  I would love to see this as a mini-series.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119177/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Gattaca (1997)

 

OTT & Multiscreen • Entertainment Challenges in Today’s Digital Society • 6 • Transcoding Challenges with H.265 HEVC & 4K UHD.

2014 May 1 / / 3 Comments

13.Nov.20 - Entertainment Challenges in Today’s Digital Society (title)

• Video

• 2 minutes 46 seconds

6. Transcoding Challenges with H.265 HEVC & 4K UHD

• The video quality of entertainment is constantly improving, while viewing behavior is changing rapidly as well. H.265 (otherwise known as High Efficiency Video Coding, or HEVC) promises double the amount of video with the same bandwidth compared to H.264. Or viewed from a different perspective, video will be transmitted at half the bandwidth compared to H.264.

H.265 is becoming synonymous with 4K (4096×2160) and UHD (3840×2160). And true 4K from a broadcast perspective is becoming synonymous with HDMI 2.0. These three technologies need to converge to bring consumers to the next level in digital video.

The foundations of the H.265 standard were finalized over different stages throughout 2013, but it will still take time before consumers see this codec supported in consumer electronics. In addition, the industry still has to learn how to optimize the quality of compressed content so that it is bandwidth efficient, while still maintaining consistent high quality. Even though H.265 promises 50% efficiency, we’re not there yet as early tests reveal compression efficiencies to be between 15% and 35%. Bandwidth efficiency also translates to lower storage requirements which will be a welcome improvement for cloud service providers.

Figure i - H.264 vs. H.265 - Encoding Time

Figure i – H.264 vs. H.265 – Encoding Time

At the moment, encoding in H.265 is expected to take ten times longer than H.264 at the same frame size, so this will initially be a burden to encoding and transcoding services at the ingest stage. But this metric doesn’t tell the whole story.  H.265 encoding should also be understood from the context of 4K encoding and higher color bit depth.  Figure i attempts to show the encoding burden against time, represented along the horizontal axis[1].

When 4K becomes mainstream, and with 4K frames at four times the size of HD frames, it is estimated that encoding will take 40x longer than today’s HD @ H.264. That’s assuming we’ll be happy with 8-bit encoding (typically found in Blu-Ray and DVD movies). Time will tell whether the industry will accept 8-bit at 4K. It’s also possible that 10-bit will be synonymous with 4K, or maybe even 12-bit as the technology matures.

Time will tell…

 

[1] These are just estimates, and have not yet been lab tested.

• Entertainment Challenges in Today’s Digital Society

•?  Check out additional thought leadership answers to the entertainment challenges in today’s digital society:

1. Is 2nd Screen a threat to broadcasters? What are the challenges for OTT moving forward?

https://mykoddi.com/dusilcom/2013/12/24/entertainment-challenges-in-todays-digital-society-i-of-vii/

2. How will 4K be adopted by consumers?

https://mykoddi.com/dusilcom/2014/01/13/entertainment-challenges-in-todays-digital-society-ii-of-vii/

3. Is there a future for 4K video in broadcast?

https://mykoddi.com/dusilcom/2014/02/10/entertainment-challenges-in-todays-digital-society-iii-of-vii/

4. How is OTT evolving, and what’s in store for subscribers?

https://mykoddi.com/dusilcom/2014/02/26/entertainment-challenges-in-todays-digital-society-iv-of-vii/

5. How is digital video affecting global communications?

https://mykoddi.com/dusilcom/2014/03/27/entertainment-challenges-in-todays-digital-society-v-of-vii/

• Synopsis

•  Understanding the entertainment market from ten thousand meters helps industry executives make strategic decisions. This leads to tactical initiatives that drive innovation, new services, and revenue growth. This Q&A series takes a top level view of today’s digital landscape and helps decision makers navigate through the latest technologies and trends in digital video. Gabriel Dusil, Chief Marketing & Corporate Strategy Officer from Visual Unity, discusses the ongoing developments in Over the Top (OTT) services, how these platforms are helping to shape today’s digital society, and addresses the evolving changes in consumer behavior. Topics include 2nd Screen, 4K Ultra High Definition video, H.265 HEVC, global challenges surrounding content distribution, and the future of OTT.

• About Gabriel Dusil

Home - Signature, Gabriel Dusil ('12, shadow, orange)

• Gabriel Dusil is the Chief Marketing and Corporate Strategy Officer at Visual Unity, with a mandate to advance the company’s portfolio into next generation solutions and expand the company’s global presence. Before joining Visual Unity, Gabriel was the VP of Sales & Marketing at Cognitive Security, and Director of Alliances at SecureWorks, responsible for partners in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Previously, Gabriel worked at VeriSign and Motorola in a combination of senior marketing and sales roles. Gabriel obtained a degree in Engineering Physics from McMaster University in Canada and has advanced knowledge in Online Video Solutions, Cloud Computing, Security as a Service (SaaS), Identity and Access Management (IAM), and Managed Security Services (MSS).

• Tags

• 2nd Screen, 4K, Broadcast, Connected TV, Digital Rights, Digital Video, DRM, Gabriel Dusil, H.264, H.265, HEVC, Internet Video, Linear Broadcast, Linear TV, Multi-screen, Multiscreen, New Media, Online Video, Online Video Platform, OTT, Over the Top Content, OVP, Recommendation Engine, Search & Discovery, Search and Discovery, second screen, Smart TV, Social TV, TV Everywhere, UHD, Ultra HD, Ultra High Definition, Visual Unity