With the explosive changes in media—the expansion of the internet, portable media players and the decline of the magazine and newspaper business—we have seen many multimedia ideas for new communication technologies. Here’s a look at one of them.

We’re currently witnessing a trend towards still and motion images merging. On the image capture side, just think of how HDSLR cameras are changing the landscape of HD filmmaking. On the distribution side, billboards that spring to life have already debuted in the London Tube. In fact, the “Living Magazine”, where moving images are integrated into a lightweight, flexible and inexpensive display, are no longer the stuff of sci-fi fantasy – they may only be a few years away! OLED technology is a promising platform for this type of media.

Recently Outside magazine explored the possibilities, when they shot their cover in both standard print and Living Magazine formats. Visit Living Art Media, for a fascinating look at how this technology could evolve in the near future. Check out the video and accompanying article.

CamTec’s Kavon Elhami with Phantom HD Cameras.

CamTec, the Burbank based cine equipment rental house, recently took delivery of the 100th Phantom HD camera manufactured by Vision Research. The milestone 100th camera is a Phantom HD GOLD, the step-up model to the industry standard Phantom HD.

Founded in 1990, CamTec is a boutique rental house, specializing in “new generation” cine equipment. They pride themselves on their fleet of meticulously maintained, top-flight cameras. Kavon Elhami, owner of CamTec, noted that this is actually their second Phantom HD. CamTec made the decision to purchase another Phantom HD, thanks to high customer demand and the camera’s excellent performance record. He cited the beautiful film-like images, reliability and ergonomics of the camera among the reasons for its success.

The full press release on CamTec’s Phantom HD acquisition is available on Vision Research’s website.

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On Thursday, August 27th, Abel presented an Emerging Technology Workshop to a full house at our New York City office. The event, produced in cooperation with HD Expo / Createasphere, focused on a new generation of affordable and flexible acquisition tools.

In the first session, Andy Shipsides gave an overview of two new solid-state JVC cameras, the HM700 and HM100. A highlight of this session was the screening of footage by Director of Photography Don Lenzer from Children of Abraham, a recent documentary shot with the HM700. Smokey Forester, the project’s producer, was in attendance.

Andy and AJA’s Jay Ignaszewski then unveiled the very first AJA Ki Pro off the production line! The session highlighted ProRes recording and other breakthrough capabilities of this anxiously awaited device. Andy and Jay also discussed the creative impact Ki Pro can have when used on compact, as well as larger format, cameras.

To round out the evening, Andy teamed up with Jem Schofield, of theC47.com, to discuss how HDSLR cameras are changing the landscape of HD video. Jem and Andy delved into the specifics of a couple of these HDSLRs, namely the Canon 5D Mark II and the Panasonic Lumix GH1, and showed off some of the accessories designed to make the most of their video capabilities.

The workshop ended with an informal hands-on session. Attendees were able mingle, play with the gear and chat with the manufacturer reps.

Left to Right: DP Peter Nelson, Adman George Lois, and Director Doug Pray. (Credit: Michael Nadeau)

Have you ever wondered how the most famous ad campaigns, such as “Just Do It,” “Where’s The Beef?,” and “Think Different”, were born? In the new film Art & Copy, director Doug Pray explores the work of some of the most influential advertising creatives of our time – people who have impacted our culture, though they are barely recognized outside their field.

Longtime Abel friend and client Peter Nelson was the Director of Photography on the project, working with the Panasonic Varicam 27H to allow for the more polished approach the director was aiming for. Pray and Nelson, along with editor Philip Owens, strove to avoid the more grainy, hand-held vibe, choosing instead to focus on what fueled the creatives’ inspiration.

Art & Copy is an official selection of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and the Toronto Hot Docs Festival, as well as the winner of Best Director, Documentary at the Atlanta Film Festival. It opens in select cities today. For more information, please visit the official site: ArtAndCopyFilm.com.

No Woman, No Cry. More than just a Bob Marley song, it is also the name of Christy Turlington’s new documentary on the issue of maternal mortality. Best known for being one of the top supermodels of the ‘90s, Turlington has shifted her focus to social activism. The film seeks to raise awareness and inspire others to get involved by telling the stories of dedicated individuals working around the world to lower maternal mortality rates.

Working with Turlington on this project is her friend Dallas Brennan Rexer, Producer of the Emmy-nominated Deadline and the wife of long-time Abel friend & client Will Rexer. The Director of Deadline, Kirsten Johnson is also on board as the Director of Photography. Abel’s Mitch Gross and NY Rental Manager Daniel Gurzi worked closely with Rexer and Johnson, providing technical advice on equipment and workflow.

Turlington’s production company, Turly Pictures, rented the Panasonic HDX900 for use on the documentary. The camera’s versatility and image quality made it the perfect choice for shooting in far-flung locations such as Bangladesh, Tanzania and Guatemala. Additionally, the project was one of the first to rent the Cam-Wave, allowing them to have wireless uncompressed HD transmission in a lightweight, camera-mounted solution.

No Woman, No Cry is slated for a theatrical release in 2010 to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the Millennium Development Goals, goals established by the United Nations as part of a global agenda to reduce poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy and discrimination against women. For more information on the documentary and the issue of maternal mortality, visit ChristyTurlington.com.

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On Saturday August 1, colleagues from Abel Cine Tech Burbank and I presented the Phantom HD high-speed digital camera at the Directors Guild in Hollywood, as part of the DGA’s annual “Digital Day”. This year’s event was named “Digital on a Dime: Create Your Own Stimulus Package”. DGA members attended seminars, watched screenings and visited exhibits, which were set up in the lobby of the Directors Guild headquarters on Sunset Blvd.

Abel’s Phantom exhibit included an interactive display where visitors were asked to break a water balloon inside an empty aquarium, then watch the super slow motion 1,000 frame per second playback shot on the Phantom camera and recorded on the Phantom CineMag. “Wow!” was the general reaction of those who saw the water momentarily hold the balloon shape, then slowly fall into thousands of droplets.

Phantom HD footage from commercials and other projects, was shown in Theater Two at the Directors Guild, along with footage from other digital cameras. We heard many complimentary comments about the Phantom HD images and how they “popped” in comparison with other cameras.

Pictured in the gallery above demonstrating the Phantom HD and answering questions, is the team from Abel Cine Tech Burbank. They are Service Tech, Juliet Verni; Digital Cinema Specialist, Sean Coles; and head of West Coast Production Sales, Jerrod Haarstad.

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When the producers of ABC’s hit show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition contacted Ron Ayers of Abel LA about donating camera equipment to a teen who dreams of a career as a TV news reporter, he was happy to help out.

Abel contributed a Sony HVR-S270U HDV camera and secured donations of a Miller tripod and dolly and a Switronix power package. The team at EM:HE created a fabulous TV studio for Domonique McFarland using this equipment. We hope Domonique enjoys using the gear and wish him best of luck in his career.

You can see additional photos of the house and TV studio on the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition website.