*The other ‘Alliance’ unites mobile TV vendors

WIC Mobile Productions, with a cross-Canada network of facilities, has joined a consortium of small and mid-sized u.s. mobile tv vendors to help battle the major players in the mobile production industry.

In all, 13 companies from Canada and the u.s. have joined together under the umbrella of Alliance Productions (not to be mistaken for the Canadian prodco).

The new organization will oversee centralized booking and supply resources to sports and specialty producers across the continent.

Little Rock, Ark.-based Alliance will also supply individual members, each a part owner, with sales, scheduling and operational support.

*Studer unites North American operations

Studer, a leading supplier of professional audio equipment, has consolidated its North American affiliates.

Studer Canada, Studer usa and Studer Nashville have been folded into a new distribution company, Studer North America, with head offices in San Leandro, Calif. Studer’s Toronto office will not be affected by the reorganization.

The Swiss-based company says it made the move in an attempt to better exploit expansion opportunities across the continent and to help streamline customer service.

*Low receives SMPTE award for achievement

Renowned National Film Board documentary filmmaker Colin Low has been named recipient of the John Grierson International Gold Medal for significant technical achievements in documentary film production.

The award, to be presented Nov. 21 at the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers’ 141st Technical Conference, recognizes Low’s pioneering work in 35mm, 70mm, imax and omnimax formats in documentary filmmaking.

Among his many achievements in more than 50 years of work, Low was instrumental in the development of large-format productions, including ground-breaking experimental work at Expo 67 in Montreal and the first imax 3D production, Transitions, which premiered in 1986 at the Vancouver Expo.

The smpte conference will take place Nov. 19-22 in New York City at the Marriott Marquis.

*International Monitor Awards call for entries

The Association of Imaging Technology and Sound is accepting entries from the post-production and digital media industry for its 21st International Monitor Awards.

The International Monitor Awards recognize outstanding contributions by producers/ directors, editors, visual effects teams, audio mixers, sound designers, composers, colorists, 3D animators and graphic design/art direction.

The awards are presented in 18 categories and nine craft areas on projects that were produced or in post during the 1999 calendar year.

The early deadline for entries is Dec. 17 and the final deadline Jan. 28, 2000. For entry forms call (703) 319-0800.

*Disney installs ION system

Walt Disney Studios has installed an Integrated Operations Nucleus device control system manufactured by Toronto-based Soundmaster Group in its newly redesigned Stage A dubbing theatre in Burbank, Calif.

The ion system centralizes the motion controller for such technologies as the Tascam MMR-8 and DA-98 digital multitrack recorders, videotape players, biphase projectors and dubbers. Disney also installed a second ion system for dvd audio mastering.

Soundmaster designs, manufactures and distributes software and hardware solutions for the film and television post-production industry.

Soundmaster received an Academy Award for scientific and engineering achievement earlier this year for the design and implementation the ion system.

*Young Canadian filmmakers caught in Web

A collective of Canadian up-and-coming filmmakers – including Vincenzo Natali (Cube) and Scott Smith (rollercoaster) – has gone online to help promote their respective work and share a common vision.

Hoping the adage ‘there’s strength in numbers’ rings true from the World Wide Web, Fusefilm (www.fusefilm.com) brings together 15 young Canadian filmmakers who remain for the most part unknown but stand collectively with an impressive body of work.

According to information on the website, the group is responsible for ‘six feature films, over 20 international awards, 80 hours of television, 40 screenplays in development, more than $15 million in box office receipts, a two-picture deal with Miramax, more than 30 award-winning short films, 10 produced feature screenplays, over 60 international film festivals, and sales in more than 50 countries.’