Simcha Jacobovici of Associated Producers catches up on his reading in Exodus Decoded, a 90-minute second look at the biblical story and new evidence that the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea and other key events actually occurred. The roughly $4-million project took six years of research and three years to shoot, and aired on Discovery Canada on April 16. Jacobovici cohosts the CG-heavy show with exec producer James Cameron.

While the integration of new media and conventional television has been a growing component of the last several installments of the U.S. National Association of Broadcasters conference and trade show, at this year’s event (April 22-27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center), it’s bigger than Regis.

Like last year, a major theme among camera manufactures at NAB2006 will be affordable HD, with companies such as Sony, Panasonic and JVC leading the charge. But according to camco reps, high-end systems are poised to generate the biggest buzz at the upcoming Las Vegas show.

Trying to plan your NAB2006 itinerary from the massive menu of panels, sessions and mini-conferences – not to mention all that occurs on the show floor? Here are five ‘can’t miss’ NAB events that will keep you up-to-date on the digital revolution.

Last year, Dave Cole, president of Toronto-based software manufacturer Specialty Data Systems, attended NAB for the first time with a small booth in a low-traffic area to get an idea of whether his company’s SDS eBroadcast system would be of interest to the market. This year he’s going back with a larger booth.

Leading post and animation/FX software makers are preparing to display their wares on the massive show floor at NAB2006. The result will be a buffet of new and upgraded systems and software for post practitioners, plus attempts to draw them to booths through a combination of star quality and cutting-edge eye candy.

There is some debate as to the reasons why, but the bottom line is that 2005 was a bad year at the box office, in North America and around the world.

Moviegoers may be getting their golf clubs out the next time a Hollywood blockbuster comes to town.

No one is better positioned to lead the charge in the D-cinema revolution now underway in the U.S. than Christie Digital Systems.

Putting its money where its mouth is, Cineplex Entertainment has announced that it will be building a new state-of-the-art 10-screen entertainment complex in Oshawa, ON. The 41,000-square-foot Cineplex Odeon Oshawa Cinema, slated to open later this year, will seat more than 2,200.

ShowCanada organizers are presenting two special awards in recognition of the event’s 20th anniversary.

Riding the wave of an Oscar win for Capote, Vancouver-based prodco Infinity Features is back at work shooting Butterfly on a Wheel, a psychological thriller starring Pierce Brosnan, Gerard Butler and Maria Bello – hoping again to turn out a world-class production that garners both critical acclaim and a profit.
Butterfly is a $20-million Canada/U.K. treaty copro between Infinity and Irish DreamTime.