This is where thoughts become things.

Hi, I'm Daniela. Welcome to my personal lair on the Internet. This is where I write about storytelling, activism, technology and pop culture. Sometimes I post videos. I update my lair when the mood strikes me. Follow me on Twitter for daily updates (@dcap).

Tag : fast-company

Stuff I Love: Coraline in 3D

Daniela & Victoria with Coraline 3D glasses

Coraline in 3D was amazing. My “little” Victoria and I saw it today at the AMC theater (at the Times Square location because I had to drop by work afterwards to handle some stuff for MTV Detox).

$14.50 per ticket is a little pricey, but if you can swing it I highly recommend it. I heard it was $10 in the Bronx.

The trailers by Pixar that led up to the film were also in 3D and I found myself cracking up along with the audience at the rascally little squirrel’s antics.

I had been eagery anticipating this film since I read The Knights’ Tale, a feature on Laika (formerly Vinton Studios) in Fast Company. Travis Knight, son of Nike founder Phil Knight, is working with his father to make the next great animation studio.  Coraline‘s development and the making of Laika is almost more interesting than the film itself.

But before I lose track and geek out further on Laika, I want to get back to why I started this post in the first place – Coraline reminded me that the wide screen, real life theater experience can never be replaced mobile and home entertainment devices.

As more people consume movies via On-Demand, download and streaming, the exhibitor/distribution market will need to continue adapting to an increasingly distracted audience. The good news is that people are always going to want to see films with other people, in a shared space, on a large screen – just in a different way.

There may be less major theater chains in the near future and ticket prices may continue to go up to compensate for less patrons, but as long as these changes  include a better theater experience for audiences, “going to the movies” will always include going to a theater – plus extras. You may be able to buy film while buying tickets,  submit movie reviews from your seat that display on a screen outside the theater and participate in other (new) theater rituals beyond buying popcorn.

I can’t imagine parting with the chance to escape the world for a while in a dark, chilly theater, lost in a story with a room full of strangers who are seeking the same thing.

Look Out, YouTube: Here Comes Facebook

Chris Putnam, software engineer at Facebook who runs the video team, talks about its new HD video feature.

Lowering HD cameras prices coupled with overall markdowns to lure shoppers means there is going to be a significant change in what constitutes a quality video viewing experience online, in a shorter time than you think. I’m talking months.

I’ll even make a prediction: By the end of 2009, HD will be the standard video quality for over 90% of all video content uploaded, not counting mobile uploads.

I remember when I had no problem watching an incredibly pixelated, frame jittery clip online because I was just happy my computer could support it. Those days are are long over and very soon people will expect HD as the standard for even amateur video content.

YouTube now supports HD and Vimeo was doing it long before. Vimeo is a noteworthy destination for many artists to showcase their reels, which makes sense. Why would you work really hard on a project and send video links to potential employers that show a degraded version of your work?

The next step, of course, is for HD mobile video uploading capabilities. Multiplatform producers like me will be able to get interviews with their phones in tight spots that will actually be clear and enhance existing reportage at the same data rate.

Side note: I love Fast Company (the magazine) and I hope their video content continues to grow in this direction. Perhaps make all content available on mobile devices asap?

If I had an iphone, and not the piece of crap I own now, I would definitely watch Fast Company TV on it.