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MARCH 2008

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03/11/08       PMC recently posted an interview with Outlander composer Geoff Zanelli about why he chose their speakers as his studio monitors.  Of course Outlander gets a brief mention.  PCM is “a UK based, world-leading manufacturer of professional monitor and audiophile speaker systems  (PMC stands for Professional Monitor Company). You can read the entire interview here.  It’s an insightful look into the process of scoring a film.

         Zanelli cites three primary reasons for his purchase of PMC monitors. “Firstly,” he confides, “I wanted to clear up translation issues between my composition process and the final film mix - to have my writing room be a closer representation of the way in which audiences will hear my scores in movie theaters. Secondly, I wanted to be able to handle the size of my studio - approximately 500 square feet - without feeling a lack of power in the back of the room, where the filmmakers sit. And thirdly, I wanted to use the same PMC speakers we use in our final mix studio; I loved the sound in there and wanted it for my writing room! The installation process was very simple and provided immediate results - not to mention immediate inspiration to want to be working in there.”

         … “I have also written several scores that were mixed on PMC units by engineer Jeff Biggers here at Remote Control’s Studio B, including Disturbia, Hitman and Outlander, and I found the results fantastic. There were zero translation issues from the mix rooms where those were done to the final dub stage, which speaks to a very efficient work process.”

 

 

03/08/08       It’s been a few days since Outlander was first screened to an audience of more than 200.  Intelligence gathering suggests that the screening actually served dual purposes as apparently a number of the producers along with the film’s star - Jim Caviezel -  were in attendance.    We’re a little curious who was screening the film though as it’s our understanding that Ascendant Pictures delivered a completed film and their work pretty much ended back in November. 

                   Anyway, the reviews we’ve heard so far are for the most part positive with a handful being disappointed.  One particular reviewer noted though that, while he liked it, the movie did seem over-long at two and a half hours, and had places he thought suffered from predictability.   Overall, the comments were pretty positive, and it seems that they’re using this preview screening to inform some slight editing that will be going on in the near future to address these issues. 

                   On a completely positive note, one of the reviewers called the creature effects “the best I’ve seen in movies,” and added that it’s “definitely worth a look at even if its just for the monster.”  The same reviewer confirms that the movie is - in fact - very gory in places as well, so as we stated earlier you can expect the movie to receive an R rating in the US.   Of the films the test audience was told Outlander compared to, including Dragonheart,  and Beowulf, the reviewer felt Outlander was the better film.

                   As for the film, any editing pretty much means a spring release is out of the question.  Word (at the moment) is to look for Outlander in theaters in the fall.  If the editing is for minor pacing issues and don’t compromise the films structure, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.  Either way, hopefully we’ll get to see this earlier cut on a Blu-ray release in the future.    The other possibility is that if it’s the North American distributor that is re-editing things, then it’s possible that theaters abroad will be showing a different version of the film, which isn’t entirely unusual.  Movies also often receive major editing when shown in the middle east to comply with more stringent censorship laws.

                   Also, it’s worth noting that despite what may have been on IMDB for ages, the film was *never* in “re-editing” before now.  The main cut of the movie, according to the film’s editor, was locked down back in the summer last year, and the movie’s editing was constantly tweaked as the completed effects shots were delivered from Spin Productions until the compositing and rendering was finished in November.

 

 

03/04/08       BREAKING NEWS:  OUTLANDER test screenings.

                   Reports are starting to trickle in that Outlander was screened for test audiences this afternoon in London (England or Ontario?).  Hopefully they will be word of some impressions of the film soon.  Well, keep you posted.

 

 

 

 

 

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