Steve: Mark thanks for taking the time out to answer a few questions for our Readers.

Mark: My pleasure!

Steve: So what got you into DVD productions in the first place? And I assume that's how the name came about, with that thought?

Mark: I always loved DVD technology from the moment I went to the first demonstration many years ago. It was at the technology park at Enmore and at the time they could only fit half a movie on a disc because of compression problems. The movie was White Nights with Mikhail Baryshnikov and to say I was impressed would be an understatement.

Steve: But what really made you think "I want to MAKE DVDs?" and why these niche titles?

Mark: The possibility of high financial gains (I'm so shallow). I just liked the absurdity of producing titles that could be used as wallpaper for your TV.

Steve: And with that response I dread the day we actually DO see "DVD Wallpaper" released. Or even "DVD Grass". Watch it grow.

Mark: DVD Grass...mmmmm.....now there's an idea.

Steve: "DVD Paint"? Watch it dry! The possibilities are endless.

Mark: No stone will be left unturned for the ultimate title.

Steve: What equipment did you use to record the DVD Aquarium and DVD Fireplace with?

Mark: We used a Sony PD150 Camera and did the post production on a Media 100.

Steve: What was used to create the DVD itself, menu designs, flowcharting of menus and events etc?

Mark: We created the menu screens in my studio using Adobe Photoshop. These were then passed onto the people doing the authoring. We also had a few compression problems and I had to cut back the loops to 20min to improve the quality. Every time we did a master I had to watch the result quite carefully for any software glitches.

In total there were 5 masters produced before I was happy with the results, time this x 2 because we also produced an NTSC version and at the end I was seeing flames in my sleep.

Steve: With cutting back because of compression issues, why not put the title on a dual layered disc? And who did the authoring for you?

Mark: Cost issues. A dual layered disc is double the price to author and a lot more expensive to manufacturer. It just seemed logical to cut back 10 mins because it is looped. Authoring was done by a company called Pro-Disc.

Steve: How was the NTSC version produced? Was it a downconverted PAL video feed?

Mark: Yes it was produced off a downconverted PAL video feed. But to author a NTSC DVD of the same title it had to be started again from scratch. Also the splash screens for the menu etc have to be resized.

Steve: What hurdles, if any, did both projects encounter?

Mark: It took us 3 shoots to get the Fireplace right. Ambient light was an initial problem but also the way the fire burns. In earlier shoots it smoked too much or just didn't burn properly. In the end we found the Rolls Royce of fireplaces, a Phillipe Chemife. They are manufactured in France and it allows you to control the fire using a series of levers to adjust flow.

There were no problems with the Aquarium footage but I had to sift through a fair amount of footage to find a section I was happy with. No fish were harmed in the filming of DVD Aquarium.

Steve: Ahh, but are we talking deforestation to get the right looking fire?

Mark: All firewood gathered was collected from trees requesting euthanasia. Is that against the law?

Steve: In some states it is, but you're from Brisbane right?

Mark: Sydney

Steve: You say Tomato

Mark: Worlds apart.

Steve: Do you see DVD Productions doing projects outside of 'virtual' fishtanks or fireplaces?

Mark: We are currently looking at other projects, but only those that are innovative and fun. We want to continue with this market niche.

Steve: But how far can this niche market go? There's only so much people will watch on TV that they can also have in real life though.

Mark: Yes there probably is only so many niche titles. I will be looking at licensing product from overseas that other studios won't release locally in the near future.

Steve: In that case, what would be the first title you'd like to release locally?

Mark: Any title that may have a potential market. I haven't explored what's available yet.

Steve: Well, do let us know once you get some ideas going.

Mark: I will let you know first Steve.

Steve: So, what's on the horizon in this niche arena?

Mark: Currently in production is DVD Birdcage and yes, it turns your TV into a birdcage.

Steve: Really? What kind of Birds are we talking about and what size birdcage? Not your small Tweety bird enclosure I presume?

Mark: Birds that are active. Lets face it you wouldn't want a cockatoo sitting for twenty minutes doing nothing. Finches, budgies, canaries, love birds will be the go.

Steve: Any owls? Sounds like a hoot.

Mark: Sorry, no owls.

Steve: When can we expect this next release?

Mark: I'm up for parole in 2 months. Maybe then.

Steve: Well thanks for your time Mark, Good luck with your current and future DVD productions and I look forward to more entertaining extras as found on the DVD Fireplace. It makes it all the more enjoyable.

Mark: Thank you Steve

LINK : http://www.dvd.net.au/goto.cgi?news.cgi?id=1284

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