This issue of Post came together during the toughest time in modern history — and one that shows little relief in sight. It’s almost incomprehensible to think about the effect the COVID-19 virus is having throughout the world, here in the United States, and right here in New York, where I am based.
Just a few weeks ago, the Post team was evaluating our NAB plans and whether or not we’d be able to cover the show in-person during its April dates in Las Vegas, due to rising concern about the rapidly-spreading Wuhan virus. But on March 11th, the National Association of Broadcasters officially cancelled the annual convention, sending many in the industry back to the drawing board to rethink how they would share new product news that’s been in the works for months. We too had to change our coverage plans, ultimately choosing to conduct online video interviews, which we are sharing on our Website, postmagazine.com.
But even with such big decisions being made in mid-March, we had no idea that things would escalate so dramatically. Within a week, businesses would shut, schools would close and cities would go into lockdown. Infection rates climbed, first by dozens, then hundreds and ultimately thousands.
Post implemented a work-from-home plan many years ago, so I was well-adjusted to the concept, which was now being deployed throughout the post industry, as well as in so many other businesses. I was glad to have something to focus on all day long: reading news, writing articles, talking with industry pros and sharing details on our Website. But the bad news was (and still is) always lurking in the background, waiting for me to visit a news Website or put on the TV.
Studios started bumping their release dates: No Time To Die,
Mulan,
A Quiet Place Part II,
Wonder Woman 1984,
F9,
Black Widow,
Top Gun: Maverick…Then theater chains, such as AMC and Regal, closed altogether. New production stopped too.
“What’s about our ‘Summer Movies’ coverage?” I thought. “How will this affect the Oscars next year?” I wondered. “Will the industry be able to survive?”
Each day, I received encouraging emails from throughout the industry, detailing companies’ evolving plans to keep moving forward as best they can. We’ve got a section on the Post Website where you can read responses from throughout the industry, and we welcome feedback on your business and how you are holding up during these scary times.
Hopefully this issue of Post can serve as a temporary distraction from the world’s current climate. Under lockdown here in New York, I spent many nights checking out some of the new online series and then speaking with the visual effect supervisors that help make the shows look so amazing. Check out
Post’s “Streaming Series” feature on page 18 to read about the work that goes into CBS All Access’s
Star Trek: Picard, DC Universe’s
Titans and Apple TV+’s
See.
I also compiled a collection of new “Music Videos” (page 26), which you can read about in this issue and also view online. Their music and imagery might lift your spirits, and the production details might inspire you to tweak the workflow on your next project.
On the business side, we are excited to present our annual “Storage Supplement”, which was put together by Tom Coughlin and provides insight into trends in the media & entertainment space. Tom does a great job of breaking down the different storage options that are currently available to post professionals, and his regular surveys help predict what storage technology will be adopted in the foreseeable future.
Other highlights in this issue include Iain Blair’s conversation with Wendy director Benh Zeitlin. It's been eight year since he directed
Beasts Of The Southern Wild. His latest film reimagines the classic tale of Peter Pan and was shot on 16mm in the Caribbean.
Karen Moltenbrey, editor-in-chief of Post's sister publication
CGW, has a detailed feature on the Disney/Pixar film
Onward (page 14), which was one of the first films to quickly transition from theatrical to streaming release following the COVID-19 outbreak. Other feature films that saw online release sooner than expected include
The Invisible Man,
Birds Of Prey,
Bad Boys For Life,
Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker and
Sonic The Hedgehog. Is this something we'll see more of if the virus drags on? Time will tell, but I for one can't wait for the day where I can once again see films on the big screen, the way they were intended to be presented.
Enjoy the
issue, visit our Website, and most importantly, stay safe!