The 7 Biggest Lies Out of Digital Hollywood

Jim Louderback Almost since the first computers were used to make movies (rumor has it that at least *some* of the crows in "The Birds" were animatronic), the annual Digital Hollywood conference has pulled together LA, NY and San Francisco executives together to try to make sense of it all. The discussions are the same every year: digital is coming, you better beware. But the conclusions are often depressingly similar: it won't happen overnight, so feel free to eat, drink and by all means don't forgo your daily dose of hookers and blow. This year, like I've done for years uncounted, I dressed up in my LA Douche Bag Best (designer jeans, untucked stripey shirt and blazer), and flew down to LAX from San Francisco to sprinkle a small dose of my admittedly fashionable views about the place. As usual, I was on a panel with what felt like the entire cast of Glee. And as usual, the room was packed with folks dressed like me, concerned either with protecting their elaborately constructed fiefdom, or horning in on same. And after a day of listening to my fellow panelists, along with a variety of other speakers, I had to share what I saw as the seven biggest deceptions being bandied about as a way to justify entertainment industry's emulation of Alfred E. Neuman (What Me Worry?). Let me state, right up front, that I fundamentally believe that soon almost all of our entertainment and information will be delivered via a digital IP connection, and that every single screen – from the smallest phone to the largest HDTV – will be used for viewing video content. If you don't buy my thesis, you'll probably find my lies unconvincing. So with that , here's my list: There were definitely a wide range of smart folks doing more than just spewing to the old media party line. Unfortunately they were often drowned out by the traditionalists. So by all means go to Digital Hollywood next year – I know I will. But listen for the voices of dissent, not those of consensus.

The 7 Biggest Lies Out of Digital Hollywood

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