Digital Conference

In the early days of digital deployment there was an oft used expression, “Digital Cinema is a freight train heading your way” – this unstoppable machine that would change forever the way that we do business!

Today, that same train has stopped at every station and we’re now talking about how best to work with the new technology.

Digital Cinema Solutions was formed in the summer of 2012 to work on projects to support operators, distributors and suppliers and help them interact with all of the new technology and find ways (or better ways) to make it happen.

With Julie Hariss' support, over a six month period, we developed a conference programme that focussed on where we all are; what we are doing now and most importantly where we are all heading; what opportunities are out there; and finally how we can better interact with our customers.

We were delighted to be joined at the conference by 30 of the most experienced, knowledgeable and distinguished speakers in the digital field.

Each and all of the industry trade associations gave not just an endorsement to the conference, but instead their full wholehearted commitment to it.
Our delegates represented 150 companies all with an active interest in the future of digital cinema and content.

Delegates travelled far and wide from 14 territories including Amsterdam, Auckland; Barcelona, Brussels, Bucharest, Copenhagen, Dubai, Dusseldorf, St Petersburg, Istanbul, Lisbon, New York and Toronto to attend and participate.

We appreciated everybody taking time out of busy schedules to attend. We hope you found the day both interesting and productive and we welcome your honest feedback. Our aim is to make the next DCS event even better!

Please keep in touch with us via our website, Facebook or Twitter and we will keep all registered members updated with the latest DCS developments.

Best wishes

Derek, Nicole and Rob

The one day conference focused on UK & Irish markets and included key speakers and presenters who outlined issues facing the industry. We had over 250 delegates from 150 companies in attendance and 14 countries represented from a far afield as the United Arab Emirates.

The agenda included:

• Overviews of the Current Market - I.H.S. Screen Digest
• Technical Issues
• Cost Efficiencies
• Alternative Content
• Reaching the Audience
• Case Studies
• A Recognition Award

The conference also provided networking opportunities throughout the day, as well as a post-conference reception.

Welcoming the event, Phil Clapp, CEO of UK trade body the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association said, “It seems certain that by the time of the Digital Cinema conference, the UK will be essentially a fully digital cinema territory. With that comes a host of opportunities and challenges. This DCS event should provide an unmissable opportunity for cinema operators and colleagues across the industry to learn more about how best to harness digital cinema technology to the benefit of cinema-goers and the wider public.”

Derek Cownty, Director at DCS said “We are very excited about this conference – it will give suppliers, exhibitors and content providers a unique chance to come together for one day to explore, discuss and learn about some of the technical challenges and innovations that are central to the cinema industry today and looking ahead to the future. We really hope that as many people as possible will sign up to attend what we promise is going to be a very informative and interesting day and one that also offers an opportunity to network with industry experts and professionals.”

We'd like to thank everybody from the following companies for attending the first DCS conference and making it a success

About Digital Cinema Solutions:

Industry professionals Rob Arthur, Derek Cownty and Nicole Oakley formed Digital Cinema Solutions in July 2012. Derek has over 40 years’ experience in the film industry having held film booking positions at a number of the leading exhibition circuits. Rob has worked in the UK and international cinema sector for the past 21 years. Nicole has over a decade’s experience as a marketing professional in the film industry, having held management positions in both UK exhibition and distribution.

For more background information about the Directors of the company please go to the about us page.

Digital Cinema Solutions offers digital cinema expertise in booking film and alternative content, marketing and operations to both distributors/content providers and cinema operators. DCS enable independent cinema operators to make the most out of their digital projection equipment and can help with marketing/PR, content delivery/transmission and also provide operational support. By holding the Digital Cinema Conference in London, in February 2013, DCS' aim was to bring all the groups together to maximise the opportunity that digital content presents.

Overview:

DCS hosted a one-day event aimed at cinema operators/distributors and industry suppliers to cover the discussion topics of Digital/3D and Alternative Content.

Schedule for the day:

8.30am - Start time – Registration and Welcome. Refreshments sponsored by More2Screen

Morning Sessions

09.35am - Welcome by Rob Arthur, Director, Digital Cinema Solutions

09.40am - Overview of digital and 3D deployment presented by David Hancock, Director, Head of Film and Cinema, I.H.S. Screen Digest.

10.00am - Technical Update moderated by Steve Perrin, C.E.O. Digital Funding Partnership

• David Monk - Chief Executive, European Digital Cinema Forum
• Rich Phillips - Chief Technology Officer, Arts Alliance Media
• Jim Slater - Editor, Cinema Technology
• Richard Welsh, SMPTE International Governor

11.30am Networking Coffee break introduced and sponsored by Veezi

11.50am - Supporting Digital Cinema Systems - Challenges & Opportunities for Independent Exhibitors presented by Keith Pullinger, General Manager and Director, dCinex UK.

12.10pm - Cost Efficiencies with Digital moderated by George Eyles, Head of Worldwide Business Development & Strategic Planning, Digital Cinema at Technicolor.

• Rod Wheeler - Unique Digital International Sales & Marketing Director
• Gerald C Buckle - Digital Development Manager, Odeon/UCI Cinemas
• Richard Aseme - Director of International Theatrical Sales & distribution, Paramount Pictures International

12.55pm - Cine Europe 2013 Update - Phil Clapp, Chief Executive, Cinema Exhibitors Association.

1.05pm – Networking Lunch sponsored by Arts Alliance Media

Afternoon Sessions

1.55pm - Past, Present & Future moderated by Oliver Pasch, Sales Director Europe.

• Production - Director of Photography, Nic Morris
• Distribution - Saul Mahoney, Executive Director, Digital Cinema Operations Walt Disney Studios
• Exhibition - Andrew Myers, Chief Executive Officer, Everyman Media
• Exhibition - Graham Spurling, Director of Movies@

2.45pm - Alternative Content Update presented by David Hancock, Director, Head of Film and Cinema, I.H.S. Screen Digest.

3.00pm - Success and Opportunity - Alternative Content Case Studies moderated by Melissa Keeping, Chairman - The Event Cinema Association. Session sponsored by Arqiva.

• Marco Tinnirello, Head of Sales - Digital Cinema, Broadcast & Media, Arqiva.
• The Comedy Store presented by Don Ward, Owner and Founder of The Comedy Store & John Bullen of Sony Digital Cinema.
• Alastair Roberts - Managing Director - Royal Opera House Enterprises
• Tim Plyming, Head of Digital, Publishing & Broadcast - The British Museum.
• Tony Jones, Trustee & Director, The Cambridge Film Trust.

4.00pm - Rentrak Presentation & Announcement presented by Lucy Jones, Director of Client Services.

4.20pm – Network Coffee break sponsored by Veezi

4.35pm - Cinema Has Never Looked & Sounded Better, But do our Customers Know It? Moderated by Peter Buckingham, Director, SampoMedia

• Cameron Saunders, Managing Director, 20th Century Fox
• Will Brown, PSA Comms
• Alex Stolz, BFI
• Justin Skinner, Cineworld

5.20pm – Industry Award for Outstanding Achievement in Digital Cinema to Steve Perrin.

5.30pm – Awards Drinks & Networking in the VIP bar area - sponsored by Sound Associates.

7.00pm - Close of conference.

Press Release

Digital Cinema Solutions Announces Industry Speakers, Sponsors And Media Partners For February Conference

Leading media technology companies and industry experts to explore innovations, opportunities and challenges for cinema audience development

London, Tuesday 15 January 2013. Leading industry companies and organisations including Sony Digital Cinema 4K (headline sponsor), Technicolor, Arqiva, Arts Alliance Media, dCinex, More2Screen, MyMovies, Rentrak, Sound Associates and Vista will be sponsoring and participating in the first UK Digital Cinema Conference being hosted by Digital Cinema Solutions on Thursday 7 February at the Vue Westfield in West London.

The theme for the one-day conference will be digital innovation and alternative content geared to be of interest specifically to film distributors, exhibitors and related services and suppliers.

Derek Cownty, Digital Cinema Solutions Director says: “We have had an outstanding response from sponsors and speakers signing up to this conference, underlining both the relevance and potential of digital to both the cinema business and to audiences as consumers. The discussion sessions within the conference will be looking in some detail at business facts and figures as well as programming case studies that exemplify shifts in consumer take-up.”

Download the full press release here

Press Articles

Digital possibilities: U.K. Conference emphasizes alternative-content options

12 March 2013 by Andreas Fuchs
More than 250 delegates from some 150 companies representing 14 countries attended Digital Cinema Solutions' all-industry, all-digital event on March 7 at Vue Cinemas Westfield in West London, United Kingdom. "The conference went extremely well indeed, I’m pleased to say," declares Nicole Oakley, one of the three directors of DCS. Read more...

Screen Trade Magazine:

March 2013
The inaugural Digital Cinema Solutions (DCS) conference held at the Vue Westfield, in London, recently, was attended by over 250 international delegates. And, alongside summaries of the practicalities faced by exhibitors during the digital transition, were several focused panel discussions on how our industry might co-operative more effectively, going forward. screentrade attended the conference. Read more...

Cinema Technology: Spotlight review on the recent 2013 conference

March 2013 by Jim Slater
There was a time three or four years ago when courses on digital cinema topics were held every couple of months, and there was even a standing joke in the industry that the only people then making money out of digital cinema were the course organisers. All that changed as cinema people got down to the serious tasks of digital installation and making the new systems work, so it was perhaps appropriate that at a time when well over 90% of UK screens have now gone digital, there should be a new digital cinema conference. Read more...

Screen Daily: Speakers unveiled for inaugural UK Digital Cinema Conference

15 January 2013 by Ian Sandwell
The theme for the one-day conference, hosted by Digital Cinema Solutions, will be digital innovation and alternative content. Digital Cinema Solutions has unveiled the line-up to its inaugural UK Digital Cinema Conference, taking place at the Vue Westfield, London on Feb 7. Read more...

Digital Cinema Media: Industry Celebrates Digital Cinema At Inaugural Conference

13 February 2013 by Liza Patoux
Last week, cinema exhibitors, technology experts and other representatives from the cinema industry convened at London’s Vue Westfield for the first ever UK Digital Cinema Conference, hosted by Digital Cinema Solutions, more than 250 delegates discussed the challenges and opportunities that have come with one of the biggest transitions in media history – the move from film to digital projection in cinemas. Read more...

Digital Cinema Report: Consultancy Conference Deemed Successful

By Melissa Keeping
The attendance said it all: 260 tickets sold, 12 territories represented, standing room only. The DCS Conference on February 7, at the Vue Cinema in London, hosted by newly formed UK based consultancy Digital Cinema Solutions, had originally been aimed at the UK market but demand was clearly so high all over Europe for a symposium on the key issues facing the digital cinema industry that the organizers were quite overwhelmed, and the conference swelled to the point where chairs were being hastily brought in from outside.
Read more...

UK FILM INDUSTRY EXPERT STEVE PERRIN RECEIVES OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DIGITAL CINEMA AWARD

UK film industry pays tribute to Steve Perrin for his work in the digitisation of UK cinemas

‘House sells out’ at first UK digital cinema conference – 250 delegates from 12 countries

London – Monday 4 February 2013. Steve Perrin, one of the UK’s most well-known and internationally respected film industry players, is to receive an award for his ‘outstanding achievement in digital cinema’ at the first UK Digital Cinema Conference being held this week (Thursday 7 February) at the Vue Westfield in West London.

The conference, which is the first event focusing on digital cinema, has already completely sold out with 150 companies registered to attend and 250 industry delegates from 12 countries.

Steve Perrin is currently Chief Executive of the UK Digital Fund Partnership (DFP), set up by the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association with the support of the former UK Film Council to oversee the introduction of digital equipment to the UK independent operator sector. He was instrumental in setting up the financing scheme through dcinex (then XDC) which gives operators a choice of systems.

One of the world’s foremost cinema experts regularly speaking on the subject at conferences throughout the world, Perrin has held a number of top posts in the UK film industry including running Rentrak’s international division and developing its box office tracking services worldwide; leading on a number of initiatives for digital development at the UK Film Council as well as the setting up of the Research and Statistics Unit which provides research and market data to the industry; setting up the box office reporting company Entertainment Data International (EDI) in the UK and Europe; and working with Warner Bros Distributors (UK) as Director of Marketing.

Sir Hayden Phillips, Chairman of the UK Digital Fund Partnership, says, "The Digital Funding Partnership is a unique coming together of independent cinema owners right across the country and Steve is responsible for that and for its success - he has brought to it great qualities of patience, persistence and utter professionalism based on deep knowledge and love of the cinema. The industry should be grateful to him and so should all the communities across the country for whom their independent cinema is a central part of their lives."

Phil Clapp, Chief Executive of the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association (CEA) says, “When the CEA was looking for someone to lead the UK Digital Funding Partnership, ensuring the survival of so many smaller cinema operators in a digital world, one person shone amongst all others. Steve Perrin brought to the role a unique understanding of the relationship between exhibition and distribution coupled with the analytical and creative skills necessary to succeed in such a complex piece of business. Over the last three years, Steve has successfully navigated the most challenging of processes, accommodating and balancing the interests of each individual cinema operator against those of the collective.

“Within the next few weeks, the roll-out of digital screens across those sites operated by DFP members will be completed, by which time well over 100 cinema sites will have been empowered to embrace a digital future. No other territory has achieved a similar level of success in adopting a wholly commercial approach to digitisation. There can be no more fitting testament to the intellect, drive and ingenuity that Steve has brought to this role, as he has to so many others in a long and varied career.”

Derek Cownty, Digital Cinema Solutions Director says, “It will be a very special moment at this first Digital Cinema conference which is being attended by leading executives from all over the UK and Ireland as well as the Netherlands, North America, Russia, Romania, UAE, Germany, Denmark, Turkey, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain when the industry salutes Steve for all his hard work and achievements.”
Leading industry companies and organisations sponsoring and participating in the one-day conference include Sony Digital Cinema 4K (headline sponsor), Technicolor, Arqiva, Arts Alliance Media, dCinex, More2Screen, MyMovies, Rentrak, Sound Associates and Vista. The conference is focussing on digital innovation and alternative content and is geared to be of interest specifically to film distributors, exhibitors and related services and suppliers.

Supported by the key industry organisations, the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association, the Film Distributors’ Association and the Digital Funding Partnership, the line-up of speakers and presenters at the conference include:

• Peter Buckingham, Director, SampoMedia
• David Hancock, Director, Head of Film and Cinema, I.H.S. Screen Digest
• Richard Welsh, SMPTE International Governor
• Oliver Pasch, Sales Director Europe, Sony Europe
• George Eyles, Head of Worldwide Business Development & Strategic Planning, Digital Cinema, Technicolor
• David Monk, Chief Executive, European Digital Cinema Forum
• John Bullen, VPF & Premium Content Executive, Sony Digital Cinema
• Keith Pullinger, General Manager & Director – dcinex UK
• Lucy Jones, Director of Client Services, Rentrak
• Melissa Keeping, Chairman , The Event Cinema Association
• Saul Mahoney, Executive Director, Digital Cinema Operations, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures EMEA
• Rod Wheeler, International Sales & Marketing Director, Unique Digital
• Richard Asseme, Director, Paramount Pictures International
• Gerald C Buckle, Digital Development Manager, Odeon UCI Cinemas
• Tony Jones, Trustee & Director, The Cambridge Film Trust
• Cameron Saunders, Managing Director, 20th Century Fox
• Alex Stolz, Senior Executive for Distribution & Exhibition, BFI
• Andrew Myers, Chief Executive Officer, Everyman Cinema Group
• Nic Morris BSC, Director of Cinematography (Minotaur, Out of Season and TV’s Being Human, Robin Hood)
• Steve Perrin, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Funding Partnership
• Rich Philips, Chief Technology Officer, Arts Alliance Media
• Tim Plyming, Head of Digital, Publishing & Broadcast , The British Museum
• Alastair Roberts, Managing Director, Royal Opera House Enterprises
• Phil Clapp, Chief Executive, Cinema Exhibitors’ Association
• Jim Slater, Editor, Cinema Technology
• Graham Spurling, Director of Movies@
• Marco Tinnirello, Head of Sales, Digital Cinema, Broadcast & Media, Arqiva
• Don Ward, Owner and Founder of The Comedy Store venues

To receive a free copy of the 2013 conference handbook just enter your details below.

If you would like to download the session presentations from the 2013 DCS Conference please email us at info@digitalcinemasolutions.co.uk

Date to be confirmed - watch this space!