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June 22, 2006 - PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Well... Now It Gets Interesting!
At long last, we have two Next Gen DVD formats in the market place. It will be interesting to watch the public's reaction to each. And let’s not forget holographic DVDs. Being the DVD Association, we support “the development of DVD and related technologies” (this is part of our mission statement). Most importantly, we support our members who we know are trying to make sense of the Next Gen Reality and discover how to author and how to push this new technology to the limit. Be assured the DVDA is here to help...
We have started a number of new initiatives since my last President’s message...
(click Article Title above or "Read more..." link below to continue)
The DVDA Advisory Council The Board of Directors of the DVDA understand that this is a sea change moment in our industry, and we have reached out to the acknowledged industry leaders to help us in our strategic planning.
We are dedicated to being the most valuable resource and benefit to our members and our sponsors and by reflection, the industry at large.
As the premier not-for-profit organization representing all aspects of DVD (from students, content holders, government agencies, authoring facilities, replicators, distributors and hardware manufacturers) we have to rise to the challenge presented by the Next Gen formats and make sure that we are providing insight, expertise and best practices. This is where the Advisory Council will be of huge benefit as the Association moves to the next level.
DVDA EuropeThe London UK Chapter has a sound footing and is morphing into a DVDA Europe Chapter to be an incubator for start-up European Chapters and to foster DVDA growth throughout the continent. As part of this new initiative, the DVDA Europe chapter will be presenting a Next Gen track at IBC in Amsterdam this fall. Watch this website for exciting DVDA Europe news soon.
It’s Wake Up Time!There has never been a better time to become active in the DVDA. Cue the music…
“All Thru the day, I Me Mine, I Me Mine, I Me Mine” (George Harrison)
And… “Isn’t a Pity?” (George Harrison)
I admit it. I was a DJ in LA in the days of underground radio….So, bear with me as I quote the great music greats to shine a light on a shadowy side of the DVD industry. Ennui!
Here is where we are as an industry.
We are becoming an I Me Mine industry and Isn’t That a Pity?
We all worked really hard to create a business around DVD, and now that we have it is we seem to be reluctant to share it? WHAT?? I am not talking about competitive advantages, I am talking core knowledge and best practices. Isn’t it a Pity?
How does an industry grow? By teaching and empowering those that come after us.
Will we have as a business in 20 years? Do you care? Well, you should!
Think of the DVDA as a guild. If we don’t teach those who come after us, we don’t have an industry, no matter what form or format our content is displayed on. It is our responsibility, nothing less. In the coming months, you will see new DVDA Education Initiatives. If we don’t teach, we don't have an industry. What we have is a bump on the technology log.
Ok, nobody wants that. But nobody wants to share information.
Reality Check 1…You go to a movie. You didn’t make it, but you see something that inspires you. You adapt it to your next project. Reality Check 2… You read a book. You didn’t write it. It has nothing to do with DVD, but something in the story line inspires you. You adapt it to your next project. Reality Check 3…. You hear the latest hit from your favorite band, or you rediscover a golden oldie. It inspires you. You adapt it for your next project. Reality Check 4 ---- An interface in your favorite game inspires you, you adapt it for your next project. And on and on…..
Great art inspires. And great artists absorb and adapt.
Reality Check 5….Just when we as an industry think we know everything about DVD here comes Next-Gen… So, how do we learn this new information and should we share it when we do?
Or is it all “My ME MINE? Stop and answer this question honestly.
We all need all the help we can get and our industry is in the balance!
Do you know everything about Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, and Holographic?
No, and neither do I.
Do you know everything about content protection? Nope, me either…
But, guess what? The members of the DVDA do and we are happy to share. What a concept! Because in the words of Pete Townsend “ We won’t get fooled again”
So…if you don’t want to get fooled, join us, or if you are already a member, get active in the DVDA. We are all the experts of the DVD industry. We welcome your input. We were here before DVD, our legacy goes back to the CD era, and we will be here as we navigate Next Gen and beyond.
We are the ONLY voice for the development community and in fact, the entire community of DVD.
So, when you add your voice to the DVDA it only makes us stronger.
You can sit on the sit on the sidelines and worry about Next Gen and gripe about your competitors, or you can actively help us change the DVD world and become a leader in doing so.
It is ours for the taking, and ours to loose. The choice is yours.
The DVDA is only the voice of the industry. You must provide the lyrics.
Come ‘On, Let's Rock!.
Thanks
More to come (as always)
Bernie Mitchell
President DVDA
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