As the keynote speaker at the recent National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference in Las Vegas, the actor and activist decried today's news and entertainment content as driven by a "pornographic obsession with celebrity culture."
Actor Tim Robbins delivered a controversial keynote at this year's NAB conference.
"We love distraction," he said, reading from a speech the organizers reportedly tried to talk him out of giving. "I don't know about you, but show me a starlet without panties getting out of a car, and suddenly the world seems like a better place. Show me 'Knight Rider' drunk on the floor eating a hamburger, and I won't ask why my kid has no health insurance. Let's stop burdening people with facts."
A few people walked out, but Robbins finished to a standing ovation. And regardless of opinions, he did succeed in raising a powerful question, made more poignant by the acres of gadgets on the exhibit floor: Why, in an era of mind blowing media technological advances, does good content sometimes seem to lag so far behind?
While that will obviously take a while to sort out, it's worth noting that some of the gadgets showcased at the NAB just might make content a little better in the future.
Ultra High Speed Camera
Japan's NHK has developed a high-speed camera that can record video at the staggering rate of one million frames per second. On the exhibit floor, the camera was trained on a hanging water balloon. When an NHK engineer punctured the balloon the camera captured every cascading droplet in ultra slow motion.
NHK's high-speed camera captured video of this water balloon popping at one million frames per second.
NHK reps say the camera can be used for everything from sports coverage (think of seeing the secrets of Tiger Woods' backswing shot in ultra high speed) or science and nature programs.
Flying Cam
What buzzes like an insect, is six feet long, weighs 30 pounds, has a red head and has won an Academy Award for Technical Achievement?
Answer: the methanol-powered Flying Cam, a mini helicopter that can be outfitted with 35mm, 16mm or HD video cameras. The Flying Cam's work has been featured in dozens of movies and commercials all over the world -- including "The Kite Runner", three "Harry Potter" films and "The DaVinci Code." Even if you missed the Leonardo DiCaprio stinker, "The Beach," it's worth renting to see Leo's heart stopping plunge over a waterfall -- caught on film with the Flying Cam.
The Return of 3D
Musical acts Hanna Montana and U2 both released concert films in 3D recently, proving there may be new life in the old technology, as well as a potential revenue stream in turning old film libraries into new 3D experiences. Things have improved a lot since the blurry images seen with the cardboard red and blue anaglyphic glasses of the 60s and 70s. New optics from companies like Iconix and display monitors from Digital Ordnance are taking the 3D out of the creature feature swamps and into a new era.
Green News Vans
TV News Vans have typically relied on noisy, dirty fuel powered generators to run the microwave or satellite gear needed to broadcast live reports on location from breaking news events. But ENG Mobile Systems has developed a green power solution -- one that relies on a large battery as the primary energy source. The battery provides two to three hours of power on location, but can be charged up through the alternator by driving or simply turning on the engine.
Live News Without the Live Vans
While green news vans may be better than the old version, how about no news vans at all? Today reporters can file live reports and packaged stories from anywhere in the world without a microwave or satellite uplink, relying instead on tiny satellite modems, some no bigger than laptops. Inmarsat's BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) allows journalists to get out of the newsroom and into the action with tools that can fit into a backpack.
Visit the NAB Web site for more.
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-Producers: Kevin Sites, Robert Padavick
-Camera: Kevin Sites
-Video editors: Didrick Johnck, Krysten Peek
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