SHOWTIME and CTDT Launch Sci-Fi Thriller 'ODYSSEY 5' in HDTV
SHOWTIME Is the First Premium Network to Launch a Series In High Definition TV
NEW YORK, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Showtime Networks Inc., which has been at the forefront of High Definition TV programming -- launching two HDTV digital feeds in 2000, has teamed with Columbia Tri Star Domestic Television (CTDT) to produce its newest Sci-Fi series, ODYSSEY 5, in high definition. The two-hour premiere which is slated for June, was shot in 24p HDcam with a 16:9 aspect ratio. All 18 episodes are slated to be shot in 24p when the show goes into production this April. This makes SHOWTIME the first premium cable network to create a series with complete end-to-end HDTV production.
ODYSSEY 5's subject matter and visual-effects heavy plot lines made it a perfect candidate for this new technology. Not only does the 24p video resolution make adding effects to live action almost seamless, it will also deliver a high quality picture enabling the viewer to see even the tiniest details of the effects as they unfold on screen. In the opening episode, viewers will feel as if they are in the U.S. space shuttle as the astronauts witness the destruction of Earth from space.
CTDTV, which is producing the series for SHOWTIME, is using the 24p HDW - F900 camcorder manufactured by their parent company SONY.
After the destruction of Earth, the series centers around the crew members' efforts to stop the apocalypse after they get the opportunity, via alien technology, to travel back in time. ODYSSEY 5 stars Peter Weller (Mighty Aphrodite, RoboCop), Sebastian Roche (Merlin, The Peacemaker), Christopher Gorham (Popular, The Other Side of Heaven), Leslie Silva (Providence, Fools Rush In) and Tamara Craig Thomas (The Curve, Romeo and Juliet) The series is executive produced by Manny Coto (Star Kid, Dr. Giggles, Tales from the Crypt) from a script which he wrote. David Carson (Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Northern Exposure, From the Earth to the Moon) directed the premiere. The creative executive for Showtime is Randy Runkle. The creative executive for Columbia TriStar Domestic Television is Ron Taylor.
Columbia TriStar Domestic Television (ctdtv.com) is one of the television industry's leading content providers. CTDT produces and distributes top-rated, award-winning programming in every genre, including series, movies and family entertainment for network and cable television; first-run syndicated series; and off-network syndicated series. CTDT is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME, THE MOVIE CHANNEL and FLIX, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME TOO, SHOWTIME SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME, SHOWTIME BEYOND, SHOWTIME NEXT, SHOWTIME WOMEN, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE and TMC xtra. SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SET (Showtime Event Television) Pay Per View. Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME EXTREME is available in Spain through a joint venture with Media Park. SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.
SOURCE: Showtime Networks Inc
SHOWTIME Is the First Premium Network to Launch a Series In High Definition TV
NEW YORK, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Showtime Networks Inc., which has been at the forefront of High Definition TV programming -- launching two HDTV digital feeds in 2000, has teamed with Columbia Tri Star Domestic Television (CTDT) to produce its newest Sci-Fi series, ODYSSEY 5, in high definition. The two-hour premiere which is slated for June, was shot in 24p HDcam with a 16:9 aspect ratio. All 18 episodes are slated to be shot in 24p when the show goes into production this April. This makes SHOWTIME the first premium cable network to create a series with complete end-to-end HDTV production.
ODYSSEY 5's subject matter and visual-effects heavy plot lines made it a perfect candidate for this new technology. Not only does the 24p video resolution make adding effects to live action almost seamless, it will also deliver a high quality picture enabling the viewer to see even the tiniest details of the effects as they unfold on screen. In the opening episode, viewers will feel as if they are in the U.S. space shuttle as the astronauts witness the destruction of Earth from space.
CTDTV, which is producing the series for SHOWTIME, is using the 24p HDW - F900 camcorder manufactured by their parent company SONY.
After the destruction of Earth, the series centers around the crew members' efforts to stop the apocalypse after they get the opportunity, via alien technology, to travel back in time. ODYSSEY 5 stars Peter Weller (Mighty Aphrodite, RoboCop), Sebastian Roche (Merlin, The Peacemaker), Christopher Gorham (Popular, The Other Side of Heaven), Leslie Silva (Providence, Fools Rush In) and Tamara Craig Thomas (The Curve, Romeo and Juliet) The series is executive produced by Manny Coto (Star Kid, Dr. Giggles, Tales from the Crypt) from a script which he wrote. David Carson (Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Northern Exposure, From the Earth to the Moon) directed the premiere. The creative executive for Showtime is Randy Runkle. The creative executive for Columbia TriStar Domestic Television is Ron Taylor.
Columbia TriStar Domestic Television (ctdtv.com) is one of the television industry's leading content providers. CTDT produces and distributes top-rated, award-winning programming in every genre, including series, movies and family entertainment for network and cable television; first-run syndicated series; and off-network syndicated series. CTDT is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME, THE MOVIE CHANNEL and FLIX, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME TOO, SHOWTIME SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME, SHOWTIME BEYOND, SHOWTIME NEXT, SHOWTIME WOMEN, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE and TMC xtra. SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SET (Showtime Event Television) Pay Per View. Additionally, the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME EXTREME is available in Spain through a joint venture with Media Park. SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.
SOURCE: Showtime Networks Inc
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