Intel
insider
Chipmaker,
Revelations recently pacted for online distribbing
By JOSH MARKS
As Intel
prepares to host the Producers Guild Awards for the third straight year, the
recently rebranded chipmaker is trying to make 2006
the year
"The reason we picked the producers is we see them as the
businesspeople behind the creation of many of these wonderful entertainment
projects that are released each year onto our televisions and movie
screens," says Kevin Corbett, vice president and chief technology officer
of Intel's Digital Home Group.
Intel and Revelations Entertainment, a production company founded by actor
Morgan Freeman and producer Lori McCreary, recently announced the formation of
an online distribution company for firstrun films, ClickStar. The company's first release later this year will
be "Ten Items or Less," directed by Brad Silberling,
starring Freeman and Paz Vega with production credits to McCreary, Silberling and Freeman.
The movie will be available directly via the Internet to the new Viiv digital home platforms within weeks of being released
in theaters. The Viiv-based PC, designed to be an
all-in-one home entertainment center, was showcased recently at the
Consumer Electronics Show in
"You are now able to distribute content digitally right from where the
content is produced directly to consumers all over the world," says
Corbett. "This is going to change the methods and windows of distribution
and change everything about the current model that we knew in the entertainment
industry of three years ago."
The strategic alliance with the Producers Guild has provided an opportunity
for a business discussion with other producers about the rapid changes in
technology and different methods for helping producers, directors and artists
distribute content directly to the consumer.
Two potential obstacles to online distribution are piracy and concern from
theater exhibitors over the simultaneous release frame. However, Corbett is
confident that with the relationships forged in the entertainment industry
through the Producers Guild and others that piracy will be addressed and
traditional distribution won't be a problem.
"I think it's been a tremendous match between a technology company like
Intel that can be trusted to help guide people through these new ecosystems and
the insight and leadership of the PGA," says Corbett. "This alliance
has really brought the two of us together in a strong way."