Technicolor Bangkok goes digital

Post-production laboratory Technicolor Bangkok unveiled its new digital imaging suite last week.

Present for the ribbon cutting was actor William Hurt, along with Sophia John and US Ambassador Eric John, Dr. Atchaka Brimble, secretary general of the Thailand Board of Investment, and Paul Stambaugh, managing director Technicolor Bangkok.

Here's a quote from Stambaugh:

With the launch of the new Digital Imaging department, we can more effectively serve a short- or long-form project from front-to-back under one roof — from the drop at the lab and the digital dailies, film scanning for the online conform and theater color grading to film record, answer and release printing.

New in Bangkok is Mike Balabuch, who's the new DI department's manager. He'd previously worked in New York for Digital Intermediate on such projects as The Devil Wears Prada and Robert Altman's Prairie Home Companion.

Also on the Bangkok DI team is colorist Steve Calalang. According to the press release, he's won praise from directors of photography for his work on such films as Syriana, Freedomland, Hitch, The Forgotten and The Visiting.

In Hong Kong, the second edition of The Hollywood Reporter Fair Daily (PDF) says that last week's opening party in Bangkok, thousands of dollars of services were given away in a drawing.

The new DI suite allows the use of hi-tech Red Digital Cinema Cameras.

Among the directors champing at the bit to try one is Queens of Langkasuka director Nonzee Nimibutr. “[Technicolor]'s dedication is a very good sign to those making films in the region who want to have the highest quality but who may not have so much money," Nonzee is quoted as saying.

The Hollywood Reporter article has more on Thailand's status as a hub of post-production in Asia, and is an interesting read. So grab that PDF.

Update: Hurt was in Thailand making a film called Shadows. Bangkok Post has an interview (cache).

(Via press release, also at Hollywood Reporter and OnScreen Asia)