So I received the announcement that on January 25th at 4pm, producer Fred Miller would be hosting a press screening of “A Most Significant Journey” at the Paramount theater in downtown Austin. The intriguing part was that it was the first show ever shot on 1080i High Definition and Digitally Projected in a movie theater. (Lucas shot on film and transferred to HD as did the producers of "Dogma.") The projectors were being brought in from BARCO that day and I was hoping to take the opportunity to see for myself the strengths and limitations of working with the High Definition medium. Not only that but title “A Most Significant Journey” sounded intriguing and the fact that Don Howard had edited the 38 minute piece down from 86 hours of footage gave me the impression that this may be a good piece with powerful images.

I showed up early, press pass in hand, to get a good seat, which I did: fourth row, center. (I like sitting a little closer than some.) I sat patiently, listening to the local artisan seated around who had come for a sneak peak at this new medium they make adopt some day as their own as they bragged to one another about their current projects. An hour after I got there and thirty minutes after it was supposed to start Fred Miller came to front of the theater and gave a 15 minute dissertation on the show and it was then a learned that it was a project that was financed by Baylor University. Hmmm? I’ve seen some very interesting pieces done by promising film students so I was still anticipating something enjoyable, despite Baylor’s lack of an ‘art institute’ reputation. But then, just as he’s finishing up, he drops the first bomb: they are having trouble figuring out how to operate the new digital projectors and can’t seem to get them into 1080i. They’re sorry, but we’re going to see it in 480.

480? They’re sorry? But that’s what I came for? “Ah well, no biggie,” I think to myself. 480 gave reasoable clarity although you could definitely see the stairstepping. “At least I’m going to see it at all,” I though. I would live to regret this expectation as well.

I must say now though that I’d hate to see the remaining 85 and a half hours left in the cutting room! This show that I had hoped would be a dynamic and moving piece that would take advantage of working in High Definition and with small, light and agile camera work turned out to be a 38 minute recruitment video for Baylor University! I couldn’t believe I’d been duped so completely! I mean, maybe this might be a dynamic and moving piece for the Baylor Alumni, but this audience was expecting something more. Imaging 38 minutes of amateurish documentary on the big screen on attending Baylor Christian University, being on the pep-squad, homecoming, etc. Blech! I couldn’t believe it. I don’t think many others could either from the amount of giggling and spontaneous comments throughout.

Needless to say, the credits hit as I headed for the door. Not to say it was a complete loss as it did give me few chuckles through the rest of the day. That must be worth something.