John B. Birchell Hughes, digital cinema pioneer, will support ARRI's digital content distribution efforts in the European Market

John B. Birchell Hughes joined ARRI Film & TV in early July. He’s been involved in the field of digital content and cinema technologies since the start. Says Martin SchwertfŸhrer, Head of Lab: “We are delighted with John B.’s first-rate support of our digital services. His international efforts, worldwide network of contacts and many years of experience in the field have made him a respected expert – for technology,logistics and support matters.“
The demand for competent digital content distribution partners in the European Market from major studios, including Disney, Fox, Paramount, Sony, Universal and Warner, but also other important production companies and studios such as The Weinstein Company and Dreamworks, is on the rise. In their continuousexchange with ARRI Film & TV, distributors have expressed a need for support in the early stages of the process, state-of-the-art technology and contact with local film funds as well as the availability of additional post production services. For example, from now on, Disney will rely on ARRI Film & TV for Digital Cinema
Package (DCP) mastering as well as for the production and distribution of release prints of their German language feature films for the German and Austrian markets.

Many international productions rely heavily on ARRI. Numerous projects are being finished at ARRI Film &TV that entail the entire post production, including digital dailies, Digital Intermediate, mastering, analogue
and digital prints, and DCPs.

ARRI Film & TV Services has been involved in digital cinema mastering since 2005. Today it is playing a key role in the realm of digital cinema packaging in Europe. Remaining in constant contact with other players in the film business and in compliance with standards released by industry bodies such as SMPTE, ARRI has developed a workflow that covers all relevant components and norms. But ARRI isn’t just relying on available solutions; it’s developing new concepts – for everything from mastering and content validation, generating release prints, and completing data based orders to logistics – to ensure that digital production and distribution is completed in a seamless and timely fashion to the satisfaction of producers, distributors and exhibitors alike. ARRI’s DCP service has proven its value on numerous national and international projects.

Now, with John B. Birchell Hughes, an expert has come on board to represent ARRI’s services internationally. John B. is a pioneer in the realm of digital cinema – in aspects such as workflow, distribution and logistics. He played a leading role in establishing XDC’s working relationships with American studios and digital cinema in Europe. He is also an active member of SMPTE. His knowledge of the business is unparalleled. He is intimately familiar with the demands of productions and studios, and the technological and logistical challenges and demands of these efforts. His contacts reach into the highest levels of the U.S. studios, majors and independents, including their European offices, as well as associations, film fund committees and exhibitors.

John B. Birchell Hughes will support ARRI Film & TV’s international distribution activities, advise customers in the process of developing digital strategies and plans and be actively involved in the development of all digital media efforts.