From the Publisher by Steve Cohen Internet Video Coming Fast In late October I attended a conference called ‘Film IT’ (Film Information Technology). This is a new and fascinating show that focused mainly on Internet video. On the first day of the conference, a partnership led by Microsoft announced a ‘market trial’ of Internet broadcast technology over DSL lines, through a TV set-top box and into an ordinary TV. Consumers see an extensive menu of available programming, click on a show title and see it immediately at full-resolution. The system employs digital rights management software (DRM), which supposedly prevents piracy and collects payments from viewers. If this technology succeeds, whether it comes from Microsoft or some other company, it will become the next frontier of distribution, profoundly changing the business by merging the on-demand convenience of the Internet with the quality and simplicity of television. It holds the potential to level the playing field for the creative community and to change our lives significantly. Even if you don’t live in Cincinnati, where the trial is being run, there is already plenty of Internet video available if you have a good connection and a fast computer. As professionals, we need to learn about this new medium and embrace it if we want to stay in the forefront of our favorite technological revolution. The Magazine will cover these developments as they unfold. Magazine Changes In this issue we’re inaugurating several changes to the Magazine. First and most important, we have a new editor. I’m very excited to introduce Stephanie Argy to you. She comes to us after writing extensively for 'Variety', 'Creative Planet', 'American Cinematographer' and other trade publications. She’s a former 771 member committed to the labor movement, an excellent writer and a great people-person. We’re very excited to have found her and have high hopes for the Magazine under her stewardship. I will continue to function as an adviser and consultant, originating articles, reviewing them, going over layouts, and helping in every way I can. As I’ve said before, the Magazine is a work-in-progress. We’ve instituted changes in every issue and we intend to keep doing that. This month we’re inaugurating some subtle design changes. For the first time, every page is ‘full-bleed,’ which has helped designer Mary Lee create a new, cleaner look. It’s a step on our way to a full-color publication. We’ve also changed advertising agencies and are very excited about our new representatives, John McCarthy and Associates. They bring a new level of professionalism and dedication to a key part of our publication. Some of you have wondered how much the Magazine is costing the Guild. It may surprise you that during our first year, our net cost was significantly less than that of the old Newsletter. This is because we now offer much more value to our advertisers. We’re very grateful for their support and commitment, especially during this time of transition. The Magazine is always looking for new advertisers and if you have suggestions, please let me know via e-mail or by calling the Guild office. Thanks to Our Writers Once again, I want to thank our dedicated writers, who have given so much of their time and expertise to support the Magazine and the Guild. A union is a living thing and only succeeds to the degree that members are willing to contribute to it, help each other and keep the organization alive and growing. By sharing their knowledge, our writers uphold the highest standards of the union movement.    Steve Cohen is an editor, Guild Board member and editor of the Guild Magazine. He is currently cutting '15 Minutes' for New Line. He can be reached via email   Reprinted from The Motion Picture Editors Guild Magazine Vol. 22, No. 1 - March/April 2001   Guild Home | Magazine Home | Top of Page   Copyright © 2001, All Rights Reserved by The Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700