It's Negative? So? It's Entertainment - The Odyssey of Film from West Coast Midnight Run

Only the titles are viewable. And the title of this release gave no clue as to the impact of the announcement.

And you could not help but have a hollow feeling as you progressively read the subsequent "obituary notes" of the once proud leader in the photographic and visual communications business.

Just weeks earlier from the announcement of Kodak exiting the digital camera business, the group released two press announcements, in one instance stating they are not contemplating at all filing for bankruptcy, none whatsoever (September 2011). And in another announcement only a

few days earlier, Kodak signaled a new line of digital cameras, the EasyShare Touch M5370, to be launched. Only a few months afterwards they reversed direction, outlining their plans for restructuring, bankruptcy protection, and started selling off their business units and an extensive library of patents.

Celine was taking copious notes and I had no idea why she did that. I flipped through the presentation outline that was distributed to the entire department and jotted down a few remarks. Some project and department leads were already pummeling our editor with questions. I decided to focus completely on the Q&A underway and followed Celine's

lead in taking down notes and my own ideas for follow up.

West Coast Midnight Run™
has always gotten flack for its name as a magazine but then most paper publishers are on the East Coast and the bulk of the entertainment, film and television, video and digital media industries are on the West Coast. Mac and Frank have always grumbled about this subject since the juxtaposition of circumstances take away from the impact of the magazine’s label and undercuts the power of its brand.

I took a 10 minute lunch break at my desk following the presentation while reflecting on my thoughts and gulping my

beverage, nutritious food ration and my food supplements.

WOWS AND WOES OF DIGITAL DOMINOES

In the decade long rush to embrace digital technologies, many of us lost perspective on its impact on traditional industries. It’s been mostly Detroit, cars and the Steel Industry that have been spot-

lighted in the new media. These are the “old” economies that have been suffering. They got the most airplay. The Defense and Military sector also got to be on parade. And so did the Aerospace, and Environmental industries.

If the plight of Kodak is any surprise to anyone, it’s possible that its fate is closely tied to the news media and entertainment industry relentlessly pursuing new technologies and greater profitability.

Why on Earth would Kodak be in stitches? After all it occupied a virtual monopoly as supplier to the US filmmaking industry.

PAPER OR PLASTIC?

Just as when the Titanic sinks to the bottom, any small boats can be pulled down along with it, when a group such as Kodak, Dow or Dupont fails, you can be sure that many related