Gibson digs digital action

On "Apocalypto," Mel Gibson found that using the Panavision Genesis gave him a unique look.

He points to a scene where the film's hero is chased through the jungle by men carrying torches. Not only was he able to shoot using just the torchlight, but, "When you open the shutter 360 degrees, the quality of movement takes on a different quality that you don't get on film.

"The fire had a liquid thing that doesn't happen on film. The greenery and the stuff he's running by has this incredible blur effect; you can stop on any frame and it's like a Monet painting. It makes him look like he's going even faster than he really is."

Gibson was also excited about seeing those images with digital projection at the ArcLight theater in Hollywood.

"It was astounding," he says. "I think I like the (projected) image (more) than the digital image that was scanned onto film. It was almost like 3-D, it was so great and clear. And of course there's less deterioration of the actual material as you watch it." Referring to the degradation of tradition film, he adds: "You make this pristine image you want to send off like your child to school, but it comes home by 3 p.m. with a nosebleed."

For Gibson, the bottom line is simple: "I think the digital has caught the film. I don't think it's a wannabe anymore. It's an 'is.' It's a very high-class alternative."

Mel Gibson most powerful celebrity

Mel Gibson has been named the world's most powerful celebrity - outclassing last year's winner Jennifer Aniston.

The 48-year-old 'Passion of the Christ' director won top spot with a pay packet of $210 million and the most international press coverage.

The Forbes Celebrity 100 rankings put golf star Tiger Woods in second place, as the top-earning athlete with $80 million, and talk-show host Oprah Winfrey in third - who cashed-in as much as Gibson.

Mel Gibson Arrest Prompts New Legislation

The media fallout surrounding Mel Gibson's much publicized DUI arrest could end up changing California law.

The media fallout surrounding Mel Gibson's much publicized DUI arrest could end up changing California law. A Santa Monica legislator is pushing a bill that would make it a crime for public safety employees to sell information to media outlets in an effort to clamp down on payments made by celebrity tabloids.

"This is a breach of the public trust, and if violated should be a crime," wrote bill author, Assem. Julia Brownley, D-Santa Monica.

Brownley introduced the bill at the request of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The assemblywoman said she has no direct knowledge that information was sold in the Mel Gibson case, but said in the instant information age, Internet sites may be paying public safety officers for access to immediate information.

"In the Mel Gibson case, we know that once he was accused it was within that evening that he had a mug shot and there was a story," Brownley said. "So does that taint his right to a fair trial? I think possibly so."

Brownley's bill, AB 920, targets peace officers, public safety employees and court employees. It also affects media outlets. Any reporter who offers to pay public safety officials for information could be subject to a misdemeanor under the legislation.

The measure unanimously passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee this week. It has no registered opposition.
I though that this was already a crime. Guess I should have paid more attention in Government class back in the day!!!!