Artheo writes: << Studies have been done that bear this theory out. Francis Ford Coppola funded such a study >> Forgive this lengthy interlude, but I wanted to shed a little light on Artheobs discussion regarding the bstudyb done by Coppola, as it pertained to subtitles. My having been a former member of the George Lucas bForceb (THX Technologies Division), I have some insight I can share. The 'study' was done in the mid 70bs, and was privately funded by Coppola, and included a 'soon to be' professor from USC by the name of Tomlinson Holman; as well as an 'up and coming' new film producer, who was at the time being mentored by Francis, by the name of George Lucas. The study looked at a myriad of issues dealing with the theory of the bSuspension of Disbeliefb as it pertains to the emotional and psychological impact of film. In the study's examination of subtitles, it found that they were obviously unavoidable in a global market of film release, but encouraged filmmakers to avoid where possible, suggesting that large studio film releases, originating outside the US, would be best served by a remake or simultaneous shooting of the film in English. That proved to be problematic on many levels and has never been adopted to any degree. Under no circumstances did the study recommend doing different language bvoice oversb, nor the vain attempts at lip syncing that accompanied this futile and faulty practice. "Voice overs' were found to be far more distracting than subtitles. An interesting aside from this study is that, after Coppola exited the study, George enlisted the continuing services of Holman, and from this expanded inquiry emerged the technologies upon which George founded Skywalker Sound, PIXAR (which he later sold to Steve Jobs of Apple Computer fame in 1986 for $10 million), Industrial Light & Magic, and the THX Technologies Division. These Divisions of Lucasfilm Ltd. have allowed George to exert a significant impact upon, and enjoy financial profit of one form or another from, nearly 70% of all major motion pictures made since the mid 80bs. George's staggering, and bprivately heldb personal wealth is in the billions, a fact not many people realize. That doesn't necessarily make George a great producer, but it does make him profoundly influential within the modern film industry. He is also a most kind and genuine individual, and remarkably unpretentious. George is also an amazingly generous and caring man of deep social conscience and conviction. He quietly invests millions of dollars annually, through the George Lucas Educational Foundation, to improve the quality of education in this country, by being a voice and a force to bring about a fundamental change in the way we educate today. Just a little bFYIb prompted by the 'subtitles' and Lucas threads. Rob of 'Stumptown' NP: Red Dirt Girl - Emmylou Harris
