Steven Soderbergh has inked a multi-film deal with the uniquely digital-centric 2929 Productions.  2929 is already making a name for itself in low cost digital film and unorthodox distribution methods.  They plan to release the documentary “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” to simultaneous release to theaters and television.  It’s this kind of forward thinking that at least partially removes the impetus for piracy hopefully will show up in profit margins for 2929.

Steven Soderbergh is one of the top film directors of his generation, the first in 70 years to be nominated for two Best Picture awards at the same time (Erin Brockovich and Traffic) winning Best Picture in 2001 for Traffic.  As a long time booster of digital film his name sits along side George Lucas and Robert Rodriguez as two of the few big budget directors to shoot digital.  Soderbergh has experience behind HD digital cameras with his 2002 film film’s "Full Frontal" and the HBO series "K Street" and "Unscripted."

Soderbergh has always been enthusiastic of digital theaters he once said:

“That’s the future, I saw the latest TI [Texas Instruments] DLP. It was jaw dropping… I was, to put it mildly, really, really impressed with the DLP. It was really exciting and I saw it on a big screen. They were showing it on a split screen, and then they transferred a reel of one of my own films so I could see what it looked like. I just [thought] we’ve got to get this into as many theaters as possible as quickly as we can.”

Steven Soderbergh will get his chance at a more fully digital productions with 2929 as they begin shooting “The Bubble” a murder mystery which has already begun shooting in Ohio.  Reports say The Bubble will have a tiny budget of only $3 Million, using a non-professional cast with Soderbergh himself writing and directing.  When The Bubble is finally released is 2929’s approach to film distribution should be just as revolutionary as their previous films.  It’s revolutionary where they release their films to as many separate media as possible at the same time.  2929 plans to release their films to theaters, DVD, TV and anywhere else you might expect to view a new movie, allowing consumers unprecedented choices.  An industry giant like Soderbergh's embrace of digital medium is good for Home Theater everywhere.

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