NASA Headquarters, Office of Public Affairs, Washington, DC 20546 Attn:P/Geoffrey Vincent

R -- REQUEST FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ON MAKING LARGE-FORMAT FILMS IN SPACE POC Geoffrey Vincent tel: 202/358-1400 During the past ten years, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Smithsonian Institution have cooperated in sponsoring the production of three, 70mm feature films about space for the large screen. They are ''The Dream Is Alive,'' the first large-format motion picture filmed in space; ''The Blue Planet,'' about Earth's environment as seen from space; and ''Destiny in Space,'' which examines humankind's future now that it has the ability to travel in space. All were produced by the Imax Corporation and involved extensive filming aboard the Space Shuttle while on orbit. These three feature films have been seen by more than 53 million people in locations across the United States and internationally. They have been exceptionally valuable means for disseminating information about the space program in a compelling and credible way. The agreements between NASA, the Smithsonian and Imax to make films in space expired following the release of ''Destiny In Space'' in June 1994. To preserve the opportunity to have large-format feature films produced in the future, NASA entered into a contract in February 1995 with Imax to acquire 70mm cinematography of the first three cooperative missions between the Space Shuttle and the Russian Space Station Mir. These three flights were scheduled for February, June and October 1995. The procurement proceeded on a sole-source basis because only Imax has large-format cameras that previously have been qualified for flight in the microgravity conditions of space. Under the terms of that contract, NASA will own and hold the copyright to all of the raw footage obtained by Imax on these flights. NASA wishes to examine options to continue the production of large-format feature films (greater than 35mm; longer than 30 minutes) using film taken in space, particularly in light of changes in this field over the past decade. These changes include substantial growth in the number of large-screen theaters, the development of new technology and growing interest on the part of potential cinematographers and producers. We anticipate that the next large-format film(s) will feature NASA's cooperative space program with Russia and, eventually, the assembly of the international Space Station. (Additional Shuttle/Mir missions currently are scheduled for April, August and December 1996 and May and September 1997; on-orbit assembly of the international Space Station is scheduled to begin in November 1997.) NASA expects that the 70mm film obtained under the current Imax contract would be incorporated in this feature film. NASA has given Imax the exclusive right--for a period limited to 12 months after raw footage from the last of the three flights is delivered--to use the material in a large-format feature film, should Imax decide to produce one. However, this raw footage will be available for use in other large-format productions after the period of exclusivity expires. In issuing this announcement, NASA has the following specific objectives: (1) to acquire large-format motion picture images in space and make these images widely available to the public; (2) to encourage imaginative uses of these large images to create new large-format feature films, as well as other visual productions; (3) to achieve open and fair competition for opportunities to send large-format motion picture cameras into space, produce feature films from that material, and distribute it for general audiences; (4) to add to the NASA archive of space images available to the general public; and (5) to eliminate or minimize government costs in acquiring large-format images in space. In entering into cooperative arrangements for filming in space, NASA would not expect to be paid a fee for the flight of the camera, and the agency would consider absorbing the engineering costs involved with integrating a camera into the Space Shuttle. However, the cinematographer/producer would be expected to provide, at a minimum, all necessary camera equipment, supplies and accessories; detailed scene planning based on the unique circumstances and capabilities of each Shuttle flight; camera training for the astronaut crews; in-person consultation during the Shuttle missions; all post-production work; and arrangements for distribution of the film. As noted above, flight-qualication of cameras is an essential element of making films in space. The process normally includes ground testing at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, followed by in-flight tests conducted during one or two Space Shuttle missions. Due to the limited number of Shuttle flights (7 annually) and other payload demands, opportunities for camera flight qualification are limited. Based on a number of variables, including the number of flights required to qualify a camera and whether the camera is to be used inside or outside the Shuttle cabin, the process is estimated to cost up to $40,000 per camera, plus the cost of modifications that might be requried to accommodate a specific camera. NASA expects cinematographers/producers to pay these costs. Anyone who has interest in qualifying an existing, large-format camera should so indicate as part of their response to this announcement. NASA will retain the rights to the raw footage obtained under any arrangement with the filmmaker. Consistent with its charter to widely disseminate information about its programs to the news medie and general public, NASA will want to release--even before a feature film is produced--segments of the footage that have been down-printed to smaller formats, as well as selected still frames. The agency would consider granting the filmmaker limited exclusivity in marketing and distributing a feature film produced from the raw footage. NASA also will have approval rights over the theme and/or content of any large-format feature film for which limited exclusivity was granted. NASA has a variety of mechanisms available for partnerships with industry, including procurement contracts, cooperative agreements and ''other transactions'' authority. We have not yet determined which instrument will be used for this activity. NASA requests that those who comment address issues of general policy rather that specific film proposals. The agency would welcome innovative ideas about using large-format film to reach the American public in a compelling and credible way. These ideas could encompass, for example, new or different types of products, technologies, distribution methods and creative partnerships among commercial and non-profit participants. Comments on the following issues would be particularly helpful: (1) potential arrangements for non-Governmental financing and wide distribution of large-format feature films; (2) non-monetary incentives required to facilitate and encourage large-format filmmaking in space; (3) allocation of rights to the various products/formats that might be created; and (4) required lead times for filmmaking activities. Following review of the comments received, NASA will issue an announcement of opportunity for cooperative arrangements for the production of a specific feature film or films. Responses to this notice should be sent to: Ms. Laurie Boeder, Associate Administrator for Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters (Code P), Washington, DC 20546. The deadline to receive responses is 45 days from the date of publication of this notice. Questions may be directed to: Mr. Geoffrey H. Vincent, Deputy Associate Administrator for Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters (Code P), Washington, DC 20546; Telephone: 202-358-1400. (0114)

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