July 1, 2016: NBC to Broadcast Certain Rio Olympics Events in VR, Film Academy to Regulate Awards Season Parties, Apple Patents Software That May Prevent iPhone Filming at Live Events

1. NBC TO BROADCAST CERTAIN RIO OLYMPIC EVENTS IN VR: NBC has announced that 85 hours of the Rio Olympics will be broadcast in virtual reality through a special section of the NBC Sports app. Users with a paid TV subscription can watch events including the opening and closing ceremonies, gymnastics, and fencing, through a Samsung Gear VR headset. The Verge: "NBC’s VR programming will be released with a delay, from August 6th—the day after the opening ceremony—to August 22nd, after the closing. While virtual reality video can often be viewed as flatscreen 360-degree video without a headset, it’s not clear whether that will be the case here. Olympic Broadcasting Services, which provides footage to NBC, announced earlier this year that it would be partially filming the games in both VR and "Super-Hi Vision" 8K video. Likewise, the VR-happy Samsung is rumored to be working on an Olympics-themed special edition of its Galaxy S7 Edge. … The Olympics are the kind of visually compelling, exclusive event that’s considered perfect for virtual reality video, especially since other sporting events have already been shot in VR." http://bit.ly/29fF5qU

2. FILM ACADEMY TO REGULATE AWARDS SEASON PARTIES: Just one day after announcing a diverse group of new invitees, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced it will be prohibiting social events including fancy dinners and soirees that could influence Academy members’ voting during Oscar season. The decision was made during the Academy’s annual review of rules and campaign regulations. The Hollywood Reporter: “While the Academy allows post-screening parties under certain circumstances, a new campaign regulation, announced today, states that ‘Academy members may not be invited to attend any non-screening event, party or dinner that is reasonably perceived to unduly influence members or undermine the integrity of the vote.’ The Academy sternly warned that ‘members who fail to comply with this regulation will be subject to a one-year suspension of membership for first-time violations and expulsion for subsequent violations.’ The new regulation appears to forbid the sort of swank lunches, cocktail parties and dinners that event planners like Peggy Siegal, Andrew Saffir, Darin Pfeiffer and Colleen Camp host in New York and Los Angeles during awards season, inviting filmmakers and talent from films in awards contention to mix and mingle with social influencers, media types and assorted Academy members.” http://bit.ly/29b7Xgq

3. APPLE PATENTS SOFTWARE THAT MAY PREVENT IPHONE FILMING AT LIVE EVENTS: iPhone users who prefer to use their devices to film concerts and other live events may be in for a rude awakening. Apple has reportedly won approval for a patent the company applied for in 2009 involving infrared technology that would prevent fans from filming with their phones. Independent: "The patent describes a camera designed to detect infrared signals and how these signals could be used to disable the phone’s recording and photo capturing functions. … Aside from this, Apple suggests the technology could also be used to show users more information. For example, museum exhibits fitted with infrared transmitters could send more details about the exhibit directly to a tourist’s mobile phone, making it a virtual tour guide.  This technology could significantly reduce the number of people able to record live music events and prevent at least some unauthorised YouTube uploads. However,there’s also concern that being able to disable mobile phone cameras using these signals could be used to impinge upon freedom of speech and freedom of the press." http://ind.pn/299IvaW

* LOCAL NEWS *

ATLANTA:  The sixth annual Ice Cream Festival will take place July 23 in Piedmont Park.

CHICAGO:  Blue Plate Catering is slated to move to a 90,000-square-foot space in the Fulton Market district later this summer. Chicago Tribune: http://trib.in/299rpdl

LAS VEGAS:  The Palazzo Las Vegas' summer floral installation "A Floral Festival" will be on display in the atrium through September 7. The installation will feature elaborate floral dresses constructed with recycled paper products.

LOS ANGELES:  R.D. Olson Development broke ground yesterday on its latest hotel development: the 130-room Lido House, a boutique hotel to be situated on more than four acres on the former Newport Beach City Hall site.

Cartoon Network's inaugural Animation Jam will take place July 9-11 at its studio in Burbank. The event invites college undergraduates from across the country to create a 15-second animated short based on the world of O.K. KO! Let's Be Heroes.

For information on upcoming events in Los Angeles, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/losangeles

MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA:  The Reach, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, has announced Jose Gomez as its new executive chef in Key West. He will oversee the resort’s Spencer’s by the Sea fine-dining restaurant and banquet operations, including a staff of 25 to 30 sous chefs, cooks, and stewards.

NEW YORK:  Kellogg's NYC, the cereal company's first permanent cafe, will open Monday at 1600 Broadway. The eatery will specialize in Kellogg's cereal and will have beverages such as coffee, juice, and milk. Menu items range from $6 to $8, and will also rotate every three months. The company hosted a pop-up in 2014. 

Bryant Park will host its inaugural Barefoot Ball dance party on July 20. The event, which will support the park's year-round programming, will feature bites from Momfuku Milk Bar and DB Bistro Moderne and music from Questlove.

The Friars Club will honor Martin Scorsese with the Entertainment Icon award on September 21 at a ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street.

For information on upcoming events in New York, visit Masterplanner: http://www.masterplanneronline.com/newyork

NEW ORLEANS:  Pontchartrain Hotel in the Garden District has reopened its 106-room hotel. AJ Capital Partners partnered with Besh Restaurant Group to renovate and restore the hotel and its four food and beverage concepts.

YOUR NEWS: What are you doing? Tell us: [email protected]. 

JOB BOARD: Post a job or find a job: http://jobs.bizbash.com

With contributions from Jenny Berg in Chicago, Alesandra Dubin and Claire Hoffman in Los Angeles, Mitra Sorrells in Orlando, and Carla Hay, Beth Kormanik, Michele Laufik, Jill Menze, and Ian Zelaya in New York.

BizBash Daily is the must-read digest of event industry news from BizBash.com.

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