* Dolby: For the first time in five years Dolby has surpassed DTS in terms of the number of worldwide digital sound theater installations. According to the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, there are now 13,073 screens equipped with Dolby Digital units around the world compared to 12,800 with DTS and 5,201 with Sony's SDDS system. In North America DTS still dominates with 7,109 screens compared with Dolby's 5,321 and SDDS' 4,367.

* Knock-Off: Columbia TriStar has acquired all North American rights to Tsui Hark's Knock-Off, a second vehicle for Jean-Claude Van Damme who the director helmed in Double Team. Knock-Off, first introduced at the AFM 1997, has been sold internationally by MDP.

* New Millennium: Virginia's first and only full-service studio complex, New Millennium Studios, has announced its first feature film project, the suspense thriller Asunder. Directed by the company's president and co-founder, Tim Reid, principal photography began in April with Blair Underwood, Debbi Morgan and Michael Beach in leading roles.

*Mirage/Sony: Sydney Pollack's Mirage Enterprises has signed a multi-year production deal with Sony Pictures, a deal which will see Pollack produce, direct and even act for Sony in a variety of projects. Pollack is already committed to directing Harrison Ford in Random Hearts for the studio.