Filmmakers on tap for International Consumer Electronics Show

January’s annual International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is where tech companies roll out new gadgets. The Blu-ray disc was introduced at CES in 2004, and the Xbox debuted there in 2001. Going back further, there was the Nintendo Entertainment System (1985), Pong (1975) and the VCR (1970).

The 2011 edition will undoubtedly have plenty of new toys, but participants also will have a chance to stop and think about how these devices have changed the nature of entertainment. Filmmakers Michael Mann, Oliver Stone and Baz Luhrmann — a trio of directors known for singular visual styles, strong personalities and landmark films including “Heat,” “JFK” and “Moulin Rouge” — will bring their insights to an intriguing topic: How have new formats such as Blu-ray changed the creative life of top filmmakers?

The Jan. 7 panel also will address questions such as, “Does Blu-ray lend itself to be a creative medium for a director’s artistic vision?” and “What will deliver the best cinematic experience in the home?”

Moderated by Los Angeles Times reporter Geoff Boucher, the event has been organized by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and will be followed by an audience Q&A. The directors will show scenes and extras from the films “Last of the Mohicans” and “Wall Street.”