ETC’s VFX Working Group has published a specification for best practices naming image sequences such as plates and comps. File naming is an essential tool for organizing the multitude of frames that are inputs and outputs from the VFX process. Prior to the publication of this specification, each organization had its own naming scheme, requiring custom processes for each partner, which often resulted in confusion and miscommunication. The new ETC@USC specification focuses primarily on sequences of individual images. The initial use case was VFX plates, typically delivered as OpenEXR or DPX files. However, Read More
On April 30, Equinix and The Entertainment Technology Center @USC hosted a conference to discuss a number of industry challenges due to the COVID-19 health crisis. Increased streaming demands and unprecedented stress on infrastructure have forced media companies to quickly adapt and accelerate their digital transformation, yet the future remains uncertain. How will this unprecedented crisis affect content product and distribution? Who will be the winners and losers in the aftermath? What technologies will move to the forefront? In case you missed these insightful and provocative conversations Read More
The Entertainment Technology Center@USC (ETC) participated in this year’s NABShow Express that took place May 13 & 14. The re-imaged virtual event replaced NAB’s annual Las Vegas conference in answer to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2 sessions programmed by Erik Weaver, ETC’s director of special projects, for the original the NABShow, were included in this online event: ILMxLAB’s Michael Koperwas presented “Virtual Beings and the Immersive World,” and a panel discussion, “Digital Storage for Next Generation Media” moderated by Tom Coughlin, president of Coughlin Associate. The sessions are now available Read More
The Entertainment Technology Center at USC’s Spring 2020 semester Immersive Media challenge kicked off on January 29th for students and recent graduates from various disciplines. ETC’s Immersive Media Experience director Phil Lelyveld called upon submitters to ideate an immersive experience that, while not possible or easily built now, should be possible to build in 3-5 years. New to this third ETC Immersive Media Challenge was the question; how will 5G impact the experience? Students detailed what technological advancements need to take place in order to make their Read More
A panel of six USC undergraduates from the Iovine & Young Academy and Dornsife College of LA&S spent an hour answering questions about their media habits asked by ETC member company executives at the December 12, 2019 All Members Meeting held in Burbank at Disney. Where do they get their recommendations? What’s a good length for a viewing experience? What do they think about having their personal data gathered, and about data analytics in general? What do they pay to subscribe to? Listen to this 9-minute highlight Read More
The Entertainment Technology Center at USC held its Digital Town Square, 5G: Planning and Piloting First M&E Services, on December 10, 2019, hosted by ETC member company, Bluescape, at the Haworth Furniture Showroom Penthouse in Los Angeles. Industry experts invited to the half-day forum discussed 5G technologies’ impact upon media and entertainment production, composition, distribution, and consumption. Presentations and a panel covered topics ranging from the transforming nature of storytelling to the more granular and technical aspects of networked production. The Program: 5G Fixed Wireless: Cable in the Crossfire Bill Read More
