News Stories

Deluxe acquires Ascent Creative Services and Media Services businesses

12.1.2010

Deluxe Entertainment Services Group announced today that it has signed an agreement with Ascent Media Corporation to acquire Ascent’s Creative Services and Media Services businesses, including the well-known brands of Company 3, Beast, Method, Rushes, Encore Hollywood and Level 3 Post.
The acquisition will also enhance Deluxe’s services for clients that include life-cycle library management and digital asset management. Digital services include file based mastering, archiving, digital distribution, DVD and Blu-ray authoring.

Deluxe is the world’s largest processor of film for the motion picture industry and the industry’s largest provider of Blu-ray authoring services. Over the last few years Deluxe has significantly increased its service offerings in digital services and content delivery. The company’s pipeline includes 2D and 3D post production services from film or digital capture to digital intermediates with the proprietary EFILM® workflow, theatrical release (35mm and digital cinema), and home entertainment services for every digital media platform.

“Deluxe is well positioned to take our company into the future as technologies continue to transform how customers create and distribute content for films and television programs,” said Cyril Drabinsky, President and CEO of Deluxe. “We look forward to this talented group of people joining the Deluxe team,” adds Drabinsky.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close by the end of the year.

For more information: www.bydeluxe.com.

Full story here: http://www.studiodaily.com/main/news/prc/Deluxe-to-Acquire-Creative-Services-and-Media-Services-Business-Units-from-Ascent-Media_12763.html

2 Kinects Used To Create 3D Images in Real Time

11.28.2010

With every passing day, more and more of the technology created by Microsoft for their gaming device Kinect is broken down and reconstructed in new ways that might very well change the future of open-source technology. We’ve seen how the Kinect can be used to create new interfaces with PCs and other simple re-purposing, but it seems that we’re still waiting to see the demonstration that will prove just how revolutionary the technology may prove to be.

Now, YouTube user Oliver Kreylos may have done just that, combining multiple Kinect cameras to create an accurate 3D reconstruction of an object in real time.

See the full story here: http://gamerant.com/video-2-kinects-3d-image-dyce-54785/

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Specification for Naming VFX Image Sequences Released

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, the team soon realized that the same naming conventions can apply to virtually any image sequence. Consequently, the specification was written to handle a wide array of assets and use cases.

To ensure all requirements are represented, the working group included over 2 dozen participants representing studios, VFX houses, tool creators, creatives and others.  The ETC@USC also worked closely with MovieLabs to ensure that the specification could be integrated as part of their 2030 Vision.

A key design criteria for this specification is compatibility with existing practices.  Chair of the VFX working group, Horst Sarubin of Universal Pictures, said: “Our studio is committed to being at the forefront of designing best industry practices to modernize and simplify workflows, and we believe this white paper succeeded in building a new foundation for tools to transfer files in the most efficient manner.”

This specification is compatible with other initiatives such as the Visual Effects Society (VES) Transfer Specifications. “We wanted to make it as seamless as possible for everyone to adopt this specification,” said working group co-chair and ETC@USC’s Erik Weaver. “To ensure all perspectives were represented we created a team of industry experts familiar with the handling of these materials and collaborated with a number of industry groups.”

“Collaboration between MovieLabs and important industry groups like the ETC is critical to implementing the 2030 Vision,” said Craig Seidel, SVP of MovieLabs. “This specification is a key step in defining the foundations for better software-defined workflows. We look forward to continued partnership with the ETC on implementing other critical elements of the 2030 Vision.”

The specification is available online for anyone to use.

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