News Stories

Bright Technologies Announces Exec Technology as New Business Partner for South America

7.29.2011

[Philip Lelyveld comment: a South American 3D workflow / post production resource]

[Excerpt]

Bright Technologies, Inc., developer of advanced technology for shared media, has announced that Exec Technology, a leading specialist supplier of video and film equipment, has become its new business partner for South America. Exec Technology will add Bright’s complete range of BrightDrive(tm) Recording Systems, including the new BrightDrive Astella file server and the 3D Stereoscopic Optimizer, to its portfolio, and will introduce Bright to customers across the South American continent. …

BrightDrive Astella is a new entry-level media file server designed specifically for the smaller postproduction facility that enables users to benefit from the full functionality of Bright’s field proven file server technology at an affordable price point. The new server combines data storage, a meta-data server and the intelligence of BrightDrive all in one convenient appliance. As with Bright’s full-sized BrightDrive G2 and G2 Pro media file servers as used by customers worldwide, the Astella is compatible with all leading file-based media applications and file formats, making it easy to integrate with existing workflows.
Bright’s 3D Stereoscopic Optimizer is a new addition to the comprehensive tool-set of the company’s BrightDrive G2 and BrightDrive G2 Pro media file servers. It simplifies the workflow requirements of 3D post-production, enabling small post facilities to undertake 3D projects without having to dramatically increase their hardware commitments. …

Perfecting your 3D presentation: Dolby aligns with NATO of Calif./Nevada to improve perception

7.28.2011

[Excerpt]

In addition to film product seminars and marketing previews in the fall and spring, NATO of California/Nevada holds two to four such educational workshops, where additional topics have ranged from concessions to public relations to labor issues.

“With the influx of 3D screens across the board, major circuits as well as independents,” Moritz believed the timing for the Dolby visit to be perfect. He had already started discussions about the workshop when that infamous story hit in The Boston Globe about how “many theatres misuse 3D lenses to show 2D films, squandering brightness and color” (read here). “That cemented it” for Moritz. “I tested out all the members and they agreed this look at 3D would be perfect.”

In addition to 55 people in San Francisco representing some 20 companies, NATO and Dolby also hosted the event in Burbank for the convenience of the Southern California contingency of about the same size and make-up. “We have everybody from general managers of local theatres to district managers, chief technical staff and projectionists attend. In essence, anybody who has input into what is going on in the projection booth.”

…Bowling also walked attendees through his David Letterman-like “Top Ten Ways to Get 3D Right.” Living up to the company’s reputation as a technology leader and great supporter of our industry, Dolby made them one and all available in a handy guide and graciously agreed to share the handiwork with our readers as well. …

Read the full story, with illustrations and “Dolby Quick Guide to 3D Presentations” here: http://www.filmjournal.com/filmjournal/content_display/news-and-features/features/technology/e3idc33f756d0a70b6921d2467c99a221a5

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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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