Archive for October 25th, 2011

Nashville, TN – October 26, 2011… Lawo, recognized globally as a leading manufacturer of digital audio networking and console systems for production, post production, broadcast, and related applications, is pleased to announce that MTV Networks (MTVN) has taken delivery of a new Lawo mc²66 MKII production console for deployment in its newest remote truck named Nereus. The new truck—scheduled to be placed into service during Q4, 2011—will be based out of the company’s Nashville headquarters. The new mc²66 MKII represents the third Lawo console in MTVN’s production arsenal. more

FotoKem has opened a satellite office in New Orleans, Louisiana, to support local productions and provide quick deployment of its award-winning nextLAB services and expertise. The new downtown location near the French Quarter provides a range of industry post production services and support with an infrastructure for file-based dailies, file delivery services and offline editorial systems. FotoKem is currently working with multiple television productions and feature films in the region.

To ensure rapid content delivery from one location to another, the satellite office is fully integrated with FotoKem’s globalDATA platform, which facilitates delivery of content via a secure internet connection. globalDATA can be linked directly to editing rooms, creative offices, company media centers, or any location worldwide.

The expansion into New Orleans is being overseen by industry veteran Peter Santoro, FotoKem’s VP of Feature and Commercial Services.

“FotoKem customers shooting in the region have prompted this expansion,” says FotoKem VP Mike Brodersen. “The need for local, file-based post production and location mobile services is growing as the state enjoys record-breaking production stimulated by tax incentive programs. We are looking forward to helping filmmakers streamline post in the southeast region with nextLAB and experienced on-ground staff.”

According to the state’s film office, Louisiana offers a 30 percent transferable incentive for total in-state expenditures related to the production of a motion picture. An additional 5 percent labor incentive can be earned on the payroll of Louisiana residents that are employed by a state certified motion picture production. The incentives are fully transferable and Louisiana has no limit to the amount of incentives that can be earned by a single production.

Tom Vice, VP and GM of nextLAB, a division of FotoKem, says, “Over the past two years nextLAB has been deployed on a wide range of productions around the world, from Burbank to Beijing and back. The file-based workflow is increasingly entrenched in the filmmaking process, and the need for powerful and reliable tools grows exponentially. Last year over a 100 projects were shot in Louisiana, and predictions for this year are on pace to surpass that. We are excited to bring our decades of post production experience to the region, and provide local support for one of the most advanced tools the industry has to offer.”

This expansion comes on the heels of the recent partnership between FotoKem and Fletcher Camera in Chicago and Detroit. Fletcher rents and manages the deployment of FotoKem’s nextLAB units in the Midwest, primarily Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.

The nextLAB division of FotoKem focuses on developing new and efficient workflows of the highest quality while addressing the unique challenges of the various digital camera technologies on the market. The industry experts in this group are dedicated to helping filmmakers understand the intricacies of RAW and data-centric post production, and guide their projects through the most effective path possible. They have developed proprietary file-based workflow software that securely stores media, archives to LTO, and provides quality control tools, offering access to metadata, audio syncing, color management, and transcoding.

FotoKem’s nextLAB Mobile systems are built on nextLAB software, and consist of integrated, portable units that bring powerful post production capabilities on set or near location. An extension of the company’s in-house technological advancements and professional services, nextLAB Mobile units can be deployed to assist with streamlining workflow and the dailies process and providing fast delivery to editorial and finishing. Launched in 2009, nextLAB Mobile won the 2010 HPA Post Alliance Award for Creativity and Innovation.

FotoKem has provided customized nextLAB solutions for the feature, television and commercial industry, including the upcoming films Rampart, Jeff Who Lives at Home, Haywire, and Man With the Iron Fists, as well as the TV shows Californication, Homeland, New Girl, the Law & Order family of programs, and dozens of commercials, among many other examples.

About FotoKem
FotoKem is a family-owned, full-service post production facility that has become the go-to resource for the worldwide creative community. Since 1963, the company has serviced every corner of the entertainment market, providing unmatched expertise, high-end solutions and innovative technologies. The company’s systems approach to the imaging chain assists filmmakers in successfully bridging production and post, and supports them in navigating the many formats and choices for telling stories. FotoKem offers a broad spectrum of services, including file-based workflows, 3D digital intermediates, digital cinema packages, mobile dailies, global data delivery, film and video finishing, audio mixing and mastering, visual effects, full service film lab, restoration, and production rentals. FotoKem has expanded over the years with the acquisition of SPY Post, Keep Me Posted, L.A. Studios, and Margarita Mix.

For more information, go to www.fotokem.com, or follow FotoKem on Facebook (www.facebook.com/fotokem) and Twitter (@FotoKem).

Linda Brown will receive the Kodak Educational Award at the prestigious Honors & Awards ceremony during the SMPTE Technical Conference on October 27 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. Brown is being honored for her dedication to educate the next generation of filmmakers in the art and science of cinematography throughout her professional career and personal endeavors.

“Linda Brown has committed herself to pushing professional standards in the educational arena, and insisting her students have a strong foundation in both the technical and aesthetic principles of cinematography, enabling them to choose the best medium for their project,” says Judy Doherty, marketing director of the Americas region for Kodak’s Entertainment Imaging division. “She is a champion for equal opportunities for women and minority filmmakers, and has actively engaged the professional community to recognize talent in all of its forms. We are thrilled to recognize her efforts and honor her accomplishments.”

Brown is a previous recipient of a Kodak Vision Award for cinematography, and is a Fulbright Scholar. She studied filmmaking at Temple University and cinematography at AFI. Her feature credits include Little Indiscretions, Lucky Bastard and American Beauties: In Pursuit of Art, which she also produced. Brown also shot episodes of Showtime’s Women: Stories of Passion, plus various documentaries and music videos throughout her laudable career. Her documentary, Your Favorite, detailing her relationship with her father, won recognition at the Athens International Film Festival and the American Film Festival. Brown’s latest documentary, You See Me, received a Humanities Grant and is slated for release next year. She has taught at AFI, Maine Media Workshops, City University of Hong Kong, Temple University, The Red Sea Institute of Cinematic Arts, and is presently an Associate Professor at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.

The SMPTE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition brings together world-renowned technology thought-leaders from the media content business. As an accredited industry standards-setting body, SMPTE is also the industry’s leading nonprofit association providing technology education and information to the motion imaging industry.

For more information on Kodak imaging products, technologies and services for the entertainment industry, visit www.kodak.com/go/motion, or follow Kodak on Facebook (www.facebook.com/KodakMotionPictureFilm), Twitter (@Kodak_ShootFilm) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/KodakShootFilm).

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (October 25, 2011) — At the 131st Audio Engineering Society Convention in New York City, The Recording Academy® Producers & Engineers Wing® presented GRAMMY SoundTables® on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. The event, titled “Sonic Imprints: Songs that Changed My Life,” explored music that inspired and shaped the careers of recording industry influencers. Songs chosen by panelists and played for the audience ranged from U2′s “Vertigo” to Alicia Keys’ “Superwoman” to Henry Mancini’s “Peter Gunn.” Moderated by GRAMMY®-winning engineer Chris Lord-Alge, the panel featured a diverse group of GRAMMY-winning producers and engineers who shared personal stories behind the songs, discussed engineering techniques, and highlighted the varying textures of the works that inspired them.

Photo Caption: Pictured L-R: Panelist Al Schmitt, P&E Wing Sr. Executive Director Maureen Droney, moderator Chris Lord-Alge, panelists Phil Ramone, Ken “Duro” Ifill, Steve Lillywhite and Ann Mincieli. Photo Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Wireimage.com © 2011 Photographed by: Gary Gershoff

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (October 25, 2011) — On Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, The Recording Academy® Producers & Engineers Wing®, APRS and SPARS presented In The Mix® at AES, bringing producers, engineers and industry professionals together for a cocktail reception and awards presentation. Celebrating excellence in professional audio, APRS recognized GRAMMY®-winning producers Steve Lillywhite and Geoff Emerick with the Sound Fellowship Award and SPARS honored Joe Tarsia with the Legacy Award. The event, hosted by Recording Academy P&E Wing Sr. Executive Director Maureen Droney, was held in conjunction with the 131st AES Convention.

Photo Caption: Pictured L-R: GRAMMY®-winning engineer George Massenburg, GRAMMY-winning producer/engineer Elliot Scheiner, producer/engineer/mixer, founder of Sigma Sound Studios and SPARS Legacy Award recipient Joe Tarsia and GRAMMY-winning producer/engineer Al Schmitt. Photo Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Wireimage.com© 2011 Photographed by: Gary Gershoff

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (October 25, 2011) — The Recording Academy® Producers & Engineers Wing® Manufacturer Breakfast was held on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, during the 131st Audio Engineering Society Convention. This group of industry leaders — dedicated to the advancement of sound quality and to the overall growth of the professional audio industry — met to share ideas and discuss issues with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of high-quality audio and the professionals who create it. Members of this meeting included GRAMMY®-winning producers, engineers, audio professionals and top pro-audio manufacturers.

Photo Caption: Representatives from companies including API, Audio-Technica, Avid, Focusrite Novation Inc., Fraunhofer IIS, Harman Professional’s AKG and JBL, Manley Labs, Music Marketing, PMC, Prism Media Products, Radial Engineering, Royer, Sennheiser, Shure, Sonnox, SSL, Waves Audio, and Yamaha joined members of the P&E Wing Advisory Council and Editors from Mix Magazine and Pro Sound News. Photo Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Wireimage.com © 2011 Photographed by: Gary Gershoff

Design studio Solid recently collaborated with entertainment network Control Room on an animated film, which premiered during the William J. Clinton Foundation’s “Decade of Difference” celebration at the Hollywood Bowl. Featuring a star-studded line-up including Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga, Usher, Bono & The Edge, Ashton Kutcher and many others, the concert was a celebration of the foundation’s 10 years of amazing global work along with the former president’s 65th birthday.

In between the rousing musical performances were a series of five short films, each created by a different studio through an inspiring mix of music, live-action or animation, and message. The films shared the story of the Clinton Foundation and its mission to implement sustainable programs that improve access worldwide to investment, opportunity, and lifesaving services now and for future generations.

Solid contributed its talent to the third film in the series – the only one done in animation, which revealed the actual mechanics of the organization and its philosophy of “How” to turn good intentions into measurable results, such as improving global health, promoting healthier childhoods, strengthening economies and protecting the environment.

To view the film, please go to: http://vimeo.com/30922660

“Solid brought all of the artistic direction in terms of bringing the script to life,” explains Ryan Cummins, Executive Producer of the Clinton Foundation’s “Decade of Difference” Film Series. “On this film, in particular, I had the unique role of writing the actual script. So when my producing partner and I began our exhaustive search for a creative team to bring these challenging abstract ideas to life, we sought out artists who demonstrate an ability to grasp complex information, yet present it in a completely digestible, aesthetically engaging way. Solid brought an idea that stood out amongst a field of A-class players. And more importantly, they carried out that idea in their execution.”

Using a combination of 2D & 3D animation, motion graphics and typography, Solid created a graphic language to communicate how the foundation works, and how it effectively inspires action and collaboration among people of various expertise and backgrounds.

“It was important to visualize the ‘How’ process in a way that was engaging and easy-to-understand,” says Shane Zucker, Creative Director of Solid. “To be given the opportunity to work on a project of this magnitude was a real honor. We had a rewarding collaboration with Ryan Cummins, his producing partner Matt Pohlson, and the entire creative team at Control Room.”

“Our concept used typography to drive the film and layered dimensional elements, which helped take viewers along the narrative,” adds George Revilla, Art Director of Solid. “All five films were part of a larger story of hope and inspiration, and by the end of the show, the audience had a real good idea of how the Clinton Foundation works to tackle these myriad global challenges.”

“Given the unique global reach of the Clinton Foundation and the tremendous positive impact it has had, we needed to ensure that all production partners were extremely accurate and respectful to the work,” concludes Cummins. “The entire team at Solid rose to the occasion, and our work with Shane [Zucker] was as clear and healthy as one could ever hope for. His easygoing approach made the effort feel more relaxed, yet his attentiveness and care for detail gave us the confidence he could deliver. And he did.”

Client/Project: William J. Clinton Foundation “Decade of Difference”
Launch Date: October 15, 2011

Entertainment Agency: Control Room
President: Aaron Grosky
Executive Producers – Films: Ryan Cummins, Matt Pohlson
Director of Artist Relations/Producer: Mara Levinson

Design Company: Solid, Santa Monica, CA
Director: Shane Zucker
Art Director: George Revilla
Designers/Animators: Brent Stangel, Jen Olive Lee
3D Artists: Cody Smith, Shane Zucker
Roto Artist: Ernie Smith
Producers: Sean Deveaux, Chris Kern

About Solid:
Embracing new forms of collaboration and technology, Solid is a creative concept company that produces content for commercials, music videos, films and experiential projects. Whether an idea requires a precise execution or abstract treatment, Solid delivers solutions that are inspired, engaging and thought-provoking. Its team of creative thinkers, directors, designers, editors and artists bring together eclectic schools of thought to communicate ideas in empowering and unexpected ways. Recent clients include EA Games, Visa, DirecTV, and Hugo Boss.

www.solidla.com

New office, new staff and increased local presence demonstrates commitment to partner development in the region.

As the latest step in their global growth strategy to provide support for local partners, projectiondesign has opened an office in the heart of Russia’s capital.

To coincide with the increased local presence, industry veteran Stein Ramsli has taken on the role of Regional Director, Russia and CIS. Ramsli previously held the position of Managing Director at Cisco/TANDBERG Russia and PLC and has extensive experience in working in the region. Ramsli explains: “Our opening of an office in Moscow clearly demonstrates projectiondesign’s commitment to supporting partners in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Our products are already very popular in the region, and we foresee strong continued growth here. Localising sales and marketing, training and product service and support is important for us, and will ensure our continued success.”

At the same time, several new staff appointments have been made to support local business with partners and customers, as well as building a strong business foundation in the region. All new staff report to Ramsli.

Andrey Mankos has joined projectiondesign as Business Development Manager, Russia and CIS and brings strong experience in distribution and systems integration in Russia.

Ludmila Limanskaya, Executive Assistant will provide local marketing and business activity support.

Lastly, Grigory Eryomin is appointed to the position of Field Applications Engineer to support partners with any technical and service enquiries. He brings over 4 years solid experience in AV engineering.

projectiondesign’s strong local knowledge and increased presence also involves the greatest ever participation at the Integrated Systems Russia Expo, where projectiondesign will demonstrate their impressive range of projection technologies. The company will also showcase the world’s highest resolution single chip DLP active stereoscopic 3D projector, the F35 AS3D.

In addition to the product introduction, projectiondesign will display the world’s highest resolution DLP projector for commercial use, the F35 wqxga, featuring 2560 x 1600 pixels, as well as several other models of their extensive range of high performance projectors and supporting systems, including the F82 3-chip DLP® series, and the award winning F32 series.

www.projectiondesign.com

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 25, 2011 – Continually diversifying the ways in which visual information can be presented, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, has introduced the LV-8235 Ultra-Short Throw (UST) Multimedia Projector. Capable of projecting an 80-inch picture from a distance of only 1.04 ft., the LV-8235 UST can sit on a table or be mounted horizontally or vertically on a wall, ceiling or floor for a variety of 3D or 2D display applications, including educational presentations, advertising/digital signage, or museum/arcade rear-projection screens. With a high brightness rating of 2500 lumens and a maximum display size of 110 inches, the LV-8235 UST delivers its crisp imagery in the WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution 16:10 aspect ratio, which eliminates cropping or distortion when presenting HD video or graphics created on widescreen laptops.

“The LV-8235 UST Multimedia Projector delivers exciting new capabilities to the diverse and dynamic presentation market,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. “The LV-8235 UST can project high-quality images from extremely short distances, giving users in sectors as varied as education, advertising or digital signage the freedom to install the product in tight locations that were previously difficult to project from.”

The Canon LV-8235 UST Multimedia Projector can be used for either normal 2D display or stereoscopic 3D display, depending upon user preference. The frame-sequential method of 3D display employed by the projector switches parallax images intended for the left eye and right eye at very high speed, and requires the use of active-shutter type glasses for viewers to experience stereoscopic 3D imagery1.

Attention-Getter
Utilizing a newly developed ultra-short focus mirror optical system, this new model directs the images it generates through the projection lens and onto a built-in reflection mirror for loop-back through a projection window. This configuration makes it possible to use a table or a floor as a projection screen. The ultra-short throw capability also allows users to install the projector in a wide range of compact positions, including – through the use of approved brackets and attachments – horizontal or vertical wall or ceiling mounts. Examples of ultra-short throw applications include cost-effective 3D or 2D rear-projection in museums or arcades, or digital signage use in which store-front product promotions can be projected onto the sidewalk or the floor of a shopping mall to attract the attention of people walking by. The Canon LV-8235 UST Multimedia Projector is also ideal for many classroom applications where proximity to the whiteboard or screen helps to minimize the possibility of obstructions to projected images.

Convenient, Effective Features
The LV-8235 UST Multimedia Projector’s ultra-short throw capabilities and close proximity to the screen also minimize shadows as well as glare that could shine in an education or business presenter’s eyes. Users in these sectors enjoy a long list of additional beneficial features that make using the projector simple to use for maximizing the effectiveness of visual communication. Other features of this new projector include:
• Computer Synchronization – an automatic feature that turns on when a computer is connected to the projector and an input signal is detected. The feature then automatically synchronizes the projector with the computer’s screen resolution.
• Direct Power-On – useful for inaccessible ceiling-installed projectors, this feature automatically turns on the projector when the power cord is plugged into an outlet, eliminating the need to press the power switch on the unit.
• 2000:1 Contrast Ratio –this feature ensures images with crisp blacks, depth and dimension.
• HDMI Digital Input – provides the ability to project high-quality digital images and 1080p HD video from digital cable and satellite boxes, and a variety of HD inputs, such as Blu-ray players. Inputs for analog PC, digital PC, analog component and composite video, two analog audio inputs, and one analog audio output (for relaying audio through external speakers) are also included.
• Built-In 10-Watt Speaker – a high-output speaker designed to provide the audio amplification needed for most classrooms and conference rooms.
• RJ-45 Network Connection – allows users to manage and control multiple projectors from a network PC.
• RS-232C Serial Connection – enables users to control the projector locally through a third-party control system.
• Quiet Operation – At only 28dBA (in Eco mode), the new LV-8235 UST is exceptionally quiet. The cooling system is designed to efficiently dissipate heat while keeping the noise level at a minimum.

Pricing, Availability and Warranty Information
The Canon LV-8235 UST Multimedia Projector has a suggested list price of $1799 and is currently available.

The Canon LV-8235 UST Multimedia Projector is backed by Canon U.S.A.’s Three-Year Limited Warranty and exclusive Projector Protection Program (“Triple P”). Triple P is a FREE service program that provides a loaner projector of equal or greater value in the event that a qualifying unit is in need of repair. Triple P is available on all Canon projector models during the Three-Year Canon USA Limited Warranty period.*

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the U.S. in 2010†, with global revenues of more than US $45 billion and is listed as number five in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies 2011 list. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – “all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future” – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

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†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

*Loaner units based on availability. Program subject to change at any time without given notice. Contact the Canon Customer Support Center at 1-800-828-4040 for complete details.

All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Availability, prices, and specifications of all products are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary.

1 3D glasses would need to be purchased separately and are not sold through Canon U.S.A.

KOIN-TV, the CBS affiliate serving the Portland, Ore. metropolitan area, has streamlined the production of its local news with the installation of a full complement of Grass Valley™ live news production technologies. The highly rated station recently added K2 ™ media server and shared storage technology to help record and deliver its news and syndicated content.

KOIN’s new eight-channel media server is comprised of a K2 SAN (Storage Area Network) and two K2 Summit production clients. Attached to the K2 SAN are their Sony Vegas HD edit systems allowing editors to share clips and work on projects simultaneously within a highly collaborative environment. The previously installed Grass Valley Ignite™ automated production system will be used to control a new four-channel standalone HD K2 Summit media server to playout the scheduled lineup of local news packages on a daily basis.

Because KOIN journalists shoot with Sony XDCAM (MPEG-2) camcorders, the station is deploying 300 hours of storage at XDCAM 25 resolution, along with Grass Valley AppCenter Pro software to control the server channel operations, and a Grass Valley BaseCamp Express content management software to add and manage files and metadata, as required, in tandem with a low-resolution proxy encoder. The solution offers a drag-and-drop media manager and full archive support.

“We have always had success with the Grass Valley technology that we’ve used in the past and it has met all of our expectations,” said Rick Brown, Director of Technical Operations at KOIN. “As a leading news station, we need to get content on the air first and with our Grass Valley systems now firmly in place, it has made our production workflows more efficient and our staff better able to handle more content faster. That’s the name of the game in news.”

In order to keep the systems up and running 24/7, KOIN has also entered into a four-year Service Level Agreement (SLA) to have Grass Valley engineering and product specialist expertise available whenever it’s needed.

“KOIN has been a pioneer in the use of IT-centric technology to streamline its local news operations and they’re supporting those efforts with this new purchase,” said Jeff Rosica, Executive Vice President of Grass Valley. “The strength of the K2 server line is that users can add and expand new features and functionality as the need arises.”

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