Archive for November 28th, 2011

MPC is pleased to announce the promotion of senior colorist Mark Gethin to US Creative Director of Color Grading. In his new position, Gethin will lead the creativity and growth of color grading in New York and Los Angeles via MPC’s dedicated digital infrastructure that allows real-time remote grading in HD.

“During his 4 years with MPC LA, Mark has had a tremendous impact on the US market, landing awards and working on a range of high-profile clients,” noted MPC Global Advertising MD Graham Bird. “His attention to detail and approach to the craft is the imprint we want MPC to make on all its projects.”

MPC’s Creative Director of Color Grading Jean-Clement Soret said, “Congratulations to Mark! His new position reflects years of consistent top quality work, he is a very special talent in the commercials US industry.”

Gethin has successfully impacted the US market with campaigns for blue-chip clients BMW, Saab, Puma, Honda, Xbox, Coca-Cola, Gatorade and Proctor & Gamble to name a few. His work on Halo 3 ODST: The Life earned a British Arrow Award.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved since opening our doors in Santa Monica three years ago,” said Gethin, who previously worked as senior colorist in the London office. “We’ve got a great team here in LA and I’m excited about the opportunity to develop further throughout the US.”

MPC is home to the very best color talent; Jean-Clement Soret, Paul Harrison, George K, Ricky Gausis and James Tillett are based in London, while Mark Gethin in LA. All are available for remote grading in London, LA, New York and Stockholm.

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About MPC
MPC is an award winning VFX and Digital studio servicing the advertising, motion picture and television industries. From its London, New York, Santa Monica, Vancouver, and Bangalore offices, MPC’s dynamic and diverse team delivers industry-defining VFX, animation, motion graphics, color grading, production, projection mapping, social and mobile application development, online advertising, data management, software R&D and pipeline development.

With a trio of integrated divisions, MPC utilizes a unified approach that drives the use of existing or newly created assets across the whole range of today’s media landscape. MPC Creative handles client projects directly with top-notch directing, CG animation and character design. MPC FX Studio is a dedicated corps of graphic and digital designers who bring clients’ visions to life. MPC Data Lab processes the content and makes it available for editing on demand. MPC is a Technicolor Company.

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MTI Film Hollywood and Nice Shoes New York have entered into a strategic relationship, dubbed Control Dailies at Nice Shoes, to offer entertainment television producers a digital dailies service for episodic television shows originating in New York and finishing on either coast.

According to MTI CEO, Larry Chernoff, and Nice Shoes CEO, Dominic Pandolfino, the relationship is the latest chapter in a long history of cooperation and friendship between the two companies. “I’ve known Dominic for over twenty five years. Two years ago, when I decided to open MTI’s service business, I called Dominic to let him know I was back in the game. There’s friendship, trust, and tremendous respect for each other and the organizations we represent,” Chernoff explains.

Pandolfino notes, “We’ve wanted to extend our successful commercial post services into the entertainment area for some time now so partnering with MTI provides both companies with added ability to service customers in this very important space.”

Nice Shoes CIO, Robert Keske, adds, “MTI’s proven Control Dailies technology coupled with our talent base will provide producers with the comfort of knowing that both Nice Shoes in New York and MTI in Los Angeles are able to expertly finish entertainment projects in an environment that is 100% compatible with one another.”

At the core of their cooperation will be the Control Dailies service with a high-speed Internet connection between the two cities assuring customers on-time and compatible dailies. Unique to the operation will be a real-time connection between the two facilities allowing for coast-to-coast interaction. “This will allow our customers on both coasts to be able to see their images in high quality video when needed,” says Chernoff.

MTI’s Control Dailies has been in operation at a variety of facilities throughout Los Angeles, Vancouver, Miami, New Orleans, and Toronto and has been at the forefront in facilitating dailies for all digital cameras including Alexa, RED, Phantom, XDcam, P2, Canon 5D and 7D and more.

“MTI has been at the leading edge of digital dailies technology for ten years. When no one else was thinking about digital dailies, I remember Larry being a lone voice in the post wilderness evangelizing the virtues and efficiency of tapeless dailies workflows. My partner, Chris Ryan, and Robert Keske, our Chief Information Officer, flew to LA to demo the product. Their conclusion was that Control Dailies is the best and most complete solution they’ve seen in the space. With ten years of development, it’s what you’d expect,” Pandolfino explains.

“At the heart of our choice to collaborate with Nice Shoes was the fact that while being a leader in the creative space, they also have a reputation of having a strong technology backbone,” says Chernoff. Control Dailies at Nice Shoes will commence in time for the 2012 pilot season. “I’m very happy that we were able to bring together this relationship, and that Nice Shoes will house our technology in New York. Knowing the creative and engineering talent Nice Shoes brings to the partnership ensures that our Los Angeles based customers will be well served.”

Visit Nice Shoes

About Nice Shoes
NYC-based Nice Shoes is a full service, artist-driven design, animation, visual effects and color grading studio specializing in high-end commercials, web content, film, TV and music videos. Since its inception in 1996, the studio has prided itself on consistently reinvesting in its talent, technical backbone, and client experience to set the standard of excellence both creatively and technically. Key company principals include: CEO/Partner Dominic Pandolfino, Colorists/Partners Chris Ryan and Lez Rudge, VFX Artist/Partner Rich Schreck, MD Kristen Martini, CDs Brian Bowman and Aron Baxter, CIO Robert Keske, Senior Producer Pat Portela, and Brand Director Justin Pandolfino.

About MTI:

MTI Film LLC Since 1997 MTI Film has offered award winning software applications to the post-production industry for film and video image correction and dailies facilitation. MTI’s applications support collaborative digital work-flows which scale to significantly increase throughput. MTI Film products include Correct DRS#, Control Dailies and Convey. In 2010, MTI Film moved their Hollywood operations to a newly built facility on Sycamore Ave. This facility allowed MTI to move fully into the unique role of providing powerful technological solutions as both products and services, with each side strengthening and informing the evolution of the other.

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Click 3X is pleased to announce the launch of C3X Live, a new full-service, live-action content company at the intersection of entertainment and advertising. The studio will focus on commercial production with a significant reach into branded content.

Director and industry mainstay Juan Delcan will headline a roster of current Click 3X talent that includes Ders Hallgren, Mark Szumski and Aaron Vasquez. Agency and production-company veteran Mary Crosse will oversee the new division as executive producer for content. Rob Mackler will continue his head of live action production duties under the new banner.

“For the past several years, Click 3X has been shooting an increasing amount of live-action production, and we felt the volume justified a stand-alone division,” noted Click 3X founder Peter Corbett. “With the inimitable Juan Delcan leading an incredible directorial roster and the multi-talented Mary Crosse pulling everything together on a daily basis, C3X is set to succeed from day one.”

C3X Live will deliver a complete package of high-quality branded content in-house from conception to full-service production to distribution. The division will have access to Click 3X’s Clickfire Media and its full range of onsite creative and programming capabilities, Click 3X’s internal production studio, and full postproduction and motion graphics capabilities. The studio will specialize in delivering full branded content solutions in one package, with digital strategy, distribution, seeding capabilities, and an internal production studio.

The studio, which expects to announce additional writer and director signings in coming months, will soon break ground on new production offices and a sound stage fully equipped with green screen cyc, multiple camera options, a full complement of lighting, and in-house audio. Click 3X expects the studio to occupy the fifth floor of their New York headquarters by next March.

Crosse joins the Click family from Lucky Branded Entertainment, which she helped build, providing a successful template to work from as she shepherds the new C3X unit into an established brand. “C3X is perfectly set up to achieve the ultimate branded-content solution, when the definition of branded content is evolving,” stated Crosse. “My experience at large agencies gives me a complete understanding of what creative and production teams are looking for as a branded content solution.”

About Mary Crosse
Mary Crosse’s experience bridges both the agency and production company worlds, offering clients business strategy and efficient production management. Crosse has worked with clients across a range of industries, including Chase, Chevron, Del Monte, Disney, Kraft, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, The Wall Street Journal, Charles Schwab, Dos Equis, Intel and Jaguar. Prior to helping found Click 3X Live in 2011, Crosse spent time at Lucky Branded Entertainment and agencies Draftfcb, Publicis, Euro RSCG and mcgarrybowen. She founded or co-founded Conversation Dominoes, Adholes.com, and Jampacks Media and TourGiveaways.

About Juan Delcan
Juan Delcan is the prolific and versatile director of numerous live-action and animated projects, often combining both worlds to create stunning VFX. Throughout his 20 years in the business, he has worked successively as a designer, illustrator, videogame creator, creative director in audiovisual production houses, live-action filmmaker, and director of animation and motion graphics. His varied work includes TV ads, the creation of IDs and broadcast pieces for TV channels in Europe and the United States, short film and documentary. He joins C3X from Nola Pictures, which he helped found in 2005.

Visit Click 3X

About Click 3X
Click 3X, its interactive division ClickFire Media, and the recently launched C3X Live create engaging film, TV, web, and branded content. Positioned at the intersection of entertainment, advertising, and technology, the studios work in tandem or autonomously. Click 3X shoots, edits, designs, animates and creates VFX; ClickFire brings those disciplines into the interactive space; and C3X Live delivers branded content in-house from conception to full-service production to distribution. Click operates a full service, 11,000 square foot state of the art studio in Manhattan outfitted with 50 fulltime staffers. In 2010 audio post-production division, Sounds Like Click was launched to provide sound design, mixing and original music services.

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Rastatt, Germany – November 2011… In the wake of a lengthy restructuring process, the French company Innovason SAS has been dissolved. The good news is that the Innovason brand has been saved by Lawo AG, which now owns all product and trademark rights. The move, which follows Lawo’s acquisition of the majority shareholding back in April 2008, marks the end of a legal process that resulted in the liquidation of Innovason SAS on 2nd November 2011. The Innovason brand will, henceforth, be managed from Lawo’s corporate headquarters in Rastatt, Germany. more

Christie® brings the ultimate in advanced visualization to I/ITSEC 2011, November 28 – December 1. Leveraging a powerful array of cutting-edge DLP and LED-based technology, the company utilizes its innovative engineering and integration expertise across multiple platforms and applications to deliver customized training and simulation systems from conceptual consultation through planning, integration and installation. The results are dynamic evolutions in technology that are reflected in such concepts as the EGG (Edgeless Graphics Geometry); a 4K resolution virtual sand table; a stereoscopic collimated display; a 60-120HZ high-speed comparison demonstration; and the Personal Immersive Environment (PIE) – all on display at the Christie booth.
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“It’s all about providing customers with the latest innovation, with proven reliability,” remarked Zoran Veselic, vice president of Christie’s Visual Environments. “From the initial site survey to final installation and beyond, Christie integrates its visual projection systems with content from some of the industry’s most innovative companies, such as Flight Safety International, WorldViz, Aechelon Technology, MetaVR and CSC to provide groundbreaking, customized solutions, standardized turnkey systems, and everything in between.”
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Among the various innovative concepts being demonstrated at the Christie Booth:
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EGG – Edgeless Graphics Geometry
The Christie EGG concept is a portable, deployable solution that delivers virtual reality without the edges. It seamlessly fills the entire Field of View (FOV) using groundbreaking technology to deliver smooth, continuous graphics that respond to an intuitive 3D hand control, and features dual-use stereo and simulation. The front-projection “tunnel of light” is driven by eight Christie Mirage WU-L projectors, featuring Christie ArrayLoc™, Christie AutoCal™, and ChristieTwist™, with 3D content provided by WorldViz, an industry leader in interactive virtual reality solutions. The display will demonstrate tasks where depth judgment is required, such as helicopter landing and aerial refueling.
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4K Resolution Virtual Sand Table
Proven to provide superior results, this ultra-high resolution sand table offers situational awareness combined with the interactivity of data in rich detail, allowing users to safely interact with the virtual content on screen – in this case, aerial photography mapped to simulated terrain. The result is a superior interactive experience that offers the added advantage of informative feedback and computer-based coaching during the exercise. The display uses a Christie D4K35 4K (4096 x 2160) resolution 3-chip DLP® projector delivering 32,500 ANSI lumens, powered by a Christie Spyder X20 video processor. The kiosks are context-specific and allow for individual contributions to the main 4K display.
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Stereoscopic Collimated Display
Supporting growing interest in stereoscopic visuals for simulation and training tasks where depth of field is key, the Christie 3D stereo collimated display features an infinite focal plane, so that the eyes can focus closer to infinity – a much more realistic response in the simulated environment. Collimation with 3D projection results in a more realistic out the window display that provides accurate positional information for both near and distant objects. Display is powered by four Christie Mirage WU-L projectors and delivers high resolution and pixel density, with a single-viewpoint perspective. Stereoscopic collimated display applications would benefit boom operator training, driving simulators, and crane operation, as examples.

60 /120HZ High Speed Comparison
A unique, side-by-side demonstration of images projected at 120HZ versus 60HZ, illustrating the accuracy and clarity of higher update rates projection, in which Christie is recognized as the industry leader. Higher update rates offer sharper images with reduced motion artifacts. The display is powered by two dual-input Christie Matrix StIM LED projectors, with content and database provided by strategic partner MetaVR.
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Personal Immersive Environment (PIE)
Composed of Christie FHD551-X HD LCD flat panels, the Christie PIE concept features a three-panel arrangement in portrait mode for a roughly 90 degree FOV. Additional flat panels are added to increase the FOV up to as much as 270 degrees. Easily flipped into landscape to suit the user’s needs, it is a low-cost faceted simulation display system that is perfect for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) training, as well as ship bridges and air traffic control.
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Megapixel Display Wall
More is better, and this high-performance video wall, matched with a Christie Spyder X20 video processor proves it. Composed of a 4 by 8 array of award-winning Christie MicroTiles, this display features higher resolution and more vibrant colors than the standard display wall, making it ideal for situation rooms, as well as command and control or after-action review, where multi displays are needed for the management of information, such as satellite feeds, maps, live-camera feeds, graphics, and pre-recorded video. The Christie Spyder X20 manages and controls content in single or multiple displays, enabling the high resolution display of several images and source types, in real-time and programmed. The 20 megapixel bandwidth enables the Christie Spyder X20 to blend, window, mix and scale any source format, then routes the signal to any destination device or combination of display devices, with unprecedented flexibility and versatility, quickly and easily.
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“Christie continues to push the envelope with progressive visual technology and integrated solutions to meet every customer’s needs and budget,” added Veselic. “We are a leader in our field because we have established a reputation as innovation and system-solutions experts. We bring together technologies from the widest range of areas to create new capabilities. Most importantly, we understand our customers’ problems and we solve them.”
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Every Christie solution is backed by a full range of services and support provided in a collaborative environment that involves the customer every step of the way – and can support the customer after installation for the long-term.
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Christie products can also be found at partner booths throughout I/ITSEC, including FlightSafety International with a stereoscopic collimated display, booth #1701; CSC with Christie FHD551-X tiled LCD flat panels, booth #2511; and the NTSA displays, found at the entrance to the showroom floor.
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Christie is also proud to sponsor a teacher at I/ITSEC 2011 through the National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA)’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program. The goal of the program is to further education in the four STEM disciplines and instigate interest in teachers who can then pass on their new appreciation for modeling and simulation to their students.

OSLO, Norway — Nov. 28, 2011 — The last course in the 2011 Bridge Technologies Academy program is a Train the Trainers session, to be held at the company’s new central Oslo headquarters. Designed for business partners who want to develop an unrivalled understanding of digital media analytics and the Bridge Technologies monitoring system in enough depth to train others, the December course will also cover the new features of the Bridge Technologies software version 4.9 release. more

Composer Jason Moss serves as composer, music supervisor, sound designer and sound editor for 4-part documentary.

LOS ANGELES—Reprising an earlier collaboration with executive producer Ricki Lake and filmmaker Abby Epstein, Super Sonic Noise recently provided music and sound services for the new 4-part documentary More Business of Being Born.

Super Sonic Noise’s Jason Moss composed the theme and original music for the series, released on DVD earlier this month, and also served as music supervisor, sound designer and music editor. Additionally, the series utilized SSN TRAX, Super Sonic Noise’s boutique custom library of underscore tracks.

more

Portable Power Solutions for Sony, Canon, Panasonic, RED and ARRI Will Be On Site

WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 28, 2011—From November 29 to December 1, Anton/Bauer® (Booth 223), a brand of The Vitec Group, and a premier global provider of batteries, chargers, lighting and other mobile power systems for the professional broadcast, video and film industries, will demonstrate the company’s latest power solutions for government buyers and suppliers of video, AV, broadcast and multimedia technology at the Government Video Expo (GV Expo) 2011. more

Hollywood, CA, November 28, 2011 — Since its opening in 2001, The Hollywood & Highland Center has been one of the most popular filming locations in Hollywood. The famous retail center – also home to the Kodak Theatre – has hosted a laundry list of film shoots over the years. But the bar now has been raised, after the filming of an episode of FOX’s unscripted series MOBBED, hosted by Howie Mandel.

The series puts a hidden-camera spin on the “flash mob” concept, with Mandel and thousands of strangers helping a special guest plan an extraordinary surprise for a friend, family member, loved one or co-worker. The most recent episode of MOBBED, which aired on Wednesday, Nov. 23 on FOX, drew a 4 rating in the 18-49 share, with 4.7 million viewers.

The 11/23 episode of MOBBED filmed at the Hollywood & Highland Center for an entire week. Filming at the venue was arranged through the Real to Reel Location Agency of Van Nuys, CA. Real to Reel is the longtime film agent of the Hollywood & Highland Center, which has been owned by CIM Group since 2004.

The MOBBED shoot is but one of many that serves to underscore CIM’s ongoing commitment to filming at the Hollywood & Highland Center. With a location set in the heart of Hollywood, CIM understands the importance of remaining a film-friendly location.

With hoards of active visitors walking through the center day and night, it took a collective effort by several parties to successfully coordinate the hundreds of dancers, performers and crew members involved in the production of MOBBED.

“Working with the Hollywood & Highland Center as well as with the Real to Reel Location Agency was a pleasure. Real to Reel’s expertise and experience with TV production greatly added to our ability to get the most out of our shooting at this location,” said Matthew Laviano, COO, The Angel City Factory, one of the producers of MOBBED.

Since 2007, CIM Group has worked with Real to Reel Location Agency to help manage and coordinate high-end film shoots at the center. Real to Reel’s professional management and experience proved to be vital during the filming of MOBBED, one of the largest film shoots at the Hollywood & Highland Center to date.

Gary Onyshko, CEO of the Real to Reel Location Agency, said, “With its unique and iconic facility, the Hollywood & Highland Center is constantly working on hosting special events. But filming movies and TV shows is an entirely different universe from producing special events. We are fortunate to have represented the Hollywood & Highland complex for a little over four years now, and are glad to have helped manage MOBBED at this exciting venue.”
For more information about MOBBED, please visit www.fox.com/mobbed. Become a fan of the series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MobbedonFOX, follow the series on Twitter @mobbedonFOX and join the discussion at #Mobbed.

For more information about the Hollywood & Highland Center, please visit: http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com.

For more information about the Real to Reel Location Agency, please visit:

http://www.rtrlocations.com.

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Electrosonic is proud to have participated once again in several projects that have captured Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement presented by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). Electrosonic, an international audio-visual company, played a key role in both “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue” at Disneyland (cited in the Attraction Refresh category) and “Crane Dance” at Resorts World Sentosa (named in the Show Spectacular category).

Winners of the 18th annual Thea Awards were announced November 15 at the IAAPA trade show in Orlando; the awards will be presented March 17, 2012 at a gala ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.

The Thea Awards recognize and honor excellence in creating outstanding visitor experiences, attractions, exhibits and places. TEA is the only international non-profit association representing the world’s leading creators, developers, designers and producers of compelling content for these venues.

Electrosonic has worked consistently with Disney on many of their projects around the world. Working closely with design engineers at Walt Disney Imagineering in Burbank, Electrosonic played a pivotal role as systems integrator on the revamped “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue” project, providing fabrication, installation and termination of the low-voltage AV, FX and show control systems. Steve Calver was Electrosonic’s project manager and Les Hill the systems sales consultant.

The Thea Awards nominating committee noted that “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue” is a hit with the extremely loyal “Star Wars” fan base, which was first drawn to the film-based analog version of the simulator ride when it debuted in 1987. Today, “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue” features new 3D digital media systems for a breakthrough experience with a unique branching story structure offering multiple destinations and characters. “This non-traditional storytelling device evokes curiosity by providing 54 potential show experiences,” the committee said. “Image capture systems are used to integrate riders into the varied story branches. All of this is fed into multiple motion programs designed for each random sequence, creating a multiplicity of kinetics for the 54 distinct profiles and unique real-time guest integrations.”

In addition to systems engineering, installation and commissioning, Electrosonic also provides creative technical Design Consulting services to help clients realize their creative vision. For the “Crane Dance” show at Resorts World Sentosa, Electrosonic served as the technical design consultant working directly with creative show designer Jeremy Railton at Entertainment Design Corporation (EDC). Leading the creative and technical design process for EDC was Mark Thomas of On Track Themes whom Electrosonic has worked with for many years on multiple themed entertainment projects around the world.

Steve Coe, one of Electrosonic’s senior design consultants, designed and specified the elaborate Renkus-Heinz audio system, Coolux Pandoras Box video playback system and Medialon show control for this attraction. “This unique application for technology required an out-of-the-box approach to a system design,” says Coe. “There are many technical challenges with this type of attraction and using the right tool for the right job is crtical.”

Billed as the largest animatronic attraction in the world, “Crane Dance” is a 10-minute public performance piece staged daily on the WaterFront. It features a pair of huge mechanical cranes whose courtship and budding love for each other transform them into real birds. The attraction combines groundbreaking audio and visual technologies with amazing light and water effects. Each hydraulically-powered mechanical crane weighs 80 tons and operates in six axes of movement.

Electrosonic’s Linda Danet also worked closely with the entire team as systems sales consultant.

About Electrosonic
Electrosonic is an international AV company with a strong reputation for working on complex projects, both large and small, and has through its 47 year history developed lasting partnerships with customers and suppliers. Electrosonic brings a unique breadth of experience to each project; backed by solid engineering skills, project management and quality production facilities. Beyond complete integrated systems, Electrosonic can provide a wide range of services including technical design, maintenance and operational support.

Learn more about Electrosonic. Visit www.electrosonic.com