The Hollywood Post Alliance (HPA) was founded nearly two years ago, dedicated to the notion that in times of technological, as well as economic challenges and opportunities, the postproduction community could be better served if the entire industry begins to learn and work together. That notion is especially critical in today’s business climate.
HPA was founded to represent the Southern California post community, filling a void left by the former ITS. It has united the local post community by extending full membership to include the Hollywood studios, manufacturers and other stakeholders in postproduction, and to address member needs in the areas of business, technology and creativity.
HPA aims to provide a forum for the networking of colleagues and peers, facilitate information exchange, become the industry’s advocate, and speak with the power of the "larger voice" of the entire industry on common issues and topics such as government affairs, local community/ business issues and technology. The organization also provides a platform for industry events and initiatives.
Initiatives
HPA leaders have spent the better part of the past year building a structure, and the young association is now poised for growth as it enters its third year. "The overwhelming response to the notion of the HPA has given us renewed energy," relates HPA president Leon Silverman, who is executive VP at LaserPacific, Hollywood. "We head into the new year with growing membership and growing support."
As 2004 approaches, HPA readies for its most significant annual event, the Technology Retreat, which is also the one event that HPA took over when ITS folded. The retreat will be held Feb. 4-6 at La Quinta Resort & Club, Palm Springs, Calif.
The event is designed to allow post execs the ability to exchange ideas and network. Technology guru Mark Schubin returns to lead the proceedings, which will include individual speakers and panel discussions on topics such as cinematography, digital postproduction processes, digital intermediates and DTV this year. The event will also include an exhibit area and social events such as cocktail parties and the Technology Retreat’s annual softball game.
This past year, HPA began holding networking dinners, which has attracted roughly 50 guests per dinner (the most recent was held Nov. 4). These events have generated interesting conversation and positive feedback, and will be part of the ’04 HPA schedule.
And the program committee, chaired by Ron Burdett, HPA executive board member and CEO of Sunset Digital Studios, Glendale, Calif., is already busy filling next year’s expanded event schedule. New to that schedule will be a mini-retreat in Santa Monica, which will include educational sessions and a beach party. Education and creative case studies are also part of the plans for new programs.
"It’s always important for the industry to get together and share knowledge," explains Silverman. "We are at an interesting time in our industry. Increasingly, our world of video is transitioning to a world of data and network infrastructure. The world of videotape is being augmented by the world of massive storage, and film increasingly has a digital finish and—possibly someday—digital distribution.
"There is not a better place [than HPA] to learn about how your skill set may need to be augmented," he concludes. "HPA now has the foundation to be serious about the needs of the industry, and these issues, under the broad spectrum of the HPA, now have a neutral ground. We are really trying to understand the needs of the industry, and how to better serve and react to the industry."
HPA was founded by LaserPacific; Sunset Digital; Ascent Media Group, Santa Monica; Panasonic, with U.S. headquarters in Secaucus, N.J.; Sony, with U.S. headquarters in Park Ridge, N.J.; The Post Group, Hollywood; and Thomson Broadcast and Media Solutions, with U.S. headquarters in Nevada City, Calif.
The board of directors includes an executive committee made up of Silverman; Burdett; Mike D’Amore, VP/marketing and business development, Thomson; Bob Solomon, executive in charge, Ascent Media Creative Services; Andrew Stucker, general manager/studio and production markets, Sony Broadcast & Production Systems; along with board VPs Charles Schwartz, executive director/ CEO, Entertainment Technology Center, Hollywood; Phil Squyres, senior VP/technical operations, Sony Pictures Television, Culver City, Calif.; and such board members as Tom McMahon, senior architect, Dolby Research, San Francisco; and Jerry Pierce, senior VP/technology, Universal Pictures, Universal City, Calif.
