Postproduction continues to change at an ever-increasing pace. At the recently held National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention, the discussion centered on the continuing high-definition revolution, and the nascent convergent media industry. In The Buzz, several owners and operators from post facilities discuss what the highlights from NAB were, and what some of the new technology means for their businesses. While many attendees were impressed and excited about the hi-def equipment, such as Sonys HDW-F900 camcorders and the HDC-950 studio and portable cameras, they were also frustrated at the slow pace with which HD is being adopted. Im tired of seeing all these beautiful pictures on beautiful monitors at NAB, says Dean Winkler, president of Post Perfect, New York, and COO of the New York Media Company. I want to go home and see them on my home screen. Post artisans also discussed how divergent mediaaon the one hand, HD, and on the other, lower-cost, lower-resolution desktop solutionsawill likely become a hot topic among post practitioners.
In the realm of new media, SHOOT editor Robert Goldrich looks at some of the inroads being made in interactive television (ITV) systems in Enhancing The Spot Experience. Avid Technologies, Tewksbury, Mass., displayed an early version of its AvidITVauthor on the floor at NAB, and is looking to get a functional pre-release to qualified users this fall. The system will be used for creating interactive digital television content compliant with the Advanced Television Enhanced Forum (ATVEF) specification. Steve Armstong, founding partner/editor at editorial/ design shop ARTiFACT, Santa Monica, was pleased with Avids entry into interactive television but would like to accelerate the projected timetable for delivery. Other systems previewed at NAB included the ITV DataFlo System from Mixed Signals Technologies, Culver City, Calif. The system is an integrated interactive television production suite package of hardware and ATVEF-compliant software.
In Riot Act, SHOOT senior reporter Justine Elias examines the recent merger of four Santa Monica-based post operationsaRiot, Digital Magic, and POPs film and animation divisions. The four entities are all owned by Four Media Company (4MC), Burbank, Calif. The new post studio is now called R!OT, and will work on convergent media as well as traditional post work.
Motown Mavens looks at Postique, Southfield, Mich. The post facility aims to provide both technical and creative solutions to its clients. Several of the post artists discuss how, by wearing many different hats, Postique is able to shepherd a project through several levels of the finishing process.
Recently, DownStream, Portland, Ore., changed ownership from The Tyee Group, Portland, to DownStream LLC, a group of investors that includes Tim Larson, now president/general manager of the post house. Moving Upstream looks at how the company has handled the shift in ownership, as well as some of the recent work coming out of the facility.
Post Central Charlotte, located appropriately enough in Charlotte, N.C., is a three-year-old post house that recently made some of its first forays into national work with spots for Champion Sportswear and Homepoint.com.
Postproduction is likely to bring new advancements and news to the spot world in the months to come. As the field continues to grow, change and shift focus, keep looking to SHOOT for news and updates, and as always, your feedback is welcome.
