Effective June 1, Ascent Media Creative Services, headquartered in Santa Monica, will be adding Rainer Knebel as VP of digital intermediates (DI). He is currently wrapping up his 10-year tenure with Paris-headquartered Thomson’s Grass Valley (which during his stay was also named Thomson Broadcast, Phillips, and BTS).
Most recently, Knebel has served as Grass Valley’s worldwide marketing director of postproduction products, which include the Spirit Datacine and Specter; his work includes more that seven years in design, development, applications and product management focusing on marketing and business strategy. He has worked extensively with postproduction facilities around world–including many leading commercial post houses–implementing Grass Valley post technology.
Knebel’s appointment is in keeping with Ascent Media’s commitment to DI, according to Bob Solomon, president of Ascent Media Creative Services. “DI is quickly becoming standard practice in the film and advertising industries,” said Solomon, noting that Ascent is ramping up in related talent, technology and support services. “Rainer has been involved in DI since its inception and has developed solutions worldwide. He is the ideal individual to nourish and expand our market leadership in this field.”
A key aspect of Knebel’s role will be to educate clients in how to gain the maximum benefit from Ascent Media’s DI services, and to serve as a technical resource consultant during pre-production and production about the technical options available, according to Stefan Sonnenfeld, senior VP of business development for Ascent Media Creative Services.
“DI has gained wide acceptance for both films and commercials, but it is still a new process for many of our clients,” said Sonnenfeld, a noted colorist at Company 3, Santa Monica, part of the Ascent Media family. “Rainer can help them to understand all of the options and determine if DI makes sense for their project. Simply by demystifying the process, he can make it accessible and valuable to more clients.”