Set of tools designed to improve interoperability and streamline work of effects software vendors and studios
The Visual Effects Society (VES), the industry’s professional honorary society, has announced the release of the industry standard VFX Reference Platform, a set of tools and library versions to be used as a common target platform for building software for the VFX industry. Its purpose is to minimize incompatibilities between different software packages, ease the support burden for Linux-based pipelines and encourage further adoption of Linux by software vendors. The Reference Platform is updated annually by a group of software vendors in collaboration with the VES Technology Committee.
The Calendar Year 2014 (CY2014) Reference Platform is the first-of-its-kind and represents the closest collaboration yet between software solutions providers to converge on a common platform. The CY2015 Platform developed for 2015 software releases has now been published in draft form and feedback is invited from software vendors and customer studios. The final version will be published in August 2014 and announced at SIGGRAPH.
“By working with industry software providers, we’ve identified major library versions that are updated annually that can be shared between all major apps. This is a huge step forward for software distribution for VFX on Linux,” said Jeffrey A. Okun, VES Board chair. “We’re proud that the VES Technology Committee, under the leadership of Rob Bredow and Nick Cannon, has successfully addressed this critical challenge and developed a much-needed solution.”
The VES worked in collaboration with leading VFX companies and application providers to develop the platform, which provides a forum to coordinate major platform upgrades, easing the transition to new technologies, while increasing reliable interoperability and lowering costs for vendors and customers.
“For the past year, the VES has been collaborating with Autodesk and other software vendors to create a reference Linux platform to address the endemic hassle of ‘version-itis.’ We’re thrilled the VES is taking the lead to rally both the visual effects community and vendors on the Linux platform to organize this working group and benefit all of our customers,” said Chris Vienneau, Autodesk Media & Entertainment’s director of product management.
The Reference Platforms along with further supporting information, including how to contribute feedback, are available on http://vfxplatform.com.
Oscar and Emmy-Winning Composer Kris Bowers Joins Barking Owl For Advertising, Branded Content
Music, audio post and sonic branding house Barking Owl has taken on exclusive representation of Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers for advertising and branded content.
Bowers’ recent film scores include The Wild Robot and Bob Marley: One Love, alongside acclaimed past works such as The Color Purple (2023), King Richard and Green Book. His contributions to television are equally impressive, with scores for hit series like Bridgerton, When They See Us, Dear White People, and his Daytime Emmy Award-winning score for The Snowy Day.
In addition to his work as a composer, Bowers is a visionary director. He recently took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for his directorial work on The Last Repair Shop. The emotionally touching short film spotlights four of the people responsible for repairing the musical instruments used by students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The Last Repair Shop reflects the positive influence that musical instruments have on the youngsters who play them, and the adults in the LAUSD free repair service who keep them working and in tune.
Barking Owl CEO Kirkland Alexander Lynch said of Bowers, “His artistry, diversity of style and depth of storytelling bring an unparalleled edge to the work we create for global brands. His presence on our roster reflects our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound and music in advertising.”
Johanna Cranitch, creative director, Barking Owl, added, “Kris first caught my attention when he released his record ‘Heroes + Misfits’ where he fused together his jazz sensibility with a deeply ingrained aptitude for melody, so beautifully.... Read More