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Halon Entertainment & Virtual Production

Halon Entertainment & Virtual Production

🌐 Pixotope, Sony Looks to AI, Kino iPhone App

June 01, 2024

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Welcome back to VP Land!

After a bit of a break during our NAB coverage, we’re back with the podcast!

We’ve got a great chat with Meredith Brace Sloss and Jess Marley from Halon about their extensive VP and photogrammetry work.

We’ve also some coverage on Sony Pictures eyeing AI to reduce costs and a new pro-level iPhone app for video recording.

Next weekend is Cine Gear - if you’re going to be there reply back and let us know, we’d love to meet.

Alright, let’s jump into it!

From The Mandalorian to Pinocchio: Halon Entertainment & Virtual Production

Meredith Brace Sloss and Jess Marley from Halon Entertainment recently sat down to discuss their experience in virtual production, virtual art department, photogrammetry, and VFX.

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Behind the Scenes

The goal in virtual production is to do as much on the LED wall as possible and minimize post-production work. Mandalorian set the stage for the virtual production pipeline, but a significant portion still goes through the traditional VFX pipeline for finishing.
Bringing the virtual art department in early allows for collaboration with the physical art department, stage vendors, and creative teams to optimize the process and save money.
Virtual scouting, as seen in Pinocchio, enables directors to explore the virtual world at different scales and plan shots effectively.
Photogrammetry and techniques like NeRFs and Gaussian Splats are being utilized to capture real-world environments for virtual production, eliminating the need for full CG recreations in some cases.

It feels performative in a way that I noticed the difference that the performances the actors gave was just wildly different than a green screen or a big empty box.

Meredith Brace Sloss

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Blackmagic’s New 2110 IP Converters

Blackmagic Design's new 2110 IP Converters are here to simplify your transition to IP broadcast systems. With mini and rack mount models supporting 10G Ethernet, these converters integrate your SDI equipment into 2110 IP workflows effortlessly.

Blackmagic 2110 IP Converters Features

All converters conform to the SMPTE-2110 IP video standard.
Choose between Mini Converter or rack-mount models.
Uses readily available 10G Ethernet for low cost installation.
Re-syncs SDI inputs to a common PTP clock.
Includes NMOS Protocol for building a virtual router.
Low latency, open standard Blackmagic IP10 codec.
Supports all SD, HD and Ultra HD formats up to 2160p60.

Converters start at $365. Learn more at Blackmagic’s website.

Pixotope Enables Remote Virtual Production for NEP

Pixotope, a leading software platform for real-time virtual production solutions, has enabled remote camera tracking for NEP The Netherlands in their coverage of the inaugural all-electric speedboat race, the E1 Series.

This collaboration allowed NEP to run the production remotely from their studio in Hilversum, Netherlands, while the camera tracking was deployed on-site in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The Breakdown

Pixotope addresses remote workflow challenges typically involved in virtual production, such as the need for on-site equipment and technicians, camera tracking complexities, and latency issues.
By enabling remote virtual production workflows, Pixotope is making immersive experiences in live broadcasting more accessible and cost-effective.
Javier Reyes, Technical Product Manager at Pixotope, states, "Instead of rigorous and resource-intensive on-location setups, our customers can now minimize their on-site footprint while increasing flexibility and efficiency."

Final Take

As remote virtual production becomes more accessible, it is set to revolutionize the way live events are covered, enabling broadcasters to stay competitive in an ever-evolving industry.

AI generated concept image

Sony Pictures is looking to AI to help reduce production costs.

Behind the Scenes

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) CEO Tony Vinciquerra is focused on using AI to reduce film production costs.
Vinciquerra: "We will be looking at ways to...produce both films for theaters and television in a more efficient way, using AI primarily."
SPE maintains an arms-dealer approach, licensing content to Netflix after theatrical releases.
Crunchyroll, Sony's anime streaming service, is expected to be the primary driver of SPE's growth in the coming years.

Final Take

As the film industry grapples with rising production costs, Sony Pictures is embracing AI as a potential solution. While the extent of AI's role in filmmaking will be determined by ongoing negotiations with unions, SPE's CEO is optimistic about its ability to streamline the production process.

Lux Optics Launches Kino: iPhone App for Cinematic Video

Lux Optics, the team behind the popular pro camera app Halide, has launched a new app called Kino. The app aims to bring professional-level video features to the iPhone in a user-friendly interface.

🎬 Showrunner introduces an AI-powered platform that enables filmmakers and content creators to produce the first-ever slate of AI-generated TV shows

🍿 George Lucas says the integration of AI in cinema is unavoidable, and attempting to prevent it is futile.

🏆 Final Pixel's innovative use of virtual production in their Oracle Red Bull Racing campaign earned them the Global Productions Virtual Production Innovation Award for 2024

🔳 The ASUS ProArt Display PA32KCX delivers true 8K resolution and advanced features, making it an ideal choice for editors working on XR and virtual productions.

🎥 The Sony BURANO demonstrates impressive exposure latitude, reaching nearly 10 stops, surpassing the performance of the Sony VENICE 2 in CineD's lab tests, despite its higher rolling shutter in 8.6K full-frame mode.

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