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Jim Rider, VP at InfoComm, & Runway Gen-3

Jim Rider, VP at InfoComm, & Runway Gen-3

🌐 VP Tech at InfoComm, Runway's New AI Model

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In today’s edition:

🎙️ Our interview with Jim Rider, head of VP at Pier59 Studios
📺 New hardware at InfoComm
🎨 Runway’s Gen-3 model is open to everyone

Chatting with VFX Legend Jim Rider on Virtual Production

"It's a little bit bleeding edge. It's a little bit fingers crossed sometimes with what's going on," says Jim Rider, a veteran of visual effects turned virtual production supervisor, encapsulating the thrilling uncertainty of Hollywood's latest technological revolution.

In the latest episode of the VP Land podcast, Rider charts the course from his early days manipulating miniatures and optical composites to his current role overseeing a state-of-the-art LED volume at Pier59 Studios.

Watch/Listen & Subscribe

YouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Overcast

The Breakdown

Pier59 Studios in NYC has the largest LED volumes on the East Coast with a 65' x 18' curved wall with a 2.6mm dot pitch
The stage uses Disguise for their media server, Unreal Engine for 3D scenes, Sony VENICE and RED Komodo cameras, complete with Asus ProArt Monitors and Asus ProArt Studiobooks
A recent WWE spot with Meek Mill was shot entirely on the LED volume with a 1-week turnaround, only possible with VP

But virtual production is increasingly proving its value. Jim shares how a recent spot for the WWE featuring rapper Meek Mill would have been impossible to pull off in the available time frame without an LED stage.

By using an LED wall to create virtual environments, the Pier59 Studios team was able to shoot multiple complex setups in a single day without the need for extensive post-production work.

SPONSOR MESSAGE

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.

New VP Hardware at InfoComm

InfoComm was last week - we’ve got a quick roundup of new tech that popped up on our radar related to virtual production.

Absen introduced the Pixel Reality RGBW Series, Jupiter Pro Series, Jupiter V2 Series, and Flex Series, each designed to cater to the unique needs of the live event and staging industry.

Read more about Absen’s new products here.
Kinglight showcased innovative LED solutions for various applications, including virtual production and cinema displays.
BOE showcased its virtual production set, which offers a comprehensive solution for creating immersive backgrounds in film production.
VMX's Venus Pro simplifies the virtual production process by combining advanced LED technology, intuitive software, and robust hardware into a single, user-friendly platform.

Runway Gen-3 Released to Everyone

Last week Runway teased their latest AI video generator model. They’ve slowly been granting access, but now, anyone with an account can use it.

Gen-3 Alpha Text to Video is now available to everyone.
A new frontier for high-fidelity, fast and controllable video generation.
Try it now at runwayml.com
— Runway (@runwayml)
5:03 PM • Jul 1, 2024

From the online clips we’ve seen, these are some of the most photorealistic AI-generated videos we’ve seen yet (just look at this demo reel from Bilawal Sidhu).

We also covered the other week how Luma introduced their own generative video model, Dream Machine. They’ve recently rolled out a keyframe feature to generate video between two given images.

I’ve been experimenting with this with screenshots from existing live-action footage, and the generated transitions have been really impressive.

Two things to note about both of these AI updates:

Runway’s Gen3 model is only text to video. There’s no image to video support yet
Luma’s keyframe feature only works with two images.

🏞️ ROE Visual has created an innovative open air studio for BBC Sport's live broadcasts from Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, combining LED technology, virtual production, and XR techniques in a challenging outdoor environment

💬 Artlist's new AI voiceover tool aims to enhance video storytelling with high-quality, cost-effective narrations

🗣️ In an effort to combat customer harassment, Softbank's upcoming AI tool SoftVoice will manipulate angry callers' voices to make them less intimidating for call center workers.

👩🏼‍🦰 Insights from Gen Z at VidCon reveal their critical views on video apps, ad experiences, and the role of generative AI in content creation

💯 Hedge celebrates 100 months by offering a free year of updates and support with every license purchased or extended in July, plus a chance to win one of a hundred $100 Hedge Funds

🏷 Own a Samsung T7 SSD? Here’s how to effectively label your corrugated shields.