The Grunge Collection, available now on FxFactory 3, features four new visual effects products to add a grungy feel through gritty textures and transitions, lighting, film burns, and more
 
Boston, MA – February 8, 2012 – Noise Industries, developer of visual effects tools for the post-production and broadcast markets, is pleased to welcome the latest collection of Luca Visual FX plug-ins to FxFactory 3. The Grunge Collection features four brand new visual effects tools: Grunge Effects, Film Leaders, Sprocket Slip, and Light Leaks – offering users the first complete plug-in solution for a wide range of grungy effects. The family of tools is available as individual downloads, and is compatible with Final Cut Pro®, Motion, and After Effects®. Watch a promo video of the Grunge Collection plug-in package here.
 
The Grunge Collection includes the following four products:
 
Grunge Effects
Grunge Effects consists of Grunge Overlays and Grunge Transitions. Grunge Overlays offers a variety of animated textures that add a dynamic and intriguing feel to a project. Grunge Transitions includes an array of never released animated and often complex, grungy textures designed to be used mainly, but not exclusively, as transitions.
 
Offered at 99 USD, users can learn more about Grunge Effects here
Watch the Grunge Effects demo
 
Film Leaders
Film Leaders lets users create leaders that complement and enhance their projects. Editors have extensive control over the look and feel of their leaders and can adjust font type, size, kerning, spacing, texture, animation and more. Film Leaders also offers over 50 presets to choose from.
 
Offered at 99 USD, users can learn more about Film Leaders here
Watch the Film Leaders demo
Watch the Film Leaders tutorial
 
Sprockets Slip
Sprockets Slip lets editors recreate the effect of a sudden slip of a rolling film, revealing the loose perforations. The plug-in comes with an assortment of presets to start with plus a number of controls and light leaks to play with, giving the project a rough, gritty look.
 
Offered at 49 USD, users can learn more about Sprockets Slip here
Watch the Sprockets Slip demo
 
Light Leaks
Light Leaks is the first plug-in that allows editors to add this unique look to their video without using stock footage. An effect that originated as a camera flaw now gives a vintage feel to any project when applied. Users can adjust the geometry and stylization of the effect or apply extra filters for customization to the finest degree.
 
Offered at 59 USD, users can learn more about Light Leaks here
Watch the Light Leaks tutorial
 
More Information on Luca Visual FX Grunge Collection
 
The Grunge Collection Promo Video
 
Luca Visual FX Press Kit
Members of the press can download the XEffects press kit here
 
About Luca Visual FX
Luca Visual FX ltd. is a visual effects company based in the UK. Luca is an award-winning video-maker and editor with broadcast credits who has worked on a great variety of productions and for major clients such as Channel 4, BBC, Davis Films (Samuel Adida), Mika, Imogen Heap, Megaphone ltd. and many others. Luca started creating plug-ins using FCP native FXscript code before moving to FxFactory. For more information about Luca Visual FX, click here.
 
About Noise Industries, LLC
Established in 2004, Boston, Massachusetts-based Noise Industries is an innovative developer of visual effects tools for the post-production and broadcast community. Their products are integrated with popular non-linear editing and compositing products from Apple and Adobe. For more information about Noise Industries, click here.
 
Press Contacts
 Janice Dolan
 Zazil Media Group
 Janice[at]zazilmediagroup[dot]com
 (p) 617.817.6595
 (skype) janicedolan
 
Megan Linebarger
 Zazil Media Group
 Megan[at]zazilmediagroup[dot]com
 (p) 617.817.6595
 (skype) megan.zazil
 
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New to FxFactory 3, XEffects Tech Transitions let users easily add impact to any project
 
Boston, MA – February 2, 2012 – Noise Industries, developer of visual effects tools for the post-production and broadcast markets, adds Idustrial Revolution’s XEffects Tech Transitions to its repertoire of products for FxFactory 3. The new visual effects package, made exclusively for Final Cut Pro® X, lets editors add vibrant, high-tech transitions to projects for a fresh feel without layers, key framing, or complex mattes. Offered at 49 USD, users can also download a free trial version of XEffects Tech Transitions.
 
Idustrial Revolution XEffects Tech Transitions feature highlights include:
 
A Wide Selection of Effects – Tech Transitions offers 28 transition effects to choose from, all with adjustable settings. Effects can be slipped, lengthened, shortened and cut and pasted like any other transition.
 
Freeze Frames – Almost all transitions include freeze versions, which holds the last frame of the outgoing media and the first frame of the incoming media, performing the transition between the two stills. No more razor blading or making freeze frames from scratch.
 
GPU Processing – Effects harness the power of GPU processing within FCP X for fast previews and renderings, cutting down wait time while editing.
 
Temporal or Retiming of Video – Tech Transitions is the first commercial product for FCP X to feature temporal or retiming of video within the effect. Editors can use the automatic repeaters to step or duplicate action on the cut.
 
Tech Transitions Promo Video

 
More Information on Tech Transitions
 
Tech Transitions Tutorial
 
XEffects Press Kit
 
About Idustrial Revolution
Founded in 2006, Idustrial Revolution is a small team of designers producing plug-ins and templates for Final Cut Pro® 7 & X, Motion and After Effects®. They create content for broadcasters, corporate users and videographers, and were the first people in the world to have a graphic created in Motion aired on broadcast television. With the launch of Final Cut Pro X and the tight integration with Motion, Idustrial Revolution focuses on creating effects for these platforms. More information about Idustrial Revolution.
 
About Noise Industries, LLC
Established in 2004, Boston, Massachusetts-based Noise Industries is an innovative developer of visual effects tools for the post-production and broadcast community. Their products are integrated with popular non-linear editing and compositing products from Apple and Adobe. More information about Noise Industries.
 
Press Contacts
 Janice Dolan
 Zazil Media Group
 Janice[at]zazilmediagroup[dot]com
 (p) 617.817.6595
 (skype) janicedolan
 
 Megan Linebarger
 Zazil Media Group
 Megan[at]zazilmediagroup[dot]com
 (p) 617.817.6595
 (skype) megan.zazil
 
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Together with Timberland’s in-house global creative services group, Apologue Experience Design Firm has developed an intelligent interactive experience within the retail fixtures that intrigues and engages the customer throughout the store, inspiring them to discover their great outdoors with Timberland gear, technologies and brand storytelling.

An interactive test module has been designed as part of Timberland’s new store concept launched in the Fall of 2011 in Stratford, UK. Located in juxtaposition to merchandise and environmental graphics, the digital experience creates an interaction between product and digital innovation, transforming the typical retail touch point into a more meaningful communication tool that delivers relevant information and emotional branding to Timberland’s global consumer.

Apologue, in collaboration with Automata Studios, Iron Claw and Audio, Video & Controls, designed a custom, open-source cloud-based HTML5 system that is able to dynamically retrieve remote data and create real- time, uniquely generated storytelling at every interface touch point, in every store, at any location around the world. The systems allows Timberland to add and tag assets for immediate integration into the storytelling all around the world in real-time, while being managed and monitored from a central location.

The interactive touch points transcend traditional retail models by transforming the shopping experience into a dialog between the brand and the customer. The system is uniquely designed to adapt, capture and learn from each store globally, providing unique, location-specific content to individual stores and inviting customers to provide meaningful feedback about Timberland products and initiatives that can then be converted into meaningful data for the brand.

This unique interactive system is being tested in key store locations in Singapore, the UK and the US.

Apologue, Inc. worked closely in developing this global test with the Timberland Global Creative Services teams led by Bevan Bloemendaal, Sr. Director – Global Creative Services and Susan Fraser, Director – Interactive Group, Global Creative Services.

Concept, Strategy, Creative Direction and Production: Apologue, Inc.
Executive Creative Director: Tali Krakowsky
Producer: Marissa Levin
Creative Director: Beth Elliott
Art Direction and Interface Design: Iron Claw
Software Development: Automata Studios
System Design & Technology Integration: Audio, Video & Controls, Inc.
PR: Priya PR

About Apologue
Tali Krakowsky is the founder of Apologue, Inc., dedicated to the creation of immersive environments that seamlessly integrate new media, storytelling and physical space. Committed to a highly multi-disciplinary and collaborative methodology, Tali has imagined and created interactive spaces for clients such as CHANEL, Victoria’s Secret, BMW, the Museum of Modern Art, IBM, Frank Gehry and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Born in Israel and raised in Hong Kong, Tali has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design from the Parsons School of Design and a Master of Arts from UCLA’s School of Architecture, where her thesis was on interactive architecture. She is a frequent speaker and writer on the topics of design, technology, and architecture, and is also a curator and moderator of global, cross-disciplinary events that focus on facilitating conversations amongst professionals around the science and fiction of immersive design.

www.apologuestudio.com

# # #

Inspiring Demonstrations, Collegial Atmosphere and Unparalleled Sessions Bring Experts from Entertainment, Government and Research Together in Vibrant Exchange

(Los Angeles, CA) The Hollywood Post Alliance(r) – the trade association for the post production community – has announced the lineup for the HPA Tech Retreat(r), set to take place February 13 -17 at the Hyatt Grand Champions in Indian Wells, CA. The HPA Tech Retreat is the annual conference that brings together thought leaders from digital and content creation, media and entertainment, forensics, medicine, digital imaging, to academic research.

The event consists of three days of sessions, and two days of additional conference programming including an all day super session, seminars presented by ATSC and by imaging-guru Charles Poynton, a demo room with groundbreaking technologies, cocktail receptions, a welcome dinner, and three days of breakfast roundtables, fireside chats and opportunities for networking throughout each day. The Tech Retreat is designed to foster ideas and information sharing among industry experts.

Leon Silverman, President of HPA, notes, “Our industry’s incredibly accelerated pace of change makes it extremely difficult to know to whom or where one can turn to make sure you’re plugged into the knowledge and people you need to know to survive and navigate in this environment. The Tech Retreat is a yearly way to literally get into the heads and private conversations of the people who are driving and leading our industry through this transformative change. There really is nothing like it anywhere. A ticket to the Tech Retreat is a front-row, up close & personal seat on the cutting edge.”

Mark Schubin, who has led the programming for the Tech Retreat for 15 years, sums up the event, “There will be someone there who knows the answer, whatever the question is!” And, that fact, he contends, is why the Tech Retreat remains a mandatory event for many in the industry. “It doesn’t matter what you are dealing with – movies, television, media for the physically impaired, forensics, optical issues for 3D – there are experts here who want to discuss their latest findings, show you what they’ve been working on, and share. It’s the place where questions are explored in depth.”

The Tech Retreat is also an event where technologies, chosen by a committee of experts, are presented in a carefully curated demo room. “This year I am particularly excited about the Demo Room. There are a number of truly interesting technologies and companies debuting here. We are presenting a technology that makes any camera a stereoscopic 3D camera, a 360-degree camera from which HD images can be extracted, demos of how depth perception varies with viewing distance, high frame rate tests, Ethernet AVB, and more. It’s inspiring to say the least.” Schubin concluded.

Registration for the HPA Tech Retreat is limited. Information and registration is available at http://www.hpaonline.com/mc/page.do?sitePageId=130712. The Tech Retreat is sponsored by the Hollywood Post Alliance(r), serving the professional community of businesses and individuals who provide expertise, support, tools and the infrastructure for the creation and finishing of motion pictures, television, commercials, digital media and other dynamic media content.

A complete schedule of the event is available online by clicking here: (http://www.hpaonline.com/mc/page.do?sitePageId=130539). A summary of speakers, panels, and participating companies follow.

Expert speakers confirmed include:

o Andrea Kalas
o Andy Maltz
o Annie Chang
o Arjun Ramamurthy
o Bob Liodice
o Brian Zents
o Bruce Devlin
o Chris Lennon
o Clyde Smith
o Craig Merkin
o Craig Todd
o Curtis Clark
o Dan Germain
o Debra Kaufman
o Edgar Shane
o Geoffrey Tulley
o Henry Gu
o Jenny Read
o Jerry Pierce
o Jim Berger
o Jim DeFillipis
o Jim Taylor
o John Hurst
o Larry Thorpe
o Leon Silverman
o Mark Aitken
o Mark Lemmons
o Mark Schubin
o Masayuki Sugawara
o Michael Koetter
o Mike Krause
o Paul Chapman
o Peter Putman
o Peter Symes
o Phil Squyres
o Rob Hummel
o Sean Cooney
o Skip Pizzi
o Steve Kochak
o Steven Poster
o Tim Claman
o Tom Burn
o Wendy Aylsworth

Also joining the line-up are the filmmakers from the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and an announcement of additional speakers is expected shortly.

Panelists representing studios, companies, and organizations include:

ABC
Adobe
ATSC
ARRI
Barco
Belden
Canon
CBS
CNN
DECE
Deluxe
Digital Domain
Digital Projection
Disney
Dolby
DVS
Fox
Harris
ICG
JVC
Laser-Illuminated Projector Association (LIPA)
Light Iron
NAB
NBC
Newcastle University
NHK
Oracle
Panasonic
PBS
RE: Vision Effects
RED
Rods & Cones
Sinclair
SMPTE
Sony
Sony Electronics
Technicolor
The Association of National Advertisers (ANA)
Vision Research
Warner Brothers
Walt Disney Company

More programming, panelists and organizations are to be announced shortly.

The HPA Tech Retreat is known for presenting topical, latest-knowledge panels and presentations. Among others, this year’s presentation topics include:

o Forecast for SuperSession 2012: Snowflakes with an Increasing Chance of Clouds
o 4K Cameras and their Workflows
o The Image Interchange Framework Demystified: What It Is and Why It Matters
o High-Dynamic-Range Acquisition
o Optical Temporal Filtering
o Broadcasters Panel
o The Current State of Connected TV
o The Home Ecosystem: What Will Make It Work?
o CES Review
o HPA Monitor Symposium Recap
o Next Generation Projection Systems
o Getting Creative Intent to the Viewer
o Digital Commercial Slates: a New Era in Commercial Workflow – a bicoastal live presentation
o Washington Update
o CALM Down? Stereo vs. Surround Loudness
o VFX Panel
o IMF Moving Forward
o What Happened to Dailies?
o Digital Preservation: An Ecosystem
o Perceiving 3D
o Increasing Resolution by Covering the Image Sensor, and much more.

Sponsors of HPA Tech Retreat in 2012 include: AJA, Dolby, DataDirect Networks, and Testronic Labs and Media Sponsors Createasphere, Post Magazine and LA 411.

About the Hollywood Post Alliance(r)
Hollywood Post Alliance (HPA) serves the professional community of businesses and individuals who provide expertise, support, tools and the infrastructure for the creation and finishing of motion pictures, television, commercials, digital media and other dynamic media content.

# # #

Media Contact:
Chris Purse, 818.303.8088
ignite strategic communications
chris@ignite.bz or mimi@ignite.bz

Huntsville, Alabama – The 2012 International CES, a high-profile annual event to promote the consumer electronics industry, was held earlier this month in Las Vegas, Nev., and PESA routers played a significant role behind the scenes for several exhibitors and the keynote presentations from Ericsson, Intel, Microsoft, and Qualcomm.

Staging Techniques, an event staging company with offices in California, New York, Atlanta, and Seattle, was contracted to provide to provide video support for the keynotes in cooperation with the overall event management firm, The Production Network (TPN). “The CES Keynotes are an average sized show for us, with an audience size of approximately 2,000,” explained Bryce Will, general manager of Staging Techniques. “Where it does get fairly involved is with the technical complexity. Four different clients – all high technology companies – make for a pretty demanding environment. Lots of different sources, many different signal formats, and the quick changeovers required between the rehearsals and shows keep things exciting.”

The keynotes were streamed live and archived for on-demand viewing by the Consumer Electronics Association, Staging Techniques’ primary client, as well as the individual keynote companies. Two PESA Cheetah 64NE HD-SDI routers were used to feed video switchers for live HD cameras and other sources during each of the presentations. Will said the PESA routers are permanently installed in the company’s HD flypacks.

“Company-wide, we use almost exclusively PESA signal routing systems,” Will added. “They are just that reliable. We have been a PESA customer since 1996, and the vast majority of our production systems are based around PESA technology.”

With its universal device control (UDC) software and other technology, Clarkston, Michigan-based High Resolution Systems (HRS) provided support during the keynotes for Staging Techniques. HRS also provided rental and staging services for a major CES exhibitor, and used a PESA Ocelot 16×16 HD routing switcher to manage signals for a large video wall display in its booth. “Out of all of our HD-SDI routers, the PESA router has proven to be the most reliable,” said Drew Taylor, HRS applications engineer.

NEP Broadcasting, a Pittsburgh-based company that provides teleproduction services for live sports and entertainment events, supported another major CES exhibitor with one of its 3D-dedicated mobile production units, SS31, which features a PESA Cheetah 144×256 HD video router. “SS31 produced a 3D broadcast for the 3D network,” said George Hoover, chief technology officer. “The Cheetah is at the core of the production, handling signal distribution and routing for the entire show.”

“It was an honor to be part of such an important production initiative supporting the keynote addresses at CES,” said Chuck Tillett, president and COO of PESA. “We understand the critical level of support our customers must provide in live venue presentations, and are pleased to be recognized for our long-standing reputation of quality products, service and support.”

About PESA

As a leading provider of audio/video connectivity, PESA offers a wide selection of routing switchers, matrix switchers, extenders, converters, media extenders, and signal processing gear to support government, military, industrial, commercial, broadcast and mobile truck applications. PESA offers one of the widest ranges of AV products – from large scale fiber optic routing to single-point CAT-5 DVI extenders – each with the integrity and innovative high performance technology expected from PESA. Our products are available around the world from a leading team of channel partners offering local support and installation; and all of our products are supported by 24/7 technical support. To learn more about our technologies and services visit www.pesa.com. PESA is located in Huntsville, Alabama with regional offices throughout the United States.

All products mentioned herein are trademarked property of their respective owners.

Press Contact

Mark J. Pescatore
Pipeline Communications
561-531-3106
mark@pipecomm.com

Company Contact

Dan Holland
VP, Product Marketing
256-726-9200
dholland@pesa.com

Solid Reports Put Xytech into Dominant Position in Market

(MISSION HILLS, CA) Xytech, the global leader in facility management software for the broadcast and media services industries, has announced its end of year results. The categorically positive report indicates solid growth and market penetration, and also marked the third consecutive instance of year over year increased profitability. 2011 proved to be an historic year for the Los Angeles based company, which finished its best period ever for profit, growth, and the posting of record sales. Independently owned and operated, Xytech exceeded its projected forecast, with a 23% jump over 2010.

The past year was one of expansion and market domination for Xytech, winning significant business from competitors in the US, Europe, and Australia. Broadcasters, major studios, production companies, religious organizations, government entities, video transmission giants, and distribution companies all deployed Xytech solutions in 2011. Xytech’s current bid to sales ratio is nearly 90%, a rare statistic of success.

Richard Gallagher, CEO and Founder of Xytech, stated, “Early in 2011, we had a clear indication that the upward growth that began in 2010 was going to continue and accelerate. During the past 18 months, we enlarged our staff and implemented successful new solutions for a wide array of customers, from major cable networks and studios to global religious organizations. Concurrently, our operations in Europe have expanded significantly, with the addition of key personnel appointments, marking 2011 as the year that we have seen the global market fully come on line. In 2012, we expect continued significant growth in all of our business sectors and we are forecasting another record year. I am proud to note that this significant market penetration is the result of the hard work, ingenuity, and dedication of the best team in the industry.”

Xytech’s product line, anchored by the ground-breaking MediaPulse platform, is widely respected and deployed throughout the media and entertainment industries. The company has also had significant deployment in the enterprise and governmental environments. The secret to their success is the Xytech company culture of constant listening and improvement, says Greg Dolan, Xytech Executive Vice President. “There is an absolute focus on putting the very best products and solutions into place for our customers. We ask them questions and listen to what they say and use that information to continually improve what they receive from us. It is what makes us different, and why we are leading the market. We never stop the evolution of our products and or the invention of new solutions. That is the crucial Xytech difference. We won’t ever stop getting better.”

About Xytech
Xytech Systems Corporation(tm) is the leading global provider of facility management software for today’s media and broadcast companies. Leveraging a 25 year history of innovation and market expertise, Xytech brings unparalleled proficiency to its customers with flexible, transparent and evolutionary solutions that set the standard for successfully managing the continuous business realignments that define today’s marketplace. Xytech’s collaborative MediaPulse platform and suite of solutions enable craft workflow and asset management systems to work seamlessly with the company’s renowned planning, scheduling and financial management tools. Xytech has over 450 software deployments in more than 20 countries around the world and is headquartered in Mission Hills, California, with regional offices in New York and London.

For more information, please visit www.XytechSystems.com or call +1.818.698.4900 (US) or +44 (0)20.7903.5170 (UK).

Media Contact:

Media Contact:
Chris Purse, 818.303.8088
ignite strategic communications
chris@ignite.bz or mimi@ignite.bz

Hollywood, CA – 3D Film Factory, the leader in professional, affordable 3D camera rigs, introduces the world’s lightest, most affordable, hand-held 3D rig – the 3D Bullet Rig. Ready to “Load & Shoot”, this versatile 3D system is literally unshakable for handheld, Steadicam, Easyrig, or tripod filming.Priced at a fraction of other professional 3D rigs (under $5K), this compact beam-splitter rig is the perfect solution for location, reality, or action 3D filmmaking. It’s features actually surpass that of other more expensive rigs. For more information on the 3D Bullet Rig visit www(dot)3DFilmFactory(dot)com

“The 3D Bullet Rig is going to take 3D production to a whole new level. I love this rig. It’s incredibly light, rock steady and most of all – it’s really easy to shoot with from your shoulder, or tripod. This rig is a 3D filmmakers dream, very versatile“, said the company’s veteran stereographer Keith Driver. “Most 3D rigs are bulky, expensive and worst of all – tripod bound. They require a crew to operate. We’ve shot 3D projects in Africa, the Middle East, Hollywood soundstages, you name it we’ve done it in 3D. And we realized we needed a more mobile 3D rig. A 3D rig you could just pick up and shoot with. This is the 3D Bullet Rig.”

The 3D Bullet Rig makes handheld 3D filming effortless and smooth by transferring the weight to your waist and shoulder. Each 3D rig includes a spring-loaded suspension rod, comfortable weight displacement belt and adjustable, padded shoulder mount. The result is hours of mobile, handheld 3D filming capability. In addition, the rig features detachable rubber hand grips for easy manoeuvring and a standard tripod mounting plate (¼-20 and ?-16 holes).

Weighing approx. 15 lbs. (5.8 kgs.) the Bullet Rig accommodates the Red Epic, Canon DSLR 5D, 7D, XF105, XF305, XH-G1, Sony F3, EX3’s, HDCP1, X5U, Z1U, Panasonic AF100, HPX250 and many other professional HD cameras.

The rig also features custom camera mounts that easily lock and load cameras into place using a standard quick-release plate from Bogen/Manfrotto. The horizontal camera mount offers IO (inter-ocular) adjustability from 0” – 3.5” (0 – 89 mm) and simple convergence movement from 0°-3°. Both functions are easily controlled using smooth, accurate finger knobs, with calibration markings. The vertical camera mount adjusts for perfect stereoscopic picture alignment by elevating and performing full x-y-z rotation (yaw, roll, tilt).

The light-weight, mirror box housing is constructed using space-age foam core plastic that’s durable, corrosion-free and substantially cooler than a metal matte box. This ensures your beam-splitter glass with its expensive coatings will stay cool on hot days. The rig itself is hand-milled employing a nearly indestructible aluminium alloy frame.

Perfect for traveling light, the entire 3D Bullet Rig is ingenuously designed to set-up and break down in a matter of minutes, packing into a small, water-tight pelican case.

As a bonus, the horizontal rail easily detaches, along with the camera mounts, transforming into a side-by-side rig 3D for wide and landscape stereography.

Our opti-prime, 50/50 beam-splitter glass is optimized to meet the demands of 3D filmmaking. See specs. Within the matte box, a simple adjustment tool allows stereographers to fine tune the glass angle from between 43° to 47°.

The outcome is simply the world’s most affordable, professional handheld 3D rig.

It should be noted that using our simple Lanc system camera operators can now synch start/stop, focus, alignment, lens shift and many other vital functions thru both cameras or individually.

The 3D Film Factory offers a complete line of 3D beam-splitter rigs intended for HD camcorders, as well as larger ENG and broadcast style camera. In addition, we offer several inexpensive side-by-side rigs and real-time 3D viewing solutions. To learn more about 3D camera rigs, 3D viewing systems, 3D production services, or 3D training workshops visit – www.3DFilmFactory.com

About the 3D Film Factory
Established in 2008 by award-winning filmmakers and veteran stereographers, the 3D Film Factory has been the worldwide leader in professional, affordable 3D camera rigs and real-time 3D monitoring solutions. In addition we provide a host of 3D production services worldwide including, stereographers ‘for hire’, 3D camera rig rental, 3D viewing systems, and 3D post, as well as intensive 3D training workshops. Former clients include ESPN, NASA, Disney, HD Cinema, Pinewood Studios and Discovery. For more information visit www.3DFilmFactory.com

 

Parsons’ Interactive Installation, Online Website + Video Initiative  Raises Awareness Of Design’s Impact On Our Lives

 

Minneapolis, MN: CRASH+SUES was called upon by mono to bring its fresh aesthetic to the editing, color correction and graphics for SoundAffects, Parsons The New School for Design’s multi-platform exploration of the relationship between music, design and technology. Conceived by mono, a Minneapolis-based advertising agency known for its forward-thinking creative solutions, the physical installation, online experiment and media content are driven by Parsons’ mission to raise people’s awareness of design’s relevance and impact on their lives.

 

The first phase of the experiment began with the installation of an interactive wall on New York’s Fifth Avenue. The structure housed a series of monitors and a complex network of sensors, each assigned a specific sound and color, enabling it to cull data about elements in its environment – from traffic and people to weather and movement – and then musically visualize them to show their correlation to sound and color. Pedestrians could plug earphones into jacks in the wall and listen to how their surroundings were influencing the music. CRASH+SUES collaborated with mono on the crafting of visually captivating and thought-provoking media content designed to break down the complex premise behind the experiment and present Parson’s unique perspective on how they interpret design’s role in the world. (“http://soundaffectsnyc.com/#making). Featured on the SoundAffects website, the creative communications tool delivers an elegantly simple message in a way that engages and intrigues everyday people.

 

CRASH+SUES’ editor Carrie Shanahan cut the piece on Final Cut Pro, marrying footage of the installation wall with images of cityscapes, traffic and people moving to the pulse of lights and the rhythm of the music they generate – along with by-passers who stop to put on headphones and plug into the wall and share their thoughts about it. The video opens with the voiceover posing a simple question: What if, instead of just looking at the world, we also listened?

 

It goes on to explain the premise behind the project: We listened to the light,the temperature, the connective, the movement, the noise and the colors of a city block in New York. We built a wall on Fifth Avenue that housed sensors, which allowed us to gather inputs that created a musical composition that responded directly to the environment around them. In addition to the music, we created a ‘visualizer’ that interpreted the sensor data and let us see our environment from a new point of view. Then we watched and we listened.

 

Shanahan began the editorial process by roughing out the visuals to fit with the story as it unfolded, incorporating text as needed and drawing from multiple sources to create sound design tailored to the imagery. Working with over two-dozen tracks of video concurrently, as well as intricately layered video, the potentially overwhelming story was woven into a tapestry of dynamic visuals driven by the script’s clear message.

 

“Editorial decisions had to be well thought out in order to ensure that we captured the essence of the journey, and used interviews, text and audio most effectively,” says Shanahan. “I cut a number of different versions and we experimented with many incarnations until we found just the right balance. What’s amazing is mono’s ability to communicate the essence of this complex experiment about a seemingly abstract hypothesis with a simply engaging story – without getting technical or heady,” says Shanahan.

 

“They’re artists at CRASH+SUES, and we always love working with them,” said Tracy Tabery-Weller, mono producer. “Carrie is a smart editor who dives in and can digest parts into a cohesive story. She helped us take a heady technological experiment and tell it so simply that even my grandmother could understand it.”
“I love getting the opportunity to dig into heavy sound design, and this was a project that was begging for it,” said Shanahan. “The SoundAffects website had a timeline spanning days of audio data from which to draw; I layered that with ambient city sounds collected in the doc footage. I wanted the experience of viewing the video’s content to echo the experience of being on a city street, at times cluttered and cacophonous, then cresting into stillness and calm.”

 

SUE, CRASH+SUES’ senior colorist utilized the Digital Vision Nucoda Film Master’s features to create an urban color pallet and a consistent feel for footage from multiple sources.

 

“We weren’t trying to create a “look” on this project – just something natural while also reflecting what was happening with the audio and sound effects,” said SUE. “ I was able to help out some of the darker scenes by opening them up and applying noise reduction.”

 

“This project was a welcome opportunity to collaborate with the pioneering creatives over at mono,” added Shanahan. “It’s the type of work that I love – extending beyond just a spot to a cutting-edge experiential ‘happening. In a sense, the experiment itself was like an edit session – writ large – an invitation to the public to take a moment for reflection on how what they’re seeing relates to what they’re hearing,” adds Carrie Shanahan. “The relationship between moving pictures and sound, which is what drew me into editing in the first place.”
mono creative co-chair Travis Olson noted, “CRASH+SUES was great at combining a really diverse set of assets including audio, digital and film into a great story. It was a complex project with lots of components and C+S helped craft a simple story about Parsons that they can now use to help define who they are and how they approach design’s role in this world.”

 

Parsons, a pioneer in art and design education, initially approached mono after seeing the internationally acclaimed ‘Real Good Experiment,’ which its team conceived and orchestrated for the furniture designer and manufacturer, Blu Dot (http://www.bludot.com/bonus-tracks-dir/rge.) Both projects showcase the agency’s signature talent for translating complex concepts into straightforward yet unconventional messages.

 

SoundAffects was conceived by mono and engineered by Tellart in collaboration with Parsons and The New School’s communications and external affairs team.

 

About CRASH+SUES:
CRASH+SUES is a seamlessly integrated creative editorial, animation, FX, motion design, color correction, finishing and multi-media company. Its collaborative team of talent is dedicated to providing advertising agencies, brands and filmmakers with fresh, innovate and cost-effective creative content. For additional information about CRASH+SUES, contact executive producer Sven Shelgren at 612.338.7947 or visit www.crashandsues.com.

 

About mono: mono is a creative branding agency that believes in the power of simplicity. Founded in 2004 by Michael Hart, Chris Lange and Jim Scott, today mono creates inventive, idea-centric communications that earned them Agency of the Year in 2010 from both Advertising Age and the 4A’s. mono works with some of the nation’s leading brands including Apple, MSNBC, Harvard Business School, Prairie Organic Vodka, Revel Stoke Whiskey, Blu Dot, Angie’s Kettle Corn, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Check out more of their work at www.mono-1.com.

 

CREDITS:
CLIENT: Parsons The New School for Design
TITLE: SoundAffects
2 ½ minute concept video

 

AD AGENCY: mono/MN

 

EDITORIAL COMPANY: CRASH+SUES/MN
Executive Producer: Sven Shelgren
Editor: Carrie Shanahan (Final Cut Pro)
Assistant Editor: Matthew Kroese

 

POST | FX | ANIMATION: CRASH+SUES
Executive Producer: Sven Shelgren
Colorist: SUE (Digital Vision Nucoda Film Master)
Online Editor: Ryan Wheeler (Autodesk Smoke Mac Autodesk Maya)
Flame Artist: Adam Celt (Autodesk Flame)

Mura HDCP compliance opens the door to AV professionals seeking to bring copy protected content to video walls

Montreal, Canada, January 26, 2012 — Matrox Graphics Inc. today announced that the Matrox® Mura™ MPX Series video wall controller boards are HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compliant, simplifying the work for AV Integrators seeking to enable copy protected content across Mura-driven video walls. Mura input/output boards facilitate HDCP interoperability by capturing high definition video signals from up to four HDCP sources and displaying the content on up to four HDCP-enabled displays. A video wall controller with up to six boards can support up to twenty-four inputs that are scaled, positioned and manipulated across twenty-four outputs. Designed for high-performance video walls, Mura MPX Series is suitable for a wide range of applications including corporate boardrooms, auditoriums, large venue events, digital signage, and mission-critical environments.

HDCP is an encrypted protocol used between video sources and video receivers to prevent unauthorized access to protected content. The world’s first HDCP-compliant input/output video wall controller board, Mura MPX Series captures protected video content coming from digital cable or satellite set-top boxes, video streamers and Blu-ray Disc™ players, and then transmits it to HDCP-compliant monitors, projectors, cubes or other capture devices.

Built on PCI Express x16 Gen2 technology, each Mura board leverages 64 Gbit/sec duplex data transfer to ensure Full HD performance of multiple copy protected content sources across a video wall that is controlled and managed either using a third party, Mura-compatible wall management software, or Matrox software like the easy-to-use, free-to-download Matrox MuraControl app for iPad for intuitive manipulation of input sources.

“Guaranteeing interoperability when integrating and installing a high definition multimedia system is a challenging task for AV professionals. Adding HDCP support enables AV integrators with more options and flexibility when bringing HDCP content to video walls,” said Helgi Sigurdsson, Product Manager, Matrox Graphics Inc. “With an HDCP compliant card that uniquely integrates four HD graphics outputs and four HD video capture channels, building a video wall processor has never been easier.”

Availability
The new Matrox Mura MPX Series 2.01 driver supporting HDCP will be available on the Matrox driver download web page in March 2012.

About Matrox Graphics Inc.
Matrox Graphics is a leading manufacturer of graphics solutions for professional markets. In-house design expertise, top-to-bottom manufacturing, and dedicated customer support make our solutions the premier choice in industries that require stable, high-reliability products. Founded in 1976, Matrox is a privately held company headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with representation and offices in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

For more information, visit www.matrox.com/graphics or contact Matrox Graphics at graphics@matrox.com.

Back for more, MTV3 Finland expands use of Orad’s Interact to its mainstream news programs
 
Orad is pleased to announce that leading Finnish broadcaster MTV3 is fully interactive with the Orad Interact solution. After successfully utilizing Interact for its 2011 General Elections coverage in April 2011, MTV3 expanded use of the forward-thinking system to its news programs. Orad’s Interact lets television presenters control and direct content on their touch screens, video walls and other input devices, enabling them to better engage their viewers with media-rich visuals.
 
“We had the first live show with the additional new system on December 14, 2011 in the election panel. Graphics – along with the show overall – was a great success. Everything was created dynamically from the 40,000-line opinion poll result table while our hostess pushed the button. Many of the heated discussions among candidates actually started as their reaction to the graphics. One of the best political debates I’ve ever seen in Finland. This would not have happened without your system,” Seppo Välimäki, system engineer, MTV3.
 
With Orad Interact, MTV3 journalists are able to display graphics, clips and live videos, leveraging Interact’s telestrator capabilities to emphasize key points for their daily news shows. MTV3 also heavily relied on Interact for its coverage of the Finnish Presidential Elections on the 22 of January 2012. Thanks to its great success, MTV3 will use Interact for the upcoming municipal elections in autumn.
 
In addition to Interact, MTV3 benefits daily from Orad’s Maestro enterprise graphic solution for its news and sports productions, and 3DPlay for channel branding.
 
About Orad Hi-Tec Systems
Orad Hi-Tec Systems is a world-leading provider of real-time 3D broadcast graphic and video server solutions including news, channel branding, sports production and enhancement, elections and special events, virtual studios, and virtual advertisement. Orad’s compelling solutions streamline production workflow, enhance viewer experience, and improve production value. Founded in 1993, Orad is a public company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (OHT). More information is available at http://www.orad.tv/
 
For further information contact:
ORAD Hi-Tec Systems Ltd
Ofir Benovici
Vice President Marketing
(e) ofirb(at)orad(dot)tv
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