Posted – July 13th, 2011
under Links, Technology, Visual Effects
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Arri Alexa

 
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We are working on visual effects for some major feature films  (stereo and mono) shot on the Arri Alexa. As we are starting to offer complete post production solutions in China (for digital movie projects) I did some research on the specific work-flows for this camera. I am sharing some interesting and useful links, if you consider shooting on Arri Alexa or do post-production:

Press Release from Arri (no lies;):

After much anticipation, ARRI is pleased to unveil ALEXA — the first model in a new generation of digital cameras for feature, television, commercial, documentary, music video production and more. Compact, ergonomic and lightweight on one hand, robust with ARRI’s legendary reliability on the other, ALEXA’s new Super 35 format sensor delivers amazing images with a base sensitivity of EI 800, low noise and an unsurpassed dynamic range of 13.5 stops. ARRI Imaging Technology (AIT) captures organic, film-like images unlike any digital camera, with natural color rendition and pleasing skin tones.
The unique Dual Gain Architecture (DGA) design of ALEXA’s CMOS sensor ensures the same wide exposure latitude across a range of sensitivity from EI 200 to EI 1600. This creates opportunities in post-production, where it is easier and faster to get the most out of the rich, captured images. Good detail in both highlight and shadow areas as well as a very low noise level help the colorist to reduce time, effort and thus, cost in grading. ALEXA’s excellent signal to noise ratio and clean color separation are particularly effective for greenscreen and VFX work.
The ALEXA system represents the most versatile and quickest workflow from the set, through post to distribution. This is achieved through ALEXA’s efficient Shoot To Edit (Shoot > Edit) workflow with a multitude of output options, complete metadata and integrated color management.
ALEXA is unique in that it can simultaneously record Apple QuickTime/ProRes files, output uncompressed HD video and uncompressed ARRIRAW data.

Posted – April 6th, 2011
under Links, Logbook, Project Management, Visual Effects
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Link: Talk Management System Blog

 
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Interesting posts about business logic, process management, recruiting etc. This is a corporate blog but still useful and inspiring.

http://talkmgt.com/blog/

Posted – February 21st, 2009
under Links, Logbook, Technology, Visual Effects
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Random Links – Visual Effects Pipeline Design and Production Databases

 
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A crowing collection of interesting articles about the technical and conceptional aspects of visual effects pipeline design and production databases:

APIs/XML/Integration

XML Services at Framestore CFC
This presentation illustrates the real-world deployment of a complex XML-RPC service architecture within one of Europe’s largest visual effects houses, ranging from integration with Filemaker Pro, to driving 35mm Laser Film Recorders.

EDDIEOFFERMANN DOT COM 
“XML is like violence. If it doesn’t solve your problem, you’re not using it enough.”

Digital Asset Management

DAM: good solutions;
Post pros want asset management integrated with project management

Specifications

Collada
COLLADA is a royalty-free XML schema that enables digital asset exchange within the interactive 3D industry.

OpenEXR
OpenEXR is a high dynamic-range (HDR) image file format developed by Industrial Light & Magic for use in computer imaging applications.

Products

Temerity
“Temerity Pipeline is the industry’s first complete production control application.  Designed for studios in the film, television and game industries, Pipeline provides seamless control over assets, revisions, archiving and job handling.”

Articles on workflows

Wikipedia: Workfow
“A workflow is a depiction of a sequence of operations, declared as work of a person, work of a simple or complex mechanism, work of a group of persons,[1] work of an organization of staff, or machines. Workflow may be seen as any abstraction of real work, segregated in workshare, work split or whatever types of ordering. For control purposes, workflow may be a view on real work under a chosen aspect,[2] thus serving as a virtual representation of actual work.”

Pipelines: Plumbing for the next web
For the purposes of this paper, a pipeline is a metaphor for a series of tasks or operations that run in sequence. In their most abstract form, pipelines are made up of pipes. These pipes can be tasks, processes, actions, etc. Each pipe has an input, a middle, and an output. The middle definition really depends on the context in which the pipeline exists.

An activity based Workflow Engine for PHP
A computer application contains a number of different ‘tasks’, ‘transactions’, ‘programs’ or ‘modules’, each of which performs a particular function. Sometimes the processing of one particular task is supposed to be followed by one or more other tasks in order to complete some higher process. 



Posted – June 6th, 2005
under Technology
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Intel im Mac? Jetzt werd ich auch nervös ;-)

 
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… und deshalb habe ich jetzt – wie es sich für einen richtigen Mac-geek gehört – mein mac-tv abo reaktiviert.

Nachtrag: Ich habs nicht gewusst! ;-)

An Macs mit Intel-Prozessoren wird gearbeitet, diese sollen 2007 erscheinen. IBM hat die 3Ghz-Marke verfehlt und es nicht geschafft, einen PowerBook-Prozessor herzustellen. Seit 5 Jahren wird alles Cross-Plattform entwickelt. Apple zeigt gerade ein Intel-Basiertes System, auf dem bereits alle Funktionen von OS X laufen. Apple gibt an, dass dies der nächste große Übergang sei.
mactechnews.de