Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Changing Landscapes in Post Production Explored at AlphaDogs 8th Annual Pre-NAB Editors’ Lounge


Burbank, CA—Burbank-based AlphaDogs Post Production hosted their 8th Annual Pre-NAB discussion panel at the March Editors’ Lounge. Over 100 attendees turned out to learn more about what to expect at NAB and where the future of post-production is headed with this month’s topic, “Trends and Predictions in Post-production in 2011 and Beyond.”

Moderated by journalist and owner of Mobilized TV, Debra Kaufman, the panel consisted of experts in the field of post, including: Lucas Wilson (Director of Business Development for 3ality Digital), Steve Cohen (Film/TV Editor and author of “Avid Agility”), Mark Raudonis (VP of Post Production at Bunim/Murray Productions), Michael Bravin (Technical Consultant and Founder of The Digital Picture Company), and Founder/Editor/Colorist of AlphaDogs Post Production, Terence Curren.

The evening kicked off regarding the buzz on the new Final Cut Studio being released near the week of the NAB show. Panelists discussed how Apple is changing the playing field and going their own way in preparing for the majority of content that’s predicted to be broadcast via live streaming in the near future. Owner of AlphaDogs Post Terence Curren comments, “Apple sees the future of broadcast being done over the Internet. This will create a different definition of what a professional editor would be.” What defines content and its delivery will change dramatically to more an individualized entertainment experience. Lucas Wilson (Director of Business Development, 3ality Digital) comments, “New technology will be used to create emotional impact and immerse the individual emotionally beyond just linear storytelling.” Steve Cohen (Film/TV Editor, Author of Avid Agility added, ‘Storytelling will still go into your soul deeper than technology can. That won’t go away.” It was agreed, the key to being a successful editor is to be self sufficient into the new future of post.


The old business model is also beginning to erode with an evolution into new and different ways of doing things. Terence Curren comments, “We will need to learn how to make money off of small targeted audiences.” Mark Raudonis (VP Post Production, Bunim/Murray Productions) added to this by saying the consumer will get their content through more than one source and we need think in terms of the consumer viewing experience beginning on one screen and continuing onto a second, and third screen with the diversity of mobile devices that continue to go mainstream.


The disaster in Japan has had a major impact in the post world halting the production of HD-CAM-SR tape. This has caused a tape shortage which posed the question “Is tape dead?’ It’s estimated that in approximately 3 months post facilities will be forced to go file based. This presents a challenge, as there are currently no standards for file based delivery in regard to how footage will be displayed and interpreted by each device it’s played back on. File based deliveries currently have no reliable archive methods which poses another major concern.

3-D was coined the “wild west” and does not appear to be a fad. Consumers now base their decision on whether to see a movie in 3-D based on story content vs. the 3-D experience. Bigger budgets still remain limited to film, while the broadcast market remains more events driven with the networks looking for a budget conscious business model for creating content. It was stressed that the editorial process for 3-D is quite different than 2-D. Cutting and pacing is quite distinct along with managing transitions with similar depth cues. There are things you simply can’t do in 3-D that you can in 2-D. To complicate matters even more, there is currently no QC for the technology. In order for an editor to learn the art of 3-D editing it was suggested by Lucas Wilson (Director of Business Development for 3ality Digital) to search for free 3-D footage to download.

The evening wrapped with an overwhelming vibe of reminding everyone that change is constant. Michael Bravin (Technical Consultant, Founder of The Digital Picture Co) commented, “We are going in a new direction with a new way of doing things that people will learn to embrace.”

For more information please visit The Editor’s Lounge website at editorslounge.com or contact AlphaDogs Post Production. To view the entire panel discussion and learn more tips from the panelists please visit vimeo.com/channels/editorslounge




About AlphaDogs


Founded in 2002, Burbank-based AlphaDogs, Inc. quickly established themselves as leaders and innovators in the rapidly changing digital post arena. The company maintains an early adopters edge; testing and assimilating leading technologies to keep ahead of the pack with solutions such as the RED camera and were the first post house in Los Angeles to take delivery of the Avid Symphony HD editing system. Personal attention from a seasoned award-winning team assures client satisfaction accompanies each cost-effective delivery of superior post production services—from editing and audio re-recording to broadcast design & effects.


AlphaDogs is home to the popular Editors' Lounge and headquarters of the growing media transfer specialty service Digital Service Station; now serving California, Florida, Illinois, Ohio and Toronto.


AlphaDogs is located at 1612 West Olive, Suite 200, Burbank, CA 91506.Visit the AlphaDogs team on the web: alphadogs.tv.

Monday, April 4, 2011

AlphaDogs Gets Pregnant (In Heels)!


Burbank, CA—AlphaDogs Post Production has announced they have completed all post services for Pregnant In Heels, a new docu-drama series that profiles “MomPrep” a high-end maternity training academy that assists sophisticated expectant mothers with bizarre baby needs ranging from Brazilian waxing for the labor room to getting the baby into British aristocracy. The series will premiere Tuesday, April 5th on The Bravo Network at 10pm EST.

Post Production Supervisor Lance Asher chose AlphaDogs to complete post production on the series based on their stellar reputation in the community. Asher comments, “AlphaDogs came highly recommended by other colleagues. Not only did I find knowledgeable people who check and re-check their work, but a quality of the final product along with a great price for an overall package deal.”

Emmy-Award-nominated Re-recording mixer Marcus Pardo was able to deliver excellent-sounding audio while minimizing background noise in real-time without introducing digital artifacts by using a Pro Tools HD2 system accompanied by Waves plug-ins and the Cedar DNS One for noise reduction. Pardo comments, “Audio for reality television is tricky due to uncontrolled environments. The Cedar DNS One allows me to drastically reduce noisy room tones or background traffic. This in turn, allows the viewer to focus on the dialog.” Pardo continues; “There were several times throughout the series when tender moments needed to be heard in places like busy Central Park and atop a balcony on a high-rise. Even in these instances, I was able to deliver quality audio.”


Interesting challenges were faced during post with the footage that was shot on green screen. The lead character, Rosie Pope has blonde hair which is can be very difficult to work with in this type of setup as the blonde hair tends to pick up the green cast. Online finishing Editor Herrianne Cayabyab comments, “There is no one answer to solve a problem like this, but our extensive experience with difficult compositing of shots helped tremendously on this show. As Pregnant in Heels was offlined on Avid’s Media Composer, it naturally went through one of our Avid Symphony Nitris DX suites. When working in Avid as opposed to our other systems, I like to try their built in Spectramatte keyer first. It often works miracles and delivers real time performance, which means no rendering. However on this show I had to hit heavier tools like Boris Continuum Complete for example to clean up many of the composites.”

Shared Terrablock storage with file level locking from Facilis allowed Lead Assistant Editor, Scott Davenport to perform the preparation of the sequence for color correction by veteran colorist Brian Hutchings, while additional assistants were doing the capture in another bay. Davenport comments, “The shared storage is a great tool to have. I was able to continue working and meet the project deadline in ample time.”

Each episode of Pregnant In Heels follows pregnancy guru, Rosie Pope and her assistants as they guide the most affluent and hormonal expectant Manhattan mothers in meeting their outlandish baby needs. In the series premiere, Rosie helps an expectant couple come up with the perfect baby name and another couple baby proof their stylish New York flat.


Pregnant in Heels is produced by Hudson Media for Bravo TV. Michael Rourke, Gerette Allegra, Megan Estrada and Danielle King are Executive Producers. Bravo TV is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBC Universal. For more information, visit BravoTV.com.

For additional information please contact
Julie Leibovitz
(818) 456-4149
Julie(at)alphadogs.tv
alphadogs.tv



About AlphaDogs


Founded in 2002, Burbank-based AlphaDogs, Inc. quickly established themselves as leaders and innovators in the rapidly changing digital post arena. The company maintains an early adopters edge; testing and assimilating leading technologies to keep ahead of the pack with solutions such as the RED camera and were the first post house in Los Angeles to take delivery of the Avid Symphony HD editing system. Personal attention from a seasoned award-winning team assures client satisfaction accompanies each cost-effective delivery of superior post production services—including editing, color correction, 5.1 audio, motion graphics, visual effects, DVDs, media transfers, duplication, production offices, and system rentals with 24/7 tech support.


AlphaDogs is home to the popular Editors' Lounge and headquarters of the growing media transfer specialty service Digital Service Station; now serving California, Illinois, Florida and Ohio, with the first international location in Toronto, Canada. AlphaDogs is located at 1612 West Olive, Suite 200, Burbank, CA 91506.


Visit the AlphaDogs team at www.alphadogs.tv.