Acquisition, the recording of images, is now becoming the last area of film production to be digitised. Moving to digital cameras that record to tape, memory cards or hard-disk recorders fundamentally changes the production process that has been standard on film sets for decades. The international workshop “Insight Out / HFF Academy 2008” will give filmmakers comprehensive information about the possibilities and challenges of these new data-based workflows from 10 to 15 March 2008.
The symposium is taking place for the fourth time at the Konrad Wolf University of Film and Television in Potsdam-Babelsberg. Under the motto “Get the big picture”, the training programme features renowned speakers from the international production community and is aimed at participants from Europe, the southern Mediterranean region and Asia. “Insight Out” serves as both a networking event and a platform for professional knowledge exchange across every discipline of digital film production for cinema and HDTV. This year’s programme focuses on digital workflow and digital acquisition.
The HD Expo, being held for the first time this year, offers a practical look at digital film production. Participants can test the new technology and gain experience using a complete digital production chain installed at the HFF. It extends from a set with nine cameras, including the Sony F23 and RED One, through digital editing and colour-correction systems to creation of the Digital Cinema Package. Filmmakers from Berlin-Brandenburg are also invited to the HD Expo on 11 and 12 March 2008.
“Digital technology is developing very quickly,” explains Professor Ulrich Weinberg, Programme Director of “Insight Out”. “As has already happened in post-production, where most processes have been digitised for several years, this development is now also reaching film production, particularly camera technology and recording in digital formats. Filmmakers need to be prepared for this development, understand the advantages and disadvantages, and be able to work with the new technology. INSIGHT OUT teaches this using state-of-the-art equipment and first-class international trainers.”
The aim of the “Insight Out” programme is to provide filmmakers with sound knowledge and practical experience so that they can decide for or against digital production methods on their next production. Advances in technical development will be demonstrated and made tangible. Participants can watch experts at work in an international setting and make contacts for their next film projects.
The training programme is aimed at decision-makers in the film, television and media industries, including producers, cinematographers, post-production experts, media researchers, journalists and film-school lecturers.
Trainers at the “Insight Out / HFF Academy” include Manfred Büttner, whose VFX credits include “Run Lola Run” and “Oliver Twist”; Mike Christmann, a consultant for digital workflow and D-cinema technology on productions including “Babel” and “The Black Dahlia”; Joe Lewis, whose motion-control work includes “King Kong” and “The Lord of the Rings”; Harald Näther and Holger Krahn, specialists in stereoscopic 3D projection; Nik Powell, producer of “The Crying Game” and “Ladies in Lavender”; and Martin Steyer, HFF Vice President and re-recording mixer on “Resident Evil” and “The Last King of Scotland”.
“Insight Out” is organised by the Konrad Wolf University of Film and Television and supported by the European Union through the MEDIA programme. Partners include Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH, the European Broadcasting Union and various sponsors.
