Hollywood Meets UK!

Every February for 22 years, near Palm Springs, California, top engineering, technical, and creative talent head to the desert for The HPA Tech Retreat.

Seen as the pivotal gathering place for those engaged in creating, managing and disseminating content across a dynamic media landscape, the HPA Tech Retreat has attracted thought leaders, first looks at disruptive technologies, and has created an environment where questions lead to more questions, and answers lead to further discussion. There's really no easy easy to explain it unless you've experienced it.

For the first time, the HPA Tech Retreat will be presented in the UK, bringing two full days curated content along with its special spirit. The Tech Retreat challenges your thinking through engagement with your peers in back-to-back opportunities for incomparable conversation and invaluable connection. It is incredibly exciting to be bringing the event into the UK.

The HPA Tech Retreat UK, presented by SMPTE, will take place 13- 14 July at the luxurious Heythrop Park Resort, Oxfordshire. Certain to be an unparalleled melting pot of Hollywood and UK production and post-production pros, the HPA Tech Retreat UK will celebrate the best in UK entertainment craft that powers so many high-profile productions. As HPA legend, Mark Schubin says, "someone will be there who knows the answer".

Those familiar with HPA Tech Retreat in the US will recognise its mainstays at the Tech Retreat UK. The carefully curated main conference, along with its "Supersession", will focus on the most compelling topics facing the industry. The HPA Tech Retreat offers sessions that concentrate on many important issues, and the Supersession is a themed, day long part of the Retreat that has a specific focus. Programming has been underway for the entire event, and there are already engaging sessions in place, including case studies from tentpole productions that have a firm foothold in both the UK and Hollywood, both major motion pictures and television productions, and more. Speakers from the biggest studios and broadcasters will take us behind the curtain of on-screen magic. More information about the conference sessions will be announced shortly.

As well as in-depth coverage of hot topics such as high-dynamic-range (HDR) and Interoperable Master Format (IMF) attendees will be able to get hands-on with the technology in the Innovation Zone. Not your usual exhibition environment, the Innovation Zone is a curated space where delegates can explore the latest, most engaging products and technologies in an atmosphere designed for learning and discovery. This is a unique opportunity to play with the newest tools for production and post from leading organizations. Over the years, an entire array of groundbreaking technologies have been experienced for the first time, at the HPA Tech Retreat, and the spirit of invention and innovation alive in the UK today will certainly continue that tradition. Any organisation, large or small, with game-changing, important and new technology should apply.

Fancy having breakfast with an industry leader or expert? That's easy to do at the Tech Retreat, as another HPA favourite – the breakfast roundtables – move to the UK. Breakfast Roundtables place attendees in conversation and exchange with thought leaders, every morning. In the next few weeks, the call for topic proposals, applications for the Innovation Zone and the list of breakfast roundtable topics will be forthcoming – keep an eye out for it!

Of course, the HPA Tech Retreat is much more than technology sessions and demos, and a full complement of receptions are planned. The receptions will provide opportunities to make powerful connections and provide plenty of unparalleled occasions for mind-sharing. A special program of social events on the second evening will be announced, and in true Tech Retreat style, Heythrop Resort features an 18-hole championship standard golf course, spa, health club and extensive grounds. The very heart of the HPA Tech Retreat is the ability to spend time away from the day to day and unplug. In HPA Tech Retreat terms, you unplug in order to plug into knowledge, information, and your colleagues.

For those lucky enough to have experienced the HPA Tech Retreat US, this will be a brand new experience showcasing the very best of UK-US co-production and post, with that familiar HPA feel. If you haven't been able to make it to Palm Springs, it's unlike any other event, and this will be your chance to experience it here, in the UK.

The HPA Tech Retreat is a limited attendance event that allows extensive interaction. To ensure that you can attend, register early, before space fills up! Early-bird Registration for the HPA Tech Retreat UK opens 17 February at www.hpaonline.com. Special rates for members of HPA, SMPTE and UK Screen. Space is limited, book early to avoid disappointment.

Image: Richard Welsh, Program Chair for the HPA Tech Retreat UK and CEO at Sundog Media Toolkit.

www.hpaonline.com

(JP/LM)