Expanded Agenda For HPA Tech Retreat UK

An expanded agenda has been unveiled for the HPA Tech Retreat UK which is to be held in Oxfordshire, 13 – 14 July. It is presented by HPA in collaboration with SMPTE.

Over the two days, there will be a number of conference sessions, as well as the Tech Retreat, which features a curated Innovation Zone where companies will demonstrate the latest technologies. Pre-Retreat sessions will also be presented by the Digital Production Partnership (DPP), plus there will be a seminar by Charles Poynton and John Watkinson.

Highlights of the programme include:

• Exploring VFX of 'The Jungle Book': A look into the technology and techniques the team at MPC used to bring the jungle and Rudyard Kipling's characters to life. This session explores the visual effects (VFX) work on Jon Favreau's remake of the Disney classic.

• Finding Dory – A dive into the technology of Pixar's latest release: A follow-up to the hit movie 'Finding Nemo', this session provides an opportunity to hear about the latest technological and creative thinking from the industry leading experts at Pixar.

• Game of Thrones – Go Behind the Scenes of Series 6: A special session created exclusively for HPA Tech Retreat UK, event goers will explore the production and post of the HBO series.

• Ultra Everything: What does ultra high definition (UHD) and associated technological advances mean for content creators, distributors and the audience? A discussion of how improvements in frame rate, wider colour gamut (WCG), high-dynamic-range (HDR) and object-based audio are affecting content.

• Producing Netflix Originals: How does Netflix create content for the future, today?

• Emerging Media Technology: Will cinema become a virtual reality (VR) world, or will augmented reality (AR) find its way into cinema? Will on-demand usher in an era of experiential choice? Leaders and practitioners discuss their experiences with the next generation of entertainment formats.

Ultra Movies: 120fps 3D 4K HDR for Cinema: Use of time-shaping techniques on Ang Lee's upcoming 'Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk'.

• Why SMPTE DCP? Progress in Europe: To manage the transition to SMPTE Standard DCPs in Europe, European Digital Cinema Forum (EDCF) and the International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) have formed a joint task force to assist distributors, exhibitors and suppliers.

• The European Update – 2016: The interoperable delivery format: Distant dream or hiding under the bed?

• Decoding CES: How Trends Trend: This session takes a look at the last seven years of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and presents new perspectives on how technology trends unfold.

Minisession – Workflow Innovation: Post and VFX, from set through dailies and approvals, to rough cuts and archive, and then to delivery, the cloud is servicing the global production and distribution worlds. A look at the business and technical opportunities and risks for production, distribution and post.

• VFX & Rendering Securely in the Cloud: A discussion on cloud rendering that demonstrates the benefits of expanding VFX houses compute abilities beyond in-house walls.

• From the Machine – A look at the Oscar-winning VFX on 'Ex Machina'

• Minisession – HDR Live: Challenges of Working with High Dynamic Range in Real-Time: HDR in Live Production, Deploying HDR for Live TV – The Back Compatibility Question and Fibre/ Coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) Infrastructure for Live and Remote REC 2020 and HDR Application.

A number of industry experts will participate at the HPA Tech Retreat UK. Programme speakers include Steven Beres (HBO), Phil Crawley (root6), Chris Fetner (Netflix), Simon Gauntlet (DTG), Matthew Goldman (Ericsson), Mark Harrison (DPP), Hans Hoffman, (EBU), Andrew Johnston, Chuck Parker (Sohonet), Andy Quested (BBC), Adam Valdez (MPC), Klaus Weber, (Grass Valley), Richard Welsh (Sundog Media Toolkit), Kate Wendleboe (BT), and Mike Whipple (Netflix).

Prior to the HPA Tech Retreat UK, two additional events will also take place on 11 July. They are:

• DPP: the first plugfest – Click here for registration, separate from the HPA Tech Retreat registration, direct to DPP.

• 'Practical Aspects of HDR: Implementation and Deployment Seminar' will be presented by Charles Poynton and John Watkinson. Registration can be made as an addition to the HPA Tech Retreat here.

Richard Welsh, former SMPTE Governor, leads the Tech Retreat UK with HPA Board Member Jerry Pierce. He said: "If you have not been to the US event, this is an excellent opportunity to experience the HPA vibe at our new Oxfordshire event. HPA is an unrivalled opportunity for networking, technology discovery and learning. The opening sessions alone speak to the quality of HPA events with HBO, Disney, Pixar and Netflix productions all being discussed by the creative and technical talent behind them. This against a fun and relaxed backdrop with plenty of opportunities to socialise and network with the leading minds in the industry."

Seth Hallen, president of the HPA, added: "The HPA Board of Directors had been in discussion about sharing the value of the HPA Tech Retreat with global audiences for a long time. Our goal for the past year has been to localise this incredible event so that our colleagues have the opportunity to experience it, as many have requested over the years. The partnership with SMPTE enabled us to present the Retreat; and Rich, Jerry and the committee have put together an undeniably valuable and meaningful conference programme. We see this as the beginning of an incredible event."

Barbara Lange, Executive Director of SMPTE and HPA, commented: "The world in which our members – HPA, SMPTE – and the industry at large are operating, is one of transformation, improvement, and expansion. Standards, workflows, and new creative tools are evolving. These gatherings illuminate these advances, and the conversation and collaboration they inspire, are crucial to our industry's progression. We are delighted that the SMPTE – HPA partnership is able to bring is able to bring this incredible event to Oxfordshire."

For further information on the HPA Tech Retreat UK, including a full conference programme, visit the HPA website.

Image: The HPA Tech Retreat UK 2016 heads to Heythrop Park Resort.

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(JP/LM)