Kodak Highlights Hybrid Workflow At IBC Convention

[Tim Tyler]

Eastman Kodak Company is showcasing an array of

advanced film and postproduction technologies here at the annual International

Broadcasters Conference (IBC). The company is demonstrating the KODAK VISION2

HD System, a package of film and hybrid technologies designed to extend

creative flexibility and improve efficiency in television production. Kodak is

also introducing a prototype of the KODAK Look Manager System Version 2.0,

which includes a range of improved features and functionality. The exhibit

will feature a display of remarkable images recorded on the family of KODAK

VISION2 color negative films that leverage major advances in emulsion science

and technology.

 

"The convergence of advances in film and hybrid postproduction technologies

has broadened the quality gap separating film and digital image capture," says

Robert Mayson, general manager and vice president of image capture for Kodak's

Entertainment Imaging Division. "Advances in film and digital postproduction

have given filmmakers unprecedented creative flexibility. We are drawing on

Kodak's deep pool of unique color science and technology to broaden the

palette of options available to the creative community."

 

The booth at IBC will feature all the KODAK components that contribute to the

artistry and efficiency of film and hybrid workflows:

 

The KODAK VISION2 HD System includes a specially designed, scan-only film that

is optimized for use with today's best telecine transfer technology. The new

stock also features an extended dynamic range and latitude, along with grain

and sharpness comparable to KODAK VISION2 500T 5218/7218 Color Negative Film.

The film can be rated for an exposure index (E.I.) either 320 or 500. It is

available in Super 16 mm, and by special order in 35 mm.

 

The KODAK VISION2 HD System also includes the KODAK VISION2 HD Digital

Processor, which postproduction houses use to apply the tones and color

characteristics of many current KODAK color negative films as designated by

the cinematographer. The digital processor utilizes proprietary color science

technology to adjust the scanned images for the designated film speed, color

temperatures, as well as compensating for over- and under-exposure. Mayson

notes that this feature can result in time savings during both production and

postproduction.

 

"The KODAK VISION2 HD System is the ultimate image capture system for content

destined for either HD or standard-definition television display," says

Mayson. "It leverages film's superior resolution and dynamic range along with

the control and immediacy of digital post. The result will be vastly increased

efficiency and creative control for television cinematographers."

 

The KODAK Look Manager System is designed to allow cinematographers to create,

pre-visualize and manage film looks from preproduction through postproduction.

The software-based system locks the picture data into an exportable file that

can be accessed by other system users to help ensure accurate communications

in a collaborative environment.

 

KODAK Look Manager Version 2.0 includes a user-friendly interface, with an

enhanced project-oriented approach. Cinematographers can now import and

organize images on a per scene basis, assign metadata and basic looks, which

can then be further color-corrected, viewed and compared on calibrated

monitors with other system users. This assists in the communication of the

entire vision of a project with collaborators. Additionally, for the first

time, 3-D look up tables (LUTs) can be applied to images and exported, giving

post facilities a scientific reference and communications component for

eliminating guesswork involved with recreating visuals as intended throughout

the workflow. Mayson notes that this feature embeds important visual

information utilizing KODAK color science, resulting in more accurate dailies.

The new version of the system will be available in December.

 

The KODAK Display Manager System consists of calibration hardware and

proprietary software utilizing Kodak color science technology that adjusts

electronic display devices to accurately emulate the looks of film. Precise

calibration helps ensure that collaborators looking at different displays are

seeing identical images. This software is another key component of the KODAK

Look Manager System, and is also available as a stand-alone product.

 

The new KODAK Display Manager System Version 3.0 is available for WINDOWS,

IRIX and MAC OS X platforms. New features include a generic interface

compatible with a range of monitors from high-end displays to small on-set

monitors, automatic characterization of HD/SD displays, flipbook playback in

addition to single-frame viewing, and gamut remapping for improved color

representation.

 

The Kodak exhibit also features a diverse range of film footage displayed on

high-definition television monitors. KODAK VISION2 films incorporate

significant advances in emulsion technology, which enable them to render finer

grain images with a wider range of latitude for recording nuances in both

shadows and highlights. They also feature enhanced contrast and color accuracy

during both optical and digital postproduction.

 

The company is also previewing images recorded with the new KODAK VISION2 50D

5201/7201 color negative film, which is scheduled to be available in all

formats in October. Mayson says the new negative is designed to give

cinematographers more creative latitude while filming high-contrast exterior

scenes in bright daylight as well as shots in mixed color temperatures. The

film is also optimized as a recorder output film.

 

The new emulsion will be the sixth member of the Kodak VISION2 family of

films, which was introduced in November 2002. The others are KODAK VISION2

500T 5218/7218, KODAK VISION2 100T 5212/7212, KODAK VISION2 200T 5217/7217,

KODAK VISION2 250D 5205/7205, and KODAK VISION2 500T Expression 5229/7229.

 

"The KODAK VISION2 family of films is designed to provide cinematographers

with a broad palette of options," notes Thierry Perronnet, marketing director

for Kodak's Entertainment Imaging Division covering Europe, Middle East and

Africa. "Kodak remains committed to continued improvement of film technology

through research. We foresee a future of limitless possibilities."

 

The KODAK Telecine Calibration System (TCS) 1002-V is also featured in the

exhibit. This system is designed to maximize the reliability of transferring

images that retain the integrity of highlights, shadows, contrast and colors

when the negative is scanned and converted to digital files. The advanced

KODAK technology employed by the TCS provides a consistent, repeatable and

optimal starting point specific film stocks for colorists, while helping to

ensure that the nuances recorded on the negative by the cinematographer are

retained during telecine transfer.

 

In addition to the standard features, which include exposure control, scene

illuminant, fine color adjustment and a remote user interface, the KODAK

Telecine Calibration System also has the ability to download and apply 3-D

look-up tables (LUTs) in real time.

 

"We have been listening to our customers, and we are responding by developing

an array of new film, digital and hybrid imaging technologies that give them

the creative flexibility they want," says Perronnet. "Our commitment to the

future of film is open-ended."