BRIEFINGS INDUSTRY.
FUTURE PROOF Innovative teaching on LEDs and virtual production aims to get more people into the industry
DISGUISE AND XPLOR WILL PARTNER FOR VIRTUAL PRODUCTION LEARNING
CINEMATOGRAPHER WOOD DIES AT 80 Oliver Wood, the English cinematographer behind the original Bourne trilogy, Die Hard 2 and Face/Off has passed away at the age of 80. His career spanned seven decades, in which he worked with directors such as John Woo and Paul Greengrass. Wood’s breakthrough came when he secured the role of DOP for 53 episodes of hit crime series Miami Vice from 1987-1989. Most recently, he collaborated with Daniel Espinosa on Morbius (2022). Wood, who moved to the US when he was 19, had a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Sabine, daughters Katharine and Fiona, and son Emerson.
In partnership with Xplor – an organisation aiming to bring research and innovation to entertainment technology and production – Disguise will accelerate virtual production learning in the UK. The companies are launching the first UK Virtual Production Accelerator programme, giving trainees hands-on experience with the latest real-time technologies and advanced LED volumes. Based at Xplor’s recently launched £7m Production Park facility in West Yorkshire, – featuring a 340 sq m virtual production volume and an XR studio with Roe Visual LED screens – the companies claim the programme is suited to students and industry professionals. “In just under three years, virtual production has changed from something only a few are experimenting with, to a global phenomenon allowing filmmakers to tell even more ambitious stories,” explains Bassett-Spiers named new Telestream CEO Telestream – known for its video quality monitoring and test and synchronisation solutions – has named Rhonda Bassett- Spiers CEO. She succeeds Dan Castles, who will retire and remain with the
“In just under three years, VP has become a global phenomenon” Over four days, participants will gain proficiency in volume control operations, virtual art department integration and practical shoot elements. Taught through a combination of online, classroom and on-set learning, Xplor’s training is delivered by Backstage Academy at the Production Park. Disguise chief experience officer, Alex Wills. “However, this growth in adoption has left a huge skills gap. After launching our Virtual Production Accelerator programme in the US – in partnership with Roe Visual – we hope to bring its focus on the practical to the Production Park for virtual production enthusiasts in the UK and Europe.”
boosting its position across the media supply chain. “Under Dan’s leadership and strategic foresight, he has grown Telestream to an industry-leading provider of automation tools and applications,” says Eli Weiss, managing partner of Genstar Capital, which acquired Telestream. “I want to thank Dan for his leadership since returning as CEO, guiding Telestream through its recent phase of accelerated growth while positioning the company for continued success moving forward.”
Bassett-Spiers was most recently president and CEO at iTradeNetwork, an end-to-end supply chain management and intelligence solution for the perishable food industry globally. President and chief operating officer Jon Wilson will remain in his current role, leading the company’s operations. Castles, the company’s founding CEO, returned in January 2020 from the board of directors to lead Telestream’s recent growth. During his most recent tenure, Telestream completed five acquisitions,
company in April 2023 to aid Bassett-Spiers’ transition into the role.
25. APRIL 2023
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