INSIGHT OUT 2008
The digital revolution in slow motion!
Potsdam, 17/03/2008. Over six days, 51 filmmakers, directors, producers and postproduction experts from 26 countries came together for the international symposium INSIGHT OUT / HFF Academy 2008 from March 10 to 15, 2008 in Potsdam-Babelsberg. There were discussions at the Academy for Film and Television „Konrad Wolf“ (HFF) with top-notch media professionals about the new working processes for digital film production and their experiences with high-definition formats for D-Cinema and HDTV. The link to practical experience was provided with the first ever staging of a HD Expo.
The trainers and participants of INSIGHT OUT 2008 concluded that the comprehensive digitalisation of film production is irreversible, has developed less rapidly than had been expected still only a few years ago. The digital revolution in the film industry is progressing step-by-step and is far from over, The range of digital technology such as digital film cameras, storage media, colour correction software and the associated hardware is constantly growing. The consequence is a much greater complexity in the working processes which require a great technical understanding from the filmmaker. The quesitons "Which formats and technology are the most suitable for my next project? What would the appropriate optimal data-based workflow look like?" were to the fore for the participants of this year's INSIGHT OUT.
Answers to these questions were offered by the HD Expo which was held within the framework of INSIGHT OUT. A complete high-definition digital production chain was presented publicly for the first time in the Berlin-Brandenburg region on March 11 and 12 as part of a "hands-on" presentation. 180 filmmakers from Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany and abroad came together in the Babelsberg film school in a manufacturer-neutral setting to try out digital film technology to the value of 2.5 million Euros. The exhibition included a set with six digital cameras, a storage area network as well as digital editing and colour correction systems.
Ulrich Sparrer (HFF "Konrad Wolf"), responsible for the technical design of HD Expo: „Just presenting the products is nothing new. We wanted to create a big playground for digital technology for interested filmmakers where they could play through digital production processes from beginning to end with the systems of different manufacturers.“
The whole spectrum of possibilities offered by digital production methods were illustrated in INSIGHT OUT's programme of lectures: Gerald Gutschmidt of Industrial Light and Magic described the lavish production of the digital effects for „Transformers“. How low-budget productions can also profit from digital technology was explained by Stefan Grandinetti, HFF graduate and the first German DoP to work with the Red One digital camera: „The Red One is a genuine revolution for me. Unlike other cameras, it is very reasonable cost-wise and offers an alternative to the classical 35mm workflow through a simple data processing and storage.“
INSIGHT OUT has since established itself as a networking platform and contact point for all those filmmakers in Europe who are interested in digital technology. This year, an online forum was launched for the professional exchange between participants and trainers – one of the first prominent users was the former INSIGHT OUT lecturer and triple Oscar-winner Jim Rygiel. INSIGHT OUT participants, HD Expo exhibitors and the Berlin-Brandenburg media industry also had an opportunity to meet and make contacts at the Matchmaking Dinner initiated by the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg.
The symposium INSIGHT OUT / HFF Academy was held this year for the fourth time. Under the banner of „Just do it in HD!“, the training programme with renowned speakers of the international production scene was geared to participants from Europe, the Southern Mediterranean region and Asia.
INSIGHT OUT is organised by the Academy for Film & Television (HFF) "Konrad Wolf" and supported by the EU via the MEDIA Programme. The partners for the international HFF Academy INSIGHT OUT are Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg GmbH and European Broadcasting Union, as well as leading companies as sponsors.
This time round, the planning of the programme was in the hands of the HFF's vice-president Prof. Martin Steyer, who also spoke about sound in the digital age, and Prof. Ulrich Weinberg of the Hasso Plattner Institut, who served in addition as the chairman for the concluding Film School Day.
The HFF "Konrad Wolf" is the oldest and largest training institution of its kind in Germany with its 550 students in 11 courses of studies. The artistic and practical training is conducted on the highest level thanks to the latest technology and experienced teaching staff - intensive contacts link the HFF on a national and international level with numerous academies, universities and research institutions in the field of film and television.
Gerald Gutschmidt
Transformers at IO 2008!
Potsdam, 13/02/08. Gerald Gutschmidt, CGI-Artist at Industrial Light & Magic, confirmed his attendance at INSIGHT OUT. He will be holding a lecture about the VFX work on Transformers, which was "a gigantic task" even by the standards of ILM, as he says. The presentation gives insight to the applied work flow from onset data acquisition to final product. Recent advances in pipeline, tools and techniques are showcased through various shot breakdowns.
HD Case Study from Norway
NRK drama series at INSIGHT OUT
Potsdam, 11/02/08. It was confirmed today, that several of the production crew members of Sky Blue will be joining INSIGHT OUT as speakers. Sky Blue is a 16-part series by Norwegian National Broadcaster NRK shot under very difficult climatic and geographic conditions high up in the North of Norway. One of the producers, DoP Helge Semb, who designed the work flow for this file-based HD shoot, and the post-production supervisor will all be coming to Potsdam.
Mike Christmann
confirmed as speaker at IO 2008!
Mike is a partner at "FLYING EYE Management Consultants for Media Investments" where he is in charge of digital film & post production, workflow design for digital media, technology and strategy. He has exentensive experience in the film and broadcasting industry and has worked on movie projects such as Babel and Black Dahlia. Mike is a "veteran" INSIGHT OUT speaker, having held his famous 120-slides-in-90-minutes lecture for the first time in 2005. In fact, this lecture is INSIGHT OUT in a nutshell and provides an excellent and comprehensive overview of digital technology and workflow.
David Tart
Lectures about Animation: Work Flow in a Digital Studio
Potsdam, 13/12/2007. David confirmed today that he will be holding a lecture about work flow in a digital studio. With the particular focus of INSIGHT OUT's programme on digital work flow, the organisors are delighted that such an experienced animator as David, who has worked on Finding Nemo and Robots, will be examining these issues from an animator's perspective.
[EDIT 15/01/08: Unfortunately, David had to cancel his participation due to a scheduling conflict. We hope to see him in 2009!]
Nik Powell
NFTS Director and well-known UK producer to join INSIGHT OUT!
Nik accepted our invitation to hold a presentation during the IO 2008 film school special. The National Film and Television School in London has significantly invested in digital equipment over the past years, so it will be very interesting to find out what the NFTS approach has been to this investment and how they have adapted the school's curricula to digital production methods.
Nik is one of the UK's top film producers. He embarked on an entrepreneurial career in the 1960s, when he set up Virgin Records with Richard Branson. His long partnership with Stephen Woolley, with whom he founded Palace Pictures and Scala Productions, brought an unrivalled slate of award-winning features to the screen, including Neil Jordan's Company of Wolves, Mona Lisa and The Crying Game. Nik's films have garnered many awards and nominations, including an Oscar, several Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe. His more recent films include Little Voice, Calendar Girls and, most recently, Ladies in Lavender starring Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith.
Since becoming Director of the NFTS in September 2003, Nik has introduced several innovative new programmes, keeping the School at the leading edge of film and TV education in the UK.
Digital Pre-Production
Manfred Büttner as speaker in 2008 confirmed!
Potsdam, 21/11/2007. Manfred Büttner will be joining INSIGHT OUT for the fourth time as a trainer. He will be holding a lecture on digital preproduction and thanks to his expertise in vfx, he has plenty of practical advise to offer on how you can use the pre-production phase to full advantage by using storyboarding and previsualisation very early on.
Manfred has worked as VFX supervisor on many international feature film projects, such as Run, Lola, Run, Whale Rider, Oliver Twist, The Counterfeiters, The Three Investigators and many more.
Virtual Studio & Motion Control
Joe Lewis confirmed as speaker at IO 2008.
Potsdam, 20/11/2007. Joe Lewis of General Lift Llc. has confirmed today, that he will be coming to Babelsberg again for INSIGHT OUT / HFF Academy 2008. Joe is a renowned expert on motion control and has worked on Lord of the Rings, Hollow Man (for which he designed and built the first underwater motion control system), King Kong and I, Robot. Earlier this year, he was in Babelsberg for several weeks working on the Wachowski brothers production of Speed Racer, so he will certainly have many new case studies to present at INSIGHT OUT.
Most inspired!
New INSIGHT OUT website noted for beautiful design
Potsdam, 26/10/2007. Since the relaunch of the INSIGHT OUT website two weeks ago, it has been featured by a number of sites for its beautiful new design.
That makes us just a little bit proud. We hope you like the new site, too!
INSIGHT OUT 2007
DVD-Documentation available now
Potsdam, 13/08/2007. 27 hours of theory and practical information about D-Cinema, HDTV and how to use the new digital tools in film-making: Every lecture held at INSIGHT OUT / HFF Academy 2007 is burned on this DVD. It also features bonus material such as interviews, fotos and every presentation for download. Participants, trainers, sponsors and all members of the CILECT association of film schools will receive a copy of the DVD in the next few days by post. If you would also like to get a copy, please contact the organisers.
EU funding for INSIGHT OUT
Get the big picture again in 2008!
Potsdam, 17/07/2007. The EU decided positively on HFF’s application for funding for INSIGHT OUT 2008. The organisers received confirmation today, that the first stage of the application process was successfully taken. INSIGHT OUT / HFF Academy will benefit from the EU’s MEDIA programme for the fourth time since the inaugural workshop took place in 2005. MEDIA supports the European audiovisual industry in the areas of development, production, distribution and training.
EBU and HFF Cooperation
Fully Paid Scholarships Launched to Upskill Film & TV Professionals from the Southern Mediterranean in Digital Filmmaking
Potsdam, 09/07/2007. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Film and Television University “Konrad Wolf” Potsdam (HFF) announced today that they will sponsor several professionals from the film and broadcasting industries to participate in INSIGHT OUT / HFF Academy 2008.
HDTV & D-Cinema training for the Southern Mediterranean
Film and broadcasting professionals from Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey can apply for the EBU Scholarships for the Southern Mediterranean Rim for the INSIGHT OUT symposium 2008 by contacting the INSIGHT OUT office. The scholarships encompass all seminar costs, travel expenses and accommodation during the workshop.
The introduction of digital production tools is transforming traditional workflows in film and TV production. However, for professionals from the Southern Mediterranean countries, there are hardly any affordable training programmes to learn about these new digital production methods. In 2006 and 2007, INSIGHT OUT / HFF Academy offered workshops for a total of 50 professionals from those countries thanks to funding from the European Union’s Euromed Audiovisual II Programme. Due to the programme’s guidelines, this funding is no longer available. It is unclear, whether the EU will continue to fund Euromed Audiovisual II beyond the end of the programme in 2008.
INSIGHT OUT Programme Director Prof. Ulrich Weinberg says: “Thanks to the generous support and commitment from EBU, we are delighted that we can continue to invite professionals from the Southern Mediterranean to INSIGHT OUT, who were a great enrichment for the last two conferences.”
EBU: the largest worldwide network of broadcasters
The Geneva-based EBU is the largest professional association of national broadcasters in the world. It serves 721 active members in 52 countries in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle-East and 5146 associate members in 3029 countries around the world. On behalf of its members, the EBU negotiates broadcasting rights for major sports events, owns and operates the Eurovision and Euroradio networks, organises programme exchanges, is the centre for co-productions and acquisitions, and provides a full range of other operational, commercial, technical, legal and strategic services.
