Photo by Ken Howard © Blue Man Productions, Inc |
Award-winning finishing house and post production company Digital Arts
(www.digital-arts.net) recently completed post on the HD production of the
Toronto opening of Blue Man Group's live theatre show. Using Apple's Final
Cut Pro 5, Digital Arts created the optimal workflow in their Chelsea
studios, thereby providing the client with a state-of-the-art home base in
NYC. ( http://www.apple.com/pro/video/rhoades/ ).
“It was critical for us to find a NY facility that had top-quality HD
technical know-how and 24 hour access,” says Director/Editor Kevin Rhoades.
“Digital Arts worked closely with us to ensure that we got the most out of
Final Cut Pro, both creatively and technically.”
“We were looking for an expert finishing house to help us create a flawless
HD workflow in a comfortable, client friendly environment,” says Producer
Philip Paluso. “Kevin found Digital Arts and it was smooth sailing all the
way. Our client couldn't have been happier.”
Photo by Darbe Roach © Blue Man Productions, Inc |
The project objective was straightforward -- to record the latest Blue Man
theatrical show and create a visually dynamic video that communicated the
essence of this unusual mind-bending experience. Rhoades had a few
challenges to consider. One was the dramatic color contrasts, with the show's
very dark environment and bright colors. That was a driving factor in
Rhoades' decision to shoot HD, since it gives greater latitude. Another
major challenge was the multitude of cameras. The shoot involved covering
the group's three opening performances in Toronto, with each shoot using
four Panasonic Varicams, synchronized by time-of-day time code.
Synchronizing the action from all 12 cameras would be no easy feat. On top
of that, the project involved tight deadlines and a lean budget.
Digital Arts set up the workflow using Final Cut Pro 5 and guided the team
through a seamless HD real time switching experience. Says Rhoades,
“Digital Arts truly bent over backwards for us, making both us and the
client feel right at home. We were so lucky to find them and they've since
become our NYC HD production office.”
In fact, that premise is one of Digital Arts guiding principles. Seeing the
HD revolution on the horizon, Ericson set out to build a smart HD facility
that has become one of NYC's leading HD production and finishing houses and
serves as a full-service post production, graphics, sound design and
original music company. “My goal was to create a unique environment for
TV, film and corporate media producers that combines the best technology
available, the most talented creatives and a warm, comfortable,
client-friendly environment,” explains Ericson. “We loved working with
Kevin and Philip and are looking forward to a long-term relationship.”
Photo by Ken Howard © Blue Man Productions, Inc |
An audio and video creative and production pioneer, Digital Arts
(www.digital-arts.net) specializes in HD finishing and graphics, as well as
sound design, audio mixing and music composition. Founded in 1992 by
Grammy-winner CEO/Creative Director Axel Ericson, the studio works with
leading cable and broadcast television networks, as well as filmmakers,
commercial producers, ad agencies and corporate producers to deliver
state-of-the-art creative and technical solutions.
|
