“Camera to Cloud”

Wanting to make your workflow go faster in production or post production is nothing new. The real question is how do we get there. New camera to cloud technologies from Frame.io, Atomos, and Blackmagic Design just made for a total reimaging of how we work. Getting your footage from the camera directly to your timeline or even live via the cloud will prove to save tons of time.

The speed in which you work will no longer be determined by transfer protocols or require bringing your footage back to the edit suite or control room. As camera to cloud becomes more commonplace, single or multi camera remote productions will continue to expand in ways we haven’t even thought of yet.

Each of the mentioned companies—Frame.io, Atomos, and Blackmagic Design—will have their own way implementing their latest technologies, but this will be the way a lot of people will be working in the future. I cannot wait to run each through the review process in the coming months.

“Camera to Cloud” is some of the most important and exciting workflow changes I have seen in quite some time. On my “this is way too cool” factor scale? I’d say a 10. This is one category I strongly suggest you dive into. 

Next Up: The Production Tools

I was really excited about the opportunity to get “hands on” with the gear. All of it. Love all the AI, editing and tech, and the new insights from AWS and NAGRA about the future of distribution,production, and anti-piracy.

As usual, lots of info to cram into so little time! We need both the gear and the tech to make our creative visions come to life. We need it all, whether remotely, on location, in the studio, or a combination of both. As much as many of us love the idea of the expansion of AR/VR or some flavor of  “remote production” there is still a lot of work to do. But at the show? Two of my favorite tech production setups were the ARRI set and the amazing VR, but then I walked onto the set and SkyPanels and Orbiters. I was like a kid in the candy store, but worse. The other exhibit that got my attention was the very cool MRMC set up that put NAB attendees on a futuristic motorcycle flying through these unreal engine backgrounds—a great display of technology—the marriage of created reality and some stellar programming of the robotics. I never went by the MRMC exhibit when the line wasn’t out the door. Here is a short list of gear that got my attention. Check it out: 

• Sony 5500, VENICE 2
• Marshall Electronics 
• CV730-BHN High-Bandwidth NDI PTZ Camera 
• Canon Flex Zoom Series 
• CN-E20-50mm T2.4 L F/FP Wide-Angle Zoom Lens   
• CN-E45-135mm T2.4 L F/FP Telephoto Zoom Lens
• Zeiss
• Supreme Prime 15mm
• BB&S
• Compact Fresnels
• DoP

The Rabbit-Rounder Universal allows you to mount a variety of DoPchoice Snapbags, Octas, and Lanterns to fixtures from companies such as Aputure, Fiilex, Nanlux, Prolycht, etc. that feature industry-standard Bowens mounts.

Additional  Products and Technologies Quick Look 

New technologies from existing companies and new companies are always in my mix at NAB.Here are a few examples that I would encourage you to check out.

AJA HELO Plus

HELO Plus is a compact, advanced H.264 streaming and recording stand-alone appliance. HELO Plus offers both SDI and HDMI I/O with the capability to stream up to 1080p60 to a Content Delivery Network and record simultaneously. Two separate streaming destinations can be set up and recordings can be made to a combination of SD card, USB storage and NFS or CIFS network storage.  

creative.space

Love the idea of a scalable centralized “storage” solution that can take the stress out of managing your projects and your assets, especially in your own facility. One box with 48TB to Multiple PBs (read ridiculous amount of storage) allows for on site or remote collaboration. Can you say shooting and posting in 8K and above?

DEEPCAKE 

This tech allows the user to create “digital twins” that allows you to film your understudies and turn them digitally into the famous personalities that you want. This is one technology that I really want to dive into this year. I’m just wondering if they can turn me into Brad Pitt…at least on video!

Closing Thoughts

My bottom line? NAB 2022 lived up to the hype. As mentioned there were new technologies, new gear and new attitude! I mean don’t we all strive to create meaningful content?  The original tenants of production that include great lighting, audio, and shot selections will never go out of style. What has changed in a big way is how we get there! Streamlined workflows, AI, and enhanced remote production will continue to dominate the conversation. 

NAB 2022 was the seminal moment that proved to me that the industry is rediscovering its mojo. Are we at full throttle? Not yet, but we are certainly on our way. It was great to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. What’s next? Lets push ahead together and find out!