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ADRIAN WOOTON OBE•VIEW FROM THE TOP
Streamland Media has completed the acquisition of Technicolor Post and integrated its services into Streamland’s picture, VFX, sound and marketing divisions. The acquisition brings new artists, technical experts and strategic locations to Streamland, solidifying the company’s commitment to support a global network of award-winning talent in service to post production.
“We have one clear vision: to build our global network providing best-in-class services with passionate individuals who are dedicated to creative excellence,” said Streamland CEO Bill Romeo. “We are excited to provide our clients with this expanded pool of top-tier talent, innovative technology and additional sites in Toronto and Atlanta.”
Streamland’s executive leadership team incudes Sherri Potter, Robert Rosenthal and Jake Torem. Potter will oversee the company’s worldwide picture and VFX services, which include Picture Shop, The Farm and Ghost VFX brands. Potter, who previously served as president of Technicolor Post and Technicolor VFX, was the first female president of a global post-production business. Under her leadership, the company collaborated on numerous Oscar and Emmy Award-winning productions. Rosenthal will continue to lead all sound services for Streamland Media, under the Formosa Group banner. Torem will oversee Streamland’s marketing services.
JEFFREY A. REYES JOINS LEE FILTERS AS US GENERAL MANAGER
Panavision company, LEE Filters, the wellknown manufacturer of lighting gels and photographic filters, has lured Jeffrey A. Reyes to lead the company’s operations in the US as general manager. Reyes will be based at LEE Filters’ US office in Burbank, California. Reyes joins the firm from equipment and expendables retailer Filmtools, where he served as sales manager for direct production and Latin America. He has also held key sales roles with ARRI, ZGC, Band Pro and Samy’s Camera, and is an associate member of the ASC.
Created as a partnership between MBSE and Netflix, Bring To Light is a newly-created trainee programme designed to offer a direct route to the film and television industry.
Bring To Light has been tailored specifically to offer enthusiastic people, from a diverse range of backgrounds, the industry-specific knowledge and experience to help launch their career as a film and television electrician, or in one of many specialisations within this field.
Netflix’s Alison Small commented, “Bring To Light provides the opportunity to enter the world of film and television, armed with essential skills and invaluable, real-world experience. We’ve been delighted with the response to the programme so far. It really is wonderful to see the initial intake of trainees settling into their roles with MBSE.”
During their first year, trainees work throughout MBSE’s specialist departments, learning the terminology and techniques required to build a solid understanding of the different types of equipment, along with their correct, safe operation. As trainees progress through the programme they will have the chance to apply this knowledge, working as part of an electrical department on a Netflix production at Shepperton Studios.
Toby Dare, MBSE operations director added, “We’re proud to be providing these young people with access to proper, safe, industry-based training. The skills they will learn here will undoubtedly be of value as they progress their careers. This first intake of trainees is a fantastic group who clearly have a desire to learn.”
Along with the hands-on and on-set experience, Bring To Light gives trainees the opportunity to make contacts and build relationships, which will be so important throughout their careers.
“Once our trainees have worked through the MBSE departments and worked with actual crews on Netflix productions, they should have the confidence to walk onto any film or TV set and assist on productions of all size and genre,” said Small. “It’s great to be seeing them all benefitting from Bring To Light and the opportunity it provides.”
Behind the mask: Front (L-R)MBSE HR Manager Gemma Upton, Alison Small, Toby Dare Second row: Bring to Light trainees Rebecca, Kyi, Michael and Alfie cvp.com/prorepairs
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GETTING THE LOOK AT MOVIETECH
MOLINARE APPOINTS DARREN RAE TO LEAD PRODUCTION SERVICES
Camera, lens and grip specialist, Movietech, has reported a steady flow of testing at both its Pinewood Studios and Great Point - Seren Stiwdios, Cardiff bases. Crews from all areas of the industry have been making use of the company’s facilities, which remain carefully managed at all times, to ensure safety for visitors.
The Movietech team has experienced particular interest from crews keen to audition some of the more unusual candidates from the company’s considerable lens inventory. Meticulously curated over the past 30 years, Movietech has amassed one of the industry’s most expansive lens collections from the likes of Zeiss, Fujinon and Cooke, with classic and modern glass available.
Movietech’s John Buckley said, “Being able to offer such a broad range of lens options means cinematographers can get exactly the look they want, or perhaps find something completely new, or something old!”
Having recently expanded its presence at Movietech Cymru, the company is in the process making further investment across its product range. Recent additions include a newly-acquired set of uncoated Master Primes, jointly developed by ARRI and Zeiss, which are drawing attention for their enhanced optical performance, distinctive flaring abilities and retro feel.
“The diverse nature of our industry, and the variety of productions we support, mean cinematographers are constantly seeking out new looks or aiming for a particular artistic feel,” commented Buckley. “We’ve added some exciting new lenses over the past year. However the quirky and classic will always hold their own and we are well-placed to have exactly the right solution.”
London post house Molinare has appointed Darren Rae as head creative of production services. Rae is a respected dailies colourist with over 25 years of experience gained from working at companies such as Todd AO, Pinewood Digital and Harbor, and counts productions such as Spectre, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, Rogue One - A Star Wars Story and Doctor Strange amongst his many major feature and episodic drama credits.
In this newly-created role, Rae will build on his reputation to develop the company’s production services division, focussing on new areas of business that feed into Molinare’s existing post production services.
CVP’S NEWMAN HOUSE REOPENS
With UK Covid protocols relaxing, CVP has announced the reopening of its showroom at Newman House, London. The Fitzrovia townhouse, which originally opened in November 2018, temporarily closed its doors during recent lockdowns, However, CVP has used that time to refit and reimagine the premises with the most popular and up-to-date acquisition and production equipment and is now welcoming visitors back on a by- appointment basis. Within the five-story building are the latest technology solutions from leading global manufacturers, including ARRI, Red, Sony, Canon, Zeiss, Panasonic, Blackmagic Design, and many more, presenting an opportunity for visitors to identify and test technical solutions to meet their creative vision. Visits are tailored to meet individual customer needs, whether by budget or by application, ensuring that visitors get the maximum benefit from their time at the showroom. As well as the latest kit, dedicated zones at Newman House include a high-end Cine room; a streaming studio offering streaming solutions for live production; a new Monitor room fitted out with a range of 5” to 31” monitors; a Motion room dedicated to gimbals and accessories; a selection of the leading Canon Pro and Consumer cameras; the latest Sony Pro and Consumer cameras, coupled with third-party manufacturer accessories; a Post Production/ Workflow suite offering a Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve editing space; plus a selection of the latest cameras, lenses, and camera accessories from the world’s leading manufacturers. Visitor sessions at Newman House are limited in number and strictly bookable-only, in order to both remain Covid-safe and to provide an environment for in-depth conversations with its team of experts. Also reopening at the same time is the CVP | ARRI Creative Space situated nearby on Charlotte Street. “Our Newman House facility provides visitors with an engaging, personalised experience in an environment designed to connect creative vision and technology,” commented Jon Fry, managing director, CVP. “From B-cameras you can sling in your kitbag, all the way up to large format cameras and everything else in between, Newman House offers a safe, comfortable space to get hands-on with all the latest kit in the company of our experts. We are really looking forward to opening our doors and welcoming back our customers and partners.”
