News roundup: Final Pixel, Signiant, SmallHD, Framestore, and YoloLiv

New kit from YoloLiv this week, alongside industry news from Final Pixel, Signiant, SmallHD (now 'the Emmy Award-winning SmallHD'), and Framestore.

Final Pixel expands Virtual Production Fellowship programme

Final Pixel's virtual production training and education division - Final Pixel Academy - has successfully partnered with the British Film Institute (BFI) and Screen Scotland to launch an ambitious, first-of-its-kind Virtual Production Fellowship programme designed and developed to teach the critical skills, techniques and technologies and creative application within Virtual Production capabilities to enable participating delegates to carve new career paths in the burgeoning virtual production industry. The training is fully funded for participants and exclusively for candidates based in Scotland.

The Virtual Production Fellowship is a three-year programme developed in partnership with Nightsky Studios in Glasgow, Scotland, and Blazing Griffin and will introduce virtual production, the key technologies and concepts encompassing virtual production workflows. Throughout the programme, delegates will engage in a curriculum focused on production, creating virtual art, LED volume control and filming in a volume. Fellows of the programme will also receive accreditation that will demonstrate to the wider industry their skill level and area of expertise and further aid their career development.

Find out more about the Virtual Production Fellowship here.

The company is also partnering with New York University Tandon School of Engineering to deliver a comprehensive Virtual Production Master Class featuring a deep dive into the Motion Capture (MoCap) and ICVFX skill and techniques needed to excel in virtual production. It starts on Monday, 30 October; details here.

Signiant joins Trusted Partner Network

Signiant is now part of the Trusted Partner Network (TPN) and has successfully completed the rigorous TPN App and Cloud Gold Shield assessment. The TPN, an integral component of the Motion Picture Association (MPA) initiative, has been instrumental in enhancing security measures across the media industry while simultaneously boosting operational efficiencies. This is geared toward counteracting persistent security threats and preserving the sanctity of digital content.

Signiant’s TPN Gold assessment underwent meticulous scrutiny conducted by Independent Security Evaluators (ISE), a TPN-accredited assessor renowned for its reputation as an independent third-party technology evaluator within the media sector. The security evaluation results are now accessible to TPN Studio members, providing an added layer of confidence in the security protocols governing Signiant's content exchange solutions.

With the integration of TPN security measures into Signiant's solutions, TPN Studio members can effortlessly access the results of Signiant's security assessment through the TPN+ platform, fostering efficiencies and transparency for both Signiant and its clientele.

SmallHD honored with a 2023 Engineering, Science & Technology Emmy

SmallHD was presented with an Engineering, Science & Technology Emmy at the 75th Annual Engineering Emmy Awards held in Los Angeles. The award recognizes SmallHD's exceptional contributions to the industry with its innovative monitor platform.

As VP of Cine Products for Creative Solutions, Greg Smokler, commented: "SmallHD has always been laser-focused on one goal: build the best possible tools for technicians and artists to monitor their creative vision."

What sets SmallHD apart is its custom electronics and PageOS software suite that is entirely developed in-house. This approach allows for future-proofing and continuous expansion of features and connectivity, adapting to new cameras and firmware updates as they are released. The monitor lineup, ranging from the on-camera Smart 5 and Smart 7 series to the 4K production monitor line, is designed to maintain accuracy and consistency in viewing and color reproduction across various cameras and applications.

YoloLiv Introduces the YoloBox Ultra

YoloLiv has added YoloBox Ultra to its product lineup, billing it as the ultimate tool for live-streaming enthusiasts. It was first showcased at IBC2023 and is set to hit the market this November, offering an all-in-one solution that serves as an encoder, switcher, monitor, recorder, and streaming studio. Despite its compact size, this powerful tool allows users to take their live streaming to the next level, making it an ideal companion for on-location streaming.

One of the standout features of the YoloBox Ultra is its ability to stream in 4K quality using the H.264 and H.265 codecs and simultaneously stream to three horizontal destinations, such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, or other RTMP destinations. Additionally, users can stream to two vertical platforms, namely Instagram and TikTok, expanding their engagement. Its 8-inch touchscreen display showcases the streaming image, input streams, and control interface, enabling easy source switching with a simple touch. The addition of an HDMI output allows users to conveniently monitor their stream on an optional HDMI display. It can combine up to five Internet sources into a single, stable connection, including 4G LTE cellular, WiFi, Ethernet, and USB dongles.

VFX Supervisor Gary Brozenich joins Framestore in London

Global visual effects studio Framestore's latest recruit is international production supervisor Gary Brozenich. With a remarkable 22-year career at MPC, Gary Brozenich has made his name into cinematic history through his pivotal role in blockbusters such as Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, The Lone Ranger, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and two sensational instalments of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

His unique background in fine art and his early career as a sculptor and model maker have significantly shaped his approach in his work with a distinctive and imaginative touch. Brozenich will work alongside Framestore’s senior team of supervisors who have delivered Oscar and BAFTA-winning or nominated work such as Gravity, Blade Runner 2049, Christoper Robin, The Midnight Sky, Top Gun: Maverick, No Time to Die, The Dark Knight, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 1, His Dark Materials, as well as this summer’s hits Barbie, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 and The Little Mermaid.

Find out more about Framestore here.