Tamron launches a wireless lens dongle, Foundry acquires AI orchestration platform Griptape, Apple brings F1 to IMAX, and more in this week’s production and post-tech roundup.
The Tamron Lens Utility Ver. 5.0 for Mobile has also been updated with a range of new functions including the ability to set markers on both the focus ring and the aperture ring. Full list here.
Articulating, V-notched pads adjust to irregular surfaces, keeping the mount flush and secure almost anywhere. Length can be customized by adding or removing the 1-inch modular segments. The included right-angle adapter with male 1/4"-20 thread can be attached to tuck the arm completely out of frame for clean shots.
The Phone Mount provides a retractable dual-sided clamp that holds a smart device securely. Integrated dual female cold shoe mounts on each side can instantly accept lights, microphones, or even a second device. It connects seamlessly to FlexiMounts and other Dinkum Systems accessories, as well as to Matthews MICROGrip rigs, tripods, or selfie sticks via its universal 1/4"-20 threaded socket.
Pricing is $99.
Apple is making the most of its F1 rights as it starts its sojourn as the exclusive home for coverage in the US this season, which starts in just two weeks' time. Starting with the Miami GP in May, five races will be shown live on more than 50 IMAX locations across the United States.
Apple Services VP Oliver Schusser said in a statement “by bringing F1 on Apple TV live to IMAX theaters nationwide, we’re delivering the energy and excitement to even more screens in a truly immersive way."
You can sign up to be notified when tickets go on sale here.
Sharing work with external partners has always come with friction. It goes way beyond just the file transfers too. There's also setup, permissions and the cleanup when the work is done.
Guest Access is designed to short circuit the pain of these moments. Instead of creating temporary accounts or moving files out of your filespace, you invite guests directly into specific folders. Access is controlled, time-bound and limited to exactly what they need — nothing more. When the project wraps, access can be removed just as easily. More details here.
Good point, well made.
Nice mini case study on using DPA 6061 Subminiature Microphones to capture the audio on FX's The Bear.
From bustling kitchens to chaotic dining rooms, the series often requires Production Mixer Scott D. Smith and his crew to manage dozens of inputs at once. For one specific standout wedding sequence, the sound team deployed an extraordinary setup, which included two mixing consoles, 32 microphones and a crew of eight.
“The biggest challenge was the scene where 16 actors were underneath a table,” explains Smith. “It was nearly impossible to boom, and lavaliers weren’t working because the actors were hunched over and moving around. After a couple of sleepless nights, the only solution was to mount the mics under the table, as they had to be hidden.”
“We tested about five different mics before deciding on the 6061,” Smith recalls. “In the end, not only did the DPAs sound good, but they were also the only brand that could deliver as many as we needed in the timeframe. The consistency between capsules was critical, since the actors were moving from one position under the table to another.”
The solution worked better than expected. “Honestly, I didn’t think it was going to be that successful,” he admits. “But the post team at Sound Lounge in New York told me they used every one of those tracks at some point in the final mix. They were very, very happy with how it turned out.”
As studios shift from experimentation to everyday production use, Foundry reckons that the need for better control of AI models has become critical. Griptape enables controlled access to rapidly evolving open-source and commercial AI models in a user-friendly framework, whilst balancing the strict security and traceability required by major production environments.
Foundry will continue to develop Griptape’s offering, enhancing Griptape’s unique strengths to meet the demands of VFX and Animation pipelines, and will integrate with creative toolsets including Nuke, the industry standard for compositing.