NAB 2013: AJ Wedding’s Recap (News)

Posted by AJ Wedding on Apr 22, 2013 | 0 comments

This year’s NAB convention was well attended both live and virtually through the various live online outlets covering it, including NAB’s own NABShow LIVE sponsored by StudioXperience.  I’d like to highlight one other product and give some thoughts about the trend that all of the speakers seemed to have as their topic of conversation.

Kessler Cinedrive

Being a self-taught visual effects creator, I’m always looking to push limits of what is possible on a micro budget.  It seems like there is one roadblock I have run into a hundred times, and it’s necessary for many kinds of vfx shots.  Motion Control.  It is one of the most costly camera systems you could ever rent, and they require expensive operators that make those kinds of shots impossible without oodles of money.

Enter the Kessler Cinedrive…A multi-axis motion control system that allows unparalleled creativity at a much more affordable price.  It’s modular design allows you to start small with motorized sliders, up to a full technocrane-esque, over 200 axis motion control system.    Motion control is great for live action, time lapse, stop motion, any time you want a repeatable precision shot.  Something like a basic 3 axis system will run you around $6500, and you can upgrade as you see fit.  As far as waiting lists, there are none.  But you need to follow them on twitter so that when they are building a wave of product, you get in!  First come first serve!

The Future of Filmmaking Tech

There was a myriad of great speakers at NAB this year, with the focus on CEOs of tech-based companies and their views of the future of filmmaking technology.  The overall trend is something we can all get excited about.  Most companies have had such a large break between their consumer and professional products for decades now (with few exceptions like Canon who backed up the 5D Mark II and III with the T2i series as a less expensive but quality line.)  The latest trend is to reach out with the same cutting edge technology to both consumers and pros alike, offering near or exact versions to both target markets.  No more highly publicized example of this is Apple’s move with Final Cut X.  While the move certainly angered pro editors around the world (myself included), it was a huge step forward for Apple who found a way to get their professional program to the greatly increasing production world.  People who are making online videos of all production value levels, home video editors, and everyone who ever felt like giving editing a try can now use Apple’s professional editing program at a value price of $199.  This has become the model for other video tech companies out there and will spread like wildfire, offering microfilmmakers access to tools that were once only the prevue of Hollywood fat cats.