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Friday, Mar 29, 2024

Technology Debuts Inside Camera at Panavision

Panavision Inc. introduced a new camera early this month at a trade expo in London. The Millennium DXL2 8K is a large format camera that builds on the previously released Millennium DXL introduced in 2016 from the Woodland Hills rental house and camera and lens manufacturer. Panavision Chief Executive Kim Snyder said the company was proud to give filmmakers more choices to express their vision. “We have been listening to feedback from cinematographers and the results of our collaboration are directly manifested in the DXL2,” Snyder said in a statement. “We remain committed to continuous technological development and are excited to bring this new camera to market.” The camera incorporates a Red Monstro 8K Vista Vision sensor that will improve image quality and shadow detail, allowing directors to shoot quickly with minimal lighting setups. It also includes Light Iron color2, a post-production feature for handling workflow that offers quick access to raw images. Light Iron is a subsidiary of Panavision that was acquired in late 2014. John Schwartzman, a cinematographer whose credits include “Jurassic World,” “Fifty Shades Freed,” and the upcoming “Star Wars Episode IX,” tested the DXL2 and gave input that guided the design. “When you take an 8K image and super-sample it, it only gets better. It’s absolutely beautiful to look at,” Schwartzman said in a statement. “For me, the Millennium DXL2 is a no-brainer. … I’m currently planning to shoot my next feature with it.” Lumiere Awards The Advanced Imaging Society hosted its annual Lumiere Awards on Feb. 12 at the Stephen Ross Theater on the Warner Bros. Studios lot in Burbank. “Blade Runner 2049,” released by Warner Bros. came away with the most awards of the night, winning a total of three, including best stereography in a live-action film and best 2D-to- 3D conversion. “Coco” from Disney Pixar won for best stereography in an animated feature. The society, which started out in 2010 as the International 3D Society, honors 3D, high frame rate, virtual reality and augmented reality content and experiences produced for film, television, advertising, gaming, mobile and online. Other winners included “The Lego Batman Movie,” from Warner Bros., for best use of high-dynamic range in an animated feature and “Atomic Blonde,” from Universal Pictures, for best use of high-dynamic range in a live-action feature. Darla Anderson, a producer with Pixar who has helmed “Coco,” “Toy Story 3” and “Cars,” was presented with the Harold Lloyd Award, which recognizes distinguished achievement in storytelling. The Charles Wheatstone Award for innovation was given to Sony Corp. for its products that include high definition cameras, high dynamic range monitors, 4K theater projectors, 4K flat screens and PlayStation virtual reality headsets. Miami Expansion LBI Media has named Nick Valls as the new general manager for WGEN, its recently acquired television station in Miami. In that role, Valls will be in charge of sales and operations, and be responsible for recruiting and building a local team. He will also oversee the addition of two local newscasts. Lenard Liberman, chief executive of the Burbank media company, said he was pleased to have Valls join the team and head up the launch of broadcast operations in one of the top U.S. Hispanic markets. “His experience and knowledge of the Miami television business will greatly enhance EstrellaTV’s expansion in this vibrant and critical market,” Liberman said in a statement. Prior to joining Liberman, Valls had been senior vice president of ad sales for MundoMax, a Spanish-language television network, handling sales and marketing efforts for affiliated stations in Los Angeles, Miami and Houston. Valls also was in positions with Univision Communications Inc. and Hemisphere Media Group Inc., a U.S. Hispanic TV and cable company. Visual Effects Victors The HBO series “Game of Thrones” came away as the top winner in the 16th annual Visual Effects Society Awards taking place Feb. 13 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The Sherman Oaks professional and advocacy organization gave out trophies in 24 categories, including work done for characters and environments in live-action and animated films, television series, commercials and video games, before a crowd estimated at 1,000 people, made up of visual effects artists, celebrities and other entertainment industry figures. Comedian Patton Oswalt hosted the awards ceremony that featured Mark Hamill, of “Star Wars” fame, and “War for the Planet of the Apes” director Matt Reeves as presenters. “Game of Thrones” won five awards out of the 11 nominations the series received, including outstanding visual effects in a photoreal episode for “Beyond the Wall,” outstanding animated character in an episode and outstanding created environment in an episode. Staff Reporter Mark R. Madler can be reached at (818) 316-3126 or [email protected].

Mark Madler
Mark Madler
Mark R. Madler covers aviation & aerospace, manufacturing, technology, automotive & transportation, media & entertainment and the Antelope Valley. He joined the company in February 2006. Madler previously worked as a reporter for the Burbank Leader. Before that, he was a reporter for the City News Bureau of Chicago and several daily newspapers in the suburban Chicago area. He has a bachelor’s of science degree in journalism from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

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