Using $150,000 it received from Epic Games as a Mega Grant, SMPTE has been able to build on the Rapid Industry Solutions On-Set Virtual Production (RIS OSVP) initiative it launched in July 2021
As ever with this august industry body, the mission is to begin standardising OSVP technologies and processes following a period of early innovation and development. This is as important to SMPTE as it is to the industry it services as it also evolves into a new and somewhat unknown world of screen-based media and entertainment.
Over forty companies and organisations are now involved in RIS and the forthcoming IBC show in Amsterdam (9-12 September) provides another opportunity for new expressions of interest. There are challenges for SMPTE, where standards are not developed or formally ratified at speed.
“On-Set VP relies heavily on software-based tools which iterate at incredible speed, which means that work on a traditional standards process may be outdated by the time it is completed. RIS is a vehicle to explore how to provide interoperability best practices and workflows, while working towards standards that help with data flow and colour science concerns.
The RIS covers all use cases for in-camera visual effects, from narrative/scripted, broadcast and live events. The advisory group identified overall interoperability and education needs which apply to all of these areas, including media transport and equipment,”
Media and technology executive Kari Grubin, speaking to IBC 365’s George Jarrett
Where has SMPTE been active specifically?
“The Camera and Lens Metadata sub group has been extremely active developing a charter of the ‘must have’ and ‘nice to have’ metadata fields recorded and carried through the entire workflow pipeline. This group has recently expanded to camera tracking metadata, and will begin work shortly on colour calibration and control systems. Ultimately, the agreed metadata charter will become the recommended interoperable ‘target’.”
Kari Grubin
For the rest of George’s interview with Kari, which also covers OSVP skills and workflows and the practicalities of shooting inside an LED volume, it can be found here on IBC 365.