Sony opens the Digital Motion Picture Center

It’s become common knowledge that the studios are literally forcing filmmakers to abandon 35mm film and make the switch to digital. Within the next few years, it’s going to be extremely difficult to see a movie projected on film in theaters. With the release of the 4K F65 and the proliferation of SXRD projectors, Sony has been rather forward thinking about 4K even when the marketplace wasn’t quite there yet. Currently director M. Night Shyamalan is shooting After Earth, starring Will Smith, and director Joseph Kosinski is shooting Oblivion with Tom Cruise with the F65.

So if you’re finally just getting used to your complex 1920×1080 workflow, well, I hate to break the news to you, but 4K is here and 4K is now. Even if there are still a lack of 4K exhibition screens and monitors, smart producers are covering themselves for the future. One of the leaders of the original HD movement with the release of their CineAlta F900 camera system a dozen years ago (wow, it’s been that long?), Sony is doubling down on 4K by opening the Digital Motion Picture Center (DMPC).

I recently had the chance to visit Stage 7 over at Sony Pictures Studios to view their new Digital Motion Picture Center, which they launched on May 1st. Sort of similar to Canon’s Hollywood Professional Technology and Support Center, Sony’s DMPC is an all purpose facility where directors, cinematographers, camera assistants and post professionals can share experiences as well as learn the 4K workflow process. Not only has Sony employed 12,500 4K SXRD projectors to theaters recently, they have also announced a new 4K home theater projection system, as well as a blu-ray player that offers 4K upscaling. 4K in the living room is just around the corner.

ASC Technology Committee Chairman Curtis Clark, ASC will oversee the education workshops

ASC Technology Committee Chairman, Curtis Clark, ASC, will be overseeing the training and education programs at the Center. Every Wednesday for the next two years, Sony will be providing a 4K workflow course for anyone interested.

The workshops are linked to ColorWorks, Sony Pictures’ digital intermediate facility, where F65 camera data will be evaluated in a digital intermediate color grading suite. Sony also plans to make the DMPC available to local rental companies and resellers to conduct training for their respective customers, as well as 3rd party workflow partners that include Assimilate, Avid, Blackmagic, Codex, ColorFront, FilmLight, MTI Film and YoYotta. For viewing, 4K images will be viewed natively on an SXRD digital cinema projector, on a 25 foot screen (50 seat theater) as DCP’s or SR RGB files. The DMPC will be conducting workshops on some of their other Super 35 digital camera systems as well, such as the popular and more indie friendly, PMW-F3.

Sony has partnered with a number of third-party companies, including Avid and Blackmagic Design

Hands on training can be accommodated for groups of up to 12 people and the DMPC can accommodate up to 25 people for tutorials.

For more information, please visit the DMPC’s website at www.sony.com/dmpc.