Visual Impact reports an amazing start to its recently launched new business unit, Digi Labs, which incorporates the central apparatus room (CAR) services of the former HDHub, as well as complete post-production workflow support, whatever the requirements.
Says Digi Labs head Stefan Nell: “We have been servicing all the needs of not only production company clients but of our post-production clients as well. Current projects range from 3D to features to daily commercials.
“We also recently provided full digital services to M-Net’s reality show, MasterChef SA, supplying a comprehensive workflow from camera to transcoding offlines to final online conforms.
“Our services are designed to support not only the transcoding and data management needs of Visual Impact’s own cameras, but all formats – from Phantom to RED to Alexa to Sony EX to 5D etc.’
Digi Labs is successfully using Assimilate Scratch Lab as well as Scratch 6.1 as the backbone for all its processing and transcoding. The facility also supplies and sets up full lab and or editorial workflows on site at any specified location. These include Final Cut Pro (FCP), Avid, Da Vinci Resolve or Scratch systems.
“We are currently upgrading our entire facility and have installed a fibre channel network linking our labs to our Digital Theatre, as well as installing THX standards of calibration to guarantee the fidelity of the images of our clients’ work and deliveries,’ notes Nell.
Digi Labs is also in the process of setting up its latest service, digital cinema packages (DCPs).
Nell concludes: “We are extremely excited about the future and committed to providing our clients with with cutting edge solutions, regardless of their workflow requirements.’
The other members of the Digi Labs team are Shaun de Ponte, who runs the Johannesburg operation, facilities co-ordinator Jeanne Prinsloo, Mugamad Ismail who runs the CAR facilities in Cape Town, and Jac Kotze, who heads up the rental department and on set data wrangling for Cape Town.
By Andy Stead
Screen Africa magazine – May 2012
