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AI, AR and VR Among Topics on Tap for HPA NET Luncheon (MESA)

Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are among the topics slated to be discussed by industry experts at the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) Networking Education Technology (NET) luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. May 24, at the Garland Hotel in North Hollywood, Calif. The format of the event will be very similar to the last two NET events, according to HPA, which pointed out that NET is a community of entertainment technology professionals created to provide a forum of support and resources.  NET events include luncheons where industry leaders come together to educate and network on the latest trends.  

“These events for NET are done to provide a casual environment to learn, share and meet new people,” according to Josh Wiggins, chief commercial officer at GrayMeta and co-chair of the NET Committee, with Eliot Sakhartov, account technology strategist at Microsoft. Wiggins told the Media & Entertainment Services Alliance (MESA) May 17 that the audience typically includes “not just engineers,” but people who serve in a wide variety of roles at their companies. On tap first May 24 will be a discussion on AI and its role in productions today and tomorrow. Expected is some healthy debate on how AI and machine learning are playing a growing role in the supply chain for entertainment content.

“Today’s Mastering and Distribution” will take on the “the joys and challenges” of Ultra High-Def (UHD), High Dynamic Range (HDR) and related technologies as we near the half-way point of 2017, HPA said. Greg Geier, VP of production operations, global mastering and servicing at Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Ryan Kido, VP of technology operations at Walt Disney Studios, will host a table discussion that’s expected to include a wide variety of opinions and points of view from guests.
 
HPA_NET_Logo_ForPosts-692x262 Van Bedient, Adobe senior business development manager, will lead a discussion on “Hybrid Content & Creative Workflows,” informing attendees how his company meets the growing and diverse range of customer content and creative workflows needs with its ever-growing range of cloud-based services and products
 
During a session on integrating cloud solutions into production and post production, Bruce Long, CEO and co-founder of BeBop Technology, and Bhavik Vyas, global alliances and segment leader-media and entertainment at Amazon Web Services, will discuss why the unique needs and nuances of the media and entertainment industry are driving innovation in the public cloud, and how the complexities of integrating cloud services into production, post, distribution and broadcasting can be managed.
 
VR experts will discuss how, as hardware and software are rapidly evolving, the next 18 months are expected to bring some groundbreaking changes to the very young and promising medium as content comes to the forefront.  The discussion is expected to include some of the changes seen over the last year in the 360-degree video space, as well as the challenges and workflows of projects today.  

Testronic will be among the hosts of a separate discussion on the quality control needs of AR, VR and 360 content, and Nick Mitchell, VP of immersive technology for the Technicolor Experience Center, will be among the hosts of another discussion, on AR, VR and mixed reality.
 
To register to attend the NET event or ask questions, click here.