Sony recently opened it’s first Digital Motion Picture Centre at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, UK. Housed in the former props building on the Pinewood lot, the DMPC(E) has been designed to offer hands on training and tuition for DoP’s and cinematographers eager to get the most out of Sony’s latest cameras.
The Pinewood centre is the fourth in a series of global centres which Sony have set up in Los Angeles, Beijing and Mumbai. Speaking at the launch, Sony Professional Solutions Europe VP Katsunori Yamanouchi reiterated that the new facility “…will be a place where members of the European production community can meet, find out about the latest technologies and share experiences”
While the centre primarily features Sony’s CineAlta family of Super 35mm cameras including the F65 and the new F55 and F5 models, it also includes a post production area offering a number of third party tools for end-to-end 4K workflows, a selection of 4K and HD displays and a 30 seater, 4K screening room.
“Sony has a long history of developing leading edge technology including the world’s first 24P camera” said Peter Sykes, Strategic Technology Manager at Sony. “There is a growing realisation that the performance offered by new cameras such as the F65 and F55 have opened up completely new creative opportunities for the very highest quality 4K, 2K and HD film and television projects. We have designed the centre with the aim of making it easier for filmmakers and production crews to gain access to the technology, specialist knowledge and experience that has been gained over many years”.
As well as fulfilling a requirement for training, it is hoped the centre will also help Sony capture user feedback to drive future product development.
“It is critical for Sony’s future success that we listen to key figures in the industry and take their input to further advance the art of digital production” explained Katsunori Yamanouchi. “Our mission is to support the spread of this exciting new technology and help the industry as a whole to seize the creative opportunities it presents. We are delighted to be opening the DMPC(E) at Pinewood Studios as a clear indication of our commitment to support innovation in cinematic and television entertainment”.
The centre will be open five days a week and Sony plan to offer number of training courses and informal drop-in sessions for cinematographers in the coming months.
