Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1481306
www.postmagazine.com 8 POST SEPT/OCT 2022 CSSMUSIC.com SIMPLY BETTER! FILM & TV MUSIC Better License - Better Value NEEDLE DROP•ROYALTY FREE•GRATIS! NEW! SUPER BLANKET ™ • More Power • More Flexibility 800-468-6874 Post-CSS-4-2022.qrk_Layout 1 4/8/22 1:07 PM Page 1 HILL COUNTRY STUDIOS ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR NEW VIRTUAL PRODUCTION STAGES SAN MARCOS, TX — Hill Country Studios (www.hillcountry.studio) has entered into a partnership with Houston-based video production company Vision in which Vision will serve as its lead technology partner on two new virtual pro- duction stages. Vision will be responsible for designing, installing and maintain- ing LED-wall stage technology (LED volume) in two of Hill Country Studios' stage spaces. The dual virtual production stages will rank among the largest in North America and the first of their kind in Texas. Construction is slated to begin in early 2023. Virtual production uses interactive video game engine environments to create realtime digital movie and television sets. Vision's extensive experience in high-end production and augmented reality development will allow Hill Country Studios to offer bespoke technical workflow solutions and customiz- able stages agile enough to support a wide range of production crew needs. "From day one, we knew that Hill Country Studios was going to be one of the most cutting-edge film studios in North America and a facility that moves the industry forward," says Cory McLoud, co-founder and CEO of Hill Country Studios. "To build a tier-one facility, you need tier-one talent. That's why we've partnered with Vision to bring world class digital production technology to Texas and beyond." A main focus of Vision's efforts will be the installation of LED volumes at Hill Country Studios. LED volumes, which serve as a technological replacement for traditional green screens, are a next-generation approach to filmmaking that dramatically reduce the time, effort and cost of digital production for film and TV projects. LED volume production studios also enable crews to begin visual- ization prior to the first day of a shoot, further streamlining post editing work- flows. The technology is being increasingly used to produce major films and television shows, with recent examples including The Batman, The Mandalorian, Westworld and 1899. "Hill Country Studios is set apart by our uniquely peo- ple-driven approach to design philosophy, which is creating an efficient, easy-to-use shooting ecosystem," explains Blake Kotrla, Hill Country Studios' chief technology officer. "Our team's background is in production, which drives every decision we make. We're building toward creating a better way to do things on-set, including introducing technological advancements that will help everyone from studio execs to below-the-line workers." This partnership will unite Vision's team of skilled virtual production experts with the decades of combined production experience on Hill Country Studios' team. Ultimately, the collaboration will enhance Hill Country Studios' produc- tion capabilities, propelling the company's mission to harness innovation and emerging technology to foster creative storytelling. "We're thrilled to join Hill Country Studios in bringing the next generation of film and television to Texas," says Josh Beard, CEO at Vision. "Our team is ea- ger to establish Hill Country as a go-to LED volume operation for major motion picture and video projects, which will drive innovation and advance talent in the field of virtual production." BITS & PIECES VFX BOUTIQUE ARTJAIL EXPANDS TO LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES — VFX boutique Artjail (www.artjail.com) has launched a Santa Monica office, which marks the studio's third location, alongside studios in New York and Toronto. The development represents the next step in Artjail's plan to set up a collection of VFX boutiques in major markets. The new office will be supported by the close relationships the team has with directors, production companies and West Coast agencies. To lead its LA team, Artjail has selected MD/EP and partner John Skeffington. Elizabeth Thuvanuti Keating was promoted to head of produc- tion of both the New York and LA offices. And JD Yepes, a new hire, joins the company as partner and head of 2D. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Yepes has worked at major post houses, including MPC and The Mill. He most recently spent nine years at Framestore, where he worked as a compositing supervisor. Artjail LA has already completed projects for ESPN and Smartwater, as well as two out of Deutsch LA for Lowe's. (L-R) Yepes, Skeffington, founder Steve Mottershead and Thuvanuti Keating