The HPA Tech Retreat makes its UK debut in Oxfordshire July 13-14. The Tech Retreat UK has announced an expanded agenda for the two-day event, which features two solid days of the sessions on today's timeliest and relevant topics and projects. HPA and SMPTE formalized a partnership last year, and the event is presented by HPA in collaboration with SMPTE. HPA Tech Retreat UK takes place at the Heythrop Park Resort, a manor house that serves as both a four-star hotel and a top-flight conference center.
In addition to the conference sessions, the Tech Retreat features a curated Innovation Zone where companies will demonstrate their latest technologies. Also, pre-Retreat sessions will be presented by the Digital Production Partnership as well as a seminar by Charles Poynton and John Watkinson.
Richard Welsh, former SMPTE Governor, leads the Tech Retreat UK with HPA Board Member Jerry Pierce. Welsh noted, “If you have not been to the US event, this is an excellent opportunity to experience the HPA vibe at our new Oxfordshire event. HPA is an unrivaled opportunity for networking, technology discovery and learning. The opening sessions alone speak to the quality of HPA events with HBO, Disney, Pixar and Netflix productions all being discussed by the creative and technical talent behind them. This against a fun and relaxed backdrop with plenty of opportunities to socialise and network with the leading minds in the industry.”
A few highlights of the program include:
Exploring VFX of The Jungle Book looks into the technology and techniques the team at MPC used to bring the jungle and Rudyard Kipling's iconic characters to life. This session explores the ground breaking visual effects work on Jon Favreau's remake of the Disney classic.
Finding Dory dives into the technology of Pixar's latest release. Hear from the top technical talent at Pixar about their work on their newest release, the much-anticipated follow-up to the hit Finding Nemo. With Finding Dory fresh on screens, this will be a great opportunity to hear about the latest technological and creative thinking from the industry leading experts at Pixar.
Game of Thrones goes behind the scenes of Series 6. In a special session created exclusively for HPA Tech Retreat UK, event goers will explore the production and post of the smash hit HBO series.
Ultra Everything is an exploration of what ultra high definition and associated technological advances mean for content creators, distributors and the audience. A discussion of how improvements in frame rate, wider color gamut, high dynamic range and object-based audio are affecting content.
Producing Netflix Originals will try to answer how Netflix creates content for the future, today.
Barbara Lange, executive director of SMPTE and HPA said, “The world in which our members, HPA, SMPTE and the industry at large are operating, is one of transformation, improvement, and expansion. Standards, workflows, and new creative tools are evolving. These gatherings illuminate these advances, and the conversation and collaboration they inspire, are crucial to our industry's progression. We are delighted that the SMPTE - HPA partnership is able to bring is able to bring this incredible event to Oxfordshire.”
For complete information on the HPA Tech Retreat UK, including a full conference program visit the HPA website.