The Valencian Audiovisual Cluster is committed to technology

The CAV, which has among its associations the most cutting-edge Valencian companies in the development of 3D technology, debated the business opportunities that this technology offers for the generation of new content, platforms and access to new markets.

The Valencian Audiovisual Cluster (CAV) held a conference on 3D Technology on July 22, which had the support of the Institute of Medium and Small Valencian Industry (IMPIVA) where the opportunities that three-dimensional technology offers today were analyzed, from production and post-production to marketing and its exhibition.

The day was inaugurated by the General Director of Institutional Promotion, Dora Ibars, who reiterated the commitment of the Valencian Public Administration to the audiovisual sector. In that sense, he placed special emphasis on the enormous capacity for innovation and research that the Valencian audiovisual sector has and assured that "it is a sector that surprises me, since it is not only a pioneer in animation but is also a leader in technologies such as 3D."

Among the participants at the event, Manuel Cristóbal, director of Perro Verde Films, production company of The Lost Lynx, highlighted the importance of looking for alternative uses for movie theaters to recover public attendance and, precisely, with 3D technology, a new way to promote is opened. Furthermore, the producer explained that "a consumer is emerging who seeks new ways of viewing content, which is why it is currently unthinkable to face an animation production without also planning to do it in stereoscopic 3D."

Also speaking at the event was Francisco José de la Fuente, general director of Medialuso (Mediapro Portugal), who pointed out that “the emergence of new technologies allows other opportunities to which companies have to adapt.” However, he added that "the popularization of 3D will be evident to the extent that this technology reaches the most interesting content." Furthermore, he stressed that “it is important to overcome the obstacle of incompatibility between 2D and 3D production.”

Along the same lines, Miguel Motos, head of the Valencian distributor of Ingevideo, reflected on the need to find a link of collaboration between the companies that manufacture projectors, recording equipment, the production companies and the companies in charge of the facilities. Motos highlighted the importance of having a center such as the Technological Institute of Optics, Color and Image (AIDO), “in which it is possible to test different technologies and equipment.” In addition, he proposed that organizations such as the Valencian Audiovisual Cluster serve as a meeting point to share the know-how accumulated by the different actors in the sector in order to take advantage of synergies and advance new business models. It should be noted that AIDO has been a member of the Cluster since its constitution in 2007.

For his part, Axel Bach, coordinator for Spain and Latin America at Quantel, assured that “digital stereoscopy is the greatest opportunity for the audiovisual industry.” It must be taken into account that Quantel - whose post-production systems have been used in the 3D film Hannah Montana, with great audience success - launched in 2007 the first stereoscopic post-production systems, among which are the so-called Pablo 3D, SID and SID VCD, systems that allow us to overcome the problems that arise in production.

The Valencian company, a pioneer in robotics applied to the audiovisual sector, Kronomav, also contributed its experience. Ramón Dolz explained that the company has developed a system that allows absolute control of the different parameters of the two cameras necessary for stereoscopic recording through calibration with an accessory system that allows controlling and adjusting the differences between both.

To conclude the meeting, Óscar Nácher, director of Kinépolis Valencia, expressed this company's clear commitment to 3D, with five rooms equipped in Madrid, three in Valencia and two in Granada, and with 3D broadcasts as happened with the Roland Garros final on June 7. However, he pointed out that it is essential to improve comfort, which is why it is "necessary to advance in systems that allow watching movies in 3D cinema without wearing glasses."

The conference is part of a series of forums that the CAV plans to hold, according to its president, Kiko Martínez, to address topics of interest to the audiovisual sector, such as product marketing or financing.