ACE bets on Quantel's Pablo Neo 2K system

The Belgian company ACE, which specialises in film effects, has acquired the Quantel Pablo Neo 2K correction and finishing system.

The firm specialising in cinematic effects ACE has improved its Quantel iQ with Pablo 2K specification complete with Neo panel. It has also acquired Pablo PA, Quantel's adjustment, preparation and workflow software.

Stefan Rycken, CEO of the Belgian company, said: "We were so impressed with the performance of the V5 software that we decided to go one step further with our system and go for Pablo's complete package. There are several reasons that explain our choice. First, the speed and accuracy of Quantel's current systems are unmatched in color grading and configuration in different formats.

Second, our iQ was working overtime, so tipping the scales was the ability to add the Pablo PA into our workflow. This great software allows us to do basic technical work 'off-line', such as the preparation of titles or the configuration, the release of the Pablo to do what it does best: color grading. It's like having two integrated post-production systems.

Thirdly, the Pablo PA mounting option allows us to pre-graduate the content on a laptop during the broadcast phase since the Pablo PA can read RAW formats such as Alexa, Red or Phantom files directly from the recording disc, without having to download it to the PC. The workflow advantages and comfort for the director are incredible."

ACE staff, including its color grader Tom Mulder, has just completed his training with the support of Quantel and is currently working on a short film to get used to the Pablo and is preparing to participate in a feature film in the month of November. As Rycken explains, "We're going to do all the effects, the color grading, and the settings The Loft, a remake of a Belgian film directed by Erik Van Looy, who made the original film with us and is now making the US version. For us, it's a fantastic opportunity to try the Pablo and show that we can work to Hollywood standards."

Martin Mulligan, Sales and Marketing Director at Quantel, said: "By moving to Pablo, ACE has once again shown that a company specialising in a relatively small market can improve its business with our team. The fact that they are now working on a production for the North American market is a fabulous step forward for them. We will be there to fully support them in this endeavor and in all their future developments."