8K is already key for the content of BBC Studios' natural history division

Colin Jackson, senior innovation producer of the Natural History Unit of BBC Studios, has provided some of the technical keys to the production company's latest productions during the 4K-HDR Summit.

In the presentation of Jackson, in which he has been accompanied by Ricardo Medina (Medina Media Events), the head of innovation at the Natural History Unit of the BBC has valued the use of UHD technology for all productions. Particularly about technology 8K, has confirmed that the vast majority of its formats are already captured in native format in 7K and 8K. In this way, they can create final content 4K con advanced film techniques and greater details, either by image fidelity, for the post-production possibilities or for functions such as reframing.

The 4K-HDR Summit, organized by Medina Media Events and that has Panorama Audiovisual as media partner, is the most important event in the world on Ultra High Definition (UHD) and brings together the best engineers and producers every year in order to share experiences and advances.

New productions from BBC Studios

In recent years, there has been an intensification of content creation on the part of the Natural History Unit, either for the BBC itself or for third parties such as Apple, Discovery o to NBC. The pandemic paralyzed the filming of new formats due to the complications involved in traveling to remote countries or the long duration of filming, which usually extends a few two years. However, it helped the BBC advance the remote editing of other new formats that have come to light. All of them, of course, in UHD. Among these are notable productions such as Seven Worlds, One Planet, presented by Sir David Attenborough; o The Year Earth Changed, which has reached Apple TV+.

Jackson has highlighted the extensive progress of the capture technology, which allows you to record images never seen before in the world of natural history. Apart from the cinematographic cameras of first level, complemented with a wide range of optics, the head of innovation at BBC highlights three defining elements that are marking his filming: the use of drones, which allow you to reach remote places with quick deployments, as well as approach animals without intimidating them to a great extent; the stabilization systems, which favor spectacularity and a cinematic sensation; or the 4K high speed cameras, among which Jackson highlights the Phantom Flex. In his speech at the 4K-HDR Summit, Jackson presented all these elements, commenting in real time on the trailer for Seven Worlds, One Planet.

With regard to audio, value has been placed on audio in 5.1 and standards like Dolby Atmos, which are widely demanded by platforms. Regarding audio capture, Jackson recognizes that this is a particularly complex area and that, over the next few years, theaters will continue to be actively used. foley.

Future challenges

Below, Jackson has reviewed some of the technological keys that will mark their shoots. Specifically, the head of the BBC has highlighted the collection systems prepared for complex lighting conditions, an area in which manufacturers are investing great efforts; and has highlighted the substantial improvement of the action cameras, which “with adequate production and post-production, can coexist with the UHD content provided by top-level cameras.”

On the other hand, Jackson did not want to rule out the use of technologies such as 5G o to virtual reality in his division, although he considers that both resources could be better used in industries such as those of live sports, he entertainment oh go events. However, he has looked with hope at the deployment of the satellite networks from companies like Space X, which could provide “really useful” coverage in remote locations.