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Tag: Prime Focus

  • Prime Focus spawns another offshoot DNEG Creative

    Prime Focus spawns another offshoot DNEG Creative

    MUMBAI: The Prime Focus Ltd (PFL)  empire is expanding. The company informed the Bombay stock exchange on 8 January that its subsidiary  Prime Focus Motion Pictures Ltd (PF Motion) has incorporated a new wholly owned subsidiary under itself on 7 January bearing the name DNEG Creative Private Ltd (DNEG).

    It  further stated that DNEG Creative will be  a subsidiary company under PFL  but an indirect one.

    It has a share capital of Rs 100,000 and its main areas of business will be post-production activities of video production and of motion pictures.
     

  • PFT launches CLEAR AI to lower cost of operation of media services

    PFT launches CLEAR AI to lower cost of operation of media services

    MUMBAI: Prime Focus Technologies (PFT), the technology subsidiary of Prime Focus, a global leader in media and entertainment services, has unveiled CLEAR AI. It offers transformational AI-led technology and media services powered by the cloud that help streaming platforms, studios, and broadcasters lower their Total Cost of Operations (TCOP) by automating their content supply chain.

    The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, CLEAR, has been put in place to streamline the foreign language mastering process and is designed for the media and entertainment industry.

    Multi-platform content fulfillment demand from the library continues to grow exponentially. Fulfillment encompasses activities that include the most appropriate content identification, determination, and creation of missing material, aligning all pieces of content, including video, audio, and text artifacts, and developing ready-to-distribute masters. PFT’s clients find these activities to be highly laborious, time-consuming, and expensive when done at scale as this includes custom work and massive coordination between internal studio teams and global vendors, resulting in an extended timeline, a slower go-to-market, and delayed monetization.

    Introducing CLEAR AI to simplify the Foreign Language Mastering process:

    · Assisting the mastering team in creating international masters with AI tools to help human mastering efforts offering convenience, speed, efficiency, and faster time to monetization.

    · Automatically identifies languages in dubs, subs, and on-screen text

    · Identifies metadata and segments to master from multiple versions

    · Compares versions and determines the best master to conform

    · Helps conform foreign language assets (dubs and subtitles) even across multiple frame rates

    · Automatically creates forced narration files that can be localised

    · Identifies and packages foreign language master in the specified format

    “A powerful combination of identifying languages and content segments, comparing versions, conforming, and packaging masters using AI boosts operational productivity by at least 3X. This makes the process simple and as easy as possible for both businesses and editors,” said PFT senior vice president and head of product management Murali Sridhar. “With an AI-driven approach, foreign language mastering works at an exceptional scale and speed like never before.”

    One can utilise CLEAR AI to create fully localised foreign language file masters for distribution in multiple international territories. It helps experience 60-75 per cent reduction in editorial/conform effort, gain efficiencies, speed, and faster time to market. It is basically mastering made easy.

    PFT works with major media and entertainment companies like Walt Disney-owned Star TV, Hearst Television, Channel 4, Sinclair Broadcast Group, A&E Networks, Warner Media, PBS, CBS Television Studios, 20th Century Fox Television Studios, Lionsgate, Showtime, HBO, NBCU, TERN International, Disney+ Hotstar, Cricket Australia, BCCI, Indian Premier League and more.

  • DNEG set to become the only Pure-play publicly-traded visual effects, animation company

    DNEG set to become the only Pure-play publicly-traded visual effects, animation company

    Mumbai: DNEG, a technology-enabled visual effects, and animation company, and Sports Ventures Acquisition Corp, a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company have entered into a definitive business combination agreement that will result in DNEG becoming a public company.

    Upon closing of the transaction, the combined company will be renamed DNEG and it is expected that its ordinary shares will be listed on the Nasdaq. The combined company will be led by DNEG chairman and chief executive officer Namit Malhotra.

    A subsidiary of Prime Focus, DNEG creates visual effects and animation for feature films, television, as well as multiplatform content, with operations based in North America (Los Angeles, Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver), Europe (London) and Asia (Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai and Mumbai)

    Commenting on this merger, DNEG chairman and CEO Namit Malhotra said, “This transaction creates long-term stability for our teams while also allowing us to exploit the tailwinds in the media and entertainment industry and the explosion in demand for content, which are huge growth drivers for our company. Leveraging our leading technology stack, DNEG is already making great strides into new growth areas such as gaming and content creation partnerships, and we are perfectly positioned to exploit massive new opportunities in the metaverse and the convergence of all forms of content creation.”

    DNEG’s work has earned the company six Academy Awards®️ for Best Visual Effects and numerous BAFTA and Primetime EMMY®️ Awards. Current and upcoming DNEG projects on behalf of its Hollywood and global studio and production company partners include Uncharted (February 2022), Death on the Nile (February 2022), Moonfall (February 2022), Borderlands (2022), Stranger Things S4 (2022), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2022), Knives Out 2 (2022), The Last of Us (2022), The Flash (2022), and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023).

  • Guest column: Communication trends in 2021 that will shape the industry

    Guest column: Communication trends in 2021 that will shape the industry

    MUMBAI: The eventful 2020 has finally come to a close. The last year has been unlike any other where the entire human race has endured great hardships and has come out stronger and more resilient. As we enter 2021, the media fraternity finds itself at a notable turning point – politically, economically, technologically and socially, with a steep rise in the reliance on digital media. In the coming year, there is going to be an increased shift in how media functions and is consumed. Analysing media performance is also going to be a major factor where the efficiency of the media is going to be measured and analysed.

    Brands are going to further scrutinise their marketing spends so it is important that communication service providers follow the trends and stay up to date to provide the best value addition to their clients.

    Here are a few highlights that brands and marketers need to keep in mind while drafting communication strategy for 2021:

    1.  Creative context will remain the prime focus

    In a quest for discrepancy in increasingly cluttered media environments, advertisers and agencies will accelerate their adoption of the latest media channels and formats. Content creators will need to focus their efforts on the platforms that provide best value for them, rather than trying to tailor content to every platform. Videos are going to be the next big thing and there is going to be an increased engagement and reach in Digital Video sharing platforms like YouTube. Brands will seek to enliven their online video campaigns by integrating relevant influencers and the interactivity and engagement of hashtag challenges.

    2.  Imbued Analytics

    As media and marketing experts adapt cost effective strategies so as to deliver impactful results, it is predicted to have a significant rise in use of analytics among the media industry. Ensuring your brand gets top-of-mind recall in the short-term, while consolidating core brand equity, will become a key to a balanced strategy. Sponsorship, events and CSR activities that generate earned media to reach consumers will play a major role. Better creative will break through, engage and persuade consumers and drive greater ROI. Analytics that help in optimising the quality of the content going live will thus be of utmost importance.

    3.  Data customization

    The role of big data in consumer behaviour and corresponding response to brand engagement, will play a major role in helping media professionals to customise messaging and drive impactful engagement. In today’s time, clients want to understand their investments in all kinds of statistical formats. It is to improve data access and analytics to enhance functioning.

    4.  Understanding consumer behaviour

    Though viewing trends of the audiences have slowly started returning to pre-Covid levels, there remains an overlap between different content platforms, with the digital platforms making the most of the market share. To ensure optimum utilisation of media planning and buying, content providers and platforms need to work together in response to the changing consumer behaviour.

    Modern consumers, who are not only more receptive to engagement but also more aware and conscious of their choices, now seek a humane approach from brands. Apart from social, ethical and environmentally responsible brand perception, connecting with the emotional harmony of the consumer has become vital than ever, to drive strong marketing campaigns. One needs to remember that relatable and tailored content is often the most effective in grabbing attention and making an impact. In order to avoid being overlooked by the public, brands and marketers need to make a personal connection with your audience. Connecting emotionally with your audiences will have them hooked. Hence, these are some of the key trends which will help shape the 2021 for the PR industry.
     
    (The author is co-founder, Scenic Communication. Indiantelevision.com may not subscribe to her views.)

  • Prime Focus joins hands with Pritam and Kwan to create JAM8

    Prime Focus joins hands with Pritam and Kwan to create JAM8

    MUMBAI: Integrated media services company Prime Focus Ltd has announced its collaboration with Jam8, a musical platform founded by Indian music composer/director Pritam, and KWAN, a talent management company to serve as a 360-degree creative solution provider for the M&E industry.

    The move has been made by Prime Focus with an aim to branch out, expand and establish its foothold in the music business. The company in association with Jam8 and Kwan plan to deliver the best in terms of high-quality infrastructure and technology that caters to all kinds of sonic requirement. Having the likes of Pritam and Jam8, his dream project as able partners, this venture will serve as a one-stop platform that will offer solutions to music across all segments covering movies, advertisements and the OTT space, providing the best of quality music output.

    Founder of Jam8 and music composer/director Pritam Chakraborty said, “Jam8 is my baby and helping me nurture it are Kwan and Prime Focus and Kwan. After successfully launching composers who are active in films, television, and advertising…now finally our state of art studio is ready. I am really excited. "

    Prime Focus non-executive chairman Namit Malhotra said, “It’s a great opportunity for us to partner with JAM8. Music is something that I hold very close to my heart. Through this collaboration, we would look to enable new talent to bring about a diversified mix of music for all the audiences. Jam8 is a platform under the leadership of someone like Pritam that can bring the best of talent and produce music that will be enjoyed for years to come and we are thrilled to be partnering in that.”

    Kwan CEO Vijay Subramanium said, "Pritam da has had the vision of jam8 for years and when he discussed it with us, we truly believed that his vision was transformational. The idea and the platform are unique and will create opportunities for musicians across the country to live their dream. It’s been an absolute pleasure to see this dream take shape."

    Prime Focus Business Head Niraj Sanghai said, “Our aim through this venture is to support the abundance of upcoming talent we have in our country. We would like to present these budding youngsters a platform and provide all the best amenities and opportunities to encourage and nurture them. We are proud to associate with Jam8 and we very excited to be part of this initiative”.

  • Prime Focus extends service to Netflix, Amazon Prime

    Prime Focus extends service to Netflix, Amazon Prime

    MUMBAI: Prime Focus Ltd (PFL), an independent integrated media powerhouse, has broadened its horizon by expanding its services by providing high-quality post-production services to global leaders and on-demand content providers, Netflix and Amazon Prime.

    Prime Focus recently took on the charge of delivering VFX and DI (Digital Intermediate) work for eight episodes of Netflix India’s first original series for the country, titled Sacred Games.

    Speaking on the new developments, PFL business head Niraj Sanghai said, “With digital content consumption gaining impetus across the globe, it was an exciting opportunity for us to team up with Anurag, Vikramaditya and Netflix on this classic Mumbai noir tale. There is a huge potential in the digital space and with our expertise in movies, we intend to reach out to a wider demographic and content creators. We are looking forward to bring our multiple projects with OTT platforms in the coming year for our audiences.”

    In addition to Sacred Games, Prime Focus has also been working on director Kabir Khan’s first-ever original digital series for Amazon Prime The Forgotten Army, depicting a war epic that will showcase many aspects of the Indian National Army.

  • Doordarshan calls off DD Kashir’s channel packaging

    Doordarshan calls off DD Kashir’s channel packaging

    NEW DELHI: Over five months after bids were invited and three months since agencies were shortlisted, Doordarshan (DD) has cancelled the tender for the channel packaging work of DD Kashir.

    DD said the tender has been cancelled ‘due to administrative reasons’ and said bidders could collect the earnest money and processing fee paid by them.

    The decision is the third major decision rescinding in an ongoing exercise at DD since Smriti Irani took over as Information and Broadcasting minister. Earlier, the auctions for DD FreeDish were cancelled and the successful bidders for DD National Prime Time auctions were not allowed to air their programmes as the minister wanted to reportedly study the issue.

    The three agencies finalised for the packaging work were Prime Focus Technologies, Beehive Systems, and Grasshopper Media.
    DD Kashir had issued a similar tender for April but had made some changes following some feedback and changes made by DD Directorate General, particularly relating to the payment mode and sought fresh tenders with 29 June as the last date.

    Details of documents can be viewed at ddindia.gov.in

    DD Kashir was launched in the year 2003 to show the richness, variety and diversity of local culture to Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) viewers. Prasar Bharati is making special efforts in J&K to promote and nurture talent, provide a platform to deserving producers/artists from the state as well as from outside to encourage production of better programmes for Doordarshan viewers.

  • DD Kashir bids: Prime Focus, Beehive, Grasshopper get breather

    DD Kashir bids: Prime Focus, Beehive, Grasshopper get breather

    NEW DELHI: The three agencies which had been shortlisted by Doordarshan to undertake the channel packaging work for its channel DD Kashir can now submit their bid amounts by 29 September 2017.

    DD Kashir, a 24×7 Doordarshan satellite channel, was launched in 2003. It is planning to bring fresh content to showcase richness, variety and diversity of the local culture. The channel’s USP is to attract young people of Jammu & Kashmir.

    The three shortlisted agencies are — Prime Focus Technologies Pvt Ltd, Beehive Systems Pvt Ltd, and Grasshopper Media Pvt Ltd.

    However, the Scrutiny Committee which went through the tender documents of these three agencies had pointed out some flaws in the documents, and asked them to rectify these by 22 August 2017.

    DD Kashir had issued a similar tender for April but has made some changes following feedback and changes made by DD directorate-general, particularly relating to the payment mode and sought fresh tenders in June with 29 June as the last date.

    In June this year, Doordarshan had invited proposals for telecast of programmes under the commissioning category in eleven different categories for DD Kashir.

    According to an announcement on the Doordarshan website at that time, Prasar Bharati is making special efforts in Jammu and Kashmir to promote and nurture talent, provide a platform to deserving producers/artists from Jammu & Kashmir as well as from outside to encourage production of better programmes for Doordarshan viewers.

    Also Read:

    Doordarshan Kashir invites prog telecast proposals in 11 categories

    DD Kashir channel packaging bids invited by 29 June

    DD Kashir: Prime Focus, Beehive & Grasshopper shortlisted for packaging

  • How broadcasters and studios can harness ERP, innovative tech to run content biz

    How broadcasters and studios can harness ERP, innovative tech to run content biz

    MUMBAI: India’s Prime Focus, which was in news in connection with the leak of an upcoming episode of ‘Game of Thrones’ to be broadcast by its partner Star India’s Hotstar, recently signed technology deals with prominent traditional and digital broadcasters. Now, its technology arm Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) will be unveiling a host of industry-first upgrades to its flagship product, CLEAR Media ERP Suite, at IBC 2017.

    CLEAR now offers a brand new functionality for end-to-end Work Order Management, pre-integrated with its Media Asset Management (MAM), Workflow Engine and Video Tools.

    This further elevates CLEAR’s promise of enterprise digitization to the next level, by enabling users to manage all of the following on ONE system:

    * Assets, with associated metadata and essence.
    * Resources, including internal and freelance resources, as well as 3rd party vendors.
    * Tasks, including generation, timeline estimation, scheduling, assignment and execution (using tools within or outside CLEAR)
    * Orchestration of content workflows across the content supply chain.

    While users have been able to track business processes in previous versions of CLEAR, the new Work Order Management now allows the tracking of every incoming work request including all of its associated processes, tasks and deliverables, through completion. Additionally, its Resource and Task Assignment modules enable assignment of manual tasks to best-fit resources based on skill, availability and cost. Users can assign tasks across their pool of internal, vendor and freelance resources, thus ensuring optimal resource utilization in alignment with business objectives.

    With BPM driven tasks, due date based Work Order monitoring dashboards, in-depth data analytics and reporting, Work Order Management is a vital ingredient that helps Media and Entertainment enterprises improve quality and maintain on-time delivery alongside increases in scale. It lays the foundation for streamlining content operations and helps M and E players enhance efficiencies across core processes like acquisition, review and approval, cataloguing, QC, mastering, distribution, promos and localisation.

    “To lead in the industry, broadcasters and studios have to move beyond managing just content and focus on successfully running the business of content by harnessing the power of enterprise software and innovative technology,” said Prime Focus Technologies founder and CEO Ramki Sankaranarayanan.

    “For the first time ever, media and entertainment organisations can have both assets and work related details for the entire supply chain on one system. This will usher in extreme transparency across the content lifecycle, and reduce manual effort drastically to help M and E enterprises lower their Total Cost of Operations,” he added.

    PFT will also be showcasing the latest additions to its Hybrid Cloud-enabled CLEAR Media ERP Suite at IBC 2017. These include:

    DAX® Production Cloud: ONE Software for Dailies and Post Workflows that enables all stakeholders within the production supply chain to collaborate, service and distribute media, all on the same software

    Promo Operations: A never-before functionality that provides end-to-end business process orchestration for promo creation including versioning automation.

    Mastering Automation: An efficient and cost-effective way to create masters for domestic and international syndication
    Interoperable Master Format (IMF):

    * World’s first IMF Media Player for playback over streaming proxy
    Future-ready solution for IMF content exchange, with support for SMPTE’s upcoming Applications (beyond 2 and 2e).

    * Technology to transform IMF Packages into deliverables for DPP and iTunes.

    When both, assets and work-related details, for the entire supply chain would be on one system, life would certainly be much easier for the media and entertainment organisations.

    Also Read:

    Comment: War on online video piracy, which matters, is here for India to fight

    Hotstar tech partner Prime Focus signs deals with Turner & sports broadcasters

    DD Kashir: Prime Focus, Beehive & Grasshopper shortlisted for packaging

    Prime Focus reports flat results for first quarter

  • DD Kashir: Prime Focus, Beehive & Grasshopper shortlisted for packaging

    DD Kashir: Prime Focus, Beehive & Grasshopper shortlisted for packaging

    NEW DELHI: Three agencies have been shortlisted by Doordarshan to undertake the channel packaging work for its channel, DD Kashir. The agencies are — Prime Focus Technologies Pvt Ltd, Beehive Systems Pvt Ltd, and Grasshopper Media Pvt Ltd.

    However the Scrutiny Committee which went through the tender documents of these three agencies has pointed out some defects in the documents and asked them to rectify these by 22 August 2017.

    DD Kashir had issued a similar tender for April but has made some changes following some feedback and changes made by DD Directorate General, particularly relating to the payment mode and sought fresh tenders in June with 29 June as the last date.

    DD Kashir is a 24×7 satellite channel of Doordarshan. The channel was launched in the year 2003. It is planned to bring fresh content on DD Kashir to showcase richness, variety and diversity of the local culture. The channel’s USP will be to attract young people of Jammu & Kashmir.

    Earlier in June, Doordarshan invited proposals for telecast of programmes under the Commissioning category in eleven different categories for DD Kashir,
    All proposals had to be submitted by 27 June 2017. Although producers could submit more than one proposal, each proposal had to be accompanied with a non-refundable processing fee of 25,000 as bank draft. 

    According to an announcement on the Doordarshan website, Prasar Bharati is making special efforts in Jammu and Kashmir to promote and nurture talent, provide a platform to deserving producers/artists from Jammu & Kashmir as well as from outside to encourage production of better programmes for Doordarshan viewers.

    Also Read:

    DD Kashir channel packaging bids invited by 29 June

    Doordarshan Kashir invites prog telecast proposals in 11 categories