ETC’s VFX Working Group has published a specification for best practices naming image sequences such as plates and comps. File naming is an essential tool for organizing the multitude of frames that are inputs and outputs from the VFX process. Prior to the publication of this specification, each organization had its own naming scheme, requiring custom processes for each partner, which often resulted in confusion and miscommunication.

The new ETC@USC specification focuses primarily on sequences of individual images. The initial use case was VFX plates, typically delivered as OpenEXR or DPX files. However, the team soon realized that the same naming conventions can apply to virtually any image sequence. Consequently, the specification was written to handle a wide array of assets and use cases.

To ensure all requirements are represented, the working group included over 2 dozen participants representing studios, VFX houses, tool creators, creatives and others.  The ETC@USC also worked closely with MovieLabs to ensure that the specification could be integrated as part of their 2030 Vision.

A key design criteria for this specification is compatibility with existing practices.  Chair of the VFX working group, Horst Sarubin of Universal Pictures, said: “Our studio is committed to being at the forefront of designing best industry practices to modernize and simplify workflows, and we believe this white paper succeeded in building a new foundation for tools to transfer files in the most efficient manner.”

This specification is compatible with other initiatives such as the Visual Effects Society (VES) Transfer Specifications. “We wanted to make it as seamless as possible for everyone to adopt this specification,” said working group co-chair and ETC@USC’s Erik Weaver. “To ensure all perspectives were represented we created a team of industry experts familiar with the handling of these materials and collaborated with a number of industry groups.”

“Collaboration between MovieLabs and important industry groups like the ETC is critical to implementing the 2030 Vision,” said Craig Seidel, SVP of MovieLabs. “This specification is a key step in defining the foundations for better software-defined workflows. We look forward to continued partnership with the ETC on implementing other critical elements of the 2030 Vision.”

The specification is available online for anyone to use.

The Entertainment Technology Center at USC held its Digital Town Square, 5G: Planning and Piloting First M&E Services, on December 10, 2019, hosted by ETC member company, Bluescape, at the Haworth Furniture Showroom Penthouse in Los Angeles. 

Industry experts invited to the half-day forum discussed 5G technologies’ impact upon media and entertainment production, composition, distribution, and consumption. Presentations and a panel covered topics ranging from the transforming nature of storytelling to the more granular and technical aspects of networked production.

The Program:

5G Fixed Wireless: Cable in the Crossfire

• Bill Stueber, Managing Partner, Telecom Partners
• Erik Weaver, Director, Special Projects, ETC@USC (Moderator)

M&E’s First Site-Specific Networks

• Christian Guirnalda, Director, 5G Labs & Innovation, Verizon
• Naotaka Sato, Wireless Communication Standardization Manager, Sony Corporation
• Ryo Sawai, PhD, Deputy General Manager, Sony Corporation
• Hanno Basse, President, Decentralized Media Solutions, Live Planet (Moderator)

Remote, Agile Capture

• Daniel Pisarski, VP, Engineering NA, LiveU
• Michael Chambliss, Advanced Production Technology Specialist, ICG, Local 600

Turning the 5G Network into an Agile Monetization Platform

• Yogen Patel, VP/Head of Product & Solutions Marketing, Amdocs
• David Wertheimer, Investor, Board Member, Former President Digital, Fox/Fox Sports (Moderator)

5G+Edge+AI+Data

• Andrew Alleman, Chief Architect of Advanced Network Solutions, Intel
• Paul McLachlan, Head of Data Scientist (SFO), Principal Data Scientist, Global AI Accelerator, Ericsson
• Kunal Jathal, Senior Audio Engineer, Verizon XR
• Hardie Tankersley, VP Solutions Consulting & VR, SilverDraft Computing

5G: Are There Health Concerns?

• Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD, Professor, UC San Diego School of Medicine
• Joachim Zell, VP Technology, EFILM/Deluxe (Moderator)

Let’s Talk About ‘X’ – Mixed Reality in a 5G World

• Craig Evans, CEO, Digital Nation Entertainment
• Luke Ritchie, Head of XR and Interactive Arts, Nexus Studios
• Sebastian Sylwan, CTO and Creative Partner, Felix & Paul Studios
• Moderator: David Nelson, Creative Director, MxR Lab, USC Institute for Creative Technology

Anatomy of a Virtual Being (in a 5G Ecosystem)

• Pete Billington, Co-Founder/Director, Fable Studios