A good read from Michael Cioni: "2020 pushed filmmakers to the limit, and forced us to break from a century-old model of work. But these changes might be propelling us into a better future."

(videos) This article is here for one reason: The Dacia :30 spot at the bottom of this page. If this isn't an example of craftsmanship, I don't know what is!

(videos) Embedded in this post is a 30-minute video about a production technique that's taking filmmaking by storm: "The Volume is a concave video wall that consists of 1,326 LED screens. By utilizing so many LED screens, real digital backgrounds can be created instead of having to go down the usual path of using green or blue screens." This is the tech that The Mandalorian is making famous.

Be sure to click through to the YouTube video that has a dozen additional video links for all aspects of this type of set design (including a BTS of The Mandalorian). There's enough in here to keep you busy until the Newsletter returns in 2021!

This is a pithy summary with a concluding thought on this week's viral video of Tom Cruise flipping out on-set. Links to the original story, if you need to catch up.

(video) Peter Jackson talks about the 'look' inconsistency between his two Middle Earth trilogies and how his 4K remastering allowed him to tie these 6 films together. Plus, 4K's effect on the films' VFX. (via Dan Moran)

This is several years away but it's worth keeping an eye on: "The team is working on the ability to pass 4K Ultra HD content in NextGen TV transmissions over cable lines and will eventually add on additional features including data for High Dynamic Range (HDR10), Wide Color Gamut and advanced surround sound formats supported in the ATSC 3.0 specifications."

(forum) Am I the only one who still finds this wording confusing? "The DaVinci Resolve 17.1 releases are compatible with macOS Big Sur on both platforms, and is initially only available for Mac with Apple M1."

I think they're trying to say: If you're on an M1 Mac running Big Sur (a redundant statement) then run Resolve 17.1. If not, stick to Resolve 17. Either way, I've linked to the forum post with the detailed changelog for R17b5.

This is a good 'quick start' guide to using this tool - which I know recently saved a colorist friend of mine an hour's worth of rotoscoping. But like the end of the article says, I too have found clips using Magic Mask get VERY sluggish playback. Hopefully, that'll change as the Betas cycle forward.

(video) Where one man fails, another succeeds. It's a proof of concept. (via Joey D'Anna)

One thing that surprised me about Resolve 17 is it didn't offer new, integrated solutions like this, given what's been going on: "Using existing networks or WiFi, the combination of NDI and Scratch tools gives DITs and post artists the ability to stream video content in real time to other production pros or clients."

One of the original 'review and approve' browser-based apps is quickly expanding into new realms. If you haven't been keeping up then click through to read about their efforts to simplify large file transfers.

"Hedge 20.4 includes enhanced Presets and organizational improvements. This new version is only available for Mac."

Share this with your a7S clients: "S-Cinetone doesn’t give you an exact copy of the Venice look, that would be impossible without the same sensor or CFA. However, it’s really close and provides a lovely cinematic feel which clients love, especially as it doesn’t need much in the way of grading."

Strike that last comment about 'not needing grading' because if you've got clients they know you'll take this footage to a higher level.

Because the lock-downs refuse to end, so goes on (and on) this special promotional sale for a Mixing Light Premium membership. Treat yourself!

(video) Because, unless you have an assistant, it's hard to completely avoid the Edit Page: "Small features can make a huge difference to your workflow! Learn new edit page features to speed up and improve your workflow in Resolve 17."

(video) "The HDR Palette represents a major advance in Resolve 17's color grading toolset. Learn about it's core concept, Zones, and how they work."

This article requires a login but is worth the effort if you obsessed with understanding the differences between multiple displays. Here's a sample of a new type of CIE Gamut charts: "The grey areas are parts of the reference volume where the display has no output. Again, this chart shows exactly where the displays differ."

This has been a topic of discussion in my circles: "We can now verify that all of your Thunderbolt devices will work with Big Sur. Regardless of what Mac you are using, if it can run macOS 11, it will support all generations of Thunderbolt devices. However, the operative word here is “work.” Click through for a good run-down of where things stand.

Because is the time of year for this sort of thing... and those AirPods Max are super pricey!