Just thought I drop a note on something interesting from CineGearExpo this last weekend.
Michael Cioni (Lite Iron) had a panel presentation on iApps for production:
http://www.lightiron.com/events/cine-gear-expo
Basically this panel has produced great tools for the iPhone/iPad and in so doing may soon control Hollywood's metadata workflows.
At the end he took just a very few questions from the audience. First up, the Arri Camera Rep commented on getting data directly from the lens and camera thus not having to manually enter any of it. He stated how they are interested in working with all of these developers. Next up was the Standards question: Where is the new SMPTE? and/or what third party is going to set the standards so that business models and interoperability are guaranteed in the new metadata workflows. This hit a sore spot as these developers are stuck between just forging ahead and developing more features for their own product or spending time building interoperability with other developers on competing and/or complimentary iApps and databases. One panelist commented that he has spent days in meetings with otehrs trying to set standards only to have no results so far.
My question is whether people like Michael Cioni will be in a position to help with metadata sharing standards or if that will start with the camera/iPad and just push on through to post. I'm sure it will be some combination of both. Now here is the punchline on this whole presentation at Paramount. The next and final "question" was from Ted who said Red is already working with these developers and will try to help set standards wherever possible so that others can rely on those standards to build business models and innovative products.
All I know is Arri and Red are going head to head in Hollywood, so it's time to design that killer iApp and see who might buy you out in the heat of the battle.
Rosco
P.S. Michael and Ted then did lunch... ;)
