Home is where the art is: Immersive tech in film and TV

It started in the cinema then began to make its way into the home. The advent of visual and audio technologies that facilitate a more immersive viewing experience is transforming the way in which we consume sports and entertainment content. And as technologies such as 4K/UHD and Dolby Atmos become increasingly commonplace in domestic set-ups, the notion of relative parity between home and public viewing no longer seems far-fetched.

There is no doubt that the streaming revolution is one of the primary enablers here. For example, there is a growing requirement for 4K production as a default, which is leading to technical and creative challenges for directors and production teams.

Kate Reid is director of photography on crime drama Marcella, which was produced by ITV and acquired by Netflix. As she recalls of a preparatory period that ultimately saw her select cameras including Panasonic’s VariCam35 and VariCam LT, “shooting in 4K is a requirement for Netflix productions, which lead to a shortlist of five cameras I wanted to test during prep, none of which I had any prior experience of…”

Such scenarios are by no means uncommon as content creators adapt to technologies that enable drama and sports, in particular, to achieve an even greater sensorial impact.

Demanding UHD
Speaking to IBC365, Panasonic’s field marketing specialist for professional cameras, Oliver Newland, confirms that demand for the 4K-supporting VariCam series has grown steadily since the introduction of the first models five years ago. “It’s really been a continual increase since then in terms of demand for production in 4K,” he says. “And it’s important to note that at this point it’s most broadcasters who are demanding 4K; it’s not only the likes of Netflix, who of course have their own stringent requirements for production.”

But equally integral to evolving workflows – and possibly more so in some quarters – is HDR. Newland says that “HDR [capability] is very much in demand. Part of the reason is it can bring…