CineGrid Special

CineGrid takes a scaleable approach to media quality. The current state of the art is so-called “4K” with image quality comparable to 35mm film answer print. The resulting impression is visually overwhelming and resembles a presence at a live performance. The technology is called “4K” after the number of pixels in the image, 4.096 x 2.160 per frame; four times High Definition Television. One-and-a-half-hour of uncompressed 4K recording contains roughly 5.5 terabytes of data –about 1200 DVD’s.

With the help of the CineGrid founding members in America and Japan, the Dutch organisations SURFnet, SARA, the University of Amsterdam and Waag Society, in close cooperation with several large cultural organizations, are setting up the first CineGrid node in Europe, including facilities for production, transmission and viewing. This consortium has in depth knowledge on the scientific, cultural, technical and business aspects of the production, transmission and projection of high quality audiovisual content.

The main goals of CineGrid Amsterdam members are research, development and production and transmission of ultra high quality, interactive media by means of optical networks and Grid computing. This will benefit the fields of science, education, business and culture. CineGrid initiatives in Amsterdam will boost economic activities and lead to new markets in the fields of high-speed network computing, computer animation, interactive entertainment, digital cinema, serious gaming, and distance learning of all types.

ACTIVITIES AND CONTEXT
During the Holland Festival 2007 CineGrid members produced a recording of the operatic performance Era La Notte using 4K and multi-channel audio, with live transmission to CalIt2 at University of California San Diego where it was projected in 4K for an audience of nearly 200 people. Other materials of various types have also been produced by CineGrid members. Additionally, a workshop with students of Sandberg Institute lead by Jaap Drupsteen, Peter Greenaway and Tom Demeyer will produce short films for the 4K format.

Various examples of 4K content will be shown during PICNIC and contextualized by its stakeholders for both a professional audience and for those generally interested. We aim for an audience of about 100 people.

CONNECTING TO PICNIC
Three zones of interest during this years PICNIC coincide with the CineGrid development. First the innovation of content producing and screening technologies and the emergence of new markets; second the innovation of uses of network technology and Grid computing; and third the attention on Asia as a ever more important technology and content producing region with which other creative regions can collaborate.

Goals of the presentation of CineGrid within the PICNIC framework are the exchange of both national and international knowledge and debate on future possibilities and implementations of audio/visual techniques and digital distribution. Showing examples and discussing market potential this event will inspire and empower future users in the cultural, scientific and business communities.

PICNIC CINEGRID SPECIAL
The PICNIC CINEGRID SPECIAL will have a general introductory session and a panel session, concentrating on more specific opportunities and uses of the CineGrid recording, distributing and projection possibilities. The partner event will take place on Wednesday 26th of September from 13:00 in the Westerunie building at the Westergasfabriek.

13:30- 14:40 Introductory presentations & screening
- Introduction Marleen Stikker (5 min.)
- Keynote Laurin Herr, Pacific Interface (15 min.) Building the CineGrid community through collaborative experiments
- Keynote Professor Naohisa Ohta, Keio University (15 min.) Possibilities and challenges of 4K recording, distribution and presentation
- Keynote Professor Tom Defanti, University of California San Diego: Possibilities and challenges of optical networks for scientific visualization, media production and new approaches to collaboration (15 min)
- Presentation and screening of 4K including Era La Notte (20 min.)

14:40 – 15:20 Panel on Content

1. New forms of content and content production: presentation on the possibilities of cultural and entertainment uses and discussing a case study with the audience.
- Jacques van Veen, business director Holland Festival;
- Sandra den Hamer, director Filmmuseum;
- Adriek van Nieuwenhuyzen, head of industry office, I.DF.A.;
- Ton Roosendaal, director Blender Foundation
- Moderated by Lucas Evers, Waag Society

15:30 - 16:50 Panels on Business Opportunities and Education

2. Business opportunities: new means of distribution, new services and new business models.
- Eric Huizer, director Strategy and Innovation N.O.B.;
- Roger Reuver, Amsterdam Innovatie Motor;
- Kees Ryninks, director CinemaNet Nederland;
- Walter van Dijk, Surfnet
- Darren Staines, Pathé Nederland
- moderated by Laurin Herr

3. Education: new methods, new opportunities, new results. Hosted by Joaquin Alvarado. Speakers:
- Angelo D'Alesio, EDCF / SMPTE;
- Harry Schreurs, Nederlandse Film en Televisie Academie;
- Peter Otto, UCSD, Department of Music;
- Kunitake Kaneko, KEIO University;
- Emmanuel Saunier, Executive director Reseau 2000;
- moderated by Joaquin Alvarado, I.N.G.I.

16:50 – 17:05 Conclusions and wrap up
Conclusions and wrap up, by Cees de Laat (UvA), one of the members of the CineGrid consortium (15 min.)

17:05 – 17:30 break

17:30 – 18:30 Presentation of 4K recordings: Era la Notte, work by Jaap Drupsteen, Wypke Janette Walen (Sandberg Instituut), scientific visualisations, city views of Amsterdam.

18:30 – 19:00 Reception

CONTACT
Frank Kresin | Programme Manager
Waag Society
Nieuwmarkt 4 | 1012 CR Amsterdam
Tel +31 20 557 9898 | Fax +31 20 557 9880
ICQ 288850405 | SKYPE fjkresin
frank@waag.org | www.waag.org