PFL upgrades Baselight

A Baselight 8 data grading system has been updated with the latest GPU hardware and version 4.1 software while a second Baselight 4 system is due to be installed in the next month.

The upgrade means that Baselight will now support native Red camera footage and Phantom HD footage without the need for any prior conversions while a new 3D framestore will provide the capability to perform a full grade in stereo 3D.

Tom Russell, senior colourist at PFL said: “As non-linear grading continues to grow, market requirements change and expand so upgrading our Baselight 8 suite became a matter of priority. The faster graphics cards mean faster processing with caching and rendering time kept to an absolute minimum, allowing real time grading of resolutions up to 4K. We can now ingest native raw files from the Red Camera, the Phantom and the D21, giving much better flexibility and far greater control of the grade.”

Sister company Blue (pictured) has also recently added a Baselight 4 system at its Old Compton Street facility.

Meanwhile Prime Focus London has appointed two new senior members of staff. Paula Da Costa has joined as a senior producer in the commercials department and Maarten Heinstra joins the 3D team full time as a senior character animator.

Da Costa arrives from MPC. Maarten was freelance.

“The technical upgrades and appointments are indicative of our continued proactive approach to the market and our clients needs,” said Simon Briggs, managing director of PFL and blue. ìThe Baselight upgrades and installations are key to our data grading and workflow strategy, and the appointments of Paula and Maarten add experience and creativity to what is already a fantastic team.”