news 2020 3 min read
disguise extends global reach with first New Zealand-based xR partner, Streamliner Productions
Streamliner Productions have become the first disguise xR Creative & Rental Partner in New Zealand. The collaboration will enable new levels of creativity for virtual productions in a country described as a thriving mecca for the global film industry.
Our growing partner network consists of over 200 organisations specialising in the disguise workflow and hardware, helping end-customers source the best equipment and offering technical and creative talent to help bring live and virtual experiences to life.
Streamliner have recently invested in our award-winning vx 4 as well as the newly released rx hosting platform for third-party render engines - a vital component of the xR solution, engineered for the future of virtual production. The technical production house achieved partner status and accreditation after undergoing specialist training in the disguise workflows and xR technology. It is also the only official partner in New Zealand to deliver a full end-to-end xR production.
Streamliner provides clients with the highest quality and widest variety of entertainment technology, and their team of innovative experts and technical specialists deliver live events and film productions across the country.
“Our crew combines decades of live event experience with an in-depth knowledge of high-end video systems, and we’re adept at working on high profile, time-critical projects,” says Richard Manu, Streamliner Owner and General Manager.
“We continually invest in the latest hardware, software and systems that give our clients access to the most advanced technology. Introducing several disguise products into our workflow has brought together those systems and now coupled with the xR pipeline, nothing is out of reach."
Richard Manu, Owner and General Manager, Streamliner
A powerful partnership for local film production
Since investing in our ecosystem, recent work has seen other official partnerships formed between key players in the NZ film and broadcast industry. One such collaboration brings together Streamliner’s live stage expertise and xR knowledge; the filming facilities from one of the most iconic studios in the country, Avalon Studios; and, real-time content creation and VFX from the world-renowned powerhouse, Weta Digital. A notable project already in development from Streamliner and Weta Digital is James Cameron’s Avatar sequels, where some of the latest disguise workflows are currently being used.
Photo credit: Jon Landau
“The setup features large, easily configurable LED panels that can display video well beyond 8K as a way to augment practical sets and often replace green screenshots for backgrounds and exteriors,” says David Conley, Weta Digital's Executive Producer.
It’s hoped that this cutting-edge technology, combined with the health and safety benefits of working in New Zealand, which has successfully controlled the Covid-19 pandemic, will attract productions of all sizes to the country and Streamliner.
“Establishing this partnership with Streamliner is a turning point for disguise in the Southern Hemisphere, and particularly within New Zealand and their established world-class film industry. Working with the team at Streamliner, we can confidently support projects and productions in the region looking to use disguise xR technology to push the creative boundaries,” says Tom Rockhill, CSO at disguise.
