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The initial program for the second year of the HPA Tech Retreat UK was announced today, featuring industry leaders, technology trends and compelling projects. The event is a pivotal gathering for those engaged in the many disciplines supporting the creation, management and dissemination of content across the dynamic distribution environment. The HPA Tech Retreat is presented by SMPTE Ltd., returning to beautiful Heythrop Park Resort in Oxfordshire, 11 to 13 July 2017.

This year, in addition to the main programme and Supersession, an additional half-day session–– known as TR-eXtra––focusing on Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR) will be held 11 July. TR-X debuted earlier this year at the Palm Springs, California event to a standing room only gathering of creatives and technical experts. Seth Hallen, President of HPA, noted, “We all hear extensive discussion of VR-AR-MR, yet there are few places where the hands-on, latest workflow from acquisition through delivery is explored. TR-X does that. The event is developed and overseen by experts who understand the real-world implications of the content and technologies and bring unique information to the programme.”

The HPA Tech Retreat UK programme includes the following sessions, with additional topics and speakers to be announced shortly:

TR-X:   The Reality of Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Realities
Tuesday, 11 July, separate registration

There is a lot of curiosity, hope, hype and promise surrounding Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR). The question is, however, what are the realities associated with these platforms? During this very timely TR-X session, learned experts will explain the complexities of VR, AR and MR. You will learn how and why the brain responds to VR, including the psychological and physical responses. A planned case study, based on a well-known feature related VR experience, will explore real world application of the VR/AR/MR technologies. Finally, you will hear experts in the field share a study about the missing elements that are needed to make VR work for real!

The Supersession: The Format Explosion
Wednesday, 12 July

• The Versioning Explosion

• The Supply Chain Explosion

• Predicting the Explosion in Advance: Planet Earth II

• Exploding the Format: Lost in London

• Exploding the Archive

Main Program
Thursday, 13 July

• AI and Machine Learning across all media applications from data to creativity
• Connectivity for next generation production
• Cloud applications and tools: the practical reality
• HDR Colour Pipeline
• Key Trends from Consumer Electronics
• European industry update
• Much more to come when the call for proposals closes!

Richard Welsh, Co-Chair of the HPA Tech Retreat UK, outlined what attendees can expect. “The Tech Retreat is the melting pot where creatives and technologists discuss and debate the challenges and opportunities now and in the future of the media industry. It’s here you sit with your peers and hear directly about pioneering projects, real world challenges and solutions and get to see the future of our space. The Tech Retreat is built on the latest and most in-depth information, rooted in the Supersession, a day-long deep dive into one topic; followed by the conference, running concurrently with the innovation zone where you can see the latest tools and technologies presented by experts. There are also breakfast round table discussions to explore a wide variety of user interest topics in a small group setting. Most importantly, the Tech Retreat is a fabulous forum for open conversation in a relaxed and fun environment. The social programme with the Tuesday night barbecue and Wednesday dinner bookended by drinks and music (dance? Only if you want to!) ensure that the Tech Retreat is just that. An opportunity to escape, reset your mind, refresh your thinking and spark creativity amongst the most innovative thinkers, immersed in the most compelling programme, and surrounded by the cutting edge of technology. All this is the HPA Tech Retreat.” 

More sessions are being developed and will be presented on the HPA Tech Retreat UK website. Welsh noted, “Additional programme submissions are still open, and you have until 30 May to apply. If you have a compelling project, or information or a perspective you see as valuable for the community, we encourage you to apply.” Submissions are accepted through the HPA Tech Retreat UK website.

The HPA Tech Retreat UK also includes an opportunity for demonstrations of innovative tools of the trade.  Presented by companies with creative solutions, the Innovation Zone is a way to talk directly with the developers of the technology and test drive the latest offerings during conference breaks and over drinks.  Applications for the IZ are still being accepted through 31 May, also through the HPA Tech Retreat UK website. 

The HPA Tech Retreat UK will take place at Heythrop Park Resort in Oxfordshire, about 90 minutes by train from London. In addition to the seminars, the Tech Retreat is intentionally designed to facilitate ongoing conversations and networking, with a full complement of social opportunities. For a full conference programme and further information, visit http://www.hpatechretreatuk.org/.

About the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers® (SMPTE®)
For the past 100 years, the people of the Society of Motion Pictures and Television Engineers (SMPTE, pronounced “simp-tee”) have sorted out the details of many significant advances in entertainment technology, from the introduction of “talkies” and color television to HD and UHD (4K, 8K) TV. Since its founding in 1916, the Society has earned an Oscar® and multiple Emmy® Awards for its work in advancing moving-imagery education and engineering across the communications, technology, media, and entertainment industries. The Society has developed thousands of standards, recommended practices, and engineering guidelines, more than 800 of which are currently in force.

SMPTE’s global membership today includes 7,000 members, who are motion-imaging executives, engineers, creative and technology professionals, researchers, scientists, educators, and students. A partnership with the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA®) connects SMPTE and its membership with the professional community of businesses and individuals who provide the expertise, support, tools, and infrastructure for the creation and finishing of motion pictures, television programs, commercials, digital media, and other dynamic media content. Information on joining SMPTE is available at http://www.smpte.org/join.

About the HPA Tech Retreat
The HPA Tech Retreat® is a gathering of the top industry engineering, technical, and creative talent, as well as strategic business leaders, focused on technology, from all aspects of digital cinema, post production, film, television, video, broadcast and related technology areas, for the exchange of information. The HPA Tech Retreat takes place in Palm Springs, California and Oxfordshire, UK.

About the Hollywood Professional Association
Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) serves the professional community of businesses and individuals who provide expertise, support, tools and the infrastructure for the creation and finishing of motion pictures, television, commercials, digital media and other dynamic media content. Through their partnership with the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers® (SMPTE®), the leader in the advancement of the art, science and craft of the image, sound, and metadata ecosystem, the HPA continues to extend its support of the community it represents. Information about the HPA is available at http://www.hpaonline.com.