SMPTE (the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) has announced a range of new measures that will provide additional remote support for its members while they continue to work from home during the various regional lockdowns in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The professional development and technical support being announced includes a 50 per cent discount on virtual SMPTE courses, free access to technology webcasts and standards content, while the society assures that it is continuing to work with local SMPTE Sections to deliver streamed meetings.
Staying connected
Barbara Lange, SMPTE’s executive director, explained, “We know that many industry professionals are working longer hours to keep news and entertainment running, while others are working from home and some have been laid off.
“It’s a difficult time for our industry and all our members worldwide, no matter what their situation. Our hope is that improved access to SMPTE webcasts, virtual courses, live-streamed meetings, and a set of standards and journal articles will help our membership maintain connections with peers and mentors, continue to benefit from the experience of industry leaders, and expand their own knowledge, expertise, and readiness for whatever the future may bring.”
New demands
The move comes as the global industry continues to showcase its remote production capabilities in maintaining programming schedules while also demonstrating some impressive ingenuity in rolling out new live productions such as the BBC’s Big Night In, and the recent One World: Together at Home.
- How the BBC is preparing for a Big Night In
- Why lockdown doesn’t mean shutdown
- Delivering One World: Together at Home to a global audience
SMPTE president Patrick Griffis, who is also technology vice president in the CTO office at Dolby, said in a recent address to members that, “The situation we face now is generating a new set of demands and challenges for our membership and industry. To respond to these challenges, we are making some of our standards documents and SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal articles freely available and access to our extensive library of motion-imaging technology and professional media education options more affordable to engineers and technologists worldwide.”
For further information, go to smpte.org.
