NAB Show, with sponsor Grass Valley, will offer online sessions September 2 that address topics related to “Production in a Pandemic.” In partnership with the Entertainment Technology Center @ USC, the day’s first session — “In Harm’s Way: Using Safetyviz to Mitigate Onset Liability” (10:00 am PT) — will feature a panel of industry experts discussing the methods used to produce the short film “Ripple Effect.” The project focused on how Previz, Techviz and Safetyviz can help limit crew and cast to create a safer work environment. 

ETC selected filmmakers Hannah Bang, Margo Sawaya and Sabina Vajrača to receive the 2020 Innovative Technology Award for “The Ripple Effect,” a futuristic live-action project with the aim of testing the limits of virtual production. ETC leveraged virtual production, LED volume and game engine techniques during production, including visualizing COVID-19 safety narratives for production teams.

The NAB panel, moderated by ETC’s Erik Weaver (executive producer of “Ripple Effect”), will cover advanced techniques implemented during the film’s production, and will be followed by a live Q&A with key players.

Panelists will include Andrea Aniceto-Chavez of Cinecode, DigitalFilm Tree CEO Ramy Katrib, ASC Motion Imaging Technology Council’s Greg Ciaccio, freelance creative and line producer Jamie McNeill, and Catherine Shin of the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science  and Occupational Therapy.

Additional sessions for the day include “The Safe Return of Regional Sports Using Remote Production,” “Creating Global Community Experiences in a Pandemic,” “Quarantine Production Hacks,” “Pivoting Broadcast News Quickly in a New World” and “Adapting to At-Home Video Production and Streaming Demands During the Quarantine.”

According to NAB Show, registration for the sessions is free, but space is limited.