Digital hub in Recife launches post-production training and finishing facility and selects FilmLight technology for unrivalled power and workflow simplicity

Portomidia – a new initiative in Recife, Brazil – is to install a FilmLight Baselight FOUR colour grading and management system, along with a FilmLight FLUX storage and data management network. The installation forms the heart of a new digital media facility, which itself is part of a high-technology hub aimed at boosting the regional economy through skills development and by attracting major businesses.

Porto Digital, the overall initiative, aims to attract 400 businesses and create 20,000 skilled and technical jobs by 2020. As part of this, Portomidia is the creative project, based in a historical building in the centre of Recife. Portomídia has three goals: training and skills development; an incubator to develop more start-ups in the creative industries; and as a top-end facility to finish major projects including movies.

To meet these goals, Portomidia needed the equipment that leading professionals expect to find in world-class facilities — that includes the Baselight grading system from FilmLight. As well as featuring an unrivalled toolset, Baselight has the power to deliver seamless workflows, including real-time 4K streaming, to allow colourists and other creative talents to work without constraints.

The Baselight system is paired with a FLUX storage solution. The inbuilt data management functionality allows FLUX to be the hub of all digital finishing operations, exchanging data with editorial, animation and effects workstations as well as supporting the grading suite. It centralises all content and metadata throughout the entire digital post workflow.

“We knew we needed the best equipment if we were going to deliver on Portomidia’s goals, said Mariana Valença, technology coordinator, of Portomídia. “We asked leading experts from around the world and their recommendation was very firmly that Baselight was the number one choice for grading. FLUX is a natural pairing with Baselight, and we are very excited to make FilmLight the heart of our digital media finishing pipeline.”

Francisco Monje, LATAM account manager, FilmLight, added “Our products are chosen by people whose reputation depends on having the best technology and functionality. Portomidia, and the whole Porto Digital project, is a remarkable effort to develop a world-class digital and software industry in Brazil, and we are delighted that FilmLight can be a part of it.”