New York based facility adds Baselight TWO to state-of-the-art screening room
Post FactoryNY, which has served the film, TV and commercials markets for more than 15 years, recently upgraded its state-of-the-art screening room on 6th Avenue with two Baselight TWO colour grading systems from FilmLight.
Post Factory NY Baselight system
Post FactoryNY has been a Baselight customer for over a year now and originally chose the system to help extend its reach into the film market. It recently took the opportunity to upgrade its Baselight HD system to a Baselight TWO, as well as purchasing an additional system, for more speed and functionality.
“We chose Baselight because it is the most intuitive system available,” said Mishel Hassidim, lead colourist, Post FactoryNY. “Another reason was the level of support FilmLight could offer — something which was not available from any other manufacturer we talked to. We have a great relationship with the FilmLight support team and we know they’re always on hand if we need them.”
Screening room
Post FactoryNY is well-known as an offline, feature film facility. It added the colour grading department five years ago and the recent addition of the Baselight TWO has enabled it to reinforce its position as a high-end finishing house.
“We are a growing colour department and being able to say to our clients – and prospects – that we have a Baselight, really helps validate the idea of working with us, because it’s such a respected and powerful system,” commented Chris Peterson, Post FactoryNY producer and director of business development.
Baselight TWO allows Post FactoryNY to work in multiple formats, providing operational efficiencies, as no transcoding is required. The colourists can also help DPs visualise the final result by using Baselight to test colours and cameras before shooting, helping to determine what ranges they can achieve from a specific camera, and previewing final looks.
Reception
Baselight TWO has helped Post FactoryNY to rapidly grow its film and television client base — and, with the speed and added functionality that the system offers, the team is also growing its commercial client base. Recent projects include Kink, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and The Director, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Both were produced by James Franco and directed by Christina Voros.
“You can just tell that the system has been built by people that work with colour,” concludes Eyal Dimant, senior colourist. “The shapes, keyers and hue-shift functions are fantastic, and the tracking is incredibly quick. With other systems, I may have thought twice before creating a window or shape to track as I wouldn’t want to spend the time on it. With Baselight I don’t think twice as I know it will take a few seconds and the result will be perfect. Baselight allows us to focus on what is important: colour.”
About Post FactoryNY
Alex Halpern founded Post FactoryNY in 1996. In order to finish his documentary, Nine Good Teeth, he invested in a single Avid and borrowed a friend’s apartment. By day, Halpern rented his Avid to other filmmakers, and by night, edited his film.
Alex realized that New York’s growing film community needed a new kind of postproduction facility. He understood that all clients, from indie films, to network television shows, to studio features, share the same challenges: maximizing budgets without comprising production value or story. By using technology and listening to his clients, Halpern has strived to find the right solutions for them and the stories they want to tell.
Post FactoryNY has flourished, growing into a 35,000 sq. foot custom designed facility with a regular clientele of award winning directors, editors, producers and content creators.
