Cognition Invests In SGO Mistika

Cognition, the recently launched hybrid post production facility, has purchased six Mistika systems from SGO, including two top-end 4K colour grading and mastering systems, two assist workstations and two laptop systems for on-set and near-set use. The company has also acquired an SGO high-speed SAN.

The installation is part of a multi-million dollar facility expansion that will include a pair of highly spec'd DCI grading theatres, expanded visual effects resources and creative production workspace.

Mistika is a next-generation colour grading and finishing platform with an expansive toolset supporting a range of media formats and post production applications, such as high-frame-rate and 3D. The latest version of the system software includes tools for manipulating multilayer EXR sequences and expanded support for OpenEXR formats.

David Hollingsworth, Cognition Director of Operations, said: "After 5 years of collaborating with SGO and their development team I am more confident than ever that Mistika is the best complete finishing tool in film and broadcast. At Cognition our goal is to give our clients the greatest flexibility during the finishing process to produce the highest quality results. Recent additions to Mistika software including fully translatable AAF functionality and fantastic new EXR tools prove that SGO is staying ahead of the curve."

Cognition recently used its Mistika workstations to grade and finish the independent feature, Opening Night. The film, which stars Topher Grace, was produced by Grace alongside Dark Factory Entertainment's Daniel Posada and Jason Tamasco. It is directed by Isaac Rentz. Final grading was performed by Cognition Senior Colourist Mike Eaves, working alongside Grace, Rentz and Director of Photography Andre Lascaris.

Speaking about the grading process, Eaves said: "Mistika allowed me to create different versions of the grade and made it very easy to keep them organized using the system's grade history function and by creating different nodes for each pass. Mistika's very robust FX toolset, which includes de-noise and grain FX functions, allowed me to integrate the look and feel of footage shot on different cameras with uniform consistency. The best thing about Mistika is that it allows me to concentrate on the creative without worrying about tools."

Rentz added: "The process was collaborative and fluid. That was true for straight colour work as well as for more complex window work and de-noise and re-grain processing. Everything we asked for was easily achieved. Mistika was interactive and powerful. We have nothing but good things to say about the process and are very happy with the results."

Cognition's Mistika systems will be integrated into its two new grading theatres, where construction is due to completed shortly. The theatres will also feature 4K Barco digital cinema projectors and a range of support gear.

"Cognition's investment in Mistika is evidence of its forward-thinking approach," said Geoff Mills, SGO Director of Global Sales and Operations. "It is reassuring to see a Los Angeles facility that appreciates how SGO technology can be a differentiator in a competitive market."

Image courtesy of Cognition.

www.cognition.la

www.sgo.es

(JP/LM)