SMPTE 2016 Keynotes Announced

SMPTE has announced the keynote speakers for SMPTE 2016 Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition which takes place in California later this month.

Douglas Trumbull, filmmaker and the recipient of this year's SMPTE Progress Medal, will join SMPTE president Robert Seidel to present the opening keynote at the event; while composer and researcher Daniel Teruggi – and recipient of this year's SMPTE Archival Technology Medal Award – will present the SMPTE 2016 Symposium keynote on the preceding day.

The keynote will discuss the past, present, and future of media and entertainment technology and supporting standards work, a key theme for SMPTE 2016. Trumbull will illustrate the evolution of cinema technology, from Cinerama and Cinemascope to immersive experiences including virtual and augmented reality, and will present never-before-seen clips from his work developing a 3D 120 fps cinema system called Magi.

Seidel will continue demonstrating the evolution of broadcast technology by providing a glimpse back in time with outtakes of John Glenn's return from space and a highlight reel illustrating the benefits of digital television. He will also discuss current trends such as 4K television and OTT streaming services, and what lies in the future.

Barbara Lange, SMPTE Executive Director, said: "With their incredible experience and transformative involvement in the evolution of media consumption, Doug and Bob can provide a truly unique overview of the tremendous achievements our industry has made over the past century – and they'll also offer an informed look ahead at what we might accomplish in the next 100 years. We are proud to open our centennial year Annual Technical Conference with a joint keynote from these two industry leaders."

The SMPTE 2016 Symposium also will provide a look into the future. The day-long programme, 'Preserving Stories for the Future: A Technology Perspective', will commence with a keynote from Daniel Teruggi.

"On SMPTE's 100th anniversary, it's fascinating to see how much technology has transformed not only the way we tell stories but also how we preserve them," said Andrea Kalas, president of the Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) and program chair for the SMPTE 2016 Symposium. "With Daniel's presentation, the Association of Moving Image Archivists is happy to pay tribute to SMPTE's role in preserving heritage by bringing to the symposium a fascinating set of discussions on the changing role of the archives in 2016. Why restore films anymore, how do you archive a video game, and what does archiving have to do with human biology? These are just a few of the provocative sessions. We look forward to some lively discussion."

Please note, full SMPTE 2016 Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition registration is required to attend the Opening Keynote by Trumbull and Seidel, and registration for the SMPTE 2016 Symposium is necessary to attend Teruggi's keynote.

Further information about SMPTE 2016, the 2016 Symposium, and the SMPTE Centennial Gala is available at www.smpte2016.org.

Image: Douglas Trumbull, Film Director.

www.smpte.org

(JP/MH)