The Beijing International Radio and Television (BIRTV) is China’s comprehensive answer to events like NAB, IBC, Cinegear, CinemaCon, Infocomm and LDI combined. Some 500 exhibits and 50 conference sessions spread across eight (8) huge halls, the event attracted some 50,000 attendees, nearly all of whom appear to be Chinese. The venue covered an impressive 50,000 sq mt or 500,000 sq ft. All conferences, presentations, brochures, signage, even the language spoken at the information booths were exclusively in Chinese, necessitating the use of spoken language translation apps. My very basic elementary knowledge of Mandarin came in handy as I navigated the exhibition. I spent all four days on my feet, logging over 12,000 steps daily as I explored the halls using my own floor plan maps marked with English booth names, brands and notes.
I was astonished to see over 50 Chinese suppliers of lighting products at shows like NAB, Cinegear, IBC and CES. So I did not know what to make of suddenly seeing some 200+ supplier of various lighting products at BIRTV, some of which looked like Mom and Pop shops, while others rival western manufacturers and presentations. The number of Chinese prime and zoom lens suppliers are within the same dizzying proportions and range. Chinese pricing compared to western brands are unbelievably affordable, offering much more bang for the buck. The Chinese product quality now is much better compared to the initial pre covid prototype models I saw just 5 years ago. With a domestic market of over 1.4 billion people, and a combined reachable-by-land market of over 3.7 billion people, the possibilities are endless.
High end toys I saw included anamorphic full frame lens rehousing, massive low-pitch LED walls, volumetric and virtual production working sets, smart robotic arms on rails, carbon fiber telescoping cranes, robotic receptionists, obedient robotic pets, remote controlled underwater housing for Imax cameras, etc. Following the path of electric car makers in China where the initial 100+ electric car makers more than five (5) years ago have dwindled to perhaps only 10%, I could not help but ponder a guess as how many of these lighting and lens product suppliers will be around five (5) years from now.
Allow me to offer my analysis of current motion picture technology trends which have been informed by attending this convention:
Lighting trends, as I see it:
More and more wattage packed into the LED lighting head. At least five brands announced 4,800 to 5,000 watt fresnel units.
RGB and its variants are preferred over bicolor units.
Improved IP (Ingress Protection) range to match the various weather conditions that productions film in.
Wireless light control is ever more important via Bluetooth, DMX CRMX, LumenRadio, ArtNet etc.
Wireless pan, tilt and focus control via proprietary and brand specific systems, rather than universal, brand agnostic common yoke or cradle.
More discreet and pure LED colors. Welcome WW, Y, M & C mid colors.
More accessories: balloons, inflatables, umbrellas, projectors, soft boxes, diffusion, and reflectors.
Larger flat folding LED walls. Overhead LEDs expanding to 20’ x 20’ and larger.
Lens trends, as I see it:
Manufacturers are expanding their product line from a few basic focal lengths to ten (10) or more focal lengths.
Expanding Super 35 format to include Full Frame / VistaVision and larger formats.
Anamorphic primes and zoom lenses are plentiful.
Adding a filmic, vintage, classic, personality or character through lens coating variations. Interchangeable front and or rear elements to create a vintage or classic look are all over the various booths.
Developing zoom lenses in three (3) focal length ranges: short, medium and long.
Lens finish is more polished, and less clunky.
Use of scratch-proof durable hard-anodized metal finish.
Optics, mechanics, design and handling have improved.
Battery trends, as I see it:
Higher capacity, more versatility.
More outputs plugs: D-tap, USB, USB-C, and wireless cellphone charging.
Improved data & status monitoring.
Thin hot swap battery between mounts allowing 1-2 minutes uninterrupted power, thus enabling battery change without powering down the camera.
More durable casing, with bumper guards. More rugged build to withstand the rigors of remote production and mother nature.
Introduction of battery powered 110 VAC / 220 VAC pure sine wave power supply on set with 2,000 – 9,000 watts.
100 KVA or more equivalents “Green Generators” with many Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) batteries.
Grip trends, as I see it:
More variety and applications.
Better metallurgy, with the use of T6 aluminum and hard anodized finishing.
Better quality, finish and polish.
Written and photos by Oli Laperal Jr, Managing Director of RSVP Film Studios, a full-service production and rental facility in Manila, Philippines: https://rsvpfilm.com/
Thank you for this newsletter. Hopefully you’ll expand on this (BRITV2024) feature with pictures to illustrate the landscape. Once again thank you I do enjoy following the DCS. Thanks to Oli too.