LAS VEGAS - The NAB Post Production World Conference is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas this April, in conjunction with the annual NAB show. This marks the second year of the post-oriented event, which includes a significantly-expanded program of practical tutorials on the latest editing, graphics and sound tools.
Ben Kozuch, principal of Future Media Concepts, which hosts the conference, says market surveys and polls of last year's attendees were used to further develop this year's curriculum.
"Our goal and vision was for it to be bigger and better," says Kozuch. "I was trying to create a program that had something for everyone."
The show is based around the concept of providing attendees with practical tips and techniques on tools that can immediately be put to use in their daily operations. The conference features 238 sessions, up from last year, and includes a number of new offerings.
The conference begins on Friday, April 15th with a 20-class Boot Camp for pros looking to brush up on their Photoshop, LightWave, Maya, and Avid skills. Saturday, April 16th through Wednesday, April 20th is filled with 13 simultaneous rooms offering more advances courses. Intermediate users can take certification classes on Avid Xpress Pro and Apple's Final Cut Pro and Motion tools. The two-day classes will be held on Friday and Saturday and will feature laptops for hands-on training, along with a final exam for certification purposes.
This year's conference incorporates a greater selection of 3D animation and Web tool courses than the previous year. Sessions will be offered for beginners and advanced users of Maya, LightWave and 3DS Max. On the Web side, three full days of training is being offered on Macromedia's Flash, Dreamweaver and Director tools.
Also new for this year are courses relating to digital video, including lighting and production techniques. Digital video formats such as 24p, HD and HDV will be covered as well, as part of the Digital Facility track.
And there will be six panel discussions this year. Kozuch points out that they will focus on today's post production issues and not on concepts or future technologies. Topics will include "Power Users," "Small Business Owners," "3D Animation Trends," and "Meet Your Next Employer." All of the remaining 230-plus classes are technical sessions.
For international attendees, instruction on Avid, Apple and Adobe tools is being offered in both Spanish and Japanese this year. And orientation courses on how to maximize one's experience are being offered on Friday night at 7pm and again on Saturday morning at 8am.
In addition to the technical courses, The NAB Post Production World Conference will offer numerous networking opportunities. For further details on pricing, as well as on submissions for the second annual ICE Awards, check out the Web site at: www.nabshow.com/postproductionworld.asp.