Services/

Hocus Focus offers full range post-production services and facilities

Hocus Focus can offer three fully equipped offline editing suites with Apple Final Cut HD, two grading/ compositing/ vfx suites with Mistika, sound recording studio and mixing suites. All suites are designed for screening with clients. We are also a supplier of in-house 16 mm and 35 mm film scanning of new film or old archive film.

We have three award winning editors on permanent basis, who are complementing each other with different experiences and perspectives. Another three operators are working with colour grading, compositing and vfx on the Mistika system. Their individual field of knowledge and qualification enable us to put together an unique team, combining skills most suited to the project on hand. Our operators work closely with the developers of the Mistika system; SGO, to reach new and innovative solutions, which our clients will benefit from. Technical assistants are taking care of the material flow coming in and going out of the house of Hocus Focus. The administrative backbone is including two experienced post producers, one project manager and desk services.
To be able to guarantee the quality and security of the in-house workflow, Hocus Focus has systematised the post production process. All material coming in is stored on our SAN disc solution. The result is secured storage and a user-friendly work flow of media between the suites. Our booking system ensures control on the media and projects. Each client’s needs and requirements can therefore be handled in the best possible way. The focus on an efficient work flow enable the editors and the operators to concentrate on the creative process.

Compositing/ visual effects/ online/

Real time performance = Real time productivity.

Visual Effects, compositing and online are performed on the Mistika 2K platform. As one of the most powerful high-end compositing tools within the industry, it contains infinite layer compositing and effects. All graphics are handled uncompressed in real time.

Both Mistika suites work together on the same SAN, which makes it possible to do grading and compositing on the same film from two different suites at the same time.

Colour grading/

Mistika Advanced Colorgrading is one of the most advanced DI colour grading systems within the industry. It offers up to 2K uncompressed real-time video stream and multiple colour adjustment layers. Mistika colour grading is unique in the way it fully accesses all compositing and effect layers, compared to traditionally grading platforms which separates from compositing.

Offline Editing/

Three fully equipped Final Cut HD editing suites. All our suites have comfortable spaces for screening with clients. The offline machinery are all connected to the same SAN (Storage Area Network), maximising the workflow and the possibilities to work on the same projects, at the same time, from different suites.

Film Scanning & film restoration/

Film scanning of 16mm and 35mm film.
Formats: 35mm 4 perf./ 35mm 3 perf./ 2 perf./ Vista Vision/ 16mm/ Super 16mm.
Film types: Colour print, Colour negative, B/W print, B/W negative, Intermediate.
All onelight scans are delivered as QuickTime files with an integrated time code to provide the best possible workflow offline. HQ Scan (High Quality) is delivered as DPX 2K files.

The unique in-house GoldenEye scanner has the capacity of handle old, shrunken or damaged 16mm and 35mm film. The finished scan can be delivered in various file formats, including the DPX 2K quality. Digital restoration of scanned material is executed on the Mistika platform, which handles digital dust bust, colour grading, image stabilising, damaged frame restoration and rescaling.

Sound design/

Hocus Focus has through many years put its pride in always producing and delivering quality and creativity. This principle and way of thought is also reflected in our new area of commitment: Sound and Music.

The workforce has been strengthen with two particularly experienced musicians and sound designers. Our aim was to incorporate this unique combination of music- and sound competence into the design of our new in-house sound facilities.

We have built two complete sound suites with a common recording room, which is large enough to take on and handle large-scale productions. Everything is constructed following strict acoustic demands, with floating floor- and wall constructions. However avoiding to do this at the expense of light and the sense of space. The rooms are designed with help from some of the best people working with studio design and acoustics in Norway. This statement was confirmed by the acoustic measurements taken when the rooms were completed.

More about the studios: The mixing rooms is prepared for 5.1 surround mix and listening via Dangerous Music SR controller and Genelec 8040 loudspeakers with sub. As an alternative listening possibility, we have the classic Yamaha NS-10.

The studios are equipped with identical Pro Tools HD systems with image sync, supplied with Logic Studio and Universal AudioUAD-2 plug-ins. Macs, discs and sound-hardware are situated externally in an engine room with a cooling system to avoid disturbing noise in the control room. High-end microphones from Brauner and Neuman and Pre Amper from API and Manley amongst others, secure high quality recordings. We have a rich arsenal of music production tools and a complete 24 bit Hollywood Edge sound archive.

3D/CGI/

3D animation is provided in cooperation with sub vendors. Hocus Focus producers are managing the complete post-production process. We are working closely with the 3D artists and can offer our clients a quality assurance in the planning process and by being present as on set supervisor.

Mastering/

We deliver any master file requested, including DCP masters for digital cinema screening. If required, HDSR, HD CAM mastering and 16mm/35mm film masters can be provided via sub vendors. Material with SD quality on tape can be provided in the following formats: Digital Beta cam, DVC PRO 50, XD CAM and DV CAM master.

Storage/

Raw material is received, catalogued and captured by our SAN system, where everything is safely stored in full-range quality until a master is completed and delivered.

We can offer a total long term storage service of raw material in cooperation with Ål station. The raw material is transferred to Ål station’s archives via fibre channels for safe long term storage. Here the material is stored at the station’s internal discs or on datatape LTO. This service will be accessible from January 2010.

Red/

Native support for RED camera R3D format and the complete RED workflow. Our Mistika machinery incorporates the feature of working directly on the RED RAW files to maximise the quality.