The first Digital Bristol Week is underway with informative, networking events aimed at those already working in and those seeking a career in digital industries.
The week offers a broad range of free events, workshops and panels as well as networking, training and knowledge exchange for the creative industries.
Hosted and produced by the BBC Bristol Partnership, each day has a different theme and focus – today is Technology Day.
Events range from presentations on the future of broadcasting to workshops on key skills such as production management, while also taking in technology demonstrations, leadership seminars, social events and much more. While the events are free, booking is required in advance for many of these.
Digital Bristol Week is being produced by the BBC in partnership with the University of the West of England, Creative Skillset, Bristol Media, Bristol City Council, Bristol University, Creative England and the Pervasive Media Studio. Open Doors, taking place on Thursday Jan 31, will see a number of the city’s most vibrant businesses invite people in to see how they work; these include Bray Leino, Icon Films, Tigress Productions, Films @ 59, Mubaloo, Knowle West Media Centre, Sift, Aardman Animations, Big Bang Post Productions and more.
Among today’s events are:
Panel Session at BBC Bristol
9.30 – 10.30 Beyond 3D
An introduction to the Tech Fair and BBC R&D. Includes brief presentations on the current restrictions and aspirations for development of content display and research activity in delivery, compression, display and measurement of video. Followed by a Q&A panel session with experts and leading users of new technology. Bristol University. BOOK
Conference
10.30 – 17.00 BBC Natural History Unit Wildlife Camera Open Day
Open to all camera men and women who have worked in the Natural History Unit during the last 12 months.
There will be ticketed talks, access to kit, and experts on hand to answer questions. Subjects covered include: camera equipment, 3D and beyond, large format and skills for the future. FULLY BOOKED
Technology Showcase at BBC Bristol
10.00 – 16.00 Tech Expo including the latest camera kit and green technology, cutting edge R&D and consumer electronics Tickets for the technology showcase are available for the morning session (10.00 – 13.00) and the afternoon session (14.00 – 16.00). BBC Bristol staff do not need to book for entrance to the technology showcase.
The Blue Room Live: The BBCs touring consumer technology and media showcase. Primarily aimed at BBC staff, the facility also extends to key industry and public events. Current consumer tech exhibits include: connected TV, emerging display technologies, glasses free 3D TV and new ways of video/photo capture.
BBC Research and Development: Join BBC R&D for an intense day of demos from the North and South Labs. They will have experiments, presentations, and prototypes from teams working on accessibility, sustainability, novel interactive and immersive interfaces, web technologies, and across production technology research areas.
The Connected Studio team will also be on hand to explain how to get involved in the program, which now has seven active strands of hackery and innovation.
BBC Technology Fair: The BBC’s Technology, Distribution and Archive teams will present a range of demonstrations and interactive games about some of the latest technologies.
Get hands on with applications for mobile working and production tools for use out in the field and back at base.
Early Stage Technology Showcase: University of Bristol’s SETsquared team will display a number of exciting technologies from the research level to those just entering commercial reality. Experts will be on hand to explain the technologies, their stage of development and commercialisation and the experiences of the researchers, technologists and entrepreneurs.
The technologies on display will come from The University of Bristol, UWE, Pervasive Media Studio and the Bristol SETsquared Centre
Hardware Display: Bristol equipment providers and manufacturers display cutting edge filming technology
Bristol equipment providers including Films at 59 and Esprit Films will be showcasing the latest filming kit. There will be plenty of opportunit to get hands on with the technology on display, which will include the P&S Technik 3D camera rig and the latest technologies from Arri, Sony, Panasonic, Red and Canon.
Representatives from the equipment manufacturers and equipment providers will be available to answer any questions. For specific requests of what you would like to see on the day, contact Esprit Films or Films at 59.
Green Tech Trade Show: A small group of clean-tech suppliers will be demonstrating products that can provide renewable energy for film shoots.
These include FireFly Solar, providers of solar power generation; UPS Systems, suppliers of low carbon fuel cells used to power cameras; BAE Systems, providers of modular, rugged renewable power systems for remote locations, and low energy lights from 180 Rental, part of Visual Impact.
Workshops at BBC Bristol
13.00 – 14.00 Exploiting New Technologies
New technologies or methods get invented all the time but some of these will inevitably remain as dreams, prototypes or private projects.
How do we best enable new ideas to evolve into off-the-shelf solutions, or even become profitable? How can ‘clustering’ be engineered to stimulate new business to exploit new ideas? What is the opportunity to mix tech, creative and green clusters? SETSquared. BOOK
14.00 – 16.00 Getting Smarter with Your Smartphone
BBC Academy College of Journalism smartphone specialist and trainer Marc Settle offers practical guidance on how to make the most of your smartphone as a recording device. Attendees will get the most out of the session if they have an iPhone or iPod, but other smartphone owners are welcome to attend. BOOK
Social Event at Goldbrick House
18.15 – onwards Media Tuesday Networking
Start the new year by widening your network and making new contacts? Join creatives from across the sector at this regular monthly networking event. Held at Goldbrick House, it's an opportunity to meet people from advertising, marketing, design, digital, mobile, PR, publishing and television.
The team from Bristol Media will be on hand to introduce you to new people so ask for Caroline or Alli when you arrive. Bristol Media members receive a complimentary glass of wine or beer on arrival. Booking is not required for this event.
