ACE bets on Quantel's Pablo Neo 2K system

The Belgian company ACE, specialized in film effects, has acquired the Quantel Pablo Neo 2K correction and finishing system.

The firm specialized in cinematographic effects ACE has improved his Quantel iQ with Pablo 2K specification complete with Neo panel. It has also acquired Pablo PA, Quantel's setup, preparation and workflow software.

Stefan Rycken, CEO of the Belgian company, said: “We were so impressed with the performance of the V5 software that we decided to go one step further with our system and go for the complete Pablo package. There are several reasons that explain our choice. First, the speed and precision of current Quantel systems are unmatched in color grading and configuration across different formats.

Secondly, our iQ was working overtime, so tipping the balance was the ability to add the Pablo PA into our workflow. This great software allows us to do basic 'off-line' technical work, such as preparing titles or configuration, releasing the Pablo to do what it does best: color grading. It's like having two integrated post-production systems.

Thirdly, the mounting option of the Pablo PA allows us to pre-grade the content on a laptop during the broadcast phase since the Pablo PA can read RAW formats such as Alexa, Red or Phantom files directly from the recording disk, without having to download it to your PC. The workflow benefits and convenience for the director are incredible.”

ACE staff, including their color grader Tom Mulder, have just completed their training with the support of Quantel and are currently working on a short film to get used to the Pablo and are preparing to participate in a feature film in November. As Rycken explains, “we're going to do all the effects, color grading and color settings. The Loft, a remake of a Belgian film directed by Erik Van Looy, who made the original film with us and is now making the version for the US. For us, it is a fantastic opportunity to test the Pablo and show that we can work with the standards from Hollywood,” he concludes.

Martin Mulligan, Sales and Marketing Director at Quantel, noted that “by moving to the Pablo, ACE has demonstrated once again that a company specialized in a relatively small market can improve its business with our team. The fact that they are now working on a production for the North American market is a fabulous step forward for them. “We will be there to fully support them in this endeavor and in all their future developments.”

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