Archives 2022

Well, all things considered, it would have been better to maybe NOT come in to work on Christmas Day … but … deadlines are, in fact, deadlines, so … thankfully, our Happy Factory Workers know how to “make the best of it” (it’s what they do for a living, you know) so, all is well. Why, Senior Management was even kind enough to pop for a ‘mini’ Holiday Tree for us – just one for all to share, so … because of its diminished size, we just sort of move it around – each department gets it for an hour and a half and by morning, the entire Factory staff will have had the joy of sharing The Factory Tree for a bit. How thoughtful … and efficient – like everything else we do!

Special thanks to ‘the guys upstairs’ for thinking of all of us – down here – and, of course – ‘All the Best’ from US (always) … for YOU!

Have a healthy and safe Holiday week and, we’ll see you on the other side. Don’t worry … we’ll still be here. We run three shifts, 24/7.

Yeah, sorry … we ALMOST missed this one!

Busy … busy … busy! Almost forgot what day it was! Unfortunately, due to backed-up delivery dates and an over-abundance of product demand, we all had to work straight through the Thanksgiving week – and yes, even on Thanksgiving Day!

No worries – Freddy The Foreman – the kind-hearted Leader that he is – allowed us listen to a radio broadcast of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – and that really helped!

Oh, and even though our BOSS has left the country (traveling to parts unknown … or maybe he was just looking for ‘parts‘ that we can’t seem to find around here …you know, ‘foreign parts’ … imports … well, anyway, he surprised us all by having a load of Vegan Turkey Sandwiches – heck, almost enough to feed everyone – delivered to the Factory Floor at lunch time on Thursday! Wow! What a guy! What a treat – he always rewards us for our hard labor …

You know, we can still see those Vegan Turkey Sandwiches come rolling down the line – some already bitten by certain eager workers, up the line, who were too busy to stop, grab and enjoy a whole one!

And, this year’s awesome treat certainly qualified as a fitting reward for us all having to come in and work the Holiday Week … Yeah, who cares that he failed to include any of the fixings and garnish … like maybe, at the very least, potato salad or macaroni salad – or, bread … or water … and napkins …

Well, no matter – sometimes a good, well-made Vegan Sandwich is just enough, you know what we’re sayin’ over here?

Well, enough of this chit-chatting- it’s back to work for this crew! Here’s hoping that all of you, out there in Internet Visitor’s Land, hand a safe and peaceful Holiday … like we did – the Factory Floor is one of the safest places to be … when free food is in the air!

Happy Factory Thanksgiving Week to all of you!

P.S. We’ll be here if you need us!

Just another fun-filled, action-packed HALLOWEEN ROMP at The Factory!

Well, okay … since everyone came in wearing costumes … and NO ONE is working ANYWHERE on the Factory Floor … well … ah … um … er … OK … MAYBYE there might be a little something to be afraid of …

Heck, rumor has it that even THE BOSS (and we aren’t talkin’ Springsteen, here) has run off and left the country!

Oh well, don’t worry about production deadlines and shipping logistics … it’ll all be over soon … and everyone will be back on the clock … and on ‘the line’ … and working for YOU!

Happy Halloween 2022 from THE FACTORY!

Yeah, we know it to be true, here, on The Factory Floor …

You don’t have to look hard to see how virtual production is taking the film, TV, and streaming industries by storm.

And like all new developments, the demand for qualified talent is high, while the availability of skilled people is low. This situation is compounded by roles that are constantly being refined and redefined.

So let’s take a look at what’s driving this incredible demand, and where opportunities can be found for newcomers and veterans alike. Starting with how we got here…

We found a pretty cool article to share with you … now, we can’t really tell you whether or not some of these productions (or all of them?) are using various models of Factory Optic bespoke products and inventions … well, that is, a lot of it is top secret highly sensitive stuff that we aren’t supposed to discuss in public forums or on our website – so, really … we can’t say anything – one way or another …

… without getting into some kind of proprietary information leak trouble.

… and other bad things.

Plus … it’s almost lunchtime here at The Factory – and, rather than keep writing, WE’D rather go eat … while YOU read on … Deal?

So, maybe you should just read the article because we know that you’ll enjoy it … because we did … READ IT HERE

Freddy The  Foreman was making his daily rounds inspecting how all of the workers were doing their jobs.

Upon entering the Shipping Departmenthe spied an ambitious worker moving at a very fast pace …

“Well”, he said to this particularly studious worker, “I see you are doing a very diligent job stamping all of the boxes ‘THIS SIDE UP‘.”

“Yes,” the worker enthusiastically replied, eager to please (and get that promised raise) , “and just to be extra sure, I’m stamping the bottoms also!”

Made in the U.S.A. Factory Optic presents its latest simple and useful tool of the trade: QuickTC … the quickest, easiest way to check timecode. It’s a LOW COST, battery-powered tool that takes SMPTE timecode in on BNC and reads out timecode, user bits, framerate and signal voltage peak-to-peak. READ ON HERE

Follow us ... 

or …

Like us … 

or …

BOTH (!)

on

Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn

SERVO32 from Factory Optic gives you the freedom to build systems using any combination of MDR-2, MDR-3 and MDR-4s to capture images the way they should be. READ ON HERE

Follow us ...

or …

Like us …

or …

BOTH (!)

on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn

That’s right, our Technical Team has done it again! Remember back in February when we posted a quick story about what we were working on at SUPER BOWL LVI? What? You forgot? Well, here it is again … SEE IT HERE … Now, months later, in August 2022, we’re pleased to share the latest with you: the innovation pictured (also known asBoatCam™) along with its expert behind-the-scenes technical team and onsite technicians, has won an EMMY®AWARD in the category of …

Emmy®Award,

“Outstanding Technical Team Studio SUPER BOWL LVI Pregame Show, NBC”

Issued by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences · Jan 2022

… this one being the FIFTH EMMY®AWARD for SPORTS PRODUCTION that is now proudly on display in the Factory Front Office Reception Area – golden testimony to our technical contributions to award-wining television through the years.

BoatCam™ was used to capture ‘live’ scenic shots during the six hour Super Bowl LVI Pre-Game Show, followed by the Super Bowl LVI event and Half-Time Show, providing a unique perspective from the Lake at Sofi Stadium … both to the Stadium and to the Super Bowl LVI Studio Set. BoatCam™ also provided scenic shots going in-to and out-of commercial breaks for NBC’s XXIV Olympic Studio Show, for three nights.

Bon Voyage,BoatCam™… Happy Sails to you on all of your future adventures! Oh, and thanks for including The Factory in this Fifteen Minutes of Fame …

That’s right … you heard it / read it correctly … we have

“Another Game-changer …”

Introducing the latest production tool from Factory Optic: QuickTC … and yes, you will definitely need one of these in your pocket, on your keychain, or in your tool kit!

QuickTC is a LOW COST, battery-powered tool that takes SMPTE timecode in on BNC and reads out timecode, user bits, framerate and signal voltage peak-to-peak. It’s the quickest, easiest way to check timecode … another simple and useful tool of the trade from Factory Optic.

… Oh, and did we mention that it is a LOW COST Solution?

SELECT FEATURES

• OLED pushbutton display 

• Turns on with timecode

• Auto turn-off by disconnecting timecode

• LED that blinks at 1Hz with the :00 frame … Using two or more QuickTCs, you can visually confirm timing

• LED to indicate battery charging

• Internal rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery – allowed in airline carry-on and checked baggage

• Quick battery recharge with USB-C

• Low battery indication, letting you know when to charge

• Lanyard / Loop / Strap

SELECTSPECS

Timecode: 

Framerate (23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 or 30) 

Drop frame/Non-drop frame

SMPTE ST 12-1:2014 

Timecode Input:

Connector: BNC

Impedance: 10k ohm

Power Input:

Connector: USB-C (Power Only)

Power: 5V (2W MAX)

Size: 

23mm x 24mm x 83mm

Important Links

(Try not to misplace them!)

The PRICE is RIGHT! Only $123.98 … That’s right – if you love Timecode, you’ll love that price! Hurry … get one before the Framerates go up!
WE KNOW YOU WANT ONE (OR TWO!) …

MORE? REALLY? YOU WANT MORE THAN THIS? WELL …

And, after all this, if you haven’t decided to buy it yet (at that Timecode-Friendly price) well, maybe you need to read the official PRESS RELEASE (you know, the one that went to THE PRESS) … maybe THAT will convince you!

SERVO32

GROUNDBREAKING TECHNOLOGY
that gives you the freedom to capture images the way they should be!

*Individual lens mapping and mix-n-match MDRs have just been released*

Now you have the ability to map up to 28 replicated lens motors with individual lens maps per motor. This allows you to use lenses with non-identical lens barrels and even lets you mix and match your lenses. You can shoot in confidence that all lenses are hitting the same mark as your hand-set.

SERVO32 now supports systems with any MDR. You can now build systems using any combination of MDR-2, MDR-3 and MDR-4s.  No more concern with sourcing all the same MDRs. 

SERVO32 is perfect for multi-camera, prime lens arrays that need a fish-eye (or two) in the set … More to come

Please stand by …