By Debra Kaufman
Earlier this year, HPA board member Mark Chiolis, Mobile TV Group director of business development, heard a story of an extreme sports production that piqued his interest. Uncle Toad's was shooting the world's top snowboarders in the remote backcountry of the Canadian Rockies for the Natural Selection snowboarding competition, he says. Uncle Toad's creative director/senior producer, Chris Steblay, described how the team had to helicopter everyone to the production site dangerous terrain for snowboarders and crew. There, in sometimes harsh weather, the production team used live racing drone chase cameras and wireless technologies to document every second of the snowboarders' aerial feats.
That led Chiolis to pursue Extreme Production as the theme of this year's TR-X (Tech Retreat Extra). Chiolis, who, with HPA board member Craig German, Crafty Apes VFX chief executive, has spearheaded this HPA Tech Retreat event since 2018, noted that Uncle Toad's production was an inspiration to dive deeply into what we mean when we say, extreme production'. TR-X 2024, Chiolis says, will feature multiple examples that represent a wide range of extreme productions.
The opening keynote will be IMAX Post/DKP founders David Keighley and Patricia Keighley, talking about their crucial work on director Christopher Nolan's 70mm Oppenheimer. Chiolis notes that, among other details, IMAX had to create expanded reels because no one had ever done a three-hour 70mm projection before. David and Patricia will talk about everything they went through with [Christopher] Nolan to get everything captured, produced, distributed and exhibited, he says. So many people have wanted to see the movie in IMAX and, by the time we're at TR-X, global box office will likely reach $1 billion.
Next on the agenda is a look at The Grand Tour, a global motoring program streaming on Prime Video since 2016, presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May, produced by Andy Wilman and directed by Phil Churchward. An exceptionally challenging show to make, The Grand Tour includes two movie length specials as well as the making of pieces. With far flung locations in difficult to shoot countries, the storylines involve outlandish and extravagant stunts. The production demands the cinematography remain at an extremely high standard while constantly on the move with no script to rely upon. Amazon MGM Studios Director and WW Head of Unscripted Production, John Holmes, will appear at TR-X where he will moderate a conversation with Churchward and Wilman, joining by satellite from the U.K, who will discuss the challenges of bringing these productions together.
At last year's TR-X, Chiolis and German organized a panel of Young Entertainment Professionals (YEPs) to hear about their nascent careers and expectations for their futures in the media/entertainment industry. They're the next generation of our industry, says Chiolis. One of the takeaways from last year was that there are numerous YEPs at the Retreat and we encourage attendees to introduce themselves to them. You could be a potential mentor now - and one day, they may be hiring you. For TR-X 2024, YEP Eric Mahoney, who works at Paramount, and YEP alumna Nikki Jee are co-producing and moderating a panel on some of the extreme productions that this group of YEPs is already working on.
HPA's TRX breaks even its own exciting boundaries with a look at the immersive art of Refik Anadol, says Chiolis. Anadol creates what he calls AI data paintings and sculptures. In these creations, which combine architecture, art and technology, Anadol uses datasets to paint unique multi-sensory immersive environments. The Arca Museum in Denmark just closed an exhibit of Anadol's Nature's Dream display. He's doing data-driven, machine-learning algorithms to create abstract dream-like environments displayed on screens, Chiolis says. The work he does to get there is, in my opinion, extreme, and we're going to show the behind-the-scenes of what it takes to get it completed and displayed. A moderated case study will include Anadol, joining by video, as well as Google Cloud's global lead for the entertainment industry Buzz Hayes and Gunpowder owner Tom Taylor, who worked with the artist. Anadol's work is also scheduled to be displayed throughout the Tech Retreat.
In another session, independent producer Jackee Chang will describe the perils of getting a small crew and gear into (and out of) Vietnam to cover the Russian gang involvement in human trafficking. Chiolis noted she will not only go into the details of this extreme production but also talk about what she could do differently today.
Sports Video Group chief editor Jason Dachman will be moderating a panel on extreme sports productions, says Chiolis. And, we're not done. We expect to add two more slots will in the next month.
This is Chiolis' sixth year producing HPA Tech Retreat's TR-X. HPA is an all-volunteer organization and everyone on the board is doing something, he says. It was my choice to produce TR-X and I very much enjoy it. Even so, he foresees the day that he will hand the baton to a younger group of HPA board members. You'll see new faces, he promises.
Registration to the 2024 HPA Tech Retreat is open now to members, and the general public soon at HPATechRetreat.com. HPA Tech Retreat will take place from February 18-22 in Rancho Mirage, California. The TR-X session will be Monday, February 19, from 1:00-5:45 pm PT.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
21/01/2026
Wisycom, a global leader in advanced wireless RF solutions, launches its new wideband antenna matrix, MATF, which supports RF and fiber for demanding multi-zone...
21/01/2026
Grass Valley will demonstrate how it is powering scalable, future-ready live production at FOMEX 2026, taking place February 2 4 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Exhibi...
21/01/2026
BCNEXXT, the developers of the advanced playout platform Vipe, today announced that OKAST, the monetization-first OTT platform provider, is using BCNEXXT's ...
21/01/2026
Revamped design enables advanced capabilities, leading with powerful IP to HDMI conversion
Magewell, developer of innovative, high-performance video I/O and I...
21/01/2026
Jan 20th 2026, Changsha Kiloview today announced the launch of two major additions to its AV-over-IP ecosystem: the AVX24-4 Media HUB and KiloLink Station, ma...
21/01/2026
Latest version of enterprise-class Buttons brings simple, coherent control to more than 700 professional devices and applications
Bitfocus, the specialist in ...
21/01/2026
Clear-Com is pleased to announce the appointment of Kari Eythorsson as the new Regional Sales Manager (RSM) for Southeast Asia & Australia, based in Singapore,...
21/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
21/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
21/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
21/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
21/01/2026
RT News is pleased to announce the appointment of Jackie Fox as its new Washington Correspondent. Jackie is a multimedia journalist with RT News and has repor...
21/01/2026
From skilled trades to startups, AI's rapid expansion is the beginning of th...
20/01/2026
SVG Sit-Down: BitFire's Jim Akimchuk on the Future of Cloud, Remote, Softwar...
20/01/2026
From architecture to reality: What CBC's Milano Cortina 2026 workflows tell ...
20/01/2026
Milano Cortina 2026: Making the Winter Olympics and Paralympics workflow work fo...
20/01/2026
Countdown to Milano Cortina 2026: SVG Launches SportsTechLive Blog in Lead-up to...
20/01/2026
Grand finale: Rally Saudi Arabia pushes WRC to make the most of cameras and dron...
20/01/2026
State of Change: What's Happening in the Remote-Production Business?NEP Group, Game Creek Video, Dome Productions, Mobile TV Group, Program Productions exec...
20/01/2026
CFP National Championship 2026: A Look Back at SVG's Complete CoverageGo behind the scenes with ESPN, Game Creek Video, Van Wagner, and the champion Indiana...
20/01/2026
The Gotham, Film Independent, and Creators Coalition on AI Join Alliance
by Michelle Satter, Founding Senior Director, Sundance Institute's Artist Programs...
20/01/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
20/01/2026
December, the first month of winter and the holiday season, has traditionally encouraged families to spend time together in front of the television. During this...
20/01/2026
During December, streaming's share of TV viewing in Mexico settled at 24.3%, an increase of 0.1 share points from the previous month.
Disclaimer: YUMI TV,...
20/01/2026
Christmas Day is Most-Streamed Day Ever with 55 Billion Viewing Minutes, led by...
20/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
20/01/2026
Disguise and ASB GlassFloor today announced a strategic partnership that turns the arena floor into a fully customizable interactive digital surface. This will ...
20/01/2026
Last summer, ITV celebrated the tenth anniversary of its popular reality dating show, Love Island. To ramp up the excitement of series 12 (launched in the UK on...
20/01/2026
Berklee's Mark Ethier Named One of SPIN's Most Influential People in Mus...
20/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
20/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Whatsapp
Pinterest
Flipboard...
20/01/2026
Emergent, a provider of AI-powered media production solutions, today announced its presence at ISE 2026 in Barcelona, taking place February 3 6, where it will u...
20/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery Amend Agreement to All-Cash Transaction
Business
20 January 2026
Global
Link copied to clipboard
All-C...
20/01/2026
Back to All News
Now You Can Play a Role in Our Live Events With Real-Time Voting
Elmar Nubbemeyer
VP, Member Product
Product
20 January 2026
Global
Link...
19/01/2026
CFP National Championship 2026: Indiana Football's Digital Crew Generate Hyp...
19/01/2026
CFP National Championship 2026: Van Wagner Relies on Experience for Indiana-Miam...
19/01/2026
CFP National Championship 2026: Game Creek Video Fields Premiere IP Compound for...
19/01/2026
CFP National Championship 2026: For a Slew of Studio Shows, ESPN Turns Hard Rock...
19/01/2026
CFP National Championship 2026: ESPN's Sweeping Live Game Production Leverag...
19/01/2026
The new L3Harris NOVA binocular system is the every-soldier goggle' - and the beginning of a new era for night-vison capability....
19/01/2026
The Majority of Those Surveyed Prefer to Buy Brands Who Advertise in Content Tha...
19/01/2026
Back to All News
Straight to Hell' Sets April 27 Premiere: Teaser Trailer,...
19/01/2026
New Workflow Enhancements for All Broadcast Pix Systems, Plus 4-Channel ISO Recording for Hybrid and Roadie Tyngsboro, Mass. - January 2025 - Broadcast Pix ann...
19/01/2026
Monday 19 January 2026
Sky News reinvents News at Ten for the modern audience with The Wrap
Sky News today announces The Wrap, a bold evolution of its 10pm ou...
19/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Announces the Series Nights & Days, Directed by Kamila...
By Debra Kaufman
