
The HPA Tech Retreat Supersession committee has announced that the highly anticipated 2025 HPA Tech Retreat Supersession-guided by working industry leaders and visionaries-will focus on the evolving role of humans in AI-driven production and post. The multifaceted topic represents both significant opportunities and complex challenges vital to the industry's future. The 30th anniversary of the HPA Tech Retreat takes place from February 16 through 20, 2025 at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. The Supersession takes place on Tuesday, February 18.
A renowned predictor of emerging trends and technologies, the Supersession offers a glimpse into the entertainment industry's future. The transformative day explores the shifting roles of human talent across business and creative functions, from the back office to the screening room and the varied steps in between. Panels featuring over 30 industry leaders run parallel to Live Without a Net, a groundbreaking day-long demonstration from industry visionaries showcasing AI's potential to enhance, not replace, human creativity. In-depth discussions, case studies, and demonstrations- including operational applications, business analytics, creative process tools, and content monetization- showcase how AI can enhance (rather than replace) human creativity and expertise. The HPA Tech Retreat Supersession continues its tradition of interactive, thought-provoking showcases, demonstrating AI's capabilities in post-production workflows.
SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
Live Without a Net: AI & Creativity Use Cases
During an expert-led day moderated by Rachel Joy Victor (FBRC,) this day-long session explores the transformative potential of AI tools in post-production. Professionals in animation/rigging, video editing, and visual effects tackle tasks that traditionally take days, and attempt to complete them within a single day using AI-driven tools. AI-driven analytics for marketing strategies and predicting industry trends; strategic decision-making insights powered by AI; cutting-edge scriptwriting tools, visual effects, and post-production. The session looks at how AI fosters a symbiotic relationship between technology and human creativity.
Embracing Evolution: The Evolving Human Role in an AI World
Renard Jenkins (I2A2 Technologies)
As AI has become increasingly integrated into media and entertainment production, concerns emerge regarding the role of humans in this evolving landscape. How will these tools be utilized? Where is the appropriate boundary between AI-generated content and human creativity? Should such a distinction be drawn? Can new processes demonstrate the seamless integration of AI and human capabilities? How can individuals prepare for this technological transformation? What are the implications for human practitioners in the media and entertainment industry? A comprehensive and up-to-date overview of AI implementation in media and entertainment, emphasizing the continued significance of human integration within the production ecosystem and exploring the evolving roles of humans in conjunction with technological advancements.
Reality vs Fantasy: The Current State of AI and VFX
Barbara Ford Grant, (Media and Entertainment Executive/Filmmaker)
AI is having a major impact on the VFX creation process, but what are the implications now and where will VFX artists and producers leverage this powerful tool in future workflows.
AI and Animation
Lin Tam (Writer-Director-Producer)
How AI can streamline workflows and unlock new creative possibilities with storyboarding, character design, voice synthesis, and animation rendering, lip syncing, rendering and more to provide a clear roadmap for studios and creators to leverage these tools efficiently and inspire filmmakers and animators to adopt AI-driven solutions while maintaining creative control and artistic vision.
MovieLabs 2030 Greenlight: Making the Vision Real for Creatives
Mark Turner (MovieLabs), Jim Helman (MovieLabs), Daniel Lucas (MovieLabs), Chris Vienneau (MovieLabs), Christina Lee Storm (Asher XR), Erik Weaver (Entertainment Technology Center)
MovieLabs will demonstrate how the 2030 Vision delivers significant benefits to the creative community today and in the future. This session will feature how leading media and technology companies utilize the principles of the 2030 Vision, the MovieLabs Ontology for Media Creation, and AI to drive secure, interoperable, software-defined workflows in pre-production, production and post.
Provenance and How It's Critical to Creativity
Chris Bennett (Dolby), Dave Davis (Protege Media)
An overview of a set of principles that will unlock data for AI model builders to improve their products and also open up new opportunities for the content owners who make that possible.
Insider Keynote: What We Can Learn from the Music Industry
AI & Filmmaking: A Director's Perspectives
David Slade (Director)
The director of feature films including Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night, and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and television episodes from Breaking Bad and Black Mirror, David brings a deep understanding of the creative process and technology. He'll share his unique perspectives on the creative use of AI and will showcase some of his work.
Artificial Intelligence Policy and Intellectual Property: Where are we going from here?
Karyn Temple, (MPA)
An overview of the current landscape of AI policies and their implications for intellectual property (IP) protections in the media and entertainment industry. Critical questions such as IP issues in the US vs internationally, emerging standards and best practices for content creators will be addressed and valuable insights into key considerations for creators.
Unleashing the Storyteller
Jagger Waters, (Curious Refuge)
An award-winning filmmaker and the fir
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
02/11/2026
Latest virtual session musician announced
The latest expansion for Celemony's Tonalic library centres around Arianna Powell, a session guitarist whose p...
02/11/2026
7-14 November 2026
VEMIA's latest vintage gear auction is set to take place between 7-14 November 2026, and will be followed by their Second Chance Sund...
02/11/2026
Combines six processors with LFOs, envelope follower & macros
Pine DSP's latest offering brings together a set of six virtual processors, houses them in...
02/11/2026
Rohde & Schwarz presents a new generation of DC power supplies with five interco...
02/11/2026
Rohde & Schwarz at Euronaval 2026: Turning platforms into tomorrow's network...
02/11/2026
Rohde & Schwarz welcomes the publication of the ITUs Spectrum Monitoring Handboo...
02/11/2026
UK's biggest commercial news app to put video and personalisation at its heart as part of Sky News 2030Monday 2 November 2026
Sky News expands Arc XP partn...
02/11/2026
Production begins with Solly McLeod and David Dawson also joining the cast, with...
02/11/2026
Fox Corporation Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2027 Financial Results NEW YORK, NY, November 2, 2026 - Fox Corporation (Nasdaq: FOXA, FOX; FOX or the Company...
02/11/2026
SES and WELT TV have renewed their partnership in a new multi-year agreement for satellite distribution in Germany. Running into the next decade, the agreement ...
02/11/2026
Monday, 2 November at 9:35pm on RT One and RT Player
BUSTED is a new three-pa...
01/11/2026
Latest compact instrument revealed
Another compact instrument has just been added to the Waldorf line-up, and this time around the focus is on string ensemb...
31/10/2026
Combines powerful sequencer with classic drum machine samples
Rapid Flow's latest release puts their sequencing expertise to work in a powerful new virt...
31/10/2026
Reproducing spatial binaural audio over speakers
In April 2025, we ran some news on Audioscenic, a UK-based company who specialise in delivering binaural au...
30/10/2026
Creates melodies from wavetables
BangZilla is the new plug-in division of The Audio Programmer, and their debut offering comes in the form of Wave Theory, a...
30/10/2026
30 October - 1 November 2026
This years AES Show is just around the corner, with this year's event marking the annual convention's first appearance ...
30/10/2026
Company launch new digitally controlled analogue hardware
Neve have just entered the world of digitally controlled analogue in style with not one, but four ...
30/10/2026
Luxembourg, 30 October 2026 - SES was selected by Air Astana, the award-winning flag carrier of Kazakhstan, to introduce next-generation inflight connectivity s...
30/10/2026
RT SHORT STORY COMPETITION 2026: WINNERS ANNOUNCED
FIRST PLACE AND 5,000 - JAMIE SAMSON FOR BUBBLE'
SECOND PLACE AND 4,000 - STEPHANIE O'CONNOR FO...
29/10/2026
Mastering plug-in treated to ground-up rebuild
With a few plug-in releases now under their belt, Musik Hack have revisited their debut offering and kitted i...
29/10/2026
New modular full-range monitoring system arrives
Following a few weeks of teasers, HEDD Audio have just revealed the latest addition to their high-end monit...
29/10/2026
SGL Carbon LLC ( SGL Carbon ) has received an additional order for the supply of nuclear graphite from X-energy Reactor Company, LLC ( X-energy ) in accordance ...
29/10/2026
Rohde & Schwarz introduces MXO AI Connect for AI-assisted oscilloscope workflows Rohde & Schwarz connects AI assistants to its MXO oscilloscopes through MXO A...
29/10/2026
The Sky Original returns to screens on November 26Thursday 29 October 2026
Ella Purnell is back in the killer new trailer for Sweetpea Season 2Turn on cookies ...
29/10/2026
In our increasingly climate conscious world, many cities are embracing nature, with more tree cover and open spaces such as parks, and restored wetlands, ponds,...
29/10/2026
Red Seat Ventures Announces Exclusive Partnership with Homecoming Golf Partnership Includes Homecoming Golf's New Drink Cart Scramble Series Featuring Hig...
29/10/2026
Oct. 29, 2026 - US-based Alliance for Audited Media (AAM) and the UK's ABC,...
28/10/2026
Two full-range, flat-response amps for electronic instruments revealed
Moog's latest announcement may come as a bit of a surprise to many, as rather tha...
28/10/2026
Annual event returns for 12th year in Bristol, UK
Returning for its 12th year, the annual Audio Developer Conference is set to take place between 9-11 Novem...
28/10/2026
Automation updates, Dim Solo mode, multiple Marker Tracks, MIDI 2.0 support & much more
The latest version of Fender's DAW software has just arrived, de...
28/10/2026
Combines tuning & harmony generation
Klevgrand's latest release offers a simplified take on Altitude, the pitch-correction and harmony-generation plug-i...
28/10/2026
Wednesday 28 October 2026
Claire Goodlass joins Sky as Commissioning Editor, Documentaries
Sky has appointed Claire Goodlass as Commissioning Editor, Document...
28/10/2026
Proximic by Comscore Expands Integration Across Magnites CTV Ecosystem First real-time contextual integration across Magnite SpringServe connects audience int...
28/10/2026
RT Supporting the Arts is proudly celebrating the arts this November with a diverse programme of exciting events and exhibitions across theatre, opera, film, l...
28/10/2026
RT is developing its next Statement of Strategy and wants to hear the views of people across Ireland the audience we serve. RT New Direction remains RT '...
27/10/2026
Popular compressor plug-in upgraded
Soundevice Digital have just released a new plug-in that builds on the success of their much-loved Royal Compressor. Ava...
27/10/2026
First closed-back headphone design unveiled
ADAM Audio's second pair of headphones have just been announced, introducing a flagship open-back design tha...
27/10/2026
Popular soft synth overhauled
Native Instruments have just announced the launch of Massive XL, the latest version of their hugely popular flagship soft synt...
27/10/2026
Rohde & Schwarz at electronica 2026: From everyday bench work to extraordinary t...
27/10/2026
aconnic AG (ISIN: DE000A0LBKW6), Munich, is prolongin an existing debt financing...
27/10/2026
Series 14 kicks off on Sunday 1 November with the Irish Navy in the brand-new lo...
27/10/2026
Tuesday 27 October 2026
Sky announces new stand-up comedy showcase series John ...
27/10/2026
Toru , Poland
2026 FilmLight Colour Awards Winners Ceremony Sunday 8 November, 4pm
Seminar Room
Join us along with special guests to celebrate the 2026 FilmL...
27/10/2026
When the picture tells you what to doFor Lastiwka, the difference between writing a soundtrack and writing a standalone piece of music is what informs the next ...
27/10/2026
Arvato Systems Joins the Bundesverband Direktvertrieb Deutschland E. v. (BDD) as...
27/10/2026
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today introduced transformative updates to Apple Cre...
27/10/2026
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced the new iMac featuring the superfast M6, delivering even more performance and powerful AI capabilities in its striki...
27/10/2026
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6,...
27/10/2026
Not only will RT be leaning into the spooky season you can also discover a mix ...