New Starz Series Vida Finished at MTI Film
23/06/2018
Post-production finishing for the first season of Vida, the new half-hour drama from STARZ and Executive Producer Tanya Saracho, was recently completed at MTI Film. Senior Colorist Steve Porter worked with series Cinematographer Carmen Cabana in finalizing the look of the show, which has just been renewed for a second season and has drawn rave reviews for its revealing portrait of Latinx life in East Los Angeles.
Vida centers on a pair of grown-up sisters who return to their East Los Angeles home following the death of their mother and face the prospect of running her struggling bar along with her roommate. The young women must learn to work together, come to grips with the secrets of their mother's past and navigate the changing cultural landscape of the neighborhood where they grew up.
Cabana, whose previous work includes the Netflix series Narcos, does a masterful job in capturing the sun-washed tones of the barrio and the disparate personalities and ethnicities of its residents. She explains that her aim was not to present a homogenized view of urban life, but rather convey how it is experienced by the people who live there. The show was never intended to have a glossy or stylized aesthetic, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be cinematic, she notes. Many producers interpret a realistic' look as unshaped lighting and frantic handheld. I think of real life as having defined shadows and layers of light and color.
Cabana shot with an ARRI Alexa Mini and Cooke S5 lenses for both interiors and exteriors. That combination allowed her to work quickly and achieve shallow depth of field. It was quite challenging for our focus pullers because, as an operator, I don't stay still, she says. I move with the actors' movements and with the emotion of the scene as I feel it when I see through the lens.
Reflecting the show's unusual subject matter and point of view, Cabana developed a unique visual style to draw viewers into the world inhabited by its central characters. The show has strong women as the leads and a good amount of sex scenes, which we approached from a female perspective, she explains. We're used to seeing sex scenes in which women are objectified, but on Vida, we see women in pursuit their own pleasure as they see fit. There is a sense of liberation that we sought to capture with a very fluid camera approach. When it came to sex scenes we encouraged the camera and the actors to move freely and explore. It was messy and smooth, violent and sweet like sex can be.
Cabana's precise visual aesthetic was further refined through grading sessions at MTI Film. After working with MTI Film's Johnnie Kirkwood on the series pilot, Cabana, who is a colorist herself, collaborated with Steve Porter on the six episodes that comprise the first season. She says they made an instant connection, noting, Steve is the perfect complement to my cinematography. Even before we met, he did a pass on the footage and understood completely what I was going for. He not only respected my shadows, contrast and style, but improved it. LA is not known for its beautiful skies, between the smog and lack of clouds, there ain't much there, but Steve dug in and found clouds and boosted the blue. He has a gifted eye and an amazing personality.
Porter recalls that Cabana had clear ideas about both the overall look of the show and details within it. He says that she was particularly insistent about retaining the variations in the features of the show's multicultural cast. She didn't want everyone to look one specific way, he explains. If someone had a little more olive in their skin, we kept that. A lot of shows would blend that out. We adhered to the culture of Vida.
Porter adds that it was inspiring to work with a cinematic artist who brings passion and a distinct point of view to her work. She not only worked behind the camera, she did the handheld, the lighting, the framing everything, he says. She kept things very real and helped tell the story.
Noting that it was her first experience in working at MTI Film, Cabana says that she was impressed that the company's staff was not only able to help her achieve her creative goals, but to do so within the confines of her hectic schedule. They were very accommodating, she recalls. I was unable to be physically present to supervise the coloring on episode 3 because I was in Europe, but they kept me involved remotely. Upon my return, I had only a few weeks in LA and the MTI team went the extra mile to make it possible for me to have a pass at the final episodes. They cared as much about Vida as I did.
Most recent headlines
04/08/2024
Dalet Appoints Santiago Solanas as CEO to Lead Next Era of Growth and Innovation
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, is excited to announce Santiago Solanas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)....
03/06/2024
Dalet and Veritone Reach Agreement to Distribute, Transact and Monetize Media Archives
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, a...
28/04/2024
Mediahaus delivers the first SRT live-streaming sports production over 5G with URSA Broadcast G2
Mediahaus delivers the first SRT live-streaming sports production over 5G with U...
24/04/2024
NEP Belgium Taps manifold CLOUD in Virtual OB Setup for Live Sports
FRANKFURT, Germany Software solutions provider manifold technologies has announced that its manifold CLOUD was selected by NEP Belgium to provide a signal proce...
24/04/2024
Integral Ad Science Achieves MRC Accreditation
NEW YORK Integral Ad Science has announced that it has earned Media Rating Council (MRC) accreditation for its sophisticated invalid traffic (SIVT) filtration f...
24/04/2024
Plex Launches NFL Channel
LOS GATOS, Calif. Streaming media company Plex has announced a partnership with the National Football League that will add the NFL Channel, the NFLs 24/7 free l...
24/04/2024
NAB Extends Contract for President & CEO Curtis LeGeyt
WASHINGTON, D.C. NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him at the helm of NAB through 2029, according to NAB Joi...
24/04/2024
GlobalM, scoopa Form Strategic Partnership To Enable Speedy Content Distribution
GENEVA, Switzerland Software-defined video network (SDVN) platform specialist GlobalM and broadcast-quality content distribution expert scoopa have formed a str...
24/04/2024
Screen Australia celebrates Australian projects bound for Cannes Film Festival 2024
24 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia celebrates Australian projects bound...
24/04/2024
Berklee Online to Hold 2024 Berklee Onsite Music Conference May 31-June 1
Berklee Online to Hold 2024 Berklee Onsite Music Conference May 31-June 1 The in-person conference is open to Berklee Online students and the music community ...
24/04/2024
Kargo Gives Buyers More Detail on CTV Campaigns
Kargo said it has launched a new product that gives advertisers more details about the connected TV campaigns they are buying....
24/04/2024
MundoNow Connect Launches To Help Brands Target Hispanics on CTV
Mundo Hispano Digital said it has launched MundoNow Connect, which is designed to use first-party audience data to help advertisers reach Latino connected-TV vi...
24/04/2024
Brittney Griner Sits With Robin Roberts for 20/20' Special
Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who spent 10 months in a Russian prison, sits with Robin Roberts for a primetime special on ABC Wednesday, May 1. The 20/20 speci...
24/04/2024
DirecTV Adds Content From Cineverse, Scripps
To give its subscribers more content to pick from, DirecTV Stream is making deals to carry streaming channels from Cineverse and additional digital multicast ch...
24/04/2024
Jenny Padura Named Anchor at Univision's WLTV Miami
Jenny Padura has been promoted to co-anchor on the 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts at WLTV Miami, known as Univision 23. She starts April 25 and will anchor with Ambros...
24/04/2024
Paris Schutz Joins WFLD Chicago as Political Reporter
Paris Schutz has joined WFLD Chicago, known as Fox 32, as a political reporter. He starts April 29 and will handle all political coverage for the station, repor...
24/04/2024
Plex Adds NFL Channel Ahead of Draft Coverage
Plex has made a deal with the National Football League that will let users watch the NFL Channel, the league's free ad-supported streaming television (FAST)...
24/04/2024
Schwarzenegger, Stallone Discuss Rivalry on TMZ Presents'
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone sit for a chat when TMZ Presents: Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons debuts on Fox Tuesday, April 23. The pair di...
24/04/2024
Lionsgate Signs Long-Term Deal With TV Production Head Gary Goodman
Lionsgate Television said it signed a new multiyear employment agreement with executive VP, worldwide production, Gary Goodman....
24/04/2024
Miguelangel Lopez Upped to Regional VP of News at Telemundo Florida Trio
Miguelangel Lopez, WTMO Orlando (Florida) VP of news, has been named regional VP of news and content for WTMO, WRMD Tampa and WWDT Fort Myers, effective immedia...
23/04/2024
Tackling lies online: the answer may be all in the mind
Psychology can play an important role in helping us understand what audiences respond to (Dr Jon Roozenbeek, Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab) For newsroom...
23/04/2024
SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL: LONDON 2024 REVEALS FULL PROGRAMME LINE-UP BURSTING WITH BOLD CINEMATIC VOICES FOR 11TH EDITION
IN ADDITION TO FICTION AND DOCUMENTARY FEATURES, THE SELECTION INCLUDES: PRO...
23/04/2024
Spotify Reports First Quarter 2024 Earnings
Today, we announced our first quarter 2024 earnings. In a solid start to the year, Spotify reported Monthly Active Users grew 19% Y/Y to 615 million. Subscri...
23/04/2024
Spotify rapporterar intkter fr frsta kvartalet i 2024
Idag publicerar Spotify sina finansiella resultat f r f rsta kvartalet 2024. ret har inletts stabilt: M natliga aktiva anv ndare kade med 19 % j mf rt med f...
23/04/2024
Discover Your K-Pop Persona With Spotify's New Interactive Experience
In the last decade, as K-Pop cemented its status as a global phenomenon, Spotify has helped fans around the world keep their fingers on the pulse at every step ...
23/04/2024
Social entrepreneur Hedayat Osyan wins Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition
Social entrepreneur Hedayat Osyan wins Les Murray Award for Refugee Recognition 23 April, 2024 Media releases The prestigious award is now in its third yea...
23/04/2024
IBC Now Accepting Nominations for 2024 Innovation Awards
LONDON IBC is now accepting nominations for its IBC2024 Innovation Awards, which honor achievements in technological innovation and social impact media & entert...
23/04/2024
NAB Backs Broadcast VOICES Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. In response to the introduction of the Broadcast VOICES Act that seeks to encourage more diversity in the ownership of TV and radio stations, t...
23/04/2024
Hemisphere Media Group Launches WAPA+ on the Roku Channel
MIAMI, Fla. As part of a push to expand its FAST channel and streaming operations, Hemisphere Media Group has launched its free ad supported television (FAST) c...
23/04/2024
DirecTV Launches New Streaming Channels from Cineverse and Scripps Networks
LOS ANGELES DirecTV is adding seven new channels to its rapidly expanding streaming lineup through new licensing agreements with Cineverse Corp. and Scripps Net...
23/04/2024
Creative UK launches manifesto calling for more investment in creative R&D; revised approach to trade and exports
Entitled Our Creative Future, the manifesto calls for radical new action' t...
23/04/2024
Audiotonix secures landmark' investment
The company has secured investment from private equity firm PAI Partners, which also holds a stake in outside broadcasting company EMG By Jenny Priestley Pub...
23/04/2024
James Cameron backs Marlow Film Studios proposal
Cameron also said he recognised Marlow as a potential UK and European base for his new company, LIGHTSTORM 3D By Matthew Corrigan Published: April 23, 2024 ...
23/04/2024
IBC launches 2024 Innovation Awards with new categories
The five categories cover Content Creation, Content Distribution, Content Everywhere, Social Impact and Environment & Sustainability By Matthew Corrigan Publ...
23/04/2024
Pascal Fratellia leaves Olympics role at EBU
He played a central role in securing key broadcast rights, including the FIFA World Cup 2018 and 2022 By Matthew Corrigan Published: April 23, 2024 He pla...
23/04/2024
IBC Launches 2024 Innovation Awards with Nominations Now...
IBC is preparing to honour the highest achievements in technological innovation and social impact with the launch of its prestigious IBC2024 Innovation Awards, ...
23/04/2024
Bolin Technology Integrates NDI Across Product Portfolio
BREA, Calif. Bolin Technology is integrating Network Device Interface (NDI) across its product line, bringing support for the latest NDI technologies to its PTZ...
23/04/2024
Aaron LaBerge Joins PENN Entertainment at CTO
WYOMISSING, Pa. PENN Entertainment has announced that longtime Disney and ESPN executive Aaron LaBerge has been named chief technology officer effective July 1,...
23/04/2024
Nexstar Disputes FCC $1.2M Fine, Order to Sell WPIX
In response to an FCC ruling in March proposing a $1.2 million fine against Nexstar and a ruling that Mission Broadcasting sell WPIX, Nexstar has filled a respo...
23/04/2024
Sony's Ci Media Cloud Keeps NHRA Moving
Sony has announced new details about how the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is using Sony's Ci Media Cloud platform to streamline its workflows and spe...
23/04/2024
NiTRos M-CUBE Studio Levels Up Esports Productions with A...
Esports' rapid rise to popularity can be attributed to many factors, from technological advancements that have enhanced the quality of modern gaming experie...
23/04/2024
OpenDrives New Software-Defined Platform Atlas Wins 2024...
OpenDrives, Inc., the global provider of software-defined media workflow solutions and data management capabilities, has been selected as a winner in the 2024 N...
23/04/2024
Vipe by BCNEXXT Takes Home 2024 NAB Show Product of the Y...
BCNEXXT is pleased to announce that Vpe has won the 2024 NAB Show Product of the Year Award in the Asset Management, Automation and Playout category. The offici...
23/04/2024
Gravity Media Australia to Deliver Broadcast Technology a...
Gravity Media, a world leading global provider of complex live creative production and media services, today outlined the broadcast technology and television pr...
23/04/2024
Industry veteran Peter Brennan to lead Scality operations...
Scality, a global leader in cyber-resilient storage for the AI era, today announced the appointment of Peter Brennan as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Scality...
23/04/2024
Blackmagic Design Announces New ATEM Constellation 4K Swi...
Blackmagic Design today announced ATEM 1 M/E Constellation 4K and ATEM 2 M/E Constellation 4K switchers, two new Ultra HD models of the ATEM Constellation famil...
23/04/2024
Blackmagic Design Announces New Blackmagic Videohub 120x1...
Blackmagic Design today announced Blackmagic Videohub 120x120 12G, the newest model in the Videohub 12G router family. The massive Blackmagic Videohub 120x120 1...
23/04/2024
Blackmagic Design Announces New Lower Price for Blackmagi...
Blackmagic Design today announced new lower prices for Blackmagic Video Assist 3G and 12G models. Customers can save US$200 on all models. These lower prices ma...
23/04/2024
Adder Wins Best of Show TV Tech Award at NAB 2024
Adder Technology continues to shine brightly, with its groundbreaking product, the ADDERLink INFINITY 3000 (ALIF3000), once again taking center stage. Hot on t...