Welcome

“High Definition, High Expectations and Digital Convergence” provides an opportunity to investigate, assess and discuss current digital technology in the creative media industries and to examine its future development and impact upon these industries with key specialists and media pioneers.

The emergence of digital technologies as the dominant method for representing, storing and communicating information over the last 20 years has led to some profound changes in the practice of creative professionals. There remains the need to constantly update both software and hardware to remain at the forefront of the industry but the digital media is rapidly coming of age. Digital convergence is becoming the key issue confronting practitioners, with informed creatives adapting their range of traditional skills and working methods to encompass a broader range of disciplines, integrating them in novel ways across a spectrum of media activity.

The growth of digital convergence is fuelling an upsurge in the industry, with both large and small media businesses recognising the importance of developing, implementing and conforming to new industry standards and working practices in order to remain at the forefront of this increasingly competitive market. Now that digital media has come of age, the business of relevant production, operation and management techniques must fall into the hands of all practitioners, not just the technologically-aware individuals.

The digital revolution is also producing a new talented breed of graduate, who is emerging with a deeper understanding of the latest technological advancements, fully at home in the digital realm and able to migrate seamlessly between formerly discrete disciplines – this is digital convergence – what does the future hold for the industry and its professionals in the future?

“High Definition, High Expectations and Digital Convergence”brings together experts from the fields of film, television, photography, visual effects, interactive media and animation who have embraced high definition and digital technologies whilst remaining passionate about the quality of the work they produce. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with and discuss the changing nature of the industries at this exciting time of progress, as disciplines merge, new opportunities arise and new outlets for creativity emerge.

Each speaker will provide a unique perspective into the industry in which they work. They will highlight the benefits of convergence, while looking at the various ways in which they have developed their personal and professional role and made their mark on their own audience, customers and the industry as a whole.

The Symposium will engage us in unique debate, examining the new requirements and roles and questioning the processes for defining and shaping our creative future.