According to the requirement of the new job at IMAX, it seems that the company is strengthening and developing its cloud infrastructure, in order to implement pipelines and workflows for cloud-based image processing applications, including post-production.

IMAX: Leveraging high technologies

When we think of IMAX cameras, we imagine a huge noisy box that vacuums and rolls 70mm film stock inside it to create outstanding imagery. Indeed, IMAX cameras (1st generation) are primitive and simple, but powerful. However, IMAX does other things too. For instance, the IMAX Enhanced, and Film in IMAX programs which involved top technology methodologies implemented. Furthermore, IMAX even has acquired an AI company in order to stream the highest content possible to home TVs and theaters. In the future, IMAX stated that it would deliver enhanced audio and visual technology to streamers, including immersive IMAX signature sound by DTS. However, the company has promised that its bread and butter will remain theatrical releases.

IMAX to develop cloud infrastructure

According to new job requirements on the IMAX career page, it looks like the company plans to focus and R&D-ing its cloud infrastructure and methodologies. IMAX is seeking a Senior Cloud Developer (AWS) role that will be collaborating with the IMAX R&D team to develop and implement image processing pipelines and workflows for cloud-based image processing applications, including movie post-production. IMAX states that this role is to develop solutions following an agile methodology that directly impacts the projection, quality, and success of IMAX films, and to achieve the highest image processing goals. Moreover, IMAX is also looking for cloud architects to plan, design, create and maintain cloud environments predominantly in AWS.

What does it mean?

We wrote about Adobe’s announcement regarding 8K RAW cloud-based workflow, which means, the ability to upload 8K RAW straight to the cloud a second after shooting, from the RED V-Raptor models, and without any external accessories. Well, it doesn’t mean that IMAX cameras will do the same, as there are film cameras, and this film must be scanned first. However, when the process of scanning is over, the intermediates could be uploaded straight to the cloud, and for this 12K-16K footage, it’s needed a super robust cloud infrastructure. Furthermore, there’re other cameras which are ‘IMAX digital cameras’ that can utilize similar technology that Adobe offers, and do the same. Anyway, our two cents are that IMAX invests its R&D on technology to strengthen its post-production pipeline and workflow and use cloud-based applications to deliver efficiently that enormous footage.