Portrait Displays’ Sr. Director of Color Science Leads the Way in Color Innovation at SMPTE 2024

The 2024 SMPTE Media Technology Summit, held October 21-24 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in the Ovation Hotel, brought together top professionals, visionaries, and innovators across the media technology field. This year’s Summit delivered on its promise to showcase cutting-edge research and technologies, offering participants not only immersive sessions but also new interactive experiences, from hands-on tech zones to guided exhibit tours.

Among the many highlights was the much-anticipated debut of the Tech Trek—a curated journey through selected exhibits exploring the latest innovations directly referenced in the Summit’s sessions. Complementing this was the Interactive Zone, where attendees could engage directly with emerging technologies. From engineers to cinematographers, color scientists to educators, attendees left the Summit energized, equipped with advanced skills, and brimming with new professional connections.

Portrait Displays’ own Senior Director of Color Science, Catherine Meininger, played a pivotal role as a panelist in two impactful sessions on critical color science topics. Her expertise contributed significantly to the Summit’s goal of advancing technical knowledge in color rendition and color management for on-set virtual production.

Panel Recap: Color Rendition in Digital Cameras and LED Lighting

On October 21, Meininger joined a group of distinguished experts for a 90-minute session titled Color Rendition in Digital Cameras and LED Lighting: The How and Why of Correct Color Imaging. This discussion provided a deep dive into the essentials of achieving accurate color imaging—a cornerstone of high-quality visual media production. Alongside co-panelists Justyn Davis, Brad Dickson, Renard Jenkins, Christian Epps, and Matthew Tomlinson, Meininger explored the intricacies of aligning digital cameras and LED lighting for consistent color reproduction.

Key topics included the nuances of various color spectrums, chroma response in different lighting setups, and the psychological impact of color representation across diverse skin tones. The panel also delved into the HS Scope’s role in assessing chroma response, critical exposure decisions for creative control, and the importance of a well-calibrated color reference chart. This session was particularly valuable for those looking to refine their technical skills and apply them to ensure high-quality, consistent visuals across media platforms.

Panel Recap: Color Management for LED Panels in On-Set Virtual Production

Meininger returned to the spotlight on October 24, where she contributed to another essential session, Color Management Principles for LED Panels in On-Set Virtual Production. This session built on the foundational work of SMPTE’s Color Management working group within the Rapid Industry Solution for On-Set Virtual Production (RIS OSVP) initiative, established in the previous year’s Summit.

During this panel, attendees were introduced to the group’s latest research on LED panel color-managed workflows and the evolution of color pipelines within virtual production environments. The panel, featuring David Long, Kathryn Brillhart, and Jim Geduldick, presented a series of lightning talks offering first insights into upcoming publications by the working group, addressing core concepts in LED panel calibration, image-based lighting, and practical color management. For industry professionals seeking to stay current with emerging standards in virtual production, the session provided a comprehensive view of best practices and highlighted advancements in color accuracy and consistency on set.

Catherine Meininger’s Ongoing Contributions to Color Science

As Senior Director of Color Science at Portrait Displays, Catherine Meininger has become a respected thought leader within the industry. With a background in Motion Picture Science from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Meininger leads a growing team of color scientists at Portrait Displays, where she spearheads research on display calibration and color management methodologies. Notably, her development of the Aurora Color Engine™ within Calman® calibration software has set new standards for accuracy in color rendering.

Meininger’s contributions at SMPTE underscore her commitment to elevating color science practices within both traditional and virtual production settings, ensuring professionals have the tools and knowledge to produce visually cohesive content across platforms.

Looking Ahead

The 2024 SMPTE Media Technology Summit succeeded in fostering a collaborative and forward-thinking environment for attendees. Portrait Displays looks forward to continued engagement with SMPTE and anticipates even more advancements in color technology to be shared in future Summits.