Sony Middle East Africa empowers filmmakers with Venice 2

SONY Middle East and Africa, in partnership with Abazee Productions, has introduced its newest addition to the brand’s prestigious Cinema line in the West African market – the Venice 2. The latest Venice upgrade aims to deliver a full-frame digital cinema camera with internal X-OCN recording and a choice of 8k and 6k sensors, with one of two full-frame image sensors, each offering exceptional picture quality.

First-of-its-kind within the region, the remarkably presented demo workshop took place at Nexthought Studios, Ikate, Lekki, Lagos. It was graced by top industry stakeholders; investors, cinematographers, and content creators, including Music video director, Clarence Peters, Cinematographer, Akin Alabi, Film Director, Ibidunni Oladayo, and Music video director, Unlimited LA.

Speaking on his experience with the Venice 2 camera, Cinematographer, Digital Imaging Technician and Trainer, Alister Chapman, said, “A camera like Venice is something that filmmakers have dreamed about for a long time. Superlative image quality and a very manageable and straightforward workflow. Whether you are shooting for Netflix or shooting for IMAX, Venice is a delight to work with.”

He highlighted that Venice 2 will be exceptionally useful in producing rich and textured images of the skin tones, which is often more complex to capture by other products. Committed to user-centric philosophy for filmmakers, the Venice 2 camera opens up huge possibilities from a workflow point of view that saves time and resources. Utilising the Venice 2 allows filmmakers to establish compact productions that will end up being quicker, easier and inevitably more creative.

Venice was designed specifically for high-end cinematography with a newly developed full-frame image sensor that meets the needs of the film industry and pushes the boundaries of large-format image captures with exceptional picture quality. Venice has been in the production of blockbuster movies like Avatar: The Way of Water, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and Top Gun: Maverick, amongst others.

Leveraging the strengths of Venice, Sony developed Venice 2 with improved features such as a compact design, internal recording and the option for two different sensors: the newly developed full-frame 8.6K sensor or the original 6K Venice sensor.  It also inherits popular features from the original Venice, including colour science, Dual Base ISO and 8-stops of built-in ND filters. Overall, the Venice 2 is certified as compliant with Netflix technology.

CEO of Abazee Productions, Abayomi Olukanmi said, “Investing in Sony’s Venice 2 was an easy business decision for me. The Cine Line Tour came at the right time, and the feedback from those that have already interacted with the camera is encouraging.” While Senior Product Marketing Manager, Sony Middle East and Africa, Omar Abuaisha said, “With the Venice 2, the post-production process is easier and more efficient, overall, a great choice for any cinematographer.