Hello Chef, a Hong-Kong based production company that has produced several promotional and corporate videos for clients like Converse, Levi's, Canon and TNT Express, shot its first-ever 4K film “The Final Project” last summer. Created in collaboration with Breakthrough, a local non-profit organization that provides cultural and educational services to youth, the film is one of Hello Chef’s largest undertakings to date and is slated for theatrical release in 2014. Company Director Don Ng enlisted the help of a skilled production crew and implemented a 4K workflow powered by an AJA Ki Pro Quad 4K recorder and Canon C500 camera to produce the 90-minute film. 

Ng selected the Ki Pro Quad to achieve the high-quality aesthetic he originally envisioned for the movie. He said,

“I knew if we were going to pull this off, we’d need a device that could pass through 4K RAW data while encoding ProRes 4K files to removable drives, and Ki Pro Quad gave us an ideal solution in a reliable, cost-effective package. From production through to editorial, it provided all that and more – giving us the power we needed to manage our 4K workflow, while also delivering solid performance.”  

 

Once on set, Ng and his crew quickly realized how the Ki Pro Quad’s intuitive nature would prove a tremendous asset. “Seeing that it was our first 4K workflow, we weren’t sure what to expect, but I was shocked by just how easy it was to implement one with the Ki Pro Quad,” expressed Ng. “Within a few minutes my assistant had mounted the Ki Pro Quad between the camera and battery, and we were ready to shoot. The functions on the device were so straight forward that everyone on the team could easily use it.” 

Using the Canon C500 and AJA Ki Pro Quad, the production crew captured and recorded several hours of ProRes 444 footage on two AJA Pak256 solid state drives. The Ki Pro Quad simultaneously allowed the team to output RAW Canon data through Thunderbolt™ in real time to a connected workstation with appropriate storage. Impressed with the results, Ng shared, “I was amazed by the quality of the ProRes, especially when comparing it next to the RAW footage; you really couldn’t tell the difference.”  

He added, “Rolling over the AJA Pak modules was also seamless, which saved us a ton of time – time that is traditionally wasted stopping the camera or changing out discs.” 

For every project that comes through its doors, including “The Final Project,” Hello Chef strives to deliver the highest quality production. Over the last year, the company has come to depend on AJA technology to help meet that goal. “A key ingredient to success is finding a good technology partner and cost-effective solutions tailored to fit your specific needs. AJA develops affordable, portable and easy-to-use equipment that can withstand the rigors of the field, while also taking excellent care of its customers. I not only have great faith in our AJA gear, but also the company as a whole,” Ng concluded.

About AJA Video Systems, Inc.
Since 1993, AJA Video has been a leading manufacturer of high-quality and cost-effective digital video interface, conversion, acquisition and desktop solutions supporting the professional broadcast and post- production markets. With headquarters in Grass Valley, California, AJA maintains an extensive sales channel of dealers and systems integrators around the world. For further information visit www.aja.com. 

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