Revolutionizing Digital Imagery: An Interview with Chilean DIT Expert Marcelo Kaczeczka Bizama

A Chilean DIT Expert's Journey in Advancing Storage Solutions for High-Resolution Filmmaking

Marcelo Kaczeczka Bizama of Ingenio Digital reflects on his career progression, sharing insights from over two decades of moving from film to digital imaging. "I started in the film era as a video assistant, and over the years, I transitioned through roles as a digital camera rental operator, data manager, and eventually a Digital Imaging Technician (DIT)," he explains during our interview. This experience shows his deep involvement in the evolving field of digital imaging technology. As part of this evolution, Kaczeczka faced various challenges, particularly in the realm of data storage.

He detailed his initial struggles with storage solutions beginning in 2013 when he acquired his first RAID enclosures from brands that were accessible but not always reliable. Over time, he systematically explored and incorporated a broader range of options, eventually curating a comprehensive catalog of digital storage solutions. This catalog ranged from single portable drives to top-tier Accusys RAID solutions, marking a significant evolution in his technical offerings. As Kaczeczka's expertise grew, so did the challenges and opportunities in the industry.

Technological Development & Oscar's Impact:

Since 2013, high-resolution content like 4K and 8K, along with advanced RAW formats, became increasingly common. Mr. Kaczeczka recognized the limitations of traditional storage solutions in meeting the escalating demands for data. As a technical specialist, he values Chile's diverse climates, from the dry north to the humid south, along the stretch between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains. This range makes Chile an exceptional natural testing ground for various technologies. Despite this, he found it challenging to locate suitable high-performance storage solutions locally.

The 2018 Oscar win for Chile's film 'A Fantastic Woman' as Best Foreign Language Film significantly boosted local production demands by 2019. This milestone led Mr. Kaczeczka to seek more advanced technologies to support the growing data processing needs, and he began searching more diligently for storage solutions.

What piqued the interest of a DIT expert so far from Taiwan in South America?

In 2023, Mr. Kaczeczka's interest in Accusys was sparked during a commercial project for KIA, managed by Agency Luminous Seoul from South Korea. This project involved multiple shooting stages across various countries, beginning in the USA. Throughout the project, the production teams used the Accusys Gamma Carry drives, which traveled with them to each location.

When the project reached Chile, Mr. Kaczeczka was introduced to the Gamma Carry system by the DIT Rodrigo Stambuk, one of his partners in WorkfloW, a local DIT services company. His partner shared images and insights about the system, capturing Mr. Kaczeczka's interest. He was immediately impressed by the system's simplicity, speed, and robustness. Mr. Kaczeczka noted, "This system is simple, fast, and robust."

Having a longstanding practice of testing and documenting the performance of hard drives and other equipment, Mr. Kaczeczka could evaluate the Gamma Carry's capabilities accurately. His meticulous approach to technology assessment is vital for managing the technical demands of his projects. The superior performance of the Gamma Carry reinforced his decision to acquire one for his team, especially appreciating its suitability for the demanding and varied conditions they encounter on set.

In our interview, Mr. Kaczeczka elaborated on his choice, emphasizing, "The ease of use, speed, and durability of this system are critical for our production teams, who often face extreme conditions." His endorsement highlights the practical benefits of Gamma Carry in high-pressure production environments.

Future Outlook and Industry Impact:

Looking ahead, with the rise of OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, the demand for high-quality content has increased significantly, raising the technical and data processing requirements for production.

Mr. Kaczeczka sees technological innovation as a key driver in advancing the film production industry. He firmly believes, "Every second is like a dollar." Time is an extremely valuable resource in M&E industry. The high efficiency of the Gamma Carry system saves his team precious time, crucial in producing high-quality films. His philosophy emphasizes the value of time, echoing other experts' views that Accusys products significantly enhance media workers' workflow efficiency, vital for managing large data volumes in film production.

In the end, he said "I must also acknowledge the support from early producers and DIT colleagues who believed in this venture. Their initial trust and subsequent feedback on the solutions provided were instrumental in refining our offerings. Today, the opinions of all our clients are invaluable as their work directly interacts with our solutions. We understand that if they encounter losses, these are shared experiences, prompting us to strive for better outcomes together."

Through Mr. Kaczeczka's interview, we not only witness his journey in finding better storage solutions but also glimpse the potential of future data storage technologies. On the creative soils of Chile, he and his team are pioneering new chapters in digital imaging technology, pushing the industry forward and looking forward to more innovations and collaborations. As digital filming technologies rapidly evolve, Mr. Kaczeczka continues to lead the way, embracing innovations that not only enhance efficiency but also expand creative possibilities in filmmaking.