After 15 years at Band Pro in Burbank, Mike Bravin is moving on to Arri, in Burbank
In a recent series of announcements, ARRI Inc. shows it’s getting ready for the next stages in its move from its storied film history to all-digital camera systems.
Michael Bravin, who as CTO has spent the past 15 some years building up Band Pro Film & Digital’s digital cinematography offerings, is joining ARRI as Vice President of Market Development for Digital Camera Products. He’s a good match as Arri’s point person behind the new camera system, as Bravin has credibility for his straight-talk with nary a puff of PR BS ever heard.
Meanwhile, there was recently announced that Volker Bahnemann, the president and CEO of ARRI’s U.S. divisions–ARRI Inc. and ARRI/CSC (Camera Service Center)–will be stepping down this spring. Bahnemann built ARRI’s presence in the U.S. during his remarkable 48-year career with the company. You can find a nice tribute here from cinematographer Jon Fauer, who has worked closely with Bahnemann over the years.
ARRI’s new range of 35mm-format digital cameras.
Bravin’s move to ARRI comes at a crucial time, as the Munich-based manufacturer prepares to introduce its next generation digital camera system, code-named Alexa. Shown at IBC 2009 in a whisper suite, the camcorder looks like it’s taking the best from Arri’s original D21 design, but putting it in a smaller, less expensive form factor. Expect the camera to debut at NAB 2010.
