Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/137897
having to use private equity or any of the programs that drive up costs." Giammarco, who still works sessions daily in Phoenix and during the one week a month he's in New York, acknowledges that the post audio environment itself is more challenging than ever. "You have consistent downward pressure on margins from every point of view. From services that used to give us a high-margin opportunity that don't exist anymore to room rates that are consistently under pressure." In addition to controlling costs, including having the back-end administration part of the business based in the more real-estate-friendly Phoenix, Giammarco says it's imperative to keep brand recognition strong. "We need to maintain that in the face of new competitors, including ad agencies and editorial studios adding services in-house. Even guys working out of their kitchens, who don't offer the same services, help erode business." Yet, Giammarco is quick to point out that competition is good and makes everyone work harder… as long as everyone is on a level playing field. "I don't even mind the 'inhouse' facility, as long as you are going to do it right. If you hire a guy like (renowned studio designer) John Storyk, buy the right gear and build that to compete with us, then that's fine. It's when these in-house facilities are substandard — from a facility or talent point of view. That's when I have an issue, because the work doesn't win." What does help win jobs and keep clients coming back is a happy and talented staff, and AudioEngine believes in treating its staff right. Giammarco describes the process as simple. "In terms of your senior people, pay them right and give them the right gear. That keeps most engineer types happy. In terms of the junior staff, provide an environment for them to grow in. Right now morale at both locations is perfect, probably the best it's ever been in the history of the company, and the only way to keep it that way is to be consistent and make sure you only keep the right people." Another thing that helps with staff is offering them insight into decisions that are made. "I try to share as much information with the staff as possible to let them know why we do and don't do certain things. People feel empowered by that. By bringing my people in on the decision-making process, it helps them understand my decision, whether they agree with it or not. That way they don't feel as though they are just being dictated to." The Mission: happy clients VENICE, CA — The Mission (www.themissionstudio.com), which opened in 2011, offers visual effects for commercial, film and digital content projects. In a little over two years since opening its doors, the VFX shop has doubled its space with the recent expansion of over 6,000 additional feet. With a team of 18 employees in their Abbot Kinney location in Venice, the studio was funded with independent savings and investments by the owners, and retains their talent with a "beach-style company culture" and "a hip and accommodating space." According to executive producer Michael Pardee, "It's not your ordinary post house. We have movie nights, happy hours, and on Fridays we do a big breakfast for anyone that's here. It makes for relaxing moments amidst the craziness that we can encounter in this field we chose." Artists and clients can be found playing guitar by the fire pit or enjoying a drink by the koi pond after a long, hard deadline. The Mission, which has contributed VFX to a number of projects recently, including repeat work with Hershey's, Samsung, Nike and Old Spice from agencies such as Wieden+Kennedy, 72andSunny and Arnold NY, takes on all kinds of projects. "Every job is the most important. It doesn't matter if it's a pharmaceutical [project] or one for the latest and greatest phone/tablet," explains Pardee. "You can hit it out of the park nine times out of 10, and they still always remember the one time you didn't — the goal is to not let that happen." www.aja.com Transition from tape to file-based workflows quickly and easily. If you're making the transition away from tape, Ki Pro Rack delivers the recording and playback capabilities you're used to in a compact 1RU size that goes beyond a traditional VTR. With support for ALL quality levels of Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD files, built-in up/down/cross conversion and advanced network connectivity, Ki Pro Rack provides the flexibility you need. Integrates easily With professional connections including; SDI, HDMI, AES, analog and embedded audio support, LTC in and out, RS-422 control, Genlock, LAN networking and more. Standalone operation Accelerate your production Feel at home immediately with Ki Pro Rack's familiar front panel controls and an intuitive interface that allows stand-alone operation that gets your staff up to speed right away. No more time-consuming logging and capturing from tape. Record ready-to-edit Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD files directly to rugged, affordable storage media. Find out more at www.aja.com 05_21_13_HP_Post_Jun_KiProRack_EN.indd 1 www.postmagazine.com 5/21/13 Post • June 2013 2:30 PM 21