Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/28735
EVOLVE How post studios have survived by adapting to change. By Randi Altman No one can argue that owning a post studio is a challenging way to make a living — especially when you consider that the economy is in a holding pattern, you’re competing with people working in their PJs at their kitchen table, and clients are expecting more for less and in half the time. It sounds like a daunting task, but not to those companies we spoke to this month.Two of them have been in business for over 30 years, one for 15 and one for six.What they all have in common is that they are not just surviv- ing, they are growing their business and finding ways to put out the best possi- ble work in a fast-changing environment. HSR|NY HSR|NY started out 36 years ago in New York City as Howard Schwartz Recording, an audio post studio with a 1/4-inch, a 1/2-inch and a 16-track ma- chine housed in one room.Today HSR is a full-service post company whose ma- chine room is filled with close to 60 audio and video machines for a variety of for- mats and looked after by four full-time techs. How did they get here? By listening to clients and by filling rooms with top tal- ent, according to CEO Howard Schwartz.“We make sure we have the best mixers and editors — the best everybody. In addition, we have always made sure that we are leading the pack as opposed to following it. If we spot a trend, then it’s too late. We create our own trends, and we never say no.” Currently HSR (www.hsrny.com) has 13 offline rooms, two (going on three) online rooms, a full graphics arm called Motive, and nine audio studios that Schwartz says are busy with work. HSR’s ability to not just survive, but thrive is based as he says on listening to clients and their needs.One of the things they asked for was post services for non-scripted television. “We are now in our third year of doing unscripted TV,” reports Schwartz.“We’ve always done scripted — sitcoms, docs and sports programs.” He names Spin City and Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous as two of many. For unscripted work, HSR’s services span from shoot to delivery, and Schwartz estimates they do about 200 shows a year. Crawford Media Services recently moved into a new 80,000-square-foot facility built for datacentric workflows, but tape solutions are still offered. 40 Post • April 2011 www.postmagazine.com