Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/501792
65 SPRING 2015 / CINEMONTAGE WHAT'S AROUND THE TECHNOLOGY CORNER? In terms of new technologies, Novitch talks regularly with chief engineers at other post facilities. "I asked around about their experience with Dolby Atmos before we upgraded Stage 1 and Stage 2, and others to come," he explains. "We also installed a temporary system to handle an Auro-3D mix." Bair readily concedes, "Post-production technologies are rapidly changing, with fiber-channel and 10 GB networks, together with Dolby metadata and Pro Tools|HDX systems" running at higher sample rates and bit depths. We get excellent technical support from AMS-Neve for our DFC consoles; they are very responsive to our specific software/hardware requests, and are willing to provide code re-writes on the fly." After 12 years as senior vice president of engineering at Todd-AO Soundelux, Johnston recently joined Formosa Group as head of engineering and strategic planning, where he oversees a three-man technical crew responsible for the facility's multiple editorial suites and dubbing stages. "We might have 80-plus editors working on as many as 20 projects; the technical department needs to be highly reactive to workflow changes," he explains. "Today, we live in a Pro Tools world. Given the complexity of plug-ins choices, we need to manage people's expectations. You cannot tell somebody that they cannot use, for example, Audio Ease Altiverb because it's not available in the cutting room, conforming suite or dub stage — that process needs to be completely seamless." With a small technical crew, Johnston relies on good vendor support. "We used to fix and/or modify gear, but nowadays we look primarily for board swaps," he continues. "We try to carry a good supply of critical components. Software updates are always a moving target, with new hardware, operating system changes and updated control systems. Networking is getting faster with 10 Gbit internal links for our push/pull media servers. We do not use a large SAN because, from experience, they can cause workflow problems since our work can happen at any facility in town. Instead, we upload files from our remote locations daily and specify delivery via Aspera or portable encrypted drives." Having been with Disney Studios for close to 35 years, Boze — formerly an Editors Guild Board member — currently serves as director of engineering of its post-production group. "Time management is a major consideration here," he states. "I need to keep my technical troops and our creatives happy on a limited budget and with limited time. I oversee 12 technicians and between six and 12 wiring people who look after major modifications and ongoing updates. I try to maintain a sensible big picture because the gear has gotten so complex, you're only as good as the people you have working for you." Bill Johnston. Michael Novitch.