Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/914212
49 Q4 2017 / CINEMONTAGE projects are initiated in response to on-the-lot developments, and in close collaboration with the studio's artists and engineers. "Our image and sound equipment is expanding rapidly as the studio adopts new systems," Quiroz explains. "And as technologies change, we need to develop new devices." One example is a rotatable stand with a slide-out keyboard tray that the machine shop designed and fabricated for animators who, in place of painted cels, now use touch- sensitive display monitors with digital styli. "We are also customizing a number of computers to add USB 3.0 interfaces," Rowland adds. "We took an off-the-shelf PCI card and fabricated a custom aluminum housing that pokes through the computer's front panel. When completed, our design looks like it was factory-made." The modification enables picture and sound editors to replay copyrighted video materials from external hard drives with enhanced security. To date, the shop has added the interface to a number of workstations. In terms of fabrication, Broggie acknowledges that he picked up his skills mainly on the job, and has a machine shop at his home. He also learned welding. While Rowland is probably the most skilled electronics engineer of the trio, both he and Quiroz also have extensive experience with laboratory Garry Broggie, left, George Rowland, Daniel Quiroz, Doc Kane and Jeannette Browning Hernandez with ADR Stage B's Precision Automated Mic Stand. Right: George Rowland.