Industry Buzz
Avid's presence across the media production industries is so vast that filmmakers, broadcasters, recording engineers, game developers, effects artists, and other media professionals often wonder how they ever managed to get their work done in the days before Avid pioneered the concept of using a computer to digitally manipulate film, video, audio, and 3D animation. That spirit of innovation continues to this day, with increasingly powerful, integrated solutions that reflect Avid's dedication to quality, and its longstanding commitment to empowering the creativity behind the world's most widely recognized media. Learn what the top industry organizations and publications are saying about Avid.
Recording industry gives nod to Avid artists with more than 20 Grammy wins - 2/8/2010
The Grammy Awards have become synonymous with celebrating the achievement of Avid artists and this year's show was no different. Our customers took home more than 20 Grammy wins, receiving awards in nearly every category and sweeping the show's most coveted and high-profile awards, including:
- Record of the Year (Use Somebody -- Kings of Leon)
- Album of the Year (Fearless -- Taylor Swift)
- Song of the Year (Single Ladies - Beyonce)
- Best New Artist (Zac Brown Band)
Also at the 52nd Annual Grammy show -
- "Best Engineered Album" went to long-time Pro Tools and ICON user - Imogen Heap - for her latest work, Ellipse.
- Slumdog Millionaire claimed top spot in both the "Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Pictures" and "Song Written for Motion Picture, TV" categories.
- Spanning all genres - from pop, country, R&B, rap and rock - other winning artists included: Jason Mraz, Lady Antebellum, Eminem, Green Day, Keith Urban, Maxwell and Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, among others.
Congratulations to all the 2010 winners and nominees!
VENUE Rocks the Top Tours of 2009 - 2/8/2010
As the concert industry continues its recession proof boom, we're excited to report that VENUE live sound systems helped rock five of the top 10 tours of 2009 as ranked by Billboard Magazine, based on revenue, including: U2, Bruce Springsteen, Pink, Britney Spears and Coldplay.
Other notable tours and festivals supported by VENUE in 2009 included: Paul McCartney, No Doubt, Dave Matthews Band, Fleetwood Mac, Nickelback, Bridge School Benefit, Outside Lands and Rock in Japan.
Wired Takes You Behind-the-Scenes With A Look At The Technology Used to Create Avatar - 2/5/2010
Wired.com has uploaded a series of videos that go behind-the-scenes during the production of Avatar, including detailed looks at the sound design, motion and performance capture, and the HD 3D simul-cam system used to make the film. Avatar's audio and video teams used Avid solutions throughout the production process, and these videos give a great glimpse into how the top pro's integrate Avid's hardware and software into their daily workflow. Check out the sound design video posted above, featuring interviews with wrter/director James Cameron, score composer James Horner, and sound editor Christopher Boyes, and follow the links to watch the other videos.
Live from Park City, The Taqwacores audio team, including co-sound designers Zach Seivers and Justin Davey of Snap Sound, take a moment to discuss the film's premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and to elaborate on their first run with Pro Tools 8 software. What did they have to say about the latest version? Check it out in the video below -
[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LC3itYIOII]
EQ Talks Eleven Rack and Amp Modeling With Avid's Dusty DiMercurio at the 2010 NAMM Show - 1/29/2010
EQ editor Kylee Swenson caught up with Avid segment marketing manager Dusty DiMercurio at the 2010 NAMM show for a video interview they’ve just posted at eqmag.com. What started as a discussion about the Eleven Rack guitar recording solution developed into a conversation about market trends and the growing integration of amplifier modeling in the recording process. Check it out!
On the busy streets of Park City, we grabbed a few minutes with the picture editorial team behind Skateland and got a glimpse into the film's Media Composer-based workflow.
Editor Robert Hoffman (Phoebe in Wonderland) and Assistant Editor Yusef Svacina elaborate on the portability of Media Composer software as critical to the success of the film's post production. They credit Media Composer's media sharing capabilities for allowing them to incorporate creative input from picture and sound contributors across the various sites.
Watch the video to hear Robert and Yusef walk through the workflow in more detail and describe how they saved hours leading right up to the film's final mix.
[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPryGGVVAws]
Sundance 2010 Field Report: ‘Jack Goes Boating’ Premiere and Avid Editor Brian A. Kates - 1/26/2010
We caught up with Emmy Award winning Editor Brian A. Kates (The Savages, Taking Chance, The Woodsman) in Park City during the Sundance Film Festival world premiere of his latest project ‘Jack Goes Boating' (directed by and starring Philip Seymour Hoffman).
This year marks Brian's eighth Sundance Festival as well as his first time editing in HD. His use of Avid solutions have been consistent over the years, cutting ‘Jack Goes Boating' most recently with a Media Composer system.
If you're interested in his switch to an HD workflow (and how it helped him from a creative standpoint), stay tuned over the next few days to MovieMaker - where a Q&A with Brian will be posted, giving readers a unique look behind Hoffman's directorial debut.
[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY5AvENOaWA]
Yoko Ono, Quincy Jones and Jackson Brown took the stage at NAMM this month to introduce the 2010 John Lennon Educational Tour Bus - now equipped with 20 Media Composer video editing systems for hands-on training! The Media Composer workstations were added this year to complement the existing audio workflow, which includes Pro Tools 8 and Sibelius 6 systems, among other Avid solutions.
(From left to right: Executive Director Brian Rothschild, Yoko Ono, Jackson Browne and Quincy Jones on the ‘Wanna Play?' stage at NAMM 2010)
This is the first year students will have access to an integrated Avid audio and video workflow on the bus that mirrors professional studio set-ups around the world. Stay tuned for more information, including updates about the John Lennon Bus' upcoming tour with the Black Eyed Peas!
(Left to Right: Brian Rothschild, Yoko Ono and Avid's Mark Alketruse)
(Pictured: JLETB unveiling at NAMM 2010)
An impressive array of Avid audio and video solutions is behind Avatar - including various configurations of Pro Tools, ICON, Unity ISIS and Media Composer systems as well as Sibelius music notation software and Avid M-Audio Axiom keyboard controllers. No wonder it's been labeled ‘a landmark achievement in post production' (by Editors Guild).
Check out recent articles on the editorial collaboration for one of the biggest films to ever hit the screen -
- Below the Line, The Making of Avatar
- Editors Guild, Assisting in the Digital Age
- Editors Guild, Otherworldly Workflow
- Editors Guild, Editing on Another Planet
- Post Magazine, Director's Chair: James Cameron-‘Avatar'
- Mix, Avatar (Digital issue, page 24)
- TV Technology, Behind the Post of ‘Avatar'
- Variety, Avatar: Editing
Late Night: David Letterman Segment on Avid Symphony Nitris DX - 1/6/2010
In case you missed it, last night's Letterman show featured a skit on Avid during the 'Late Show Technical Maintenance Minute' segment! The guys chat about testing the Avid Symphony Nitris DX solution, mentioning ancillary data handling, 'flawless HD quality,' fluid motion time effects, Avid DNxHD codec as well as Boris Continuum Complete, among other features.
Catch the segment on YouTube!
The "Avid/FCP 2-Step" - LAFCPUG Presents Media Composer 4.0, This Week - 11/17/2009
Most may have read Steve Cohen's post about the upcoming LAFCPUG event and his Media Composer session by now (slated highlights include Transition Preservation, Advanced Keyframe and trim mode), so here are a few words from one of the other presenters - Editor Shane Ross - on Wednesday evening's theme - the Avid/FCP 2-step:
"That is what it boils down to for me. Media Composer does a lot for you, freeing you to think more about the creative, less about the technical...the nuts and bolts of things. FCP requires that you pay attention to what you are doing technically, and to where you store your footage. You have to be organized on two levels, on the finder and in the application. A lot of people like that...I am one of them. But I also really like how Media Composer allows you to just import and go. Because a majority of creative editors don't want to have to think this much about organization, and they shouldn't have to." - Shane Ross of Little Frog in High Def
Shane will be covering new features within Media Composer 4.0 during what is sure to be an interesting evening leading up to Walter Murch's presentation.
While the event is now sold out, both Shane and Steve maintain their respective blogs (Little Frog in High Def and Splice Here), so if I had to guess, they'll likely recap the event to some extent on those sites for those who can't make it. Here are the links:
- Steve Cohen, Splice Here
- Shane Ross, Little Frog in High Def
The events will also be available from the Open Television Network for a minimal cost (between $.50 and $.99).
LAFCPUG Presents Walter Murch 'Back on Avid' + MC Sessions by Steve Cohen, Shane Ross - 11/12/2009
The next LAFCPUG is jam-packed with - AVID - sessions. Yes, you read that correctly.
Founder and head of lafcpug, Michael Horton, says, "Avid Media Composer is still firmly entrenched in Hollywood feature films and broadcast television. In order for you to compete in Hollywood it's important to know both tools."
So, attention all Final Cut Pro (and Media Composer) users - you won't want to miss this evening and its compelling look at Avid in the industry! The agenda includes:
Walter Murch - "What it's like going from Avid to FCP and back to Avid"
Shane Ross (of Little Frog in High Def) - "Avid Media Composer 4.0, Avid Media Access"
Steve Cohen (of Splice Here) - "What's New in Media Composer 4.0"
ALSO, Media Composer 4.0 software will be given away as part of the 'world famous raffle!'
The event is open, but requires registration to attend: http://www.lafcpug.org/user_schedule.html.
Wednesday, Nov. 18 @ the Gallery Theatre in Hollywood, Ca. Event begins at 6:45 PM
If you're in the LA area, this is a don't miss!
Editor David Maurer Weighs In... "Top Ten Reasons Avid Beats Final Cut Pro" - 10/15/2009
Check it out! Editor David Maurer (Splinter, Four Sheets to the Wind, 'The Apprentice,' 'American Idol') created a top 10 list earlier this week of what rocks about Media Composer (vs. FCP) after checking out the latest 4.0 version.
The list includes features like AMA, mix and match, pricing (yes, it's there), ScriptSync, 3D, among others... Read the full list over at FlickGym.com! And you can follow Maurer on Twitter as well.
IBC Twitter - Media Composer 4.0 Winners Announced! - 9/24/2009
Thanks to all those who 'retweeted' Avid's IBC 2009 news. It's great to see the excitement around the new products and we look forward to hearing your feedback on Media Composer 4.0. Here is a list of the winners:
Sept. 12 - http://twitter.com/mkavid
Sept. 13 - http://twitter.com/Oldskooljunkie
Sept. 14 - http://twitter.com/gbow48
Sept. 15 - http://twitter.com/avidcontestGlen
Congrats! And if your name doesn't appear above, but you'd like to check out the new features like mix and match for yourself, head over to Avid.com and download the trial version of MC 4.0.
Enter to win Avid Pinnacle Studio 14 Ultimate Collection software during Gen Cre8 Brooklyn!
Retweet @AvidTechnology and/or @GenCre8 related news and activity updates to enter a giveaway for Pinnacle software. Here’s how:
• Retweet @AvidTechnology and/or @GenCre8 event-related updates from your Twitter account. You must include the letters "RT" and the @AvidTechnology or @GenCre8 username in your retweet to be eligible.
• Three winners will be selected randomly from the list of everyone who retweets a relevant @AvidTechnology or @GEnCre8 post beginning Wednesday, Sept. 23 (1 p.m. EDT) through Thursday, Sept. 24 (12:00 a.m. EDT); the winner will receive Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Collection software.
Please see below for all contest details. Don't forget to follow Avid and GenCre8 on Twitter at Twitter.com/AvidTechnology and Twitter.com/GenCre8.
GENERAL INFORMATION: The sponsor of the Twitter Feed Contest (the "Contest") is Avid Technology, Inc.. ("Sponsor"), having its primary place of business at One Park West, Tewksbury, MA 01876 USA.
NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WINTHIS CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. PARTICIPATION CONSTITUTES ENTRANT'S FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL AGREEMENT TO AND ACCEPTANCE OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES. THIS IS A TRADE PROMOTION ONLY, AND THE CONTEST IS OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES WHO ARE AGE 18 OR OVER AND WHO MEET THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS DETAILED IN THESE OFFICIAL RULES. The Contest begins Wednesday, Sept. 23 (1 p.m. EDT) through Thursday, Sept. 24 (12:00 a.m. EDT).
ELIGIBILITY: The Contest is offered to all U.S. citizens age 18 and over as of the date of entry. Employees, independent contractors, officers, and directors of Avid, its affiliates, subsidiaries, distributors, advertising, promotion and fulfillment agencies, and the immediate family members and persons living in the same household of such persons are not eligible to participate.
HOW TO ENTER: Eligible persons can participate by following Avid and Gen Cre8 on Twitter and 'retweeting' Avid and Gen Cre8 status updates as outlined. Enttrants’ Twitter accounts must have at least 50 followers, or must have been active for a minimum of 30 days prior to the contest opening.
In the event of a dispute, each potential winner may be required to provide proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder of the Twitter username associated with the potentially winning entry. The total number of eligible entries received determines odds of winning.
THE PRIZE: Three (3) people will be named the winner from the start of the contest. In total, three winners will be selected from those who submit 'retweets' in accordance with the contest guidelines and will receive Avid Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Collection software at a Recommended Retail Price of $129.99 USMSRP. No substitutions, alternatives or cash equivalents.
System specifications for the prize software can be found here: http://pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Home+Video/Studio+Family/Studio+Ultimate+Collection+14.htm.
The winner will be notified by mail, e-mail, Twitter message, and/or telephone before or around September 30th, 2009. Conduct of the Contest and selection of the winner are in Sponsor's sole discretion, and Sponsor's decisions are final and binding. Sponsor will be the sole arbiter in any dispute. Prizes are non-transferable, non-saleable or exchangeable for cash or cash alternative. All local taxes related to the prizes awarded are the sole responsibility of the winner. No alternative prize, cash equivalent, or other substitution is permitted.
PRIVACY POLICY: Sponsor may use personal information submitted by participants in accordance with the terms of Sponsor’s Privacy Policy. Sponsor’s Privacy Policy may be viewed at Sponsor's website at http://www.avid.com/legal/index.html#privacy.
ADDITIONAL TERMS: Sponsor is not responsible for and shall not be liable for late, lost, misdirected or unsuccessful efforts to notify the winner. The winner may be required to sign and return a liability release, declaration or affidavit of eligibility, and, where lawful, publicity consent agreement, all within fifteen days of notice to the winner as a condition of receiving the prize. By accepting and/or using prize, the winner agrees to the use of the winner's name, voice, and/or likeness for the purpose of advertising, trade or promotion without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. If the selected winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim a prize, or fails to timely return completed and executed declaration/affidavit and releases as required, prize may be forfeited and an alternate winner may be selected. By participating, entrants agree that Sponsor, its agents and representatives, and contest event entities are not responsible for and shall not be liable for:
1) electronic hardware or software program, network, Internet, or computer malfunctions, failure or difficulties of any kind;
2) failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions;
3) any condition caused by events beyond the control of Sponsor that may cause the Contest to be disrupted or corrupted;
4) any hardware compatibility problems; or
5) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the Contest.
Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend or cancel the Contest at any time if a computer virus, bug, or other technical problem corrupts the administration, security or proper play of the Contest.
RELEASE: By participating in the Contest, each entrant agrees to release and hold Sponsor, its shareholders, officers, agents and representatives and event entities harmless from any and all losses, damages, rights, claims and actions of any kind in connection with or resulting from participation in the Contest, acceptance possession or use of any prize, including without limitation property damage and claims based on publicity rights, defamation, or invasion of privacy.
GOVERNING LAW: All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of participant and Sponsor in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to the conflict of laws rules that would cause the laws of any other jurisdiction to apply.
Enter to win Avid Media Composer 4.0 software during IBC 2009! - 9/11/2009
Retweet @AvidTechnology news and activity updates to enter a daily giveaway for Media Composer 4.0 software. Here’s how:
• Retweet @AvidTechnology product and show-related updates from your Twitter account. You must include the letters "RT" and the @AvidTechnology username in your retweet to be eligible.
• The Twitter user that has the highest number of 'retweets' each day, beginning Saturday, Sept. 12 through Tuesday, Sept. 15 (GMT +1), will receive Media Composer software.
Please see below for all contest details. Don't forget to follow Avid on Twitter at Twitter.com/AvidTechnology.
GENERAL INFORMATION: The sponsor of the Twitter Feed Contest (the "Contest") is Avid Technology. ("Sponsor"), having its primary place of business at One Park West, Tewksbury, MA. 01876 in the US.
NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN, AND NO OBLIGATION OF ANY KIND IS IMPLIED. THIS CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. PARTICIPATION CONSTITUTES ENTRANT'S FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL AGREEMENT TO AND ACCEPTANCE OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES. THIS IS A TRADE PROMOTION ONLY, AND THE CONTEST IS OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION WHO ARE AGE 18 OR OVER AND WHO MEET THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS DETAILED IN THESE OFFICIAL RULES. The Contest begins on Saturday, September 12, 2009 and ends on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 (GMT +1).
ELIGIBILITY: The Contest is offered to all natural persons age 18 and over as of the date of entry and who are attending IBC 2009. Employees, independent contractors, officers, and directors of Avid, its affiliates, subsidiaries, distributors, advertising, promotion and fulfillment agencies, and the immediate family members and persons living in the same household of such persons are not eligible to participate.
HOW TO ENTER: Eligible persons can participate by following Avid on Twitter and 'retweeting' Avid status updates as outlined.
In the event of a dispute, each potential winner may be required to provide proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder of the Twitter username associated with the potentially winning entry. The total number of eligible entries received determines odds of winning.
THE PRIZE: One (1) person will be named the winner for each corresponding IBC Show day from the start of the contest (Saturday through Tuesday). In total, four winners will be selected from those who submit 'retweets' in accordance with the contest guidelines and will receive Media Composer® software v4.0 at a Recommended Retail Price of $2,495 USMSRP. No substitutions, alternatives or cash equivalents.
System requirements for the prize software can be found here: http://www.avid.com/products/Media-Composer-Software/system-requirements.asp.
The winner will be notified by mail, e-mail, Twitter message, and/or telephone before or around September 30th, 2009. Conduct of the Contest and selection of the winner are in Sponsor's sole discretion, and Sponsor's decisions are final and binding. Sponsor will be the sole arbiter in any dispute. Prizes are non-transferable, non-saleable or exchangeable for cash or cash alternative. All local taxes related to the prizes awarded are the sole responsibility of the winner. No alternative prize, cash equivalent, or other substitution is permitted.
PRIVACY POLICY: Sponsor may use personal information submitted by participants in a completed entry form in accordance with the terms of Sponsor’s Privacy Policy. Sponsor’s Privacy Policy may be viewed at Sponsor's website at http://www.avid.com/legal/index.html#privacy.
ADDITIONAL TERMS: Sponsor is not responsible for and shall not be liable for late, lost, misdirected or unsuccessful efforts to notify the winner. The winner may be required to sign and return a liability release, declaration or affidavit of eligibility, and, where lawful, a publicity consent agreement, all within fifteen days of notice to the winner as a condition of receiving the prize. By accepting and/or using prize, the winner agrees to the use of the winner's name, voice, and/or likeness for the purpose of advertising, trade or promotion without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. If the selected winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim a prize, or fails to timely return completed and executed declaration/affidavit and releases as required, prize may be forfeited and an alternate winner may be selected. By participating, entrants agree that Sponsor, its agents and representatives, and contest event entities are not responsible for and shall not be liable for:
1) electronic hardware or software program, network, Internet, or computer malfunctions, failure or difficulties of any kind;
2) failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions;
3) any condition caused by events beyond the control of Sponsor that may cause the Contest to be disrupted or corrupted;
4) any hardware compatibility problems; or
5) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the Contest.
Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend or cancel the Contest at any time if a computer virus, bug, or other technical problem corrupts the administration, security or proper play of the Contest.
RELEASE: By participating in the Contest, each entrant agrees to release and hold Sponsor, its shareholders, officers, agents and representatives and event entities harmless from any and all losses, damages, rights, claims and actions of any kind in connection with or resulting from participation in the Contest, acceptance possession or use of any prize, including without limitation property damage and claims based on publicity rights, defamation, or invasion of privacy.
GOVERNING LAW: All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of participant and Sponsor in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the England and Wales without regard to the conflict of laws rules that would cause the laws of any other jurisdiction to apply.
IBC kicks off tomorrow and attendees will find new product upgrades at the Avid booth! - 9/10/2009
There's something for each of you - whether you happen to be a broadcaster, post production professional or student! We announced new upgrades across the editors family (Media Composer 4.0, Symphony 4.0 and NewsCutter 8.0 software) as well as Avid's production asset management solution - Interplay 2.0. Here are a few helpful links and we'll see you on the show floor:
Avid Press Release
Editor Family, including Media Composer 4.0
Interplay 2.0