BSkyB
BSkyB’s creative department in London has invested in an Autodesk Smoke editing and finishing system, used alongside Autodesk Flame for visual effects and Autodesk Backdraft Conform for media management. The systems support commercials, titles and channel branding across BSkyB’s news, entertainment and sports channels.
Nassreen Akhtar, Creative Facilities and Operations Manager at BSkyB, described Flame as central to the company’s workflow. She said the Linux-based system improved the production pipeline, supported interactive client sessions and helped internal teams, external production companies and agencies finish projects quickly.
Sight Entertainment
California-based Sight Entertainment has used Autodesk Combustion for six years and added Autodesk Smoke to its production pipeline less than three months ago. The new system has already been used for effects on a commercial for Japanese client Suntory and on a music video for Zach Merck, Managing Director of Radical Media.
Owner and Effects Supervisor Yuzaburo Saito said Smoke supplied the speed required for compositing 2D and 3D elements and for finishing. He added that the system accelerated the studio’s workflow and allowed difficult shots to be handled interactively with clients present.
Mere Mortals
Mere Mortals in Newcastle, England, invested in an Autodesk Smoke editing and finishing system to expand its business. Managing Director Steve Walmsley said the studio had gained work from clients outside north-east England and could retain higher-budget postproduction jobs that had previously gone to companies in southern England. He cited Smoke’s real-time interaction with mixed resolutions for creative postproduction as a competitive advantage.
E3 Post
Washington-based E3 Post expanded its client base after purchasing Autodesk Flame for visual effects. The system shifted the studio towards more corporate, advertising and political work and contributed to its growth.
Visual Effects Artist Victor Wolansky said Flame provided flexibility, speed and creative control. He highlighted Action, Batch and the 3D compositing environment, and said the system had contributed to creative and professional gains during his first eighteen months using it.
Channel 4
British broadcaster Channel 4 purchased Smoke for 124 Facilities, its postproduction division, after testing it against competing systems. Smoke is used to finish trailers for Channel 4, E4 and More4.
Tony Chamberlain, Managing Director of 124, said the broadcaster had increasingly outsourced finishing work and invested in a finishing and effects system so it could offer those services internally. He said Smoke provided the tools needed by postproduction professionals and clients.
