Techlogger: a practical application…

Sony Pictures Technologies

Jason Brahms

07/19/11

Techlogger a practical application: Introduction

Techlogger’s core features were developed to satisfy DBB requirements for technical logging and component validation / ingest management. Since the initial rollout of the tool the features have evolved beyond the original scope opening the door to leveraging the Techlogger platform across a number of workflows / wider user base within the SPE production ecosystem; because of requirement crossover across the various workflows there are many potential opportunities to be realized.

The following list represents some of these potential opportunities:

- DBB – advanced “on the fly” assembly of client deliverables

- Calypso – rich media presentation layer

- SPT Channels – ingest management

- PMC – content finishing / mastering

Techlogger a practical application: DBB – Dynamic Assembly

Problem / Opportunity: Currently the DBB does not support the dynamic creation of Textless or Foreign language masters within the system. If clients require these types of masters they have to be created (traditional editing process), encoded and ingested (proliferation of inventory) into the DBB.

The Idea: Provide the DBB team with the necessary data (in the correct format) required to perform automated assembly within the DBB system.

Why Techlogger: The Techlogger platform is designed to help users create the necessary information required for this advanced DBB functionality.

Key Benefits:•Decreases 3rd party spend for editing / tape dup / encoding services

•Increased throughput / decrease reactive processes

•Key differentiator on the marketplace / great story

Current status:•Waiting until the DBB team has available cycles to start these discussions (estimated mid August)

Techlogger a practical application: Calypso

Problem / Opportunity: Data integrity within Calypso has been challenged due to the following reasons:

•Dailies process inconsistencies – this issue should improve with the rollout of a new organization / system for managing the dailies workflow though problems are likely to continue at a decreased rate.

•VFX workflow – ingest inconsistencies / no visual validation step to manage the ingest process

How does Calypso offer their user base the ability to visually check the inventory before pulling assets out for VFX / Trailer editorial / Feature editorial processes? Currently proxies are generated and sent to editorial for review before pulls take place. This process is very time consuming and resource intensive. The Techlogger platform can also be leveraged for the VFX ingest process, validating that the VFX shots are being ingested correctly into Calypso

The Idea: Create an online all the time (could be only when the project is active) proxy store that represents the assets stored/archived in the Calypso system. Expose key searchable metadata and the ability to visually verify that the correct content is being requested before the pulls take place.

Why Techlogger: The Techlogger platform is currently designed to satisfy this requirement and with slight modifications could be used to help improve Calypso dependant workflows

Techlogger a practical application: Calypso continued….

Key Benefits:•Increased efficiency in post processes

•Improved data integrity / on the way in as well as fixing problems that exist in the system

•Potential to automate pull requests / review and approve workflows

•Techlogger knowledge transfer to Calypso development team

•Primer for PBB requirements / cloud based service definitions

Current status:•Ongoing meetings with Denis Leconte re: use cases – additional documentation required

•Provided Denis with Techlogger source for review

Techlogger a practical application: SPT channels Problem / Opportunity: SPT channels currently rely on 3rd party vendors (Prime focus / Encompass) to manage the ingest process required to support EMEA channel playout. The current process is costly and time consuming and the group has expressed interest in pulling this function in house.

The Idea: Provide the SPT team an interface / system designed to validate incoming assets / components into their playout system. The system should provide users with the ability to validate picture, audio, and text elements coming in from outside vendors and clients.

Why Techlogger: The Techlogger platform is designed to satisfy most of their requirements and with slight modifications could be rolled out quickly which would allow them to enjoy considerable cost savings

Key Benefits:•Eliminate 3rd party spend•Improved data integrity / on the way in as well as fixing problems that exist in the system•Primer for PBB requirements / cloud based service definitions

Current status:•Ongoing meeting with SPT (Bob B)•Initial requirements list (75% already satisfied) provided by SPT / Reviewed by SPTech and returned for comments•Meeting scheduled next week to discuss requirements and estimated cost savings

Techlogger a practical application: PMC Problem/Opportunity: The PMC is currently expanding their operation to include new services as well as continuing to offer SPE traditional post services.

The following list represents some of the services currently provided to SPE:

–J2K Master Encoding (New Release Feature)

–Foreign Title Reel Creation

–Foreign language master creation (New Release and Library)

–Audio conform services (Traditional / DBB related)

There are hidden opportunities / benefits within these new and established services that have yet to be realized. These are benefits that SPE, PMC and DBB will all enjoy.

The Idea: Provide the PMC with a toolset that will enable them to enhance (increase margins etc) their traditional workflows while at the same time support the creation of relevant metadata required for advanced automation within the DBB.

Techlogger a practical application: PMC continued….

Why Techlogger: The current Techlogger feature set provides the PMC the tools required to enable / improve existing and create new services like the ones listed below:

•J2K Master Encoding (New Release Feature) – The PMC could offer a new file QC service leveraging the Techlogger platform

•Foreign language master (FLM) creation (New Release and Library) – The PMC could leverage the Techlogger platform to enhance their existing FLM creation (editing / tape element) services (see PMC benefits model)

•Foreign Title Reel Creation (FTR) – The PMC could offer new FTR encoding services required for DBB FLM creation

•Audio conform services (Traditional / DBB related) – The PMC could enhance their existing DBB conform workflows by utilizing audio conform functionality currently available in the Techlogger system. There are additional audio conform projects / opportunities that exist – Techlogger would allow the PMC to scale to take these projects on.

•Diamonds FLM transcoding – J2K to M2T

•File to Tape

Techlogger a practical application: PMC continued….

Key Benefits:

•Enhance current services: increased PMC margins and revenues

•Decreases cost to SPE by decreasing 3rd party spend

•Time to market decrease – enables DBB to keep up with LOB foreign client expansion

•Primer for PBB requirements / cloud based service definitions

Current status:

•Ongoing discussion with PMC re: enhancement to their existing tape workflows

•Initial discussions related to a small pilot / PMC deployed instance of Techlogger for them to test (1” Gameshow workflow will be a pilot test of the QC function)

Techlogger a practical application:

Techlogger Team – required general services:

•SPE / DBB support – we will need technical support until the SPE team has migrated to the DADC Aspect system.

•DBB support required for advanced assembly functionality

•DADC Support – If the DADC decides to purchase our new features the DADC will need some help integrating the new code into their code base

Techlogger – Additional development•Differential UI – Compare 2 versions and call out the differences – Potential cost savings / improved product quality benefits with this feature (i.e. using foreign dubbed audio from edited version on newly restored J2K master)

•EDL export to AVID – Required to enable PMC tape workflows

•New proxy spec enhancements – Lighter and higher quality

•Review and approve workflow – Rich Media – clip and share

•Hard Cut editing / final output render

•Script / Text driven features (i.e. S&P interface)

•IPad Control surface features / Frame matching / Diff UI

Techlogger a practical application:

Additional R&D projects for the Techlogger team:

•Realtime Dailies

•On Set Data Hub

•S&P Interface – Key word search – phonetic

•Smart Pen

•Script Driven Workflows

•F65

Techlogger a practical application:

Recommendation: Extend developers - 1 Year Term

$12k per month X2 = $288k for the year

$100k potential 3rd party license / integration (Nexidia)

$25K travel

$450K total