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Upgrading Post Production Office – ADVICE
Hello everyone. My first post.
I run a small post-production/production company and I’m looking to grow and make some improvements to my capabilities and infrastructure.
I have 2 employees and we run 3 Apple computers with FCP. We mostly produce/edit Documentaries, Music Videos, and various short promos. Most of our delivery is for online, but some of the documentaries are aimed at film festivals.
For the last couple of years we’ve been editing straight from individual hard drives as projects would come up. The problem now is we’re working on longer form documentaries that require much more storage and multiple people working on the same project at the same time. As our computers are not networked in any way, we’ve simply purchased more hard drives and mirrored the projects.
We shoot mostly on RED and Canon 5d.
We are moving to a new space, and I’m looking for some advice on how to upgrade and streamline our workflow. I’m very un-tech savvy. I’m more of an off-line editor, but we are forced to do some online editing on smaller budgets. We don’t have any special cards (Kona or the like). We don’t have any monitors other than the computers we work on.
I’ve heard about Gig E but I know nothing about. I’ve been advised to get a RAID system in place, but I don’t know where to begin. We’ve thought about getting a bit more into color correction as well and possibly simple graphic work with After Effects.
Does anyone have recommendations for upgrading my setup? I know that’s vague, but I honestly don’t even know where to begin.
Again — you’ll probably need to spell out any technical talk. Thank you very much.
Vern
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5 Replies
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Contact a local VAR. Someone that sells, installs and supports shops like yours.
Be prepared to spend real money.
Here’s a few, there are many more:
https://www.maxxdigital.com/
https://www.promax.com/Solutions/ProEditorFCPStation/?gclid=CL2Hs_-E1KYCFQTNKgod1G0AJA
https://silverado.cc/shop/home.phpJeremy
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Probably not going to go through a VAR because I don’t have “real money” and I like doing things myself. I’m not looking for a complete overhaul, just an upgrade.
Thank you.
http://www.longbeachfilmcompany.com
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Vern, you said you are very tech unsavy. Setting up a shared storage environment costs real money (even being leagues cheaper then it used to be), and will be an overhaul from a bunch of hard drives at every computer. It is not easy to setup, and some of them require a bit of maintenance. Pick up the phone and call a VAR. They can at least talk you through (for free) a potential setup, then provide real numbers. From there you figure out what you can afford and what’s best for you and your budget.
I know you don’t like hearing this, but its true. Perhaps check out this forum and do some reading
https://forums.creativecow.net/sanetworks
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Ok – I put in a couple phone calls and this is where I’m at:
I need to network my three computers to a RAID tower via gigE. Additionally, I (may?) need a server (though i’m not sure what kind), and a GigE switcher, ethernet cabling, and a RAID controller installed into each of my computers.
Does that sound about right?
I’m assuming that’s the best place to start and then I’ll look into a proper monitor of some sort and video card(s).
Thank you everyone.
http://www.longbeachfilmcompany.com
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Vern-
I’m not trying to be a jerk.
Do not do this yourself. It will fail. It is not about assembling the right pieces of hardware to build the shared pool.
I know, I know. Up until this point, you have been doing great. You have a built a small company, you have managed to get some clients, and probably some repeat clients. You have done well with the purchases you have made, life is good. You’re moving, you are feeling good, you want to improve your efficiency. Let’s buy a server!
If only it were that easy. It’s not. This goes beyond connecting a few computers together with ethernet, hanging some storage off of it and turning on file sharing.
I am not trying to crush your entrepreneurial spirit. I’m not. I’m looking out for your business. I’m not sure if you went to the other forum, but here’s some choice threads:
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/197/857576
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/197/857543
Some other places to call are Small Tree Communications, and Studio Network Solutions.
Seriously, I’m not being a jerk face.
Jeremy
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