It is an interesting time to be working with computers in the TV and film industry. Never before have so many production-specific programs and web-based applications been available for producers and film commissions. With this in mind, P3 investigated the true web 2.0 applications that, in the coming years, will be determining how technicians and producers alike work both inside and outside the production office. As this test drive will show, we are seeing the emergence of applications for production and film commissions that take advantage of the Internet’s functionality to interconnect many different departments into a unified workspace.

P3 was able to test drive VisionNet Solutions Inc.’s web applications, VisionConnect™ and VisionProject™, when they were being demonstrated at the 2008 AFCI Locations Trade Show. The applications developed by VisionNet — the brainchild of Michael Gazetas, a former location manager — have grown from a film commission-specific digital location database tool into a full-blown production workflow application. It is remarkable how they have managed to combine the ability to easily share information with the features of project management and productivity software.

VisionNet’s services now include collaborative online work spaces with features like pitch and project “rooms” to showcase your proposal or ongoing project, integrated FTP file sharing, and a streaming flash video player to support casting, dailies and other video clips. Recently, they have even implemented improvements in their basic location scouting management tools, download and upload capabilities and 24/7 tech support.

To help put in context all that VisionNet offers to the production community, P3 recently asked two of their clients, a film commission and a production company, to provide some feedback on the web application tools VisionNet provides.

VisionConnect™: Film Commission application for digital location database and project tracking

The Pasadena Film Office in California handles approximately 450 productions per year. Ariel Penn, Pasadena’s filming and special events manager reveals, “Deciding on a location library structure can be one of the most important decisions made by a film commission.  In the world of locations, it’s all about pictures, pictures, pictures as much as location, location, location. And luring a major production to your area is easier when your photos are easily searchable, and accessible to location scouts on the Internet.”

The Film Office uses the VisionNet Solutions Inc location library system. Penn explains, “Over the years, we researched cloud applications provided by outside providers only to find either licensing or monthly fees beyond our budget. Developing our own system was quite costly as well, and budget limitations again prevented us from building the kind of system we needed.”

The VisionNet system enabled the Film Office to meet many of its own goals, as well as the goals of the location scouts, many who practically live in their cars, frantically trying to finalize their scouting efforts. “Ease of use and intuitive organization are critical,” says Penn. “Good information without too many bells and whistles is a must.”
 
VisionNet allows the user to immediately search by keyword and, with one more click, by categories that are organized by broad and recognizable types so you don’t get bogged down in details. Scouts waste little time trying to figure things out — one click on a picture displays a whole slide show of its property.

Aside from cost and ease of use, one of the biggest challenges in providing an effective library is its maintenance. On many systems, it could take approximately an hour to input one location file, and in a busy office or an office with limited staffing that’s often unacceptable. VisionNet streamlines media uploads so whole groupings of pictures or video can be imported at once and keywords quickly added.

VisionNet’s “property uploader” allows property owners to upload their own photos and information, keeping it in a holding area for film office staff approval. Penn attests to the functionality of the application. “A one-hour process is now streamlined to a couple of review minutes allowing us to expand our library exponentially, providing even more location choices to the industry.”

Above all, the Pasadena Film Office appreciates the digital database service provided to location scouts. “Scouts can host their own location libraries on the system and choose to add their photos to our Commission library, while retaining credit through their prominently displayed contact information.”

Penn’s praise for VisionNet’s service doesn’t end there. “Vision Net has worked so well for us that the City of Pasadena is expanding its use into the economic development realm, tracking the City’s economic development activities,” she says.
 
VisionProject™: Film Production application for proposals, project management, digital asset storage and locations

In Vancouver, BC, FilmGroup produces approximately 65 commercials a year.  Lisa Guillet, executive assistant to head of production Kevin Walter, tells P3 about her experience. “I was first introduced to VisionNet during its launch a year ago, and have recently had the pleasure of being introduced to new additions and features that have simply made an already great program better.”

FilmGroup deals predominantly with U.S. and international clients, few of whom generally have a specific idea of what Vancouver and the West Coast have to offer when it comes to filming and locations. VisionNet allows the company to quickly and easily put a variety of locations, director reels and samples of commercial work together for client viewing, as well as share storyboard PDFs and wardrobe samples, all uploaded via the FTP feature. All of this can be accomplished within minutes.

You could describe VisionNet as a “one stop shop” that incorporates all sectors and departments of a production so that everyone from director to PA is up-to-date and knows what’s happening with the job. Want to show your German clients what the West Coast rainforest looks like? Click. Need a PDF topical map of how to get there? Click. Casting selections? Click.

“One really impressive feature of VisionNet is the hordes of archival space that doesn’t cost anything extra.  All of my location pictures are stored online, allowing me to access them from any computer, anywhere in the world. You can throw your filing cabinet or external hard drive archival systems in the garbage, as they are now past tense,” says Guillet.

The program also allows for the download and upload of any piece of information, in any format. This enables production managers and core staff to manage workflow and connect everyone together through a common interface. “We use VisionNet pitch and project rooms with FilmGroup branding that our clients can access directly from the FilmGroup company website through a simple login name. I can even track when and how many times clients log into a given room through the audit tracking feature,” says Guillet.

The service connects the location managers and scouts in Vancouver with their own digital location accounts, and collectively, they submit pictures to the location library. The company affirms that there is a constant influx of new locations added to the already expansive library. Location managers are able to upload specific locations directly to a room, which is a great way to easily and efficiently upload scouted locations for client viewing. Many casting directors and wardrobe departments are also beginning to adopt this type of workflow, making it easier for film offices to respond to requests for bids.

Last but not least, VisionNet also touts a reliable support team, both online and in-person. Michael Gazetas boasts, “There have been many calls at nine O’clock p.m. on a Saturday that are answered with a friendly and knowledgeable, ‘How can we help?’”
VisionNet allows for a streamline of information that works with ease, and that not only gets the job awarded, but awarded in style.  The interface is smooth on the eyes and extremely user friendly.

For more information, visit:
www.visionnetinc.com