CLIENT PROFILE
Force Four Entertainment
Force Four Entertainment has been producing TV documentaries and dramas for twenty years. The Vancouver company’s projects include the six-hour CBC mini-series Human Cargo, the TVtropolis documentary series Tube Tales, and the CTV/Lifetime movie Playing For Keeps.
In addition to developing and producing, Force Four also posts its own programs. The company operates an in-house, HD compatible, post-production facility for off-lining and on-lining their shows.
In 2007 Force Four’s post-production supervisor Jackie Sidoni realized that with the increased volume and complexity of the projects going through post, the company required a media storage and collaborative editing system to increase the efficiency of their work flow.
“We have five edit suites plus a sound suite and all of them used separate drives,” explains Jackie. “So to really get this place up to speed we needed to invest in a media share system so editors could all work on a project at the same time.”
Force Four began investigating video storage systems and discussed their options with various resellers.
One of those companies was Annex Pro, a Vancouver-based reseller of video editing systems, animation and visual effects software and audio post equipment.
Annex Pro completed a complementary pre-sales consultation with Force Four to determine the solutions best suited to the company’s needs, and suggested an EditShare system.
The file sharing capabilities of EditShare allow editors on any connected workstation to capture, access and share in real time from a common pool of media files. Regardless of application or platform, material is available to all users on the EditShare network which offers numerous efficiencies of workflow. It supports a full range of industry-standard software and hardware and integrates with other systems, so you can use existing equipment as well as add on at a later time.
Jackie was easily sold on the product -- and Annex Pro.
“The EditShare system that Annex Pro offered seemed like the best choice for us in terms of its set-up, its capabilities, the manageability of the operating software and the fact that it works with both Avid and Final Cut Pro,” she explains.
Not only did Annex Pro offer Force Four a competitive price on the system, they also offered numerous value-added services, plus a track record of 25 years of technical expertise in the business.
“The people and the support were a big factor in our decision to make our purchase from Annex Pro,” says Jackie.
For example, the staff at Annex Pro configured and installed the EditShare system and designed an integrated network, so that each edit suite can operate any deck just by clicking on a computer. They also built a rack room to hold all the decks in one location.
“We had meetings with Annex Pro to figure out exactly what we needed in each suite and how the install would happen,” says Jackie. “We were very involved and planned it together. As a result the installation went really smoothly. We got exactly what we needed and all the software was configured by Annex Pro so we were up and running quickly.”
Another reason Force Four chose to work with Annex Pro is because of their commitment to post-sale service. Issues with compatibility or a software glitch can occur months after installation and Annex Pro is available 24/7 to answer questions or solve problems.
“I can phone Annex Pro and get help right away,” explains Jackie. “’I’m not waiting days for someone to get back to me. And if the issue is too complicated to resolve over the phone, someone from Annex Pro comes over to help out. That’s really personal service. And it is really important because we have tight deadlines so our system can’t be down for long.”
Force Four is extremely happy with the EditShare system Annex Pro installed.
“It has made a huge difference,” says Jackie. “Before we were moving decks and drives from suite to suite, which we no longer have to do. We now work a lot more efficiently and get things done a lot faster.”
And Force Four’s association with Annex Pro has continued.
The production company also turned to Annex Pro when they decided to purchase a Pro Tools suite and update their audio equipment. They worked with Bryon Low, who heads up Audio Post and Music Sales at Annex Pro, and has over 25 years in the audio business.
“Bryon advised us on which console was best and exactly what we needed and they came in and set up the Pro Tools suite for us,” says Jackie. “I have made tons of calls to Annex Pro about the system. They are really knowledgeable about the equipment they sell.”
Because Annex Pro has longstanding relationships with its suppliers, they can get the equipment Force Four needs quickly. This has proven invaluable several times over the past few years, says Jackie.
“We had a project come in and we needed Final Cut right away,” she explains. “So we called Annex Pro. When we have an emergency they can get equipment quickly and help us with set up and support so we are up and running as soon as possible.”
In another situation, a feature was ready for post and Jackie realized they needed more power to handle the project. And they needed it in a hurry. So she made a call to Annex Pro and, on a tight timeline, the company installed new Mac Pros and upgraded their suite so they could get going on post.
As a result of Annex Pro’s great service and support and technical expertise, the reseller has become one of Force Four’s integral partners.
“We don’t view Annex Pro as just an equipment supplier,” says Jackie. “We have a strong working relationship that has been built over the years.”