November 2009
QC and Set Your Mind Free
Q: What do dead pixels, typos in closed captions, bad audio levels and fuzzy slippers on a reality show host
have in common?
A: They’re all problems that our QC operators have caught before a broadcast, dub or DVD run.
We can explain most of those problems – but the fuzzy slippers? We see that as a metaphor – you work so hard to make your show or film perfect, only to realize when it airs or screens that you missed something… big at times. With breakneck delivery schedules and tight budgets, not to mention confusing HD deliverable specs, it’s understandable, but not acceptable. That’s why we’ve added QC, the technical evaluation and reporting of final video and audio elements, to our menu of services.
Our newly opened, state-of-the-art, dedicated QC suite is staffed with experienced, specially trained technicians who consistently identify problems and even potential problems, so that they can be addressed in a time and cost effective manner.
Our tech’s spot issues in any format being checked (HD, SD, HDCam, SR, D5, etc) and present their findings in custom reports designed to suit your needs. The result is a rejection-proof final product that you can confidently send out the door. Many of our clients also appreciate the ability to make quick fixes utilizing our in-house editing and color suites --
a huge time saver.
Although in the past QC was done mostly to fulfill network or distributor obligations, more and more we’re finding that our clients are choosing to have it done for their own peace of mind -- especially in the confusing world of HD deliverables – sort of an insurance policy for your masters. The ability to catch problems at the outset before dozens of dubs are made or 1000s of DVDs are replicated provides a valuable insurance policy that can save thousands down the line -- and it’s less expensive than you might think!
New Website Scavenger Hunt / Free HD Workflow Handbook
We can all agree that there is nothing better than free tools to make life easier. With the rules of working in HD changing the landscape of our industry, it’s become time consuming and often overwhelming to keep up with all the nuances. To us, making money on overages because something was edited at the wrong frame rate or other common mistakes, is a drag, not an opportunity. So with our new, fancy schmancy updated website, we’re trying to give you lots of guidance, free tools and advice to help you on the most efficient, cost-effective path to your digital destination. Here’s a link to our website where you can find our FREE and widely acclaimed HD Workflow Handbook. If you peruse the site you’ll find a lot of nuggets of advice and inspiration – that virtual scavenger hunt we promised in the headline. We’d love to hear what you think about our site – drop us a line, mention the name of the person who loves our lollipops so we know you’ve taken a good look, and we’ll send you some WPD swag for the effort. Happy hunting!
Can There Possibly Be More to Love…
Yes... In a word, it’s deliverables. Now you know how seriously we take our deliverables – enough to add that dedicated QC suite (see above). And we know that having deliverables all in one place – our convenient, Westside location – especially for our clients with brutal deadlines, is key to giving you a LOT more to love about us. Lest you think we’re tossing the phrase “More to Love” around casually, it’s actually a ploy to make you think about Fox’s hit summer series, More to Love, a show for which we handled QC and deliverables for all eight episodes. Our account executive, Benjamin Bertsch, said, “More to Love, which was on an incredibly tight deadline, we hit every single milestone and the show looked and sounded perfect on every episode.” To us, the best part was the client shared the loved for the work we did, and the show was a big hit for Fox!
And Now For Something Worth Tweeting About!
If you’re anything like us, we love a good Tweet from our friends. And we’ve done a lot of thinking about how our quickie communications can be really enticing. So if you follow us on twitter, you’ll find out super important things like if Ashley has made fresh puff pastry (not kidding, she does) and when our next spur-of-the-moment happy hour is happening.
Cheers To You: A Seasonal Margarita To Gives Thanks To
Speaking of keeping our clients happy, we hope you’ll enjoy this recipe for the best fall drink you’ve ever had – a blood orange margarita*!nocoupons
- 1/2 cup blood orange juice (NOTE: you can buy this at specialty grocery stores like Trader Joe’s or juice it yourself)
2 tablespoons lemon juice (1 lemon)
1 cup Triple Sec
3 cups ice
1 cup white tequila (we like Cazadores Blanco, or if you’re fancy, Patron Silver)
4 frozen margarita glasses
Kosher salt
Slices of blood orange (for garnish)
Lime (to rub on the rim of the glass)
Directions: Combine the blood orange juice, lemon juice, Triple Sec, and ice in a blender and puree until completely blended. Add the tequila and puree for 2 seconds more.
Moisten the rim of the glasses with fresh lime juice and dip in the kosher salt. Pour the mixture into the frozen margarita glasses, garnish with a wedge of blood orange.