Back to Workflows
Media Production Studio Streamlining Post-Production with Dropbox and Frame
Company Situation
The company operates in the media production and post-production industry, providing a full suite of services including production, post-production, 2D and 3D animation. Their team is small, consisting mainly of two key personnel – a post-production director/editor and a director/animator – working across multiple devices such as desktops and laptops. They primarily serve a retail company with frequent sales campaigns and have a mix of broadcast and corporate projects. The team is increasingly adopting remote workflows, collaborating with an art director and other contributors who work virtually.
Existing Workflow
Currently, the company relies heavily on Dropbox for file sharing and distribution, shuttling large After Effects projects back and forth between their team and remote collaborators. Project files and graphics are stored locally on network-attached storage (NAS) devices and external drives with about 4 to 5 terabytes of active project data. For company feedback and review, they use Frame, a video review platform, but feedback is often communicated outside the tool via email. Distribution to broadcast stations is also managed via Dropbox links.
Issues with the Existing Workflow
Inefficient file transfers: Constant manual shuttling of large project files between collaborators causes delays and workflow interruptions.
Limited remote editing: The company struggles to access and edit projects flexibly when away from their main workstations, especially during travel.
Fragmented feedback process: Although Frame is used for hosting review files, companies rarely engage with in-app commenting, resulting in disjointed email feedback that complicates version control.
Storage management challenges: Managing large volumes of footage and graphics on local NAS devices is cumbersome, and the company wants to move to a more cloud-centric approach without incurring excessive costs.
Cost concerns: Existing solutions like Lucid used in prior roles were expensive, motivating the search for a more affordable yet effective alternative.
How Shade Would Change Their Workflow
Shade offers a cloud-based collaborative platform tailored for small media production teams, enabling seamless remote access to project files and real-time editing capabilities within familiar tools like Adobe Premiere. By centralizing project assets and enabling secure cloud storage of selected footage and graphics, Shade reduces the reliance on manual file transfers and local storage. The platform’s integrated review and commenting features streamline company feedback, consolidating communication and simplifying version management. Shade’s flexible self-serve subscription model suits the company’s small team size and annual usage needs, providing a cost-effective alternative to pricier enterprise solutions.
Benefits
- Enables remote editing and faster project access from anywhere, supporting flexible workflows on the go.
- Eliminates constant file shuttling by centralizing assets in the cloud, reducing delays and errors.
- Consolidates review and feedback in one platform with intuitive commenting and version tracking.
- Optimizes storage by allowing selective cloud management of essential project files without migrating entire NAS volumes.
- Offers a scalable, affordable subscription model tailored for small teams and specific project durations.
- Enhances collaboration between post-production editors, animators, and remote art directors.
Technologies Used
Want to see how Shade can improve your workflow?
Book a Demo