Rodeo FX relies on both cineSync Pro and Frankie for its postproduction work on feature films, TV shows and commercials, including the movie Birdman, to be released by New Regency later this year. The Montreal-based VFX studio has created a collaborative workflow that relies on these review-and-approval tools for its work with clients and creatives around the world. Using cineSync Pro and Frankie, Rodeo FX is able to work even when the production company, director, ad agency and other creatives are in different cities.
Rodeo FX uses cineSync Pro for client review and feedback for its post work, not only on films but also for TV shows, such as the current season of Game of Thrones. However, while working on Birdman, the company realized the power of combining two review-and-approval systems, adding Frankie to the process. The film was directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and stars Emma Stone, Edward Norton and Michael Keaton. Rodeo FX decided to use Frankie to discuss shots and get immediate feedback whenever it needed to have multiple, simultaneous connections between its studio in Montreal and the VFX team in L.A.
“Having cineSync Pro and Frankie is a real one-two punch for reviewing material,” said Jordan Soles, CTO, Rodeo FX. “We love cineSync Pro, which is robust, secure and is the industry standard for reviewing film work. Frankie is the de facto solution when we organize a last-minute session with people out of the office.”
The addition of Frankie’s browser-based workflow enhanced productivity for Rodeo FX as the facility needed only one person to upload the required media for review and then send out a web link to all participants so they would have access to the movie footage under review.
“In other syncing tools we’ve tried, all participants had to have local copies of the media to be able to sync to the session, which adds an extra level of I/O and could potentially introduce security issues with confidential material,” said Ara Khanikian, VFX supervisor and head of 2D, Rodeo FX. “Frankie is fantastic in situations where we need quick feedback from a lot of busy people around the world and we only have a couple minutes of their time.”
Rodeo FX also uses Frankie to conduct sales pitches with agencies, walking a prospective client through its proposal after sending them the URL of an uploaded video.
“There is no need to upload files onto the client’s server – everything is accessible from the web,” said André Ü Montambeault, head of advertising/creative director. “This simplifies the sales pitch process tremendously, allowing our clients to focus on the images and their comments, instead of having to deal with more technical issues that they might not be familiar with.”
Even as the advertising business becomes increasingly international, with agencies spread around the globe and producers and directors constantly on the road, Rodeo FX can quickly link everyone in a “plug & play” Frankie session. From its offices in Montreal, the VFX studio is looking to bid on more international work and will keep both cineSync Pro and Frankie in its arsenal.
