Q: Who are you and why should we hire you?
A: Here’s a basic overview of who/what we are:
Techworks was established in 1997, as a service support company for Avid Media Composers and video storage systems, as well as providing end to end system/workflow design. Our founder goes back to version 5 of Avid and their first SAN system. In more recent times, we moved into Final Cut Pro as it progressed in to the professional market, and developed close working relationships (in some cases partner contracts) with several of the individuals who literally “wrote the books” on various Apple solutions. (xsan, final cut server, open directory, etc…) We rebranded as HiDefCowboy in 2008.
Current Products Supported:
Avid Media Composer
Apple Final Cut Pro Studio
CatDV
Final Cut Server
Studio Network Solutions SANmp
Apple Xsan
Facilis Terrablock
Avid Unity
Panasonic DVCProHD, P2 and ACVHD products
LTO and other tape storage systems – (Tandberg, Quantum, HP, DAX, BRU and more)
Various RAID Storage Systems including Apple, Fibrenetix, Infortrend, SNS and G-Tech
Some of the services we also provide include:
Generating CAD drawings of your audio, video and network systems. (can provide dwg example files on request)
Design and implementation of IP network systems from routers and basic cabling to long distance wifi and fiber installations.
Design, integrate and install digital and analog broadcast systems: Master Control, Production floor, Video, Audio
CAT5 – CAT6 and mulitmode fibre installation/termination done in-house.
Notable Clients & Partner Companies: Melrose Mac, Irwin Entertainment, YahooMusic, VTG, Reelz Channel, 300, Ping Pong Productions, Vim Venders, Point360, Sony Music Entertainment, Fox Digital, Hallmark Channel, E! Entertainment and many more.
Project Histories:
Designed, built and currently maintain a 18 seat – 42TB SNS san for YahooMusic. Developing an asset management and 15 stream automated video ingest system currently.
Currently supporting the editorial and graphics systems for the new Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) in Los Angeles
Oversaw and performed the redesign/installation of a 12 seat, 35TB XSAN for the Reelz Channel. (integrated into a tapeless broadcast system)
Oversaw and performed the installation of an 11 seat, 35TB XSAN for CBS.com. (Subcontracted by Homerun Media)
Design and installation of a 4 seat, 21TB XSAN for NBC.com. (Subcontracted by Homerun Media)
Over the years from 2007-2009 we have “Grown” one of our clients, Irwin Entertainment, (Celeb Rehab VH-1) from 1 edit bay to 28 (!) with over 70TB of SAN storage and oversaw the expansion of their production, post and daily operations including the first show to air using 20 seats of CatDV for asset management and logging/transcription in the entire US. (These shows generally shoot 1500 hours in 3 weeks and ingest/log it in 4 weeks.)
Designed the tapeless workflow for CMT’s “All Jacked Up”. The first show to air that was shot mainly on the inexpensive AVCHD format from Panasonic. (4 camera shoot, captured to SD cards, transcoded to DVCProHD, archived to LTO and edited and delivered in multicam HD, end to end with no traditional “offline/online” edit.)
Installation of several complete “ground up” post facilities (machine room and 6 to 8 bays ) from raw buildings to working facilities, including wiring design, avid installation and storage/SAN installation. This includes 3 full facilities 7 to 9 bays each plus machine room from slab to video output in 2009.
Design and installation of a 4 camera HD Studio for Brave New Films that delivers programming simultaneously direct to web and to fiber/satellite for traditional broadcast.
Designed and built a 12 seat – 70TB Xsan for Bluebird USA. (partnered with Erik Lundmark)
Designed and built a 4 seat SNS san for the visual efx dept. of the Warner Bros. film, 300. And integrated it while they were in post production, with no downtime.
Designed the tapeless HD capture and edit workflow for the “making of” DVD for Prince Caspian (the second Chronicles Of Narnia film) which shot in Europe and New Zealand and posted in Los Angeles. (Panasonic DVCPro HD on tape and P2 media integrated with HDCAM SR)
Consulted for and provided drawings to Point360 Westside as they rebuilt and and performed an HD infrastructure upgrade to their 24 rack machine room. (long term design/consulting)
Avid Support film credits from “Collateral Damage” to “Buena Vista Social Club” to “Ghost-Ride The Whip”, literally from the Megaplex to Sundance.
We are currently consulting for:
Sony Music Entertainment – asset management/workflow (partnered with VTG NY)
Irwin Entertainment – asset management – san design/integration – facility build
Intuitive Entertainment – asset management – facility/bay build
Ping Pong Productions – asset management – san design/integration – facility build
Fox Digital – asset management – san design/integration
The Famous Group - – asset management – facility build – (partnered with MadCow)
YahooMusic – san design/integration – facility build (partnered with Gladden Consulting)
Melrose Mac – we perform high end storage and asset management integrations for their professional clients.
TV shows and Films We Have Consulted For Or Supported:
Celeb Rehab With Dr. Drew – VH-1
Sober House – VH1
300 – Warner Bros
Furry Vengeance – (2010)
The Spy Next Door – (2010)
All Jacked Up – CMT
Destination Truth – SyFy
The Othersiders – Cartoon Network
The Millionaire Matchmaker – Bravo
Countdown To Zero – Lawrence Bender (Sundance 2010)
Fuel – Greenlight Productions
Who’s Got Jokes – BET
Buena Vista Social Club – Vim Venders
Ghost Ride The Whip – Rugged Entertainment
and many more…
