Avid Editors,You're Not Alone by Robert Cloyd Executive Vice President 3 Point Digital (Exclusive Avid Reseller for Hollywood) Today's editors are looking to define and strengthen their role with the manufacturers of digital nonlinear editing systems. The goal, as it should be, is to voice your opinions on how to create products that will help streamline the increasingly complex process of making films. You want to have more of a say in the direction your industry is heading. We are working with Avid Technology to make that a reality. As the exclusive reseller of Avid Media Composer and Film Composer systems in Hollywood, we're here to not only make sure you have the tools needed to do your best work, but to facilitate the communication necessary for those tools to develop and improve. There are many ways we are seeking to accomplish these goals. Our sales associates and system support specialists basically live in the field, face to face with editors. We coordinate meetings between filmmakers and Avid project managers to discuss issues and demonstrate how Avid products are being used in real-world situations. We arrange conference calls with editors and directors, and report back to Avid management on what we learn and opportunities we think need to be addressed. Avid is responding to this feedback like never before in its history. The feature set in version 7.0 software for Media Composer and Film Composer address needs specifically requested by customers. Film editors now have 8 in/out audio capability, so they can layback to a DA88 in a single pass. That's a major timesaver. A script-based editing interface links a lined script directly to material on your system. For the first time on an Avid, you can cut multicamera shows on the fly with the realtime Multi-camera Play Option. In addition, new assistant's tools have addressed changelist issues, making that job much easier. Perhaps the greatest thing Avid has done recently, however, is open up its interface to third-party developers through AVX plug-in technology. The playing field is wide open now, with editors able to customize their system through the addition of audio, visual effects, titling and other plug-ins we can only imagine. It's the first time Avid has given third-party developers the green light to write software for its systems, and all filmmakers will certainly benefit. Avid continues to respond in other ways, as well. The Hollywood Advisory Council, launched last year, has proven to be an effective forum for facilitating dialogue between Avid and the film community, and played a significant role in setting priorities for the fixes and enhancements found in version 7.0. Establishing 3 Point Digital as its exclusive reseller in Hollywood also comes in response to the industry's request for a local representative that is knowledgeable, focused on Avid solutions, professional and quick-acting. As we all move forward in this evolving era of post production, there will undoubtedly be some rough spots. Members of the editing community can help smooth these over by contacting us or their specific Avid representative to discuss pertinent issues. We can then pursue solutions that benefit everyone involved. At 3 Point Digital, we will continue to spend time with you, working to make the editing process simpler and more creative than ever before.   Reprinted from The Motion Picture Editors Guild Newsletter Vol. 19, No. 3 - May/June 1998   Guild Home | Newsletter Home | Top of Page   Copyright © 1998, All Rights Reserved by The Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 776