Lightworks Announces Its Return In August, a new company was officially formed to take over support of existing Lightworks nonlinear editing systems around the world and to develop new products bearing the Lightworks brand name. The entity, Lightworks, Inc., will be based in Montreal and will have offices in Hollywood and London, England. The announcement officially ended the relationship between Lightworks Editing Systems and Tektronix, the electronics technology giant that purchased the company from its London-based founders in June, 1995. (Earlier in August, Tektronix also announced that it had sold its entire Video and Networking Division, including its Profile and Grass Valley product lines, to a new company, Grass Valley Group, Inc. Tektronix is now effectively out of the broadcast equipment business.) Mark Pounds was named president of Lightworks. He is the founder of O.L.E Canada, the exclusive distributor of Lightworks systems in Canada. "I am delighted with this opportunity to apply my experience as a long-time Lightworks champion," he stated. "Given the number of questions I received when Lightworks' fate was unknown, it is clear that there continues to be a need in the marketplace for the Lightworks product line, not only for existing Lightworks, Heavyworks and V.I.P systems, but for a new generation of nonlinear editing products as well." According to Pounds, the new company will provide support for all installed Lightworks systems, including those sold before and during Tektronix's ownership of the product family. A variety of maintenance and support options will be offered. Here in Hollywood, Guild member Stephen Goldsmith was named vice president of film and entertainment, and will head up the company's local sales and support efforts. A veteran of the nonlinear editing industry, Goldsmith previously held marketing positions at Ediflex Systems and Avid Technology, and was more recently vice president of Encore Nonlinear. He is charged with reviving and expanding the Lightworks brand in the Hollywood film and television community. "Lightworks nonlinear systems have been a leading contender in the creative editorial field for over seven years," Pounds said. "Given the products' reputation and the enormous skills of its designers, it was natural that the Lightworks name should continue, evolve and develop. We believe that the next generation of Lightworks systems will be powerful enough to appeal to existing customers, and to also broaden our appeal to new markets and users. "Many of the world's top feature films and highest rated TV shows continue to be edited on Lightworks systems, including the 1999 Academy Award winner for Best Picture, "Shakespeare in Love"," Pounds added. "In fact, Lightworks systems have proven themselves time and time again in the 24-frame world. With the increasing pressure to acquire even video at 24 frames per second for high-definition finishing, we believe that our new company is in a perfect position to address the entertainment industry's evolving needs. "Our fundamental message here is that we will adapt our product line for the future without losing the things that have made us successful in the past. The company will be rededicated to its customers, and to developing the best editing tools for today's busy workplace. I am now working to put together a team of talented people who are committed to building this company. For the first time in many months, I can say that the future is bright for Lightworks." Editor's Note By the time this Newsletter reaches you, I will have moved on to a new position - director of marketing communications for Lightworks. My stay at the Motion Picture Editors Guild was very gratifying, but was admittedly too brief. I can honestly say, however, that I enjoyed my time here, especially getting to know the Guild's board of directors, members, office staff and all those who contributed to the Newsletter. I am very excited about joining the team tasked with re-establishing Lightworks as an integral part of the film and television post-production landscape, and I look forward to the challenges ahead. I also look forward to working with many of you in the months and years to come. Best regards, Keith Lissak   Reprinted from The Motion Picture Editors Guild Newsletter Vol. 20, No. 6 - Sep/Oct 1999   Guild Home | Newsletter Home | Top of Page   Copyright © 1999, All Rights Reserved by The Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700