Media production has been evolving extremely fast with the transition to IP infrastructures and the introduction of cloud-based solutions. But so far, that evolution happened mainly after the content was captured - mostly for post-production, review and approval, and distribution. When the global pandemic hit worldwide, major film and TV production studios were forced to review their production methods. The key seemed to be to connect minimum crews in the set, directly with remote production teams over the Internet, with centralized media storage and management on the cloud. The need to transfer the raw materials from local storage posed the next set of challenges - given the requirements to preserve and secure the very large files - while allowing immediate access for review and approval.
The need for a remote direction solution, connecting camera and audio operators on location with a cloud-based solution was a large challenge, but also an ideal area for a media management company to innovate. After unveiling the Frame.io Camera to Cloud (C2C) concept earlier, the company now launched this revolutionary new workflow that lets shoot directly to the cloud, making files available anywhere in the world the moment cameras stop rolling. In fact, current users with paid Frame.io plans receive access to Camera to Cloud at no additional cost.
Frame.io is already a renowned video review and approval platform with over 1 million users, and its new C2C secure cloud-based workflow lets media companies instantly upload and stream images from on-set cameras to creative post-production teams anywhere in the world. Frame.io C2C is launching with three partner integrations from Teradek, Sound Devices, and Colorfront, making it compatible with more than a dozen professional camera systems from RED, Arri, and Panavision.
Throughout the past 100 years, there have been key fundamental shifts in filmmaking. First, from film to tape, then from tape to digital files, and now, directly from camera to cloud. There has always been a lengthy gap between getting footage from production into post-production. Film needed to be processed or digitized, tapes duplicated, drives backed up and media shipped in order for stakeholders to view work after production has wrapped. This could happen overnight or even take several days.
Frame.io C2C closes the gap between production and post. It works by creating instant proxy uploads so producers, studios, agencies, and editorial can receive and monitor camera files within seconds of ending a shot — even while filming continues on set. The Camera to Cloud workflow requires a Frame.io C2C-certified device connected to compatible cameras from Arri, RED, and Panavision. Once authenticated, certified devices such as the Teradek CUBE 655 and Sound Devices 888 or Scorpio audio recorders record, encode, and send timecode-accurate H.264 proxy files with matching filename metadata directly to Frame.io via an encrypted and secure connection using LTE, 5G, or WiFi. This allows for near real-time delivery of editable proxy files to a producer, dailies facility, or editor anywhere in the world.
"Our successful beta period has shown us just how many productions are eager to embrace this new paradigm shift," says Michael Cioni, Global SVP of Innovation. "We’ve completed extensive testing of C2C over the past eight weeks, and it’s clear that the cloud era for media creation is here. In the not too distant future, shooting proxies to the cloud will become standard practice."
"Camera to Cloud is the first of many innovations we’re working on to connect production to post," adds Emery Wells, CEO of Frame.io. "It’s the kind of change that seems bold today, but in a few years people will wonder how they created video any other way."
Frame.io C2C features best-in-class security with full TPN and SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, the global, industry-wide initiatives that define requirements and best practices for protecting content. Combined with rigorous access controls, Frame.io C2C is a safe way to share media with authorized viewers and collaborators. Also available now, the new Frame.io Cloud Devices API and C2C-certification program enables hardware and software manufacturers to create their own C2C-compatible products. Manufacturers interested in building Frame.io C2C-certified software and hardware can find details at developer.frame.io.
For now, to connect the audio directly from the set, Sound Devices offers its leading production sound field mixer-recorders from the 888 and Scorpio series, to capture and transmit original audio files directly into Frame.io.
The Sound Devices Scorpio and 888 upload to C2C using an Ethernet port in the back of the units. Because uploading occurs in the background, sound professionals can continue to record audio while simultaneously backing up their files to the cloud or delivering to post-production. Support for C2C was recently released as part of 8-Series firmware v8.00, which can be downloaded for free in the Sound Devices website.
"With the Frame.io infrastructure, we can directly upload from capture to the cloud. It’s a game-changing leap that allows the creative post-production process to happen almost immediately. It’s the holy grail of delivery. We’re not streaming audio to the cloud. We’re uploading audio files to the cloud, in the background, seamlessly," says Paul Isaacs, Director of Product Management and Design. "You don’t have to wait for an upload to finish. You can just carry on shooting another take, so it doesn’t affect the rhythm of how you work. It’s also possible to send the cutting room the stereo mixdown along with the ISO channels so editors have a choice about what they want to work with. It’s a creative enhancement."
C2C offers much more than file upload to the cloud. Frame.io’s technology uses timecode and metadata to intelligently sync stereo mix tracks from the Scorpio and 888 with files from supported cameras. These dailies can be accessed immediately so post-production can begin work while production is still taking place. C2C also automatically organizes files into folders using metadata. Cloud Devices, such as the Scorpio and 888, are authenticated to a Frame.io project to ensure files are delivered securely via an encrypted connection.
www.sounddevices.com
www.frame.io
