“The process of the edit was not a classic one,” he continues. “We had to work in backward and forward steps to get a perfectly authentic rhythm between animation of the car parts and the movement of the ink."
Always on track
A familial culture is core to any studio, but at Storz & Escherich a close, collective approach forms the backbone on each and every project. Or, as Escherich puts it: “We’re hard-wired for collaboration.”
ftrack is certainly attuned to that methodology. Its tools enable the Storz & Escherich team to stay connected throughout each stage of the creative process, the team working from one central archive despite its disparate nature.
Having used ftrack for well over a year across many projects, Escherich is confident that it’s the right solution for the problems presented by the creative process, particularly due to its accessibility: “ftrack makes project management across the board easier and more efficient. It saves time, drives effectiveness, and allows seamless collaboration across all people involved."
You just plug and play. It's perfect."
Fluid communication
Prior to adopting ftrack, Storz & Escherich used an assortment of internal and external tools that, despite their varied functionality, couldn’t provide a complete solution for full project and team management.
Now that the entire team is connected via ftrack’s web-based platform, it's easier to communicate on all fronts and ensure projects are rallied behind the same creative targets.
"ftrack fulfills a range of requirements from the artist side and the production and management division," says Escherich. "We highly appreciate having such an efficient form of communication on each and every shot. With ftrack, collaboration becomes more structured and there is no space for misunderstanding – both within the team as well as when working with clients or external suppliers.
"The web-based platform also allows the producers to manage workflow even when they're out of office; that means being able to work 24/7," he continues. "This is paramount when working to tight timelines, on highly collaborative creative processes, with clients in different time zones around the globe."
In order to superpower its functionality, Storz & Escherich has implemented custom actions throughout its ftrack integrations. The studio has also developed its own Deadline plugin for ftrack upload; a task cache database; and integration into file dialogs for 3ds Max and NUKE. The team also plans to tap into ftrack's API to make further custom tweaks to their pipeline, including connecting to FileMaker and integrating with After Effects and Cinema 4D, enabling a much smoother process throughout each sequence and shot.
Much more in Storz
By keeping the team in touch both with each other and with the guiding creative principles of the Porsche project, Storz & Escherich delivered a commercial that bears all the hallmarks of a successful project: professionalism, artistic innovation, and a subtle yet palpable sense of accomplishment.
"ftrack helps us focus on what we do best: the work," says Storz. "It allows us to deliver above and beyond, pushing the envelope of what's possible. With ftrack, the organization and management of the project is so efficient, because there’s nothing for people to misread."
‘Timeless Black’ certainly showcases Storz & Escherich's incredible talent, but the team continues to aim higher, promising the best is yet to come. “We plan to continue delivering increasingly superior work, continue finding new ways to innovate, and continue combining the unusual and the unseen,” concludes Storz. “Mostly we intend to continue enjoying our work – and ftrack will play a big part in that.”
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