managing assets
DAM Systems
(Continued from previous page) Many projects that studios manage can have assets into the millions of dollars. Those assets are the lifeblood of a studio because the dollars they ultimately bring are cashed-in by production hours.
Here is what we do at our facility: 1) All files need to be labeled the Job number. Example: ABCD1234 (Revised jobs would be like this: ABCD1234R1, etc..); and 2) When projects are checked into the asset management system, metadata is entered to follow that. In most cases, we don’t even have time to handle entering lots of metadata. As long as that job number is there, you’re in pretty good shape. But metadata helps so much — especially when it doesn’t involve a job number. A good example is that I can go into our DAM right now and type “Altima Red.” I then get results for red Nissan Altima cars! Too cool!
Many assets are in different formats, making their management even trickier. Luckily, there are many companies and technologies that exist today to handle these problems. Sharing digital assets between different media platforms is easier, thanks mainly to the multitude of software available to perform this feat. There are even ways of integral DAM offsite, but still allowing instant access and use of your content. And many companies that do this.
One such company is Crossroads and their Linear Tape File System-like answer called Strongbox. With the ability to support up to five billion files, Strongbox calls itself “vendor-neutral” with its non-proprietary handling that uses an open SQL database to store and retrieve each file’s metadata, allowing multiple copies for data protection. This online-based solution uses the power of the cloud to provide full data mobility and accessibility for all of your media assets. This is one organization that can bring the power of full DAM without the cost and expense of buying and maintaining the equipment and software.
CatDV is another product used for DAM. According to its website, it is “the award-winning asset management tool at the heart of your
workflow, managing all aspects of a complete production.” It has a powerful database “that meets the needs of everyone from individuals to studios and large production houses.”
“At Niche Video Products, we tend to lead with Squarebox’s CatDV Enterprise Server product for DAM,” says Miteff. “Its unique history and longevity in the market gives it a number of impressive strengths.”
Managing a digital asset management system is a little more work in the beginning and during jobs, but the payoff is well worth it! It is EXTREMELY important that, when managing these types of assets, specific client footage is notated as to ownership. In some cases, footage is obviously considered “running footage.” That footage is typically distributed by auto manufacturers and is mostly unrestricted. In other cases, a client pays big money for a shoot and they own the rights to that media. BE VERY careful on how you catalog those items! Imagine the consequences of using copyrighted footage for another client! You could get sued. In fact, it’s possible that the client for whom you used the footage also gets sued by your original client.
“DAM systems that are dedicated to assisting media production workflows recognize that the basic demands among all these organizations is similar, yet the implementation can be extremely varied, not only in terms of the software and hardware used, but in the manner in which the DAM can be tailored to suit specific requirements,” Miteff further states.
Knowing what content you have, being able to preserve it and recalling it for reuse is essential in Digital Asset Management. Purchasing the hardware and software yourself is one option, while subscribing to a company that provides a cloud-based online approach is another. The name of the game is being able to do the job at the most minimal of costs. Whichever process is right for your studio depends on many factors. But most certainly, the right person with the correct knowledge, skill and expertise. determine the method and make it happen is invaluable.
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Broadcast Beat Magazine / Sep-Dec, 2014