The Story Behind: Bind Studio
VFX projects are more complex than ever, and that’s where Bind Studio comes in, bringing teams, tech, and workflows together in a streamlined, cloud-based setup. Sohonet caught up with Jason Fotter from Bind Studio to get the inside scoop on how they’re supporting productions by building custom VFX pipelines that handle everything from software to artist support, no matter where they’re located.
Q> Could you start by sharing a bit about Bind Studio and how your role supports productions in achieving their VFX needs?
Jason> BIND Studio empowers visual effects projects to build their ideal team of creatives by providing a comprehensive solution that includes software, computers, and a robust visual effects pipeline. We offer a secure, scalable environment that adapts to your project needs, ensuring seamless shot ingestion, a modern pipeline integrated with industry software, integration with any Flow Production Tracking system, and shot delivery. Hire top artists from anywhere in the world, and BIND will manage setup and support throughout your project’s lifecycle.
Q> Could you tell us about some of the specific challenges your clients face with VFX-heavy projects, especially given the current trends in remote and hybrid production?
Jason> The challenges in any visual effects project, large or small, usually come down to the efficiency of the workflow. Customers start to ask questions like, How am I going to ingest the material for my artists? Where do I store this material? What’s the most efficient way to review shots? What’s our delivery process look like? How do I get shots into my Flow Production Tracking instance (formerly ShotGrid) And many many more. These are technical challenges that can be daunting for any project just looking to get their visual effects shots completed. In remote environments, challenges like data transfer speeds, security, and consistent collaboration arise. BIND’s cloud setup and tools like FileRunner, the automated file transfer software and ClearView Flex, the video collaboration software address these efficiently, ensuring artists, no matter their location, have everything they need. Running on the AWS, BIND is able to provision a visual effects studio in the cloud for any type of visual effects project. We can support any artist in any location. We support all the major visual effects software like Nuke, Maya, Houdini, Blender, and more. Just bring your team and we will handle the rest.
Q> You're currently using both FileRunner and ClearView Flex - how do these tools support your team and clients throughout the VFX pipeline?
Jason> FileRunner and ClearView Flex help solve two of the biggest bottlenecks in any visual effects workflow. FileRunner is a critical component on the ingest and delivery of material. One of the features of running on AWS is that you have access to really fast internet. FileRunner is able to take advantage of this bandwidth allowing customers to send or receive files extremely fast. One of the most underrated components of any visual effects pipeline is the review stage. There are so many components that go into visual effects shot review. It’s a blend of creative review (Does this shot tell the story?) and technical (Is it the right format, are the elements tracking properly, is the grain matched, etc). I describe it simply as the Visual Effects Supervisor needs to TRUST what they are looking at. That means the workflow needs to be sound, and all the technical issues need to be a non-issue so that the supervisor can focus on the creative aspects of the shot. Since BIND runs on the cloud, ClearView Flex gives the team a streamlined way to see their reviews and collaborate. Anyone from the team can jump into a session and participate, making the process easy and efficient.
Q> Looking forward, how do you see the partnership between Bind Studio and Sohonet evolving as VFX demands grow and technology continues to advance?
Jason> As technology advances, our aim is to integrate processes and innovative tools like StoryLink to further enhance our clients' experience, ensuring our partnership continues to evolve with industry demands. When I started BIND very early on I knew that the company would need to integrate with external tools. Not every project is the same and customers have unique needs depending on the project. I’m very excited about Storylink and ClearView Rush, the dailies review tool and looking for ways where BIND can make the process of visual effects seamless for customers. Similar to what we are doing with FileRunner and ClearView Flex, my focus will be to make it a seamless experience for BIND Studio customers who are also using the Sohonet family of products. I’m also focused on the Media Labs 2030 vision and continuing to offer solutions that implement their principals, particularly on assets staying in the cloud, and making sure that interoperability is a foundation of the solution.
Interested in learning how Sohonet can support visual effects teams? Our solutions are purpose-built for VFX professionals, including ClearView Flex and ClearView Pivot for seamless video collaboration and FileRunner for your file transfer needs. Contact us today to explore how we can support your next project.
