SWISS switches to ftrack Studio for improved service and streamlined collaboration

Today, SWISS typically runs four projects concurrently, each with its own supervisor and producer, and tends to have two bids or pitches running alongside the day-to-day work. In addition, team leads must manage multiple creatives and freelancers across each project to ensure all work is completed on time and to the highest standard. Add the new challenges of remote post-production introduced by COVID-19, and you have a recipe for difficult times. Thankfully, ftrack Studio helped SWISS navigate tricky waters.

“Security-wise, we felt we were in safe hands,” explains Andreas. “ftrack Studio follows TPN and MPA guidelines, and we have experienced no security issues—this is crucial when delivering work for the caliber of clients we serve at SWISS.

When projects get underway, ftrack Studio sits at the center of the complex production web, ensuring all ongoing tasks are connected and interdependencies are tracked and managed. “Things are super slick with ftrack Studio,” he continues. “Switching to ftrack Studio and a cloud-based production tracking instance means we can activate monthly licenses for our freelancers, so they can jump into projects as and when required. As a result, we can work in a super flexible way.

“From that point on, we can stay fully connected throughout a project. We use Slack for a lot of our daily communication at SWISS, but we also use ftrack Studio task and asset comments for artist feedback and annotating screenshots. Everything is connected; it’s easy to see what needs doing on an asset or shot.

“Integrated client review sessions have also become our go-to for sending materials to clients to view. We find it’s helpful when keeping track of send-offs and client feedback as all communication is available in one place. Again, referring to a session to see what needs doing for the next iteration is super easy.”

SWISS also uses Actions in ftrack Studio to customize and automate certain functions in its ftrack instance. “Actions are a great way to tailor ftrack Studio toward the unique ways we like to work at SWISS,” explains Andreas. “At SWISS, we were able to create workflows that help our remote artists in several ways. For instance, using Action plugins we can give artists the ability to clear caches and troubleshoot their remote machines. We can also automate deliveries for producers, such as collecting all .exr files for send-off or turning a playlist into an offline edit with sound attached. Doing so makes the production process much simpler and keeps us focused on creativity over admin. When using ftrack Actions, the sky is the limit. We’ve only just started scratching the surface of what we can do.”

Andreas and his team at SWISS have big plans for further implementation of ftrack Studio, with more Actions and deeper implementation of the platform into their pipeline being just the tip of the iceberg. Yet it’s not just ftrack’s technology that’s kept the team happy—SWISS also feels it’s working with a kindred spirit, as ftrack’s family feel mirrors SWISS’s own efforts to emphasize direct and honest working relationships.

“A personal connection to clients is essential to us at SWISS, and we want that relationship with our software providers too,” says Andreas. “We feel working with both ftrack and SideFX imparts a very personal family feel, where we’re not just a number in a sales sheet but a valued contributor and collaborator. I think that kind of relationship is very rare, so we’re lucky to have it with the team at ftrack.”