“In the film industry we work fast: Soliant not only kept pace, they maintained incredible flexibility and service. I've never encountered a software organization like theirs.”

From Design to On-Set Delivery—in Three Weeks

In late 2008 production began on the animated movie "The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn", Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson's adaptation of the Belgian comic strip, filmed entirely using performance capture techniques. Performance capture is a revolutionary new way to create animation by filming real actors and integrating true performance with the flexibility of computer animation.

When using this approach it is critical for the production team to keep track of exactly which of the hundreds of props and set elements normally associated with a feature film are used in each take. For this, Tintin's producers asked Soliant Consulting to invent and develop new database software for the job—and needed it on set in less than a month.

Traditionally the script supervisor and props supervisor are responsible for tracking props and scene continuity, but with performance capture a high level of detail is required by multiple departments. Digital markers on each asset must be positively matched with their animated avatars during the editing and postproduction processes.

"Working with Soliant to invent a new system for managing props has been really rewarding. I've been able to completely rely on their technical expertise and creativity. It's satisfying to see the software evolve just as we're inventing a new way to film."

Connie Kennedy

Digital Asset Manager, Tintin

In addition to the requirements for production, Tintin's producers anticipate filming sequels—so all of the physical assets need to be tracked, manifested and packed into shipping containers in an orderly manner once production on this first film wraps.

The team recognized they'd need to invent a new way to manage props that would not encumber the shooting crew and yield a meticulous level of prop and set tracking detail. Connie Kennedy, Tintin's Digital Asset Manager, brought in Soliant Consulting to develop requirements and build an application that could meet the immediate demands of the crew and directors.

Over the course of an initial three weeks, Soliant developed a custom application that satisfied the evolving requirements of the crew: they can now quickly develop inventories of assets, including both physical and digital versions, that then are easily organized and tagged with meta information. Attributes include common names, inventory codes, and ID numbers generated by the film's animation software. Barcode tags allow for quick retrieval and cataloging of any prop using wireless scanners.

The prop supervisor is now able to create traditional scene breakdowns, printed as a reference for the scenes planned for shooting each day, and to preload first takes whenever the shooting crew switches to a new scene.

With a wireless scanner, the prop crew can easily scan props on and off each take, and they can also conveniently add and subtract props from a take using search, breakdowns, cloning previous takes, etc. In addition to the props department's needs, the script supervisor is responsible for taking continuity notes and anything of importance for the director or editor during filming. By working closely with Tintin's script supervisor, Soliant created a streamlined interface for her needs.

"I'll admit, I had my doubts... there's little time on-set for fiddling with a computer, but Soliant really converted me with a screen that gives me just what I need and no more. They've been great to work with."

Ana Maria Quintana

Script Supervisor, Tintin

The database serves a second function for the script supervisor: while filming, the script supervisor publishes the active slate number. Soliant built a custom Adobe Flex monitoring app that runs on any monitor connected to the network to display the take and scene number in real-time. The crew can simply refer to their monitors for this information rather than rely on verbal instructions or delayed information.

In the span of three weeks, Soliant's team created the first release of the application, and over the course of the traditional rehearsal period, refined it to be ready for production.

Not only does the application allow the prop and script departments to accomplish their traditional tasks, it also provides conveniences that make their work easier in many ways. The prop inventory and breakdown interface replaced a cumbersome Excel spreadsheet: the new breakdown application allows the prop supervisor to create lists and binder pages sorted by day or by scene that previously were not easy to create. It also eliminates an enormous amount of redundancy traditionally promulgated with copy and paste. Revisions are more accurate and more convenient.

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