Just wondering whether Prime Focus will change anything in the way FF R&D/Software works right now, especially the way the team interacts with the customers, update and support wise (which is more than excellent right now.)
cheers folks.
Just wondering whether Prime
Focus will change anything in
the way FF R&D/Software works
right now, especially the way
the team interacts with the
customers, update and support
wise (which is more than
excellent right now.)
Hi Steve,
First, thanks for the flowers!
This is not an official statement and it might not represent the views of Prime Focus, but…
One of the main reasons for the acquisition besides the fact Prime Focus wants to enter the Hollywood VFX market is that Frantic Films has an outstanding RnD department and a very good image in the industry thanks to it.
Our software development has always been closely connected to and driven by the needs of the VFX department and it is no surprise that Prime Focus purchased both as a package (the Commercial and Live Action departments are not part of the deal and will continue as a separate company).
As far as we know, the plans are to continue everything the way it was, but grow operations (which means add more people to product development and support). After all, “if it is not broken, don’t fix it”.
In addition, we will integrate our products within a larger company now, which means that for example Deadline will be installed and tested on the farms of multiple companies of the Prime Focus group, each one using various 2D and 3D products. This will hopefully further improve the support for programs that Frantic VFX did not use previously on the farm (incl. Maya, XSI, Shake etc.), and possibly add more remote submission and management features to facilitate intercontinental workflows…
In short, Frantic Films Software and VFX remain separate entities within Prime Focus and will continue the good work as before, just with a new owner and larger financial backup, the latter usually being a Good Thing.
Once again, this is my personal impression of the changes and does not necessarily represent Prime Focus’ standpoint.