Avid Technology > Case Studies > Leveraging Avid Media Composer for Fan-Made Star Wars Film

Leveraging Avid Media Composer for Fan-Made Star Wars Film

Technology Category

Sensors - Autonomous Driving Sensors
Sensors - Camera / Video Systems

Applicable Industries

Education
Equipment & Machinery

Use Cases

Behavior & Emotion Tracking
Visual Quality Detection

About The Customer

The customer in this case is Danny Ramirez, a talented writer, director, and film editor who is a fan of the Star Wars franchise. He wrote, directed, and edited Vader Episode 1: Shards of the Past, a cinema-quality episodic film. Ramirez has a background in editing and has worked on narratives, documentaries, and other types of films. He studied directing at USC and has a master's degree. He has also worked as an assistant editor on feature films like Wonder Park. Ramirez is deeply involved in the entire process of creating a film, from writing the first draft to the finished product.

The Challenge

The challenge was to create a fan-made film about Darth Vader, one of the most complex and interesting characters in the Star Wars universe. The film needed to be of cinema-quality and had to be accepted by the Star Wars community, which is known for its rigorous debates about what is considered legitimate and what is not. The film also had to be shared online without any advertising. The process of creating the film involved various stages including writing, directing, editing, and coordinating with remote staff. The challenge also included the need for a tool that could enhance the ability of the team to deliver the story quickly and enable richer collaboration.

The Solution

The team used Avid Media Composer | Ultimate, a non-linear video editing software, to create the film. This tool provided the editing features that could be used by team members in every capacity, whether reviewing footage, setting up projects, coordinating with remote staff, rewriting scenes, or driving the entire production as a writer, editor, and director. The software was used to edit the film, create special effects, and export for VFX. The team also used other tools like After Effects, Nuke, and Maya for other effects. The film was shot in just three and a half days with one camera and the post-production process took almost three months.

Operational Impact

The use of Avid Media Composer | Ultimate and other tools enabled the team to create a cinema-quality film about Darth Vader. The film was accepted by the Star Wars community and has more than 8.5 million views. The software allowed the team to work efficiently and effectively, enabling them to deliver the story quickly and enhance collaboration. The team was able to make adjustments to the film during the post-production process, ensuring that the final product was of high quality. The success of the film demonstrates the power of using professional video editing tools and the importance of having a vision, talent, mastery of the editing platform, and sharp writing, conscientious direction, and brilliant performances.

Quantitative Benefit