Avid Technology > Case Studies > SXSW Artists Leverage Avid Solutions for Creative Success

SXSW Artists Leverage Avid Solutions for Creative Success

Technology Category

Sensors - Acoustic Sensors
Sensors - Camera / Video Systems

Applicable Industries

Cities & Municipalities
Equipment & Machinery

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development
Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Inventory Management
Real-Time Location System (RTLS)

Services

System Integration
Testing & Certification

About The Customer

The customers in this case study are the artists participating in the SXSW Festival. These include independent editors, filmmakers, musicians, engineers, and studio managers. They are part of a broad community of up-and-coming artists in technology, film, and music, as well as an international audience of enthusiasts, who are looking to develop their careers and share ideas. They are facing increasing competition in the marketplace and are looking for ways to stand out in an already crowded field. They are also facing financial challenges as the costs associated with rising expectations for sound quality continue to rise.

The Challenge

The South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival, a hub of creativity and industry innovation, has been a springboard for artists in technology, film, and music for the past 26 years. However, with the festival's growing popularity, independent editors and filmmakers are facing increasing competition. The challenge is to create high-quality, inspiring film and music that stands out from the competition and maximizes the creative opportunities at SXSW. The artists needed a solution that would support multiple camera formats, handle mixed formats, and provide robust media management. They also required powerful creative tools that would help them deliver compelling stories and express their unique creative vision.

The Solution

Avid audio and video solutions provided the solution to the challenges faced by the artists at SXSW. The filmmakers and musicians used Avid's intuitive workflows, innovative technology, and powerful tools to create their work. Products like Media Composer and Pro Tools were used extensively. Media Composer provided the power and flexibility needed to cut films into cohesive pieces, handle mixed formats, and provide robust media management. Pro Tools, on the other hand, was used to edit the sound for films, with its session management tools enabling the artists to handle the challenges faced during post-production. Avid's integrated software, hardware, and control surface solutions were optimized to work together, providing the workflows and session management tools needed to efficiently produce great-sounding audio.

Operational Impact

The use of Avid's solutions resulted in high-quality, inspiring film and music that stood out from the competition. The artists were able to express their unique creative vision and make the most out of the creative opportunities at SXSW. The solutions provided them with the power and flexibility they needed to cut their films into cohesive pieces, handle mixed formats, and manage their media robustly. They were also able to efficiently produce great-sounding audio. The artists shared how Avid solutions played a key role in their development, with some stating that the solutions saved their work on several occasions. The solutions also made dealing with file compatibility a simple process, allowing the artists to edit intuitively without interrupting their creative process.

Quantitative Benefit

The festival attracts nearly 32,000 attendees each year, providing a large audience for the artists' work.
Avid's solutions were used to create several movies and music coming out of SXSW 2013.
Avid teamed up with Brooklyn-based Converse Rubber Tracks Studio to set up a pop-up recording studio during SXSW, providing free recording sessions for a select group of Austin local bands.