Back to Workflows
Remote Creative Studio Streamlining Visual Content Collaboration
Company Situation
The company operates a remotely distributed creative production studio specializing in live corporate events with high-demand visual content such as large-scale event screens. Their core team consists of six full-time employees, scaling up to around 25 with contractors during peak production periods. Their work involves a hybrid workflow balancing remote work with on-site production setups in temporary offices during events.
Existing Workflow
Currently, the studio employs a mixed technology stack including Dropbox for cloud storage, local NAS (Network Attached Storage) solutions for onsite file access, and Frame.io for review and collaboration on deliverables. Remote employees either work on their own devices or use remote access to office workstations connected to local storage syncing with Dropbox. For on-site event work, they rely heavily on local NAS storage due to inconsistent internet connectivity at temporary locations like hotels. Their production tracking and asset management are managed via a custom-built system on Airtable, which handles shot tracking, production queues, and delivery status.
Issues with the Existing Workflow
Hybrid Complexity: The combination of remote workflows, local NAS, and cloud syncing creates complexity and potential inefficiencies.
Internet Dependency: On-site work suffers from unreliable internet, making cloud-only workflows impractical during events.
Storage Fragmentation: Multiple storage platforms (Dropbox, NAS, Frame.io) add to operational overhead and complicate automation efforts.
Scalability Constraints: Existing cloud storage plans impose seat limits and pricing hurdles, causing frustration as the team grows or fluctuates.
Lack of Shared Caching: The absence of shared caching for local network users limits the ability to efficiently collaborate onsite, especially when internet speed is poor or unavailable.
Pipeline Automation Challenges: Their move toward automating production and file awareness is hindered by disconnected storage solutions and manual syncing.
How Shade Would Change Their Workflow
Shade’s file streaming technology offers a unified solution that can replace multiple fragmented storage tools while supporting both cloud and local workflows seamlessly. By integrating Shade into their pipeline:
- The studio could eliminate the need for multiple separate storage platforms, simplifying their tech stack.
- Shade’s file streaming with local caching would enable users onsite to work efficiently even with limited or no internet connectivity, ensuring smooth collaboration during events.
- The centralized file-aware system would better integrate with their Airtable-based production tracking to automate workflows, reducing manual intervention.
- Flexible enterprise-level seat management would better accommodate their fluctuating team size without forcing disruptive account changes or pricing shocks.
- Shade’s focus on seamless usability would reduce complexity and help the team lean into automation without adding technical overhead.
Benefits
- Streamlined storage infrastructure, reducing fragmentation and complexity
- Reliable remote and onsite access to large files with local caching and file streaming
- Enhanced collaboration onsite even with limited internet connectivity via shared caching possibilities
- Smoother scalability with enterprise-friendly seat and billing options
- Improved automation potential through file-aware integration with existing production tracking tools
- Reduced manual syncing and file management overhead
- Overall simplified and robust workflow tailored for dynamic creative production environments
Want to see how Shade can improve your workflow?
Book a Demo