When I began my career in the entertainment industry, I was fortunate to have a Producer recognize my affinity for computers. This talented and Emmy-nominated Proucer gave me a position in Post-Production where I was exposed to the latest technology. At that time, Avid was in the process of becoming the standard and the web was still in its infancy.

As I moved from job to job, I created databases using various programs (primarily FileMaker Pro) to manage information, including simple tape libraries and tracking online edit costs. Eventually, I used the databases to streamline the flow of information for both Production and Post-Production departments.

Although every production was unique, I found they all shared common similarities. Tired of reinventing the same wheel for each production, I built templates based on the similarities I found. I used these templates when starting a new job and doing so made my work-life much easier. Soon I found myself integrating the databases with databases other people had created, allowing us all to "be on the same page."

Through this process I began to understand why large companies make large investments on databases and technology. It saves time and money.

Personally, I like to know both the how and why certain things are done. I understood "why" companies invest in technology. However, I did not quite understand the "how." How does a company decide to use product X instead of product Y? Cost? Performance? Reputation? Ease of use?

The answers I discovered during my research opened my eyes to how the internet affects media production.

I access the web on a daily basis and I also conduct a large portion of my work via email. I will go so far to say the majority of us now deem access to the internet as a requirement both in our professional and personal lives. Yes, a requirement. Writers send scripts...PA's find driving directions... anf Travel Coordinators check flight information. All in seconds.

Since we already do so much work using the web, why shouldn't we be able to access the latest Staff List, check the status of a Location Lgreement, or search our Lape Library using a simple web browser?

Large companies including Disney and Universal employ Information Technology (IT) departments. Many of these IT departments have already networked their companies' databases (or are in the process of doing so). Sharing information between departments is a daily necessity for these companies and their employees expect information to be available upon request.

Our production companies however, whether producing a Feature Film or Cable TV Show, rarely have an IT department. Instead we are left with two options. One is to rely on the staff to cobble together databases, forms, spreadsheets and networks, with the hope that the staff responsible for the work will do so skillfully and not duplicate each other's work. The other option is to hire an outside contractor, one who most likely has no experience in our industry.

Because I was intrigued with the "how", I began to experiment...

I found FileMaker Pro databases did not complement the web. Performance, even with a "broadband" connection, lacked. I also discovered security was a great concern. I found my databases worked well in certain situations, however, they had large limitations - especially in a networked environment. The more I searched for the answers, the more I understood the limitations.

Financially, if the company I worked for chose to "serve" my databases, even only on the office intranet, it had to purchase a Server version of FileMaker. Additionally, each person who required access to my database (or someone else's) also required to have a Desktop license to FileMaker Pro. At $1,000 for the Server and $300 for each Desktop license, the costs added up quickly. For a company of 50 employees the expense just for the FileMaker Pro software would be more than $16,000. Add in the cost of hardware and the company is looking at an expense of $20,000 or more.

Most productions I have worked for did not have a line item in the budget for software, much less one for $20,000. This discovery sealed my decision and I began to look elsewhere for database solutions. After months of research, I made a decision on which technology to use...WebObjects.

Over the past 3 years I have moved all of the databases to this new web-enabled system. The technology behind WebObjects, primarily the Enterprise Objects Framework, has allowed me to jump from database vendor X to database vendor Y (and even back again) with little hassle. EOF is truly a beautiful technology and the performance has been outstanding.

Recently the television shows Paradise Hotel, Mr. Personality and Beauty Secrets have all successfully used (a portion of) the system.

I have collected information from colleagues from all facets of production and assembled what I could into an integrated system. The system as a whole is now accessible from any computer with a network connection. The performance is absolutely amazing. I can now access the Production Schedule, search for a Staff member's phone number, or download the latest version of the Script from home.

I recently installed the whole system as the "central hub" on project. Our Deal Memos were created using the system, our Segments were tracked, and our Tape Library was reliable. In all, we had access to more than 100 forms including Run Requests, Purchases Orders, and Location Agreements.

All of the information can be searched or created using any computer with a web-browser. Since most people know how to access a web browser, our staff had had no difficulties learning the system. What's more, within the next six months they will be able to access information from their cell phones.
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