What are the Top 2 trends impacting the P|PW community/industry right now?

I‘d be remiss if I didn’t say AI. Everyone is wondering what the long-term ramifications will be as AI penetrates deeper in the post-production industry. While software tools and cloud-based services are pushing AI more into all areas of post-production, everyone is wondering if and when AI will take jobs. But the correct way to look at AI now is: how can AI help me do my job better? 

The other trend would be one we’ve faced for years now: decreasing budgets with ever-tighter delivery timelines. Perhaps AI can really help with that! That’s what “they” say it can do!

What challenges does the community need to overcome, because of these trends? What’s one thing you wish more people knew about this space?

Delivering quality work becomes more difficult as budgets and timelines decrease. Everyone wants to do their best work, but at some point, you just have to say no, for your own sanity’s sake. Often people asking for miracles have never been told, “no, miracles can’t happen in the matter you have asked.” Perhaps that is something they need to hear?

What’s one awesome story every media pro should know about P|PW?

Here’s a little secret: even veteran P|PW instructors like myself learn new things at Post|Production World. It might be an interaction with attendees after a class or a discussion during a session that prompts some new thinking or a new discovery. But even better than that is, as an instructor, sitting in on a full class from one of my colleagues for a topic that I know nothing about. You’re never too old or too busy to learn something new, and that is what P|PW is all about. 

What are the top 3 things that attendees should go hunt down on the show floor to expand what they just learned in P|PW?

Post-production happens in “big apps” so first, the attendees should seek out those companies on the show floor and thank them for being there. 

Second, everyone has their favorite tools that you’d have to pry from our cold, dead hands, but all of those tools most likely have competitors. Go find those competing tools you might have never seen or just dismissed and give them a look. Kindly ask questions of the vendors. Take the time to learn a little about these products that you might not encounter outside of a show like NAB Show. 

Finally, seek out the small booth and the small company that might only have one or two people. Those vendors spend a lot of money to be there, so give them the same love that the big companies get. That’s where you just might find your next game-changing product or service. 

What discussions should post-production pros and students be having with the exhibitors?

I think an important discussion with exhibitors these days is about pricing models and the industry trend toward subscription pricing. While monthly pricing is great for the company, there are some tools that just shouldn’t ask the customer for a monthly fee. With both inflation and the ever-increasing cost of streaming services people are tired and frustrated when yet another tool moves to a subscription model. Let’s make that one of our main topics of conversation at NAB Show.