Innovate UK funds remote post-production R&D project

Post-production company Virtual Post has been awarded a grant from Innovate UK under the European Commission’s temporary framework for state-aid measures to support the economy through the Covid-19 pandemic. Media storage specialist OvationData has also received a grant, and together with Virtual Post will use it to fund a large-scale R&D project named Post Production Provided Anywhere (POPPA).

POPPA aims to produce a prototype next-generation remote post-production system that will enable film and television companies to set up remote teams with access to fully provisioned toolsets quickly, easily and cost-effectively.

Key research objectives include establishing best practice to ensure people are kept safe by working remotely; and creating a platform that promotes diversity by removing traditional barriers to work.

Virtual Post will provide services, a flexible toolset and security protocols while OvationData will contribute its expertise in cloud and equipment provision and infrastructure.

Jon Lee, Virtual Post founder and CEO, said: “Our company name is a clue that we’ve known for some years now that we, as an industry, have not been providing post-production services in the most efficient and flexible way. As it has in just about every other area of life, the Covid crisis has accelerated the need for change. POPPA allows us to engage in an active listening project on a scale never before seen in our sector. Our model is to disrupt the market by removing fixed-cost, city-specific locations and giving customers and staff control over where and how they work.”

Andrew McConnell, business development manager for OvationData, adds: “As a systems integrator to the post-production sector for over 20 years, OvationData has witnessed the evolution of an industry that had its roots firmly in Soho to the global phenomenon that UK founded post is today. One of the key reasons for this success has been the industry’s ability to adapt and overcome new challenges. We are proud to be part of this project which aims to develop new and innovative methods for post-production workflows in today’s rapidly changing landscape.”