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Welcome to the Vitrina Podcast, where we dive into the most innovative and cutting-edge companies from within the global entertainment supply chain.
In this episode of Vitrina Podcast, we welcome Chuck Parker, CEO at Sohonet.
These days the VFX partners tend to be in countries that are driven by Tax Credits, may be places like Vancouver, or New York… or Toronto or Sydney…
Podcast Chapters
| 00:00 | Introduction |
| 00:39 | Sohonet: Overview |
| 04:15 | Impact of Covid |
| 07:40 | Perfect Recipes for Remote Collaboration |
| 13:45 | Primary Buyer Personas |
| 16:20 | Broader Business Overview |
| 18:06 | Looking Back at 2023 |
| 22:05:00 | Moments of Recognition |
| 23:40:00 | Bespoke Solutions |
| 31:35:00 | Production Costs |
| 33:15:00 | Security is Super Super Important! |
| 34:00:00 | Gen A.I. Integration |
| 37:43:00 | Chuck’s Background |
| 41:23:00 | Closing Remarks |
Key Takeaways:
- Sohonet connects storytellers through communications, networking, and collaboration services for the film and TV industry.
- The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the business, with a halt in production services but increased demand for networking and remote collaboration.
- Sohonet primarily operates in North America, Western Europe, and Australia, serving medium to large budget productions.
- Sohonet focuses on reducing production costs and time through remote collaboration and aims to enhance its services through acquisitions and product integrations.
The more Remote Collaboration makes life easier for people to work apart, the more we’ll see that talent creative, labour market democratize.
Chuck Parker, CEO of Sohonet, joins the Vitrina podcast to discuss the outlook for the 2024 calendar year and provide an overview of Sohonet’s business. Sohonet connects storytellers by providing communications, networking, and collaboration services for the film and TV industry.
Chuck is an innovative digital media industry leader who has been the CEO of Sohonet since 2014, where he has led strong growth for the company, including 2 acquisitions and was awarded 2 Emmys for technical innovation along the way. Prior to Sohonet, Chuck was the CRO for Unicorn Media (acquired by Brightcove in 2013) and the founder and Chairman of the 2nd Screen Society.
Chuck’s industry capability was forged over 15 years in various senior-level roles at Technicolor including Chief Commercial Officer, President of their Digital Division, EVP & Managing Director of their International Home Entertainment division and Chief Information Officer. He holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame where he graduated with honors.
About Sohonet:
Sohonet's Latest Work
Remote Collaboration Solutions: Emmy Award-winning technology facilitates secure collaboration across the production cycle, enhancing content creation.
Realtime Collaboration: Sohonet’s ClearView range offers tools like ClearView Flex and ClearView Pivot, supporting real-time iteration and response during remote review discussions.
Filesharing: FileRunner enables lightning-fast, easy file transfers, supporting creative workflows without the need for plug-ins or installations.
Networking & Connectivity: Critical services for editors and designers, providing fast and reliable connectivity through solutions like Sohonet Media Network, Multiport, and Fastlane.
Media Security: Ensures high-value data and sensitive content are kept safe from hackers or misuse, offering secure storage for unreleased final cuts.
Exploring Connectivity and Collaboration in Film with Chuck Parker
In this insightful episode of the Vitrina Podcast, we engage with Chuck Parker, the CEO of Sohonet, to discuss the intricacies of digital connectivity and collaboration in film production. Chuck provides a deep dive into Sohonet’s operations, their role in the industry, and the future of film technology.
- Vitrina:
Welcome, Chuck! Could you start by giving us an overview of Sohonet and what your company specializes in?
Chuck Parker:
Thanks for having me. Sohonet primarily connects storytellers by providing essential services that start on set, like communication solutions including phones, internet, and wifi, and extend through to post-production. We’re well-known for our networking business that integrates sound stages globally with post-production and VFX companies. Additionally, we’ve developed tools like File Runner for file transfers and ClearView Flex and Pivot for real-time remote collaboration.
- Vitrina:
With the massive shift to remote work, how has COVID-19 impacted Sohonet, especially in terms of remote collaboration?
Chuck Parker:
COVID-19 had a profound impact. Initially, our on-set services were halted, but our networking business remained stable since connectivity became even more critical. The pandemic significantly accelerated the adoption of our remote collaboration tools as the industry had to adapt to remote workflows rapidly, which turned into an opportunity to refine and enhance these services.
- Vitrina:
Can you explain the different market segments Sohonet serves and how your solutions are particularly suited to these environments?
Chuck Parker:
We primarily operate in North America, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, focusing on markets with significant production budgets. Our services are most beneficial in medium to large budget productions that require extensive data management across various global locations, involving complex collaborations between multiple production and post-production entities.
- Vitrina:
2023 has been a challenging year due to industry strikes. How did these events affect Sohonet?
Chuck Parker:
The strikes had a considerable impact, causing a slowdown in production and a decrease in the commitment to new services. This environment forced productions to scale down, affecting our business directly as there was a significant reduction in the demand for our services across the board.
- Vitrina:
Sohonet has been involved in several acquisitions and has received industry accolades such as Emmys. Can you discuss these achievements and their significance for the company?
Chuck Parker:
Last year, we were honored with an Emmy for our ClearView Pivot, a testament to our commitment to enhancing remote collaboration. We also acquired 5th Kind, which is a strategic expansion aimed at enhancing our production asset management capabilities. These milestones are not only recognition of our technological advancements but also align with our goal to streamline post-production workflows.
- Vitrina:
With the advent of AI and machine learning, how is Sohonet incorporating these technologies into your offerings?
Chuck Parker:
While AI and machine learning are gaining traction, our focus remains on how these technologies can realistically enhance our services rather than just following trends. We are cautious about the hype but optimistic about the potential of AI to make certain production processes more efficient, particularly in visual effects and remote collaboration enhancements.
- Vitrina:
Lastly, could you share a bit about your professional journey and your vision for Sohonet’s future?
Chuck Parker:
I joined the industry in 2001 and have been with Sohonet since 2014, transitioning from CIO at Technicolor to leading Sohonet. My vision for Sohonet revolves around advancing our technologies to further support seamless global collaborations in filmmaking, ensuring that creative talents can focus on storytelling without the technical hassles of connectivity and data management.
In summary, Chuck Parker articulates Sohonet’s critical role in the evolving landscape of film production, emphasizing the importance of connectivity and advanced collaboration tools in today’s digital era. His insights provide a clear picture of how Sohonet is addressing the current challenges and preparing for future advancements in the industry.
