AudioMedia - June 2008 - (Page 20)

Special Report Videosonics Closed To Business Some might say it marks the end of an era – others might say it’s a sign of the times. Both are probably true. What is certain though is that after 24 years in the business of audio post production, the loss of Videosonics is a significant, sad, and iconic event. PAUL MAC talks to Dennis Weinreich about the circumstances surrounding the liquidation of this important facility. V ideosonics grew from impressive staff retention rates in over the years, not only for the success observations of the the business. So why has the and the results, but his willingness to inadequacies of traditional business failed? put back into the industry a little of audio-for-video I went to the facility what he has gained, through industry production at a half expecting Dennis associations, events like the Conch time when the to open the doors awards, and a commitment to the music industry was himself and guide me nurture and training of staff. forging ahead with through an empty “With the best will in the world, new techniques studio to a lonely people will not realise everything and technologies. office. This turned they would have hoped to in their Capitalising on out to be far from the relationship with Videosonics,” his experience in reality. At a cursory Weinreich continues. “But I would music, and a bit of glance, you wouldn’t like to think we will do it well – that fo r t u i to u s t i m i n g have known anything my creditors, which are thankfully (the governmentwas up – reception fairly small, will all suffer the backed independent still busy, runners still minimum – that my staff will suffer production quotas), running, business the minimum.” Co-Founder Dennis s t i l l b e i n g d o n e. Weinreich (together In fact, a new company with his wife, Li) – APA Audio Post – is quickly built Videosonics into the in-situ, though this is a product go-to place for a booming production of the liquidation process. industry. Videosonics pioneered APA exists as a vehicle to see the use of non-linear technology ongoing projects through to with the AudioFile system, and completion. “When every eventually moved into an ample project is finished, so are space in Delancey Street (Camden we,” explains Weinreich. Town, London). Videosonics has “It could continue – I’m spent 24 years growing to the size of not saying it won’t – but four surround sound mixing rooms as we sit here right now, (including three THX film dubbing the main concern is an theatres), nine all-digital editing orderly and honourable rooms, a dedicated Foley studio, and ending of Videosonics. nine editorial/production rooms. That’s what’s important.” The product that has emerged from Weinreich’s concern over the facility is a canon of the best in the Videosonics legacy and British TV and film, the studio has a and its ‘honarable’ departure long list of happy and loyal clients, is the mark of a man who has and it boasts one of the most been praised many times DK_MSD100C_Audio Media Qtr:Layout 1 6/2/08 16:26 Page 1 Dennis Weinreich of Videosonics. “It could continue – I’m not saying it won’t – but as we sit here right now, the main concern is an orderly and honourable ending of Videosonics. That’s what’s important.” On the reasons behind the financial failure of the business, Weinreich was happy to name the main players. His finger first points at the business itself: “I think that if there was a strategic error that I made anywhere, it was that I should have maintained a 50/50 mix of film and TV work,” explains Weinreich. “Somewhere back in 2003 or 2004, the film industry was exploding, it was so busy, and people were begging us to work in film we were seduced by that to some degree. You start to look at a TV job, and think ‘well, I like that show, and it’s a good show and everything, but I can do this movie and it’s more satisfying’ Sound is the junior partner in a TV relationship In a motion picture, that’s not the case – the importance and the emphasis on sound as a tool for helping you tell the story has much more respect than it does in TV.” Th e G o l d e n R at i o M a k i n g Cu t s I n Cre at i v i t y So Videosonics’ work was more and more dominated by film. Fast forward to 2006 and the incoming bombshell of changes to the tax rules that, up until then, had fuelled the boom in the British film > “Solutions in Audio & Video” Features • Economical, dedicated loudness meter • AES3 & Stereo Analogue Inputs • Meets Loudness Standard ITU BS1770 & 1771 • Software upgrade also available for MSD600m++ including graphical display and PC interface. Email: info@dk-technologies.com • Web: www.dk-technologies.com • Tel: +45 4485 0255 • Fax: +45 4485 0250 DK-Technologies A/S, Marielundvej 37D, Herlev DK-2730, Denmark. 20 A UADUI D I O E DE I D I A N jO V EEM 2 0 0R8 2 0 0 5 O MM A BE Un http://www.dk-technologies.com http://www.dk-technologies.com http://www.dk-technologies.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of AudioMedia - June 2008

AudioMedia - June 2008 Contents Recording Post Broadcast AES Review What's Up UK? Geofocus: Australia For the Record Special Report: Videosonics Newstalk: DPA New Microphones Novation SL Compact Allen & Heath IDR-8 Eastwest Quantum Leap SD2 & Goliath Final Cut: Indiana Jones Merging ADR Module Koolworld SSL Duende Good Product Sampler: Microphones Video Guide AMSR Meyer Sound The Blue Planet Live! Royer Labs Mics R-121 & R-122

AudioMedia - June 2008

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