Tech Case Study: Streetwise (Part II)
New Developments, New Shows
Schuman’s team is currently in the process of deploying the "automated retrieval of segments" system envisioned by Rauffer almost 25 years ago. As the self-proclaimed, "glorified AV squad," they are now able to leverage the intelligence of their own DAM system with the latest in digital routing technology.
"Instead of having to retrieve a videotape and dub it, we can automatically take the order and get it from the server through a digital routing switcher to as many machines as we’d like," says Schuman. "Basically, it replaces a tape library with a digital server."
The decoders and machine controls are in place while Horoszowski continues to program the $100,000 Leitch digital routing switcher. Operators will soon have full control over the duplication process from their desktops.
The next phase of the CTW (now Sesame Workshop, after a name change in 2000) asset management evolution is currently a prototype and may prove to be the most complex. The team is shooting for a total DAM system of all Sesame Workshop properties, including: audio, video, scripts, paperwork, music cue sheets, every bit of associated art work in all digital formats (.JPG, vector art, Photoshop and Quark files, etc.), and style guides.
"Basically, all the associated assets from all the different groups within our groups — traditional publishing, online interactive, music, domestic and international TV production," adds Schuman.
A standards committee has been formed internally to satisfy the requirements of more than 10 different Workshop departments. According to Horoszowski, "each of them has their own file naming method. At this point, there is no company standard, so we have to translate to something that makes sense."
Author Amy Tan’s recently launched children’s series for PBS, "Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat," is being co-produced by Sesame Workshop and showcases these latest evolutions in Sesame Workshop’s DAM solution. "As we get these new shows, I come up with a slightly better concept for the application and improve upon it," says Horoszowski.
The Next 30 Years
If 148 countries’ worth of children and parents have anything to say about it, Sesame Street will live on forever. And with any longevity comes the need for technological evolution and innovation. The digital formats of today are destined to become the refuse of tomorrow, and no one understands this better than Rauffer. "We’re going through this temporary period here of upgrading our asset management to digital. All of these things are temporary means of storage and then we better get onto something else."
And while it’s no secret that digital media technology is characterized by rapid change, Schuman suggests that its adoption should be handled with kid gloves.
"We use all media for educational purposes, but ultimately, we’re a content producer," says Schuman. "We are prepared to go into any medium that works to advance our mission and educates children and hopefully supports itself."