Methods and appartuses for assisting the production of media works and the like

Abstract

Systems and methods for assisting one or more users in the production of a media work from a plurality of recordings are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, digital versions of the recordings are stored on a file-storage server accessible over a communications network. A media-library server provides an organized way for users to access and view the digital versions, and to associate various data files with the digital versions, such as transcription files, logging files, and storyboard documents. The exemplary media library generates web pages that enable users to search and access the digital versions from an internet browser running on a conventional personal computer. The browser also enables users to view the digital versions with a browser-compatible media viewer.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for assisting users in the production of media works and the like from a plurality of recordings and other content assets.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The entertainment industry has developed a new genre of movie / television entertainment called “Reality TV,” or “unscripted programming.” In this genre, untrained actors are placed in various settings with general direction and rules to guide their interactions, but without a specific script for actions or dialog. Beforehand, the production staff has a general idea of the storyline for the production, but the final storyline will depend upon the interactions that take place. Several video cameras are located within the settings and record the interactions among the actors for long periods of time. Various stimuli may be introduced into the settings by the production staff to provoke unpredictable interactions among the actors. After several setting...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The features of the first exemplary system eliminate the need for generation of duplicate tapes (e.g., VHS-work copies), and the corresponding production bottleneck. The features of preferred embodiments of this exemplary system simplify and streamline the management and access of the recordings by providing central access to the content of the recordings by way of the digital versions, by electronically notifying users of the presence of the digital versions, and by monitoring the location of the original recordings. The features of additional preferred embodiments increase access to, and review of, the content of the recordings by providing sub-clips of the records, by managing the procurement of transcription / logging data files, and by enabling easy access to the transcription / logging data files.

[0011]The features of the second exemplary system simplify for the users the tasks of managing and tracking the content of the recordings. The features of the preferred embodiments of this exemplary system simplify for the users the task of searching the content of the recordings, and facilitate communication among the users.

[0014]It is another object of the present invention to provide production staff with more organized access to recordings and other content assets used to construct media works.

[0015]It is another object of the present invention to enable production staff to decrease the amount of time needed to create a media work from recordings and other content assets.

[0016]It is yet another object of the present invention to provide production staff with the ability to explore a greater range of creativity in their media works.

Problems solved by technology

The large number of tapes has, however, created several problems that hamper and delay the production, and that increase the need for additional staffing to manage the distribution of duplicate tapes.

As a first problem, the duplication of the videotapes requires time and expensive duplicating equipment.

This has created a significant bottleneck in getting the video material to the production staff.

As a second problem, the task of duplicating tens to hundreds of tapes as quickly as possible often creates a haphazard work environment where the original tapes and duplicates can be misplaced, lost, mislabeled, mixed up, and / or stolen.

As a third problem, the large volume of duplicate tapes complicates the tape management and distribution process, and often leads to the failure to distribute duplicate tapes to key staff production persons for transcription, logging, and storyline development.

As a fourth problem, the large volume of video material has made it difficult for the production staff to communicate with one another and correctly identify important video scenes.

This impedes the creativity and productivity of the producers and the storywriters.

As a fifth problem, the large volume of original tapes makes it difficult to correlate and communicate all the production information (e.g., “shoot packet documentation”) associated with the original tapes.

As a sixth problem, the production staff is essentially forced to work out of a central facility because of the need to have physical access to the duplicate tapes and associated documentation.

To date, these problems have hindered the production and development of unscripted programming.

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