A new workflow at Digipost

There will be some changes this year in how Digipost operates. Instead of passing a project from one station to the next, everyone will be organized into a few small teams to take on a whole project collectively. Senior Editor Nick Jones explains the changes and why they’re good for both Digipost and clients:

As Senior Editor at Digipost, what’s the most important part of your role?

My role is to mentor and nurture our young team of talented editors.

In just over a year, we have members of our team working with international brands, agencies and directors and I really enjoy knowing that my team is developing and becoming more and more successful.

Who’s on your team and what are their jobs? (Name & role)

My team consists of Quang, who is a very talented storytelling editor, Laura Knieling who is our brilliant colourist (and occasional editor), Leo who is our star junior editor and mgfx guru and Duc who is also a upcoming junior editor and IT chap.

What do you think the advantage is of changing the workflow at Digipost from “assembly-line” style to small teams that take on a project together?

As the industry has changed and moved away from the traditional ways of doing post, we realise that artists need multiple skillsets so that we can work effectively in a dynamic and fluid environment.

Also, our team spirit is very strong. We have a formidable work ethic and a high standard of workmanship. In essence, a strong creative pride. As we are a small team, our work is representative of us all, so we dead-set on making it the best that we can.

Each of us are constantly developing new areas of skills and abilities, so that as each project comes in we can offer more to our client.

What are you most looking forward to in 2017 at Digipost?

I’m looking forward to taking on more and more projects. We also want to integrate a wider skillset in our team, so eventually we can handle all aspects of post production within one unit.

See Digipost’s 2017 reel and Visual Effects reel here.

Reinier Blommaert – our new Audio Supervisor

We’re excited to welcome a new supervisor to our audio department, bringing tons of experience and a new perspective to Digipost. Here’s a little about his background and his take on the potential of the audio industry in Vietnam.

In July 2016, our new addition Reinier Blommaert was asked to supervise sound for a Vietnamese feature film, gladly accepted the challenge and moved to Vietnam with his wife and 1 year old son. After the project was finished, he was liking life in Ho Chi Minh City so much that he started looking for new job opportunities. After meeting with Digipost’s Andy Ho he was contracted as new senior of the audio department.

Reinier Blommaert has over 25 years of experience in the sound and music industry. He started playing bass guitar at the age of 9, experimenting with computers and 4-track recorders while adding electric guitar and piano to his skill sets.

After graduating with a degree in Music Technology from the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht, he earned an additional Master of Arts degree through the university of Portsmouth (UK).

He started out as a post-production sound engineer at Cinemeta Studios, working for international clients such as Walt Disney, Dreamworks, Dolby and advertising agencies.

He then switched to Cruise Control recording studios to work full-time on recording, editing and mixing music, for international clients including D-12 (Eminem), Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Paul Simon) and No Angels.

In the meantime, he founded Controverse Music, specializing in music composition & production, live performances, show production, musical direction, sound engineering and education.

Reinier has been a teacher and lecturer of sound and music lessons at various professional educations, including the international SAE institute.

What’s the most important aspect of your role in the audio department?

The main goals of my function are to professionalize the audio department further, so it can meet the standards (international) clients require. And develop new business opportunities, build partnerships and a strong brand presence for Digipost in the audio/music industry.

What potential do you see at Digipost/in Vietnam for audio? Anything innovative, new, exciting to share?

I see the consumer market of the music, broadcast, games and film industry is shifting more and more to online, on-demand streaming services. I will have to do some more market research as I am quite new in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, but I believe some interesting developments and opportunities may arise in the coming years.

What’s changed about the field of audio production in the last five years?

What’s really changed in audio and music production, and post production in general, is that the technology that used to be available for high-end companies only, has gotten more and more accessible to anyone with a laptop and a set of speakers. The upside of this is that more talent can surface easier as more people can practice the art. The downside of this is that it gets more difficult to tell the pros from the amateurs for the rest of the industry (clients, consumers, et cetera). But I believe that in the end, people will always recognize quality over quantity. They will learn from wrong decisions and in the end, come back to you for your unique skills and personality, which cannot be bought.

Happy Year of the Rooster!

A new year is upon us! Here are the condensed versions of a year worth of blood, sweat and creativity:

DIGIPOST SHOWREEL 2017 from DIGIPOST VN on Vimeo.

DIGIPOST CG Reel 2017 from DIGIPOST VN on Vimeo.

 

And just for fun, a glimpse at the people behind the curtain and what they’ll be up to over the break: 

Rahul Kallankandy – Visual Effects Director

“Going to Bali. The energy around the time of Tet is beautiful. Saigon is decorated with lovely flowers and artwork. There is a very positive vibe and the general feeling is of happiness and joy.”

Tran Quang Tuan – 3D Artist

“Travel with my bike. Visit friends along the trip.”

Nick Jones – Senior Editor

“For Tet I will be in Vung Tau. I enjoy seeing families come together. I’ll enjoy trying to practice Vietnamese with my inlaws.”

Duc Duong – Editor

“I spend most of my holiday time with my family and my friends. I have a plan going out of city and climb mountain on second day of Lunar New Year, third day i will visit my old school teacher.”

Reinier Blommaert – Audio Department Senior

“Moving!”

Tu Chung Han – Online Assistant 

“I will spend several days for cleaning the house, repairing, updating stuff (computer, electronic machine…), buying new clothes, prepare money to give family, relatives.”