Frame.io: Camera to Cloud Video Uploads for Film Production

Frame.io Introduces Camera to Cloud Technology

Frame.io, a company specializing in video collaboration, has today announced the release of its new Camera to Cloud technology.

Bridging the Gap Between Consumer and Professional Workflows

Michael Cioni, Frame.io’s global senior vice president of innovation, highlighted the disparity between consumer video uploading habits and professional film/TV production methods. While instant cloud uploads are commonplace for individuals, professional workflows still heavily depend on physical hard drives.

This reliance stems from the significantly larger file sizes associated with high-quality professional footage. However, Frame.io addresses this challenge by utilizing the upload of “proxy” footage, which requires considerably less bandwidth.

Real-Time Accessibility and Parallel Processing

The team demonstrated the technology’s capabilities by successfully uploading footage via an LTE connection. This footage became accessible within seconds on a computer located across the country.

According to Cioni, this innovation transforms the editing timeline by eliminating the delays caused by physical media transport. “We transition this sequential process into a parallel one,” he explained.

Integration with Industry-Standard Software

Footage transmitted through Camera to Cloud can be directly edited within the Frame.io platform.

Furthermore, the technology seamlessly integrates with popular editing suites such as Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere. Crucially, the proxy footage retains the original timecodes and metadata, ensuring effortless synchronization of edits upon receipt of the master drives.

Enhanced Remote Collaboration

Camera to Cloud empowers production team members, both on and off-set, to instantly view footage from computers, iPhones, or iPads immediately after capture.

Frame.io CEO Emery Wells posed the question: “Wouldn’t it be beneficial to view footage on your phone the moment recording stops?” He noted that this capability is currently unavailable on professional sets, requiring dedicated personnel and playback monitors.

Responding to Evolving Production Needs

While development began prior to the pandemic, Wells emphasized the increased demand for this technology in the current environment. “There is now an even greater need for this, as fewer individuals are able to be physically present on set.”

Practical Application in “Songbird” Production

The technology was successfully implemented during the production of the film “Songbird”. Producers who were restricted from on-set access due to safety protocols were still able to monitor footage in real-time using Camera to Cloud.

Compatibility and Availability

Camera to Cloud is compatible with existing hardware, including the Teradek CUBE 655, Sound Devices 888 and Scorpio recorders. It supports cameras from manufacturers like Arri, RED, and Sony.

The feature is available at no extra cost to current Frame.io subscribers.

Looking Ahead

Cioni predicts a future where cloud-based recording becomes the standard for all audio and video production. “By the decade’s end, we anticipate that all audio, video, and related content will be directly recorded into the cloud,” he stated.