HPA Tech Retreat: Warner Bros. Details Debut of The Metadata Project

By Carolyn Giardina
February 15, 2012

Sean Cooney of Warner Bros. introduced an R&D project — dubbed “The Metadata Project” — which is exploring how to efficiently integrate many systems, including scripts, asset management and editorial.
The studio is working with various vendors. Its prototype system relies on API integration and incorporates a cloud component.
It is also developing prototype field apps including “DP Room,” a collaboration with the ASC.
“To create a flexible system that others can plug into — everybody wins,” said Kirsten Thayer, product manager of Final Draft, which is involved in the effort.
“I got tired of writing the same information on set,” said David Stump, ASC. ‘This is finally the tipping point that I hoped we’d get to — turning ‘metapaper’ into metadata.”
He added: “People are going to say ‘how did we ever make movies without this?’”
“Success would be centralizing the data,” allowing filmmakers to focus on the creative process rather than the technology, said Steve Cronan, CEO of 5th Kind.
Summed up Stump of what such a metadata project would mean: “No film is ever finished — but we can abandon them a little closer to finished.”

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