![]() After extensive research we decided to build our system using Quantum’s StorNext Pro 4K. Now, we have about 300 artists accessing the Quantum solution consistently during the day, along with another 70 render nodes. We looked at a variety of storage solutions. The NAS solution would slow everything to a crawl - to the point where we had to schedule time for the artists versus time for the render during work hours. As the production process moves along, the assets get larger and require more resources. Then, in addition to that, we had the renderfarm also bidding for time on storage. It couldn’t serve the files to the artists quickly enough. We had a NAS environment before, which was suitable for our size at that time, but as we grew, NAS really started to slow us down. What sort of changes did you have to make?īurnard: One example would be our storage infrastructure. That’s tremendous growth in a short time. So we have to be efficient in order to stay on track. Right now Guru has about 300 people in the studio, and we’re running four shows. Besides that, our workload and staff quadrupled in just three years. We bend it, twist it, push it - because for the team to develop different and unique looks in a very saturated market, we have to be really innovative with the software and hardware. We use all types of software in different combinations at various stages of a project.īredin: I often tell people who don’t understand how animation works that we’re a high-tech company because of what we do with software. We also use Shotgun for 3D productions to help track our assets in the database. Houdini is a new one for us and it’s working out well. Having said that, we use some amazing tools and we have amazingly creative technical directors.īurnard: We use a whole gamut of software, including Maya, Harmony, Photoshop and Premiere. ![]() We view the technology as the means to that end, the tools that help us do our best work. The most important thing is understanding the creative vision. Tell us more about the production and post services you offer and the tools you use.īredin: Our services are all about creating stories and characters for our clients. Essentially, we finalize the picture and then go outside of Guru for sound design and packaging. We do the color correction in-house so that we have full control over the final look. Sandy: We take post as far as we possibly can under our own roof, further than a live-action studio could because it’s animation. With companies like Netflix needing 20 different language versions, it was critical to have someone in-house to do as much of the post as possible.Īre there parts of post that you don’t handle in-house? So last year we brought in Chris Sandy to do just that. We do post production on our shows and others, so content has always come first, but we don’t offer post as a service. Until recently, post was left to the producers to handle, but the bigger we got the more we really needed someone to focus solely on post. Which came first? Post services or content?īredin: We’re an entertainment company specializing in animation. You create your own content - or collaborate with others - and provide your post services. To find out more about the studio, its content and recent growth, postPerspective reached out to the Guru team - EVP of content & strategy Mary Bredin, director of IT Jason Burnard and post production manager Chris Sandy - to learn about what led up to the growth, how they handled it and how they remain successful. While growth is welcome, it comes with its own set of challenges. Over the past few years, Guru has gone through a major growth spurt. Guru’s programming airs around the world on Netflix, Disney Junior, Nickelodeon and other distribution channels Guru has several original programs in various stages of production, as well as other creative partnerships with the likes of Mattel and Nickelodeon. Another preschooler favorite is Paw Patrol, which is a creative production with Spin Master Entertainment. Its first original production, the Emmy-nominated Justin Time, has become a Netflix Original and a favorite among young children around the world. Toronto’s Guru Studio creates characters and tells stories through animation.
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