Starz Animation: Scheduling an Animated Fantasy Epic

Canada's leading digital animation studio plans the visionary visual effects for "9" with FastTrack Schedule

In an industry known for being incredibly imaginative and innovative, as well as intensely deadline-driven, Starz Animation Toronto needs a solution that enables it to keep multiple projects on schedule and prepare for the unanticipated changes that occur throughout the creative production process. Starz Animation Toronto found the right tool in AEC Software's FastTrack Schedule.

Proactive Planning is Key

As Canada's leading digital animation studio, Starz Animation Toronto works with major Hollywood and independent studios; having produced several popular animated features, including "9" for Focus Features, Tim Burton, and Timur Bekmambetov; and "Gnomeo and Juliet" for Miramax and Rocket Pictures. FastTrack Schedule played an invaluable part in the success of both digital films.

Terry Dale is Starz's Vice President of Operations, responsible for overseeing the studio's technology development and animation production teams – ensuring both entities are working together on projects effectively and efficiently.

“Our internal technology systems allow us to see what is happening with our projects on a day-to-day basis, but in a deadline-driven industry where things are always changing, this just isn't enough. We need a way to stay ahead. Rather than being reactive to shifts in resources, schedules and workload, we want to be proactive – plan for the unexpected and be confident in our ability to handle such a situation successfully, should it arise.”

Frustration-Free with FastTrack Schedule

Noting that the studio “wasted a lot of time” with a popular project management program that was too big and cumbersome, Dale says, “We needed a tool that could provide a clear birds-eye view of our ongoing projects, quickly communicate schedules and resources, and most importantly, allow us to look ahead and predict possible scenarios in the future.”

“I immediately realized FastTrack Schedule is a lot easier, and is more task and detail-oriented than other project management solutions I explored. And FastTrack Schedule is extremely cost-effective. I was excited about what we saw, so we bought several licenses, got it up and running in a couple of days and since then have left all of our previous project management frustrations behind.”

Transforming 'What-Ifs' into Project Plans

Dale and his team at Starz Animation Toronto use FastTrack Schedule in the pre-planning stages of a project, to ensure the studio has the capacity to complete the work before making any commitments to prospective clients.

“Now using FastTrack Schedule, we input real-time information into a Gantt chart and then add data to create 'what-if' situations. This allows us to visualize what will happen if we take on another project and how we can fit it in without creating a production nightmare. It's easy, quick and exactly what we need to be more accurate and confident in our scheduling decisions.”

FastTrack Schedule was key to the success of the animated fantasy epic "9". Unlike other productions that typically span up to two years, Starz Animation Toronto worked on a compressed time schedule for the movie. Faced with a lot to do in a very short period of time, FastTrack Schedule helped the team meet its deadlines.

“For one of our current projects, the in-house producer saw what we were doing with FastTrack Schedule and requested the same ability to manage and monitor the project, and to create predictions with possible 'what-if' scenarios. By providing a new level of transparency, we are able to build a new level of trust with our clients.”

More FastTrack Schedule Success Stories