Soho’s boutique post-production house adds new grading suite with Baselight ONE, Blackboard and Baselight Editions from FilmLight

As part of an ongoing expansion strategy, Platform Post – a leading broadcast post-production house in the heart of Soho – has opened its first dedicated grading suite incorporating a Baselight ONE grading system, Blackboard control panel and Baselight for Avid from FilmLight.

Platform Post

With two BAFTA award-winning projects in 2014, Platform Post is a complete post-production facility for the broadcast and TV industry, specialising in graphics-heavy and VFX finishing work for broadcast producers. Originally an editing house for sports and children’s programmes, it now offers the entire workflow of post services for all types of long-form and short-form broadcast programmes, promos and commercials.

With the introduction of a new dedicated grading suite – in addition to its ten editing suites, three audio suites and 3D graphics capabilities – Platform Post hopes to continue to compete with larger post-houses.

One of Platform Post’s first Baselight projects was for Avalon Television, on Sky Living’s recently aired comedy drama series, Trying Again. Shot on Alexa in England’s Lake District, Simon Cruse, company director and colourist at Platform Post, used Baselight to match location and studio shots while keeping a consistent and natural look.

“We are a small boutique facility but we have a number of industry-leading customers,” explained Cruse. “We want to be ‘first-choice’, and to do this we need access to the best possible technical solutions. The industry today expects a dedicated grading suite, so we have taken the steps required to deliver this service for our clients.

“There were no doubts in our minds when it came to selecting Baselight,” added Cruse. “As well as being fast – which is vital when working on half hour broadcast shows – Baselight is such a respected and powerful solution and it really helps validate the idea of working with us. We have received nothing but positive feedback from our customers – many walk in and greet it like an old friend. They instantly feel comfortable with it and automatically know we’re serious about our work.”

As well as Baselight ONE and a Blackboard control surface, Platform Post has invested in two Baselight for Avid licenses. Its Avid grading suites – which are due to be up and running in mid-July – will provide Platform Post’s colourists with a powerful tool for creating complex grades in conjunction with the VFX department.

Platform Post expects the Baselight to Baselight Editions renderless workflow to add speed and flexibility to its online capabilities, increasing productivity without compromising quality.

“We will be using Baselight Editions in our Avid online suites, running alongside Autodesk Smoke,” explained Cruse. “This will give us a very comprehensive online and grading toolset so we can achieve the highest finishing standards in a very cost-effective way.”