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Microsoft and The Walt Disney Studios to develop ‘scene-to-screen’ content workflows

Companies collaborate to pilot new ways to transform content workflows in the Microsoft Azure cloud; Microsoft becomes a Disney Studios StudioLAB innovation partner

REDMOND, Wash., and BURBANK, Calif. — Microsoft Corp. and The Walt Disney Studios today announced a five-year innovation partnership to pilot new ways to create, produce and distribute content on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. Through The Walt Disney Studios’ StudioLAB, a technology hub designed to create and advance the future of storytelling with cutting-edge tools and methods, the companies will deliver cloud-based solutions to help accelerate innovation at The Walt Disney Studios for production and postproduction processes, or from “scene to screen.”

“The cloud has reached a tipping point for the media industry, and it’s not surprising that The Walt Disney Studios, which has its heritage based on a passion for innovation and technology, is at the forefront of this transformation,” said Kate Johnson, president of Microsoft US.....“By moving many of our production and postproduction workflows to the cloud, we’re optimistic that we can create content more quickly and efficiently around the world,” said Jamie Voris, CTO, The Walt Disney Studios. “Through this innovation partnership with Microsoft, we’re able to streamline many of our processes so our talented filmmakers can focus on what they do best.”

From https://news.microsoft.com/

Orwellian? Perhaps a bit. Disney is famous for policing itself inside and out. Will creatives respond to tighter integration with producers so that each day's takes might be critiqued with notes by the time the director returns to her hotel? Or, will some directors welcome controlling a production -- having it "rationalized" from start-to-finish -- perhaps allowing that budget watching director to win more time for needed reshoots?

However you feel about this aspect, just know that companies are working hard to take as many parts of production out of your direct control. By attempting to pull together and "solve" all the spending and production issues, they are also taking away an important area of a director's responsibility..