Quality Cine Labs: A Quick Look

An Interview with Mohit Shetty, Director	Back

RI : What does Quality Cine Labs specialise in?
MS : Our objective is to provide a one-stop shop service for film processing, non-linear based audio/video post-production, animation and special effects. Our primary focus is on film processing for medium budget films and audio/video post facilities for the local television industry. We offer a complete package to film producers from film camera hire, film processing, non-linear post-production for film/audio right up to final audio mix for theatrical release. On the television front, we provide offline and online video finishing/mastering, mainly specialising in visual special effects and digital audio post service for the new genre of one-hour thriller based programmes seen on Zee and Star TV.

RI : Tell us about the stereo mix facility that you have recently commissioned.
MS : Our newly commissioned stereo mix facility is equipped with Pro Tools 24|MIXplus and a ProControl Digital Mixing Console. Performance has been exceptional taking into account the fact that we did not switch off the system for over 20 days of 24 hour stereo mixing schedules. I find the ProControl of exceptional value in terms of ease of use and efficiency. We hope to provide big budget Hindi film producers a facility where they can do ADR, dialogue sync, layback of music/effects tracks prior to getting into a DTS/Dolby mix facility.

RI : You plan to set up an Avid training facility for film editors. Could you elaborate?
MS : We have a dearth of NLE trained editors and a complete lack of training facilities for upgradation of NLE skills or training the next generation NLE editors. We plan to fill this gap by setting up an Avid-certified digital studio training facility that would provide all current film and tape based editors a chance to upgrade their working skills, and of course students keen on taking up film/TV editing as a full-time career. After Bombay, we are looking at Bangalore as the next stop, and depending on the response to these training facilities, we will look at setting up more locations.

RI : What expansions are you considering in the near future?
MS : We plan to upgrade our current dubbing facilities from Tascam DA-88 to Pro Tools 24|MIX with ADR/VocAlign. We are looking at setting up two more dubbing facilities and 3 more nonlinear editing facilities with Avid Media Composer and Film Composer, in addition to our existing facilities. We are also looking closely at the Telecine and Digital Film Mixing business and will be taking a decision shortly.