The Global Post Network is Redefining Post
The Global Post Network (GPN), with Goldcrest Post as a founding member, is an alliance of production and post-production service providers offering ground-breaking workflow solutions for television and film producers. Launched earlier this year, GPN leverages cutting edge cloud networking technology to allow entities in different parts of the country (and the world) to work together seamlessly. The aim is to remove geographic barriers, expand access to talent, maximize tax benefits, improve communication across departments, and facilitate creative collaboration. GPN currently involves participants in New York, London, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, including such well-respected companies as DigitalFilm Tree, Difuze and Great Point Studios. Already, the alliance has had several notable successes including the Paramount+ series Crutch (see story below).
GPN can benefit productions in several ways. For one, it saves time and money by integrating post-production into the workflow from the start. Productions have immediate access to resources such as dailies, editorial and color grading during pre-production and on the set to ensure a coherent workflow and avoid costly mistakes. “A lot of critical decisions are made early in production,” explains Goldcrest executive vice president Mark Kaplan. “Having insight from the post team from the very beginning is critical. We offer producers a way to address potential issues in one call before they start shooting.”
Productions also gain access to a virtually unlimited talent pool. They can work with editors, colorists and sound mixers of their choice, regardless of geographic location or affiliation. Shoot in New Mexico, edit in Atlanta, grade in LA and finish in New York with everyone working as a unified team.
With mounting pressure to control costs, GPN also provides novel ways to leverage tax incentives. Our resident team includes experts in the intricacies of tax incentive programs across North America and can help productions localize parts of their workflow to maximize savings. “Tax incentive programs are complex in terms of the size of the credit, eligibility and repayment,” explains sales and innovation advisor Pete Conlin. “Working with a partner who knows the rules is essential. We help productions calculate potential benefits and compare them across jurisdictions to put together a package that makes the best use of their budget.”
Through GPN, everyone comes out a winner: producers who need to bring their projects in on time and on budget; showrunners, directors and other creatives who want to work with the industry’s top talent; and post-production facilities and their artists seeking to expand their reach. “GPN offers real value, especially in this day and age where economics have changed dramatically,” Kaplan says. “One key advantage of this alliance is that each of the member companies is independently owned. Your point of contact is an owner or their top management team, not a venture capitalist. GPN companies work together for the good of the project because we are client-facility and client-driven. We’re nimble and can adapt quickly to any situation.”
“GPN is like Switzerland,” he concludes. “Our focus is finding you the resources or talent if we don’t have them within our current alliance. We package services based on what’s best for the project. Our priority is the client.”