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Fifth Major Survey Report Shows Optimistic Economic Forecast With Solid Hardware and Software Investment Plans for Pro-Video, Special Effects, Dynamic Media Markets

10/21/2004

TrendWatch Inc., a respected market information company for the pro-video, visual effects and graphics markets, today published its fifth Visual Effects/Dynamic Media Survey Report. The major findings of this groundbreaking research include the number of workstations, render nodes and video editing systems by platform for U.S. studios/facilities. Other key data from the survey show the amount of time spent on 2D and 3D production tasks, data transfer protocols used and studio storage capabilities. Published twice per year, TrendWatch's Visual Effects/Dynamic Media Survey Report is based on original research conducted with over 700 U.S.

studio/facility owners and senior management that is reviewed and edited by TrendWatch's team of industry experts. This exclusive report covers many of the U.S. pro-video and film markets, including animation and visual effects studios, postproduction facilities, audio recording/mixing studios, video editing/recording studios, independent filmmakers, corporate film & video companies, production companies, broadcast/cable studios, and Web/interactive media companies. FINDINGS FROM THIS RESEARCH:-- Industry economic conditions improve and business is picking up again in mid-size and smaller studios.-- High Definition (HD) is here to stay and starts to shift from a business challenge to a new business opportunity as the industry works to develop HD standards.-- Investments in hardware and software remain strong as studios continue to improve their production and creative capabilities to win new clients and increase pipeline productivity. -- The independent filmmaker segment is poised for growth fueled by renewed interest in documentaries.-- Broadcast/cable studios wrestle with finding and keeping qualified employees while they gather financial resources to grow their operations.

-- Networked storage and collaborative workflow move into small and mid-size studios.-- Offshore competition is a growing problem for animation and visual effects studios of all sizes.-- In a typical week, seven out of ten U.S. studios spend less than 10% of their production time doing 3D related production tasks such as 3D scanning, 3D modeling, 3D animations, and 3D simulations/games."This survey shows a stronger economy, solid investment plans for hardware and software, and the continued importance of qualified and well-trained employees," said Jim Whittington, TrendWatch Partner. "Many studios feel pressured to invest in the latest technology and best people just to keep up with their competitors. One of the surprises in this survey was that two thirds of the mid-size broadcast/cable studios see hiring new people, specifically producers, as an opportunity for new business. This tells us many broadcasters are wrestling with how to keep their good people from leaving and gives us a glimpse of the human resource pressure in this part of the market." REPORT HIGHLIGHTS:-- 25% of U.S.

studios/facilities report business this past year as "excellent, better than 2003." This is up 7% from six months ago.-- 26% of broadcast/cable studios and production companies say HD video represents a new business opportunity.-- 27% of U.S. visual effects/animation studios say competition from studios outside the U.S. is a major business challenge they must address; up 5% from six months ago.-- 63% of U.S. studios/facilities have one or more Mac workstations; 68% have one or more PC workstations.-- 61% of U.S. studios/facilities have one or more PC render nodes; 46% have one or more Mac render nodes; 7% have one or more Linux render nodes-- 24% of U.S.

studios/facilities have between two to four HD video editing systems and over half (54%) have two to four SD video editing systems. -- 27% of U.S. studios have direct attached storage (DAS), 16% have networked attached storage (NAS) and 13% have storage area networks (SANs).TOP 2004-2005 INVESTMENTS -- 68% plan to buy workstations (up 3% from our Winter 2003-04 report).-- 48% plan to by video editing software (down 3%). -- 49% plan to buy servers (up 1%).-- 45% plan to buy DVD authoring software (up 2%).-- 41% plan to buy music/audio software (up 8%).TOP 2004-2005 BUSINESS CHALLENGES-- Economic conditions remain the top challenge for 81% of studios/facilities (down 4% from our Summer 2003 report).-- 56% of studios/facilities remain uncertain about the future direction of their businesses (down 1%).-- Competition is the #3 business challenge with 54% reporting this problem )down 2%).-- 45% of studios/facilities list finding qualified employees as a top business challenge (down 1%). TOP 2004-2005 NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES -- Corporate videos and commercials are the top two projects expected to generate new business in 2004.-- 62% expect their production capabilities and 44% see their creative/design capabilities as tools to generate new business (little change from the last survey).-- One in three studios see hiring more employees as key to new business (unchanged).PRICING AND AVAILABILITYThe TrendWatch Visual Effects/Dynamic Media Survey Report is available now in a two-issue subscription for $9,550 USD per year.

To order, or for more information, please contact TrendWatch at 1-415-380-8561 or via email at e-mail protected from spam bots. Report samples and information are available at www.trendwatch.com.ABOUT TRENDWATCHTrendWatch is among the most trusted and respected market information brands in the professional graphics industries. Since 1996, TrendWatch has provided an independent resource for tracking on-going business metrics. TrendWatch reports are based on original market research with studio/ facility business owners/ executives and used by leading suppliers and analysts. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at www.trendwatch.com.TrendWatch is a registered trademark of TrendWatch, Inc.

All other brand names, product names, service marks or trademarks belong to their respective holders. For more information, press only:Heidi Lowell, Liaison Inc., (503) 796-9822Scotti McGowan, Liaison Inc., (503) 796-9822Reader contact:   Jim Whittington, PartnerTrendWatch, Inc.(415) 380-8561e-mail protected from spam bot.

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