PRODUCER Maker Machina Mark II Update – New Features Explained

by Alexandra ThompsonSeptember 18^th, 2024

At this year’s IBC 2024, PRODUCER was showcasing the Maker Machina Mark II update of their product – the all-in-one production software developed to streamline the entire production process on a single platform. By centralizing all assets, the company’s aim has been to consolidate everything into one production tool, and this update’s new features should streamline workflow even more. So, let’s have a look at what’s coming up.

We first looked at PRODUCER in February and were quite impressed with their concept. In fact, we are still impressed, and CineD has announced them as the winner of the CineD Streaming / Remote Production / Cloud Workflows Award for IBC 2024!

Back in February, 4000 people were testing the software, and MRX Productions had also evaluated the software in real-world testing. Now, they’ve reached almost 10,000 users, and after hitting that milestone, they’re rolling out some new features, which you can read about in detail here. As the company continues to grow, Nino spoke with Xaver Walser at IBC about their plans and what features they are most excited about in the (near) future.

The Project Calendar for PRODUCER Mark II

As a reminder, PRODUCER offers tools to manage things like storyboards, shot lists, call sheets, and schedules while centralizing communication with clients and crew. It simplifies production workflow and supports communication between everyone working on a production. An asset they are adding, and one of the key improvements featured in the Mark II version, according to Xaver, is the addition of a Project Calendar. This calendar will provide a visual overview of the entire production timeline, allowing teams to assess the project’s progress quickly. By offering a clear representation of tasks, PRODUCER will help users identify potential issues and improve task management, resulting in a more efficient workflow.

An example of how practical this is on an executive level is that the entire process can be viewed to see exactly where the production is standing at the moment. For example, regarding task management, you can see what someone is working on visually, via a small picture, and how far along they are as well. You can then add or remove tasks as necessary for a smoother workflow.

Xaver also pointed out that the calendar is helpful to show clients who may be wondering about the timing on a production or, worse, want you to “squeeze” something else in. Just show them the Calendar, and they’ll see the actual flow of the project. The Calendar is in beta now but should be fully released in the next month or so. Initially, it will cover one project, but ultimately, the company says it will be able to provide an overview of multiple projects.

Xaver also highlighted that offering an overview of the entire production process is ideal for filmmakers and content creators working in smaller setups. The software’s automatic features significantly enhance workflow efficiency. For instance, when a storyboard is created, the system automatically generates related elements like call sheets and shot lists, streamlining the production process – saving time and manpower.

Price and availability

PRODUCER has a 7-day free version, so you can try out all the tools. After seven days, some of the features will be limited (like the ability to export a PDF). Xaver mentioned that the current pricing will only be available until the end of the year. Please note that you can store your data on servers located in the US, Europe, or South America (Australia coming soon) when setting up PRODUCER. Prices are as follows:

• Free Machine – Manage contacts, design storyboards, and prepare unlimited call sheets. Limited to 2 projects per company account, maximum 10 shots, no PDF exports. 1 user / 5 GB.
• Starter Maker Machine – For solo creators, freelancers, and small production offices up to 10 users / 50 GB: $29 per user/month or $25 per user/month yearly.
• Professional Production Machine – For media departments and production houses. No user limit / 500 GB: $55 per user/month or $49 per user/month yearly.
• Enterprise Custom Machine – The Enterprise plan offers your organization tailored scalability, security, control, and support. Contact them for a quote.

For more information about PRODUCER, please visit their website here.

Are you a small production company or a content creator who can be supported using a program like PRODUCER in your workflow? What is your current method for organizing your productions? Let us know in the comments!