Von Johnson & Associates Chooses Blackbird Cloud Platform by Forbidden Technologies

Forbidden Technologies has announced that Von Johnson & Associates (VJA) has selected and is partnering with the Blackbird cloud platform for localization production and secured delivery of video content for television, feature film, and major international OTT platforms including Apple, Netflix, and Amazon.

Blackbird seamlessly and easily integrated into VJA’s existing media infrastructure and workflow, which uses the SpeedySuite Facility Management System for expertly managing their existing operations. The Blackbird codec is purpose-built for the cloud environment but flexible enough that a server can be installed and maintained locally. The Blackbird codec runs frame-accurately like a high-performance workstation on a lightweight connection of 2 mb/s. The codec and Edge server software rapidly and securely service huge volumes of video content including watermarking, wherein files can be accessed within seconds and viewed via stream by translators from any browser-based device, anywhere in the world and at any time without the need for any files to be fully downloaded — this delivers significant security advantages as well as time and budget savings. As Blackbird is cloud-based there are no start-up costs as all the infrastructure is already in place.

Content localization involving the preparation of TV, movie, and video titles ready for global distribution is a rapidly growing business. Spending on these services in Europe, Middle East and Africa alone is currently $2b annually with up to 10% year on year growth expected.

“We looked at the localization vertical and knew we could add efficiency and security to this growing market,” says Forbidden CEO Ian McDonough. “We are extremely excited to have VJA join a great roster of other important Blackbird customers and partners around the world as we expand our international footprint.”

“We have been using SpeedySuite, the first cloud-based solution that manages suppliers, workflows, tasks, and assets for the localization supply chain and all the nuances associated with working with multiple foreign languages for dubbing, subtitling and accessibility services,” says VJA CEO Von Johnson. “Incorporating the Blackbird platform and codec was seamless and has increased capacity and product throughput whilst reducing time to complete production cycles in the demanding needs of localization, even more critically important as more content is being streamed. Using the combination of SpeedySuite and adding the Blackbird cloud platform and codec, allows us to confidently tackle any project in the ever-changing world of media. Producers and distributors work in unique ways with unique requirements. After extensive testing and roadmap review, we are very pleased with the enhanced benefits, especially the speed and security that Blackbird brings to our current projects and into the future.”