what is Willoughby?
Does your shot tracking database look like the instrument panel of a 747? Are there unlabeled fields that don’t serve a purpose? Random buttons that you’re afraid to push? Rows of checkboxes for who knows what? Or is it just a spreadsheet? Willoughby is none of these things!
Since Willoughby is undergoing a facelift, we’re not yet able to share screenshots, so we’ll have to let feedback from our beta testers paint the picture for now.
spreadsheet ≠ database
Willoughby was designed with an uncluttered interface and intuitive navigation, setting a new standard in visual effects shot management. We’ve combined our years of experience in the VFX industry with the technical expertise required to leverage the full power of a relational database using the popular FileMaker platform.
versatile statuses
Willoughby offers a variety of default status fields for shots, versions, vendors, and more. Since every show has unique needs, the statuses are all customizable (including text color and backgrounds). You can even create your own specialized status fields to track any additional information you’d like!
collapsible content
Too much visible data can be overwhelming. If you prefer the minimalist view of a shot’s detail page, one click will hide supporting data, leaving all but notes and vital summary fields visible. Should you want a bird’s-eye view of a large list, Willoughby’s collapsible content can reduce hundreds of shots to their main categories, grouping every row into just a handful of parent headings such as scene, vendor, status, or priority.
tags, saved finds, & snapshots
You can perform complex finds in Willoughby using multiple criteria to locate whatever you need or simply copy and paste a list of shot ids. Shots with common attributes can be designated with user-defined tags. Your favorite searches can be saved for later retrieval, instantly—or you can create a snapshot of a found set to send to a colleague, so you’re both looking at the same thing.
shot costs
Producers can track simple financial data such as breakdown, bid, and actual vendor costs. Running totals and variances are available on each shot, including the ability to track costs between vendors for shared shots. Only users authorized by your show’s administrator will be able to see financials.
in-house management
Willoughby streamlines the management of your in-house VFX team. Each artist has their own homepage that lets them see the shots assigned to them, the shots they’ve submitted, and any notes they’ve received. They can also view a list of shots available to all artists that are ready to start.
specialty access for vendors
Willoughby also allows your vendors to access a read-only version of their shots using only a web browser. They’re able to log in to your database’s specialized Vendor Page, which shows them real-time updates to thumbnails, descriptions, statuses, notes, and other data. This info is downloadable for easy import into their own shot tracking software.
wanna join our beta program?
While Willoughby is being upgraded with new features, we are not accepting any new shows into the beta testing program.
If you would like to join our wait list, please reach out with your contact information and/or sign up for our mailing list using the form below.