Avid aims to create pipeline of talent with free software, campus program

Disruption in traditional media and platforms has been a dominating theme of Avid at this year’s Avid Connect gathering before the start of the NAB Show, so much so, that the companies CEO Louis Hernandez, Jr. even released a book on the topic.

With this idea of industry change in mind, Avid has opted to take on Apple’s Final Cut Pro X, Lightworks and Adobe’s Premiere Pro head on with a consumer-oriented zero cost (free) editing package, dubbed Avid Media Composer | First, along with providing deeper discounts and partnerships to colleges and universities through its new Avid Media Campus program.

“The Avid Media Campus program will enhance and strengthen students’ experience with the advanced tools and workflows used by real-world production facilities, significantly boosting their employment prospects,” said Daniel Sosnowski, faculty technical manager at Middlesex University in a release.

Through both initiatives, Avid hopes to develop a better pipeline of talent that is fully trained and ready to utilize its tools in a working broadcast environment.

Media Composer | First

The parred down Media Composer | First offering will provide most of the same tools as Avid’s enterprise level product, along with featuring a streamlined interface that is designed with beginners or novices in mind.

“Consumer applications are fun to play with but will only take you so far,” said Dana Ruzicka, chief product officer at Avid. “We’re giving any aspiring creative pros access to the same tools used by top industry professionals—for free!”

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Avid notes the software will include four video tracks, eight audio tracks, built-in visual effects, transitions, color correction presets and titling templates out of the box, with availability this June.

Media Composer | First is not Avid’s only free offering, following last year’s launch of Pro Tools | First.

Product wide, Avid has also opted for a cloud-based strategy for all of its software, ranging from editing and mixing to playout and distribution.

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