How CETA improves the post-production workflow at Black Kite Studios
With a full slate of award-winning VFX, design, and colour services, UK-based studio Black Kite, keeps a fast pace. Since its founding in 2019, the team has earned recognition across advertising, music videos, and short films, with clients including Samsung, Nike, The National Theatre, KFC, Coach, Apple, and McDonald’s.
Managing such a dynamic workload is no small task – but thanks to CETA Software, the post-production workflow at Black Kite Studios remains seamless and transparent.
“CETA is the first tab I open in the morning and the last one I close at night.”
Paul Branch, Head of Studio Operations, Black Kite Studios
A growing team, a proven tool
The studio now boasts over 100 core team members, scaling up per project as needed. To keep operations running smoothly, Black Kite Studios relies on CETA for scheduling, invoicing, DMG (dubs, media, graphics) control, Artist Access, and more.
CETA wasn’t a new name to Black Kite’s founders – they’d used the software in other facilities before launching their own studio.
“Everyone on the team is familiar and comfortable with using CETA Software,” says Paul Branch, Head of Studio Operations at Black Kite Studios. “So there’s minimal training required when welcoming new people onto the team. There’s no other post-production tool like it on the market for comprehensive planning.”
Fast, accurate quoting
Post houses regularly manage multiple quotes a day, making speed and accuracy essential. At Black Kite Studios, this quoting process can involve projects worth up to seven figures, so it’s critical to keep information organised and protected.
“We have quote templates within the platform for all situations – whether that’s VFX work or grade-only,” Paul explains. “The system is highly flexible and powerful, enabling us to customise all aspects and reuse useful elements from previous work. It’s a truly agile way of making sure our offers reach clients fast.”
CETA’s quote authorisation features add an extra layer of control, ensuring that high-value or discounted quotes are reviewed by the right people before approval.
Complete transparency
Beyond quoting, CETA acts as a single source of truth throughout the entire post-production workflow. It helps Paul oversee a large, occasionally freelance-supported team, while also managing resources like equipment and location hires.
“We have a lot to keep an eye on, and CETA is at the heart of this,” says Paul. “It gives us a simple, visual way to break complex tasks into individual items, making project management much more straightforward. It also helps us plan well-rounded teams for each job, based on experience and skillsets.”
More than 20 team members at Black Kite Studios use CETA every day. This kind of visibility across departments ensures everyone is aligned on timing, budgets, and responsibilities – essential when handling multiple overlapping projects.
Built for post-production
The support offered by CETA is more than just technical troubleshooting – it’s rooted in a deep understanding of the post-production industry. The team is available to advise on workflows and respond to feedback, tailoring the platform to each studio’s needs.
“I’ve used CETA for about 18 years, and I feel I’ve only just scratched the surface of its capabilities,” Paul says. “That’s why the support team is so valuable – they know how we work. CETA is the first tab I open in the morning and the last one I close at night.”