Helping high-technology companies fully realize the potential from their investment in innovation. As experts in computer graphics and digital video, we focus on products used to communicate, edit, or manipulate complex information.

I have put together a group of professionals that are accomplished and seasoned in the art of bringing
innovative products to market. These products incorporate many core technologies, including:

Digital Video/Audio and Compression
Mass Storage and Video Networking
Object-Oriented Software Development
Digital Nonlinear Editing and Image Compositing
Java-based Internet Development
Computer Graphics and 3D Animation

We are dedicated to user-centered design principles, and their ability to make products both easier to use and more productive. We strongly support the use of mainstream technology, and the economies of scale possible from standard computer platforms.

PRODUCT DESIGN

We offer full product-design services through a broad network of talented designers. We can assist throughout the product-design life cycle: from the initial concept to research, product development, market testing, human factors, and packaging.

TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT

We can analyze business, product, and technology opportunities for their resonance with your company's overall goals. We closely follow trends in a number of key industries, to identify synergistic opportunities in areas such as:

Multimedia and Image Processing Applications
Digital Video/Audio and Compression
Video, Graphic Arts and Publishing
CD-ROM, Mass Storage and Networked Multimedia
Telecommunications
Microcomputer, DSP and Native Processing

WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES

Our services can be tailored to your requirements. We can advise on existing internal development efforts, and provide design and product development directly, or arrange for strategic relationships with capable third parties.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Bill Ferster
34313 Welbourne Road
Middleburg, VA 20117
+1 (540) 592-7001
+1 (509) 694-0435 FAX

EMAIL: bferster@stagetools.com
WEB: www.stagetools.com

 

BILL FERSTER

Bill Ferster career over the past 15 years has been highlighted by the development of a series of innovative, computer-based products for the film and video marketplace. He is a contributing editor for AV/Video magazine and a frequent contributor to other industry publications.

Ferster founded Editing Machines Corporation (EMC) in 1988, which developed the first digital nonlinear editing system. EMC received an EMMY Award in 1993, for "Outstanding Technical Achievement", for pioneering a technology that has revolutionized the way all films and videos are edited. EMC was acquired by the Dynatech Video Group in 1994, where he served as Director of Advanced Technology.

Prior to that, he founded West End Film in 1979, a pioneer in PC-based animation and presentation graphics tools. West End was acquired by Pansophic Systems (NYSE), in 1987, where Bill served as Director of Product Strategy.

JAMES ROBERTS III

Jim Roberts has developed licensing and branding strategies for content providers and negotiated alliances, acquisitions and investments for his firm The Atlantic Advisory Group. In addition, Mr. Roberts has served as management on an interim basis for certain clients. Roberts received his J.D. from the University of Chicago, his M.A. from Stanford University and his B.S. from the University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Roberts speaks English, French and Bahasa Indonesian.

DOV JACOBSON

Dov Jacobson has had a 20 year history in interactive entertainment with a unique mastery of production and technology. He founded the Cartoon Kitchen a successful Hollywood producer of animation and special effects for television and film including Carl Sagan's PBS "Cosmos" series.

Jacobson pioneered the first wave of on-line enthusiasm in the early 80's, where he developed games for Time Inc's cable-modem based service. Hewas a principal in West End Film. Most recently, he was Creative Vice President for Turner Interactive's successful CD-ROM division, before TBS's merger with Time-Warner.

JOHN SCHWAN

John Schwan brings a 20 year background of successful sales and marketing experience in the computer graphics and video markets. He has been a VP of Sales and Marketing for companies such as Calcomp, AM Bruning, Pansophic Systems, and most recently, the Dynatech Video Group.

He is president of The Technology Group http://www.tec-group.com , an allied consulting group that specializes in marketing, sales channel and recruiting needs for high technology companies.

BILL STRUM

Bill Strum is a recognized leader in the computer graphic. He was VP of Advanced Products and Tools for America Online, responsible for strategic alliances within the Internet. Prior to that, he was the founder and President of Media Cybernetics, a company that pioneered desktop image processing and the popular "Halo" imaging tools.

 

The following is a subset of our client roster:

 

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