Clever Machine
| Company type | Software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television and film production software |
| Founded | December 1, 2003 in California, United States |
| Founder | Hunter Hancock, Darren Ehlers, Rhys Ryan |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
| Products | Production management software for scripts, locations, casting, breakdowns, and scheduling |
| Parent | Entertainment Partners (since 2015) |
Scenechronize (presented as scenechronize) is a software solution created by Clever Machine Inc. tailored for television and film production firms, aimed at reducing reliance on paper throughout the production process.
Origins
Established in December 2003 in California, Clever Machine was founded by Hunter Hancock (CEO) and Darren Ehlers (COO), together with five engineers experienced in financial services and enterprise software. The company initially focused on providing outsourced IT services to financial institutions before shifting to software development after acquiring a business plan from Rhys Ryan, who subsequently joined the team.
Scenechronize operates through a web-based platform that facilitates management of essential production components including scripts, locations, casting, breakdowns, and scheduling. It delivers specialized features for assistant directors, line producers, and various crew departments. While department leaders access their respective sections, unit production managers or line producers oversee the entire production with controlled information sharing.
An initial demonstration was provided to art directors and unit production managers in 2008. The beta version was launched at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, with the official public release following at the same festival in 2010.
Today
Development continues to be headquartered in San Francisco, while sales and support were originally located in Burbank, California.
In November 2012, Ease Entertainment—known for payroll and production accounting software—acquired Scenechronize’s assets, retaining all staff members and moving operations to Ease’s Beverly Hills location.
Later, in August 2015, Entertainment Partners (EP), another company specializing in payroll and production accounting, purchased Ease Entertainment including Scenechronize. Employees were kept on board as operations transitioned to EP’s Burbank offices.
In April 2019, private equity firm Texas Pacific Group (TPG) completed the acquisition of Entertainment Partners.
Network television
- ABC – No Ordinary Family, FlashForward, Ugly Betty, American Crime
- AMC – The Walking Dead, Rubicon
- CBS – 90210
- HBO
- DreamWorks Television
- Showtime – United States of Tara, Dexter
- Sony Pictures Television – Breaking Bad
- Valhalla Entertainment
- Warner Bros. Television