Media asset aggregation in a multi-database environment

A method of responding to a media search request in a media production environment comprising a plurality of systems, the method comprising:

• receiving a media search query from a user of a media processing application;
• in response to receiving the media search query, searching the plurality of systems;
• locating a plurality of media assets stored on the plurality of systems that are responsive to the search query, wherein the located plurality of media assets includes:
• a first variant media asset that includes a linkage key;
• and
• a second variant media asset that includes the linkage key and represents at least a portion of content represented by the first variant media asset;
• grouping the first variant media asset and the second variant media asset into an aggregate asset, wherein the aggregate asset includes:
• the linkage key;
• links to the first variant media asset and to the second variant media asset;
• and
• a copy of at least a portion of descriptive metadata included within at least one of the first variant media asset and the second variant media asset;
• including a representation of the aggregate asset among search results returned to the user, wherein the representation includes the copied descriptive metadata;
• and
• wherein in response to a request from the user to access the aggregate asset, enabling the media processing application to automatically:
• if at least one of the first variant asset and the second variant asset is compatible with the media processing application, select and access one of the first variant asset and the second variant asset that is compatible with the media processing application;
• and
• if neither the first variant asset nor the second variant asset is compatible with the media processing application, provide an indication to the user that no compatible asset corresponding to the aggregate asset has been found.

A computer program product comprising:

• non-transitory computer-readable storage with computer program instructions stored thereon, wherein the computer program instruction, when processed by a computer, instruct the computer to perform a method of responding to a media search request from a user of a media processing application, the method comprising:
• in response to a search query entered by a user of the media processing application, searching a plurality of systems within a media production environment;
• locating a plurality of media assets that are responsive to the search query, wherein the plurality of located media assets includes a first asset including a first linkage key stored on a first system of the plurality of systems, and a second asset including a second linkage key stored on a second system of the plurality of systems;
• comparing the first linkage key with the second linkage key, and, if the first linkage key is the same as the second linkage key, grouping the first asset and the second asset into an aggregate asset wherein the aggregate asset includes:
• the first linkage key;
• links to the first asset and to the second asset;
• and
• a copy of at least a portion of descriptive metadata included within at least one of the first asset and the second asset;
• and
• including the aggregate asset within search results presented to the user that are responsive to the media search request, wherein the aggregate asset is represented within the search results by the copied portion of the descriptive metadata;
• and
• wherein in response to a request from the user to access the aggregate asset, the media processing application automatically accesses one of the first asset and the second asset that is compatible with the media processing application.