A network multi-media production and authoring system. A real-time network referred to as an "AV LAN" is defined. Coupled to the AV LAN are a number of shared multi-media production resource devices. These multi-media production resource devices include video tape recorders, audio tape recorders, video titling devices, graphics devices, special effects generators, etc. Also connected to the AV LAN are a number of workstations which are used to control the production resources connected to the AV LAN. The production resources are connected to the AV LAN through an interface unit known as a `device translator`. The device translator is a microprocessor driven device that translates coded messages received over the AV LAN into specific commands which the particular production resource understands. The edit workstations present the user with an intuitive graphical user interface that enables the user access the various production resources in order to create, define, edit, and store elements for use in a multi-media production. The scalable nature of the AV LAN system allows users to design and build AV LAN networks to suit their particular needs. An AV LAN system can be as simple as a single workstation connected to a single production resource device. The AV LAN can be expanded into entire production, editing, and post-production studio. This is accomplished by coupling together several individual AV LAN networks using a network bridge. Efficient organization of such a large system can be accomplished by grouping together like kind production resources onto the same local AV LAN network.