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Ethics Question! Would you have left this job?
Client had three one-hour multicam shows (live music). 12 cameras a show. Four tape formats: HDCAM, DVCPro, MiniDV, and HDV. Planned on outputting to HD for eventual broadcast. Small owner/operated prod co. Great potential for an editor.
Problem: External storage a single HUGE 320R 800g. I advised a MacGurus SATA RAID w/ Port Multiplier. Demonstrated using AJA tools memory/speed requirements for project. Demonstrated resolution/color differences across formats. Made a point to let client know that there would be significant differences across formats to surmount. Advised renting a FW to SD adapter for HDV and MiniDV (he was using camera for deck). Advised renting HD Ref monitor for conform/finishing. Client capture card Kona 2. At the time I left, client had not ordered SATA array or rented gear. At one point I was one the phone with MacGurus owner working out the deal at the client’s request but nothing was purchased.
Background: I began the project by syncing all raw tracks to a master audio track.I was using stacked G-Raids connected to FW800 PCI cards. At one point I typed and printed a list of “to do’s” to get everyone thinking practically about the deadline. Nice guy, easy work environment, etc.
At a certain point it became clear that client was intending to finish using existing gear but would rent the necessary decks, I sensed a disaster coming, and I politely withdrew from the project. Since then I have gotten calls confirming what I felt was going to happen: they are running through/burning out editors, past deadline, etc.
Would you have left this one?
Thanks!
Bee
G5 Quad/2.5gig/AJA LHe/DSR-45/FCP Studio/10.4.7
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6 Replies
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Been there. Done that. You probably saved yourself some grey hairs.
The “it” word of the year is HD…which really means: a bunch of ignorant content people thinking that HD easily floats out the ass and onto the screen. To do HD right it’s going to cost extra money, take extra time, and needs to be supervised & edited by highly skilled FCP users that *knows* HD. HD is so much more complicated than NTSC… so many things can go wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing.
But maybe you’re in the posistions to bargain a better deal. Come in, save the day, all that…?
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GIven what you laid out, I might have left as well. If I tell a client that this will only work if they do certain things, and that they will need to buy equipment in order to edit the project properly…and they ignore me and try to do things improperly, I would leave.
You told them what they needed to do to accomplish what they wanted to accomplish. They ignored you and are trying to save money by doing things the hard way…a way that in the end may not work at all. Why put yourself thru that? It isn’t worth it. And really, would you want to work with that client again? And if word got out that you left the company high and dry, and your reputation is taking a hit, then you can tell the people the situation. Say “I laid out what they needed to do the job right and they didn’t heed my advice, so I left the project.” Nice, simple, and not going into details.
Yeah…I would have left rather quickly.
Shane
Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net -
[CharlieX2] “The “it” word of the year is HD…which really means: a bunch of ignorant content people thinking that HD easily floats out the ass and onto the screen. To do HD right it’s going to cost extra money, take extra time, and needs to be supervised & edited by highly skilled FCP users that *knows* HD. HD is so much more complicated than NTSC… so many things can go wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing.”
Somebody give this man an AMEN! I second everything you’re saying.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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Hear Hear!
And finding that fact for myself was painful…but I made the transition. I went to a lot of people and paid a lot of money to learn what I now know. Which is DARN LITTLE compared to what I should know. But HD is such a complex beast that even HD experts can’t agree on most things. 720p, 1080i, 1080p….23.98, 29.97, 59.94…HDCAM SR, HDCAM, D5, DVCPRO HD, HDV…then higher formats like ViperSlipstream and 2K and 4K…RED. GAH!
Things were MUCH simplier when there was 720×486, 29.97. PERIOD.
Shane
Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net -
Seriosuly…. I thought HD was supposed to usher in an age of Gold Standards. I would love to settle on some whole number frame rates here in america.
I’m stunned by agencies that scoff at the idea we’re charging them hard costs to rent HD gear. Yes, it’s going to cost you $3k a week for a D5 machine…. yes we need to rent a HD BVM for final appovals and tweaks….. yes stock is a lot more expensive…. yes it’s going to take an extra 20 minutes to render this in HD. oh, you shot HDV? Well now I need to rent a JVC player because all we have is Sony. Are there dropouts on that bitsey little tape? Maybe you should’ve rented a Varicam. No upconverting DV50 will not look as good as 1080 from 35mm. Yes a HD telecine costs $600 more and hour. arrrgggghhhh!!!
and don’t even get me started on the other “it” phrase: “we want this to be viral.” 🙂
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I definitely would have left…in a polite way as you did of course.
Lately I’m real quick to let clients know what they’re getting into with HD.
If there’s any doubt about funding it properly, I advise them that SD would be best and now they know what it takes for future HD projects.
half my hair is gray already.
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