Help! Weird Client request

[J. Tad newberry]

if it were me, i would first kind of nicely aks them, “why do you not want ME to make these changes on my system???”

then, if they still insist (which it sounds like they would), i would give them the FCP project file and the original tapes. that would be the most “editable” version i can think of…and then can re-capture at whatever resolution they desire.

let us know what they say, but bottomline, i think it starts with good communication. find out exactly what they are looking for, and deliver more than they are expecting.

[Michael Sacci]

I agree with the above, I would ask why not me? I don’t normally give project files away. It is like a photographers negatives or an audio guys pro tools files. But if requested I probably would but I would sure not do it without a try to keep the work in my shop.

The other way for you to give them everything would be to use media management and “COPY” the project and all the times to a new drive. This way all the footage is copied and moved to the new location. If you are editing uncompressed up loading is most likely out of the question.

This is also going to time up your system and you should be charging at lest a half day for doing this plus the cost of the hard drive.

Commercial – Get Shane Ross’s DVD Getting Organized in FCP (published by the Cow) Everyone needs this information.

[Greg Ball]

Thanks for your responses. This client has awful communication skills which have reared their ugly head quite a few times during this project. At this point the client is not someone who will be a repeat client, so I’m not worried about “giving them more than they expect” Are you suggesting I can’t upload uncompressed footage to their FTP site? Should the Project file contain everything that they need if I were to send them the raw Beta SP tapes?

Since they are in the Northeast US and I’m in the Southeast US they think this may be the quickest way. If so, how can I now organize my project in a useable for for them? Thanks.

[David Bogie]

FTP is not viable. It will take you frfeakin’ days to upload even DV by FTP.
Your client should already know this and it doesn’t sound like they have a clue about much of anything, so, once you get the detials worked out, be prepared to offer to to test the upload just to satisfy their people and then be prepared to overnight the tapes or some disks.

bogiesan

[J. Tad newberry]

maybe not a repeat client, but don’t burn bridges. bad press travels much faster than good…(sad, but true)

as for the others, yes, if you give them the tapes, and media manage everything else (all sound/fx/music/vo, images, motion projects, created QTs, DVD files and projects, etc. – everything that is NOT on tape) to another folder and give it to them, they should have everything they need.

[Eric Grush]

I have seen this exact situation many times before.
Odds are, if your are in the South and they are in the North,
the client has a “buddy” who saw what you were working on and
wants to “help out.” It’s not an issue about the work you were doing.
It sounds like the client (like many) aren’t sure what they want or how to
communicate what they think they want. Instead they are looking for the
editor to direct the project. If things aren’t gelling the way they had hoped,
they inevitably show it to a “friend” who says they can fix that no problem (bells,
whistles, graphics…you know the usually this will make it better approach); just have them upload everything and I’ll take care of the rest. Sounds like sour grapes, I know, but
like I said, I have seen this before.

best of luck, stay cool, stay professional and keep doing what you do.

Eric Grush
Halo Arts Media Entertainment

[Greg Ball]

Thanks for the feedback. Yep, something is definitely strange. It’s a case of a client not knowing what they want, but once they see the edited show, they know what they DON’T want. Then they tell me they have an in-house FCP suite!??! Why was I editing in the first place? I could have just sent them the raw camera tapes! However I made a good chunk of change on this project. I think they have impossible clients themselves, and it’s just rolling downhill.

Here’s their latest email back to me:

Greg the Link we supplied you is a high speed transfer site equipted to
handle this type of file.
Our clients know this and it should work. We transfer large files every
day.
You stated the file is 10 gigs it will handle it.

We’ll see. The good news is it’s a 7 minute show with talking heads and graphic builds on livetype. Only one cut of music (don’t ask) and the on-camera folks doing the VO as well.

[Greg Ball]

Point well taken I never burn bridges, but I’m starting to get very irritated with these clients. The also complained about the color gel we used as a background, even though 6 clients were watching the screen during the shoot and approved

Here’s their latest email back to me:

Greg the Link we supplied you is a high speed transfer site equipted to
handle this type of file.
Our clients know this and it should work. We transfer large files every
day.
You stated the file is 10 gigs it will handle it.

We’ll see. The good news is it’s a 7 minute show with talking heads and graphic builds on livetype. Only one cut of music (don’t ask) and the on-camera folks doing the VO as well.

[Eric Grush]

It’s always the case. Everyone is beholden to another and people are rarely straight with each other, because they don’t know exactly what’s going on themselves. 10gigs shouldn’t be a problem, just bill for your time. Also, make them send you and clear list of what they expect in terms of deliverables (project and media uploaded, return of master elements…). Who knows, they may be back after they have had their chance to fart around with it. Either way, make them be clear with you so they can’t waste your time and efforts later.

Best of luck,

Eric Grush
Halo Arts Media Entertainment

[Chris Poisson]

I would re-word your original post, “Weird Client, request help!” Just give them the project and the tapes. Let them recapture as stated above. Lose them, not worth it.