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Petition to Save a Video Institution
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Thus spake Boomie: The trade magazines have been moving towards a more “advertorial” stance for some time now. In fact, Studio’s recent “Tripod” issue read like a giant advertorial issue, with it even extending onto the cover. It was the first time that I can recall seeing advertorial actually showing up on the cover of a magazine.
Yeah, I was shocked to see that their COVER story was bought and paid for. I really never have never seen anything like it. At least they were ethical enough to let you KNOW they’re for sale. Good on ’em.
This isn’t the first time though, not by any stretch. Last month had a 7-page advertorial section on plug-ins. Other examples abound.
The irony in both cases is that there wasn’t actually news in either of these advertorials, which could at least justify their value to readers. No such luck. They’re only valuable to the people cashing the checks.
Taking an honest look at Videography and Dick, I’m shocked that they kept him around as long as they did. It’s surely a tribute to their respect for him, but he hasn’t been speaking to Vidy’s core mission for a while. They’re clearly moving into pure technology (which is where they first made their mark, isn’t it?), flavored with the same mundane, PR-driven content that looks like nearly everyone else.
A look at the most recent issue’s other columnists: one discusses DI using Avid DS Nitris with PostWorks, the other discusses subtitling for the Metropolitan Opera’s live HD broadcast in the wider context of internationalizing broadcast standards. None of these have anything to do with the genuinely useful tips that pack people into Dick’s sessions at WEVA and MCA-I.
I intend zero disrespect to anybody I just mentioned. For example, Dick mentions those sessions at his website, as those folks mention Dick. I’m just saying that looking honestly at both the websites for Dick and Videography shows why, to somebody like me who hasn’t even thought about Vidy in a long time until this came up, this looks like an inevitable parting of the ways. Videography hasn’t been about production techniques in a long time.
Of course, the Cow magazine isn’t either. But our pages aren’t for sale, and our stories are written by people actually doing the things they’re talking about.
Ron’s right — and I’m not just saying that because he’s the boss. He WISHES I’d agree with him because he’s the boss. 🙂 But a magazine as beleaguered as Videography has to pick a course and stick to it. If you think they’re making the wrong choices, that’s fine, and you should by all means talk to them about it. But that’s different than asking them to split their focus.
Which kind of, almost, brings it back to being a business topic. 🙂
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I agree that tip retreading is an important service for all the new-comers to the industry. They shouldn’t have to root through old editions, and Dick’s columns don’t exist just to entertain and inform the O.Fs. I also agree that it’s a sad day when our industry becomes just about the technology. How would that work out for this forum? (About the same as it did for the CIA.) But I can see that a message about how not to spend $ for technological solutions would go against the grain at Videography.
I will sign the petition, not to somehow force Videography to make room for Dick, but rather as a solid note of support to embolden him to go elsewhere.
RBG
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How about if the COW were to take on Mr Reisner? He would bring a lot to several of the forums.
Steve Wargo
Tempe, Arizona
It’s a dry heat!Sony HDCAM F-900 & HDW-2000/1 deck
5 Final Cut (not quite PRO) systems
Sony HVR-M25 HDV deck
Sony EX-1 has arrived and it’s fascinating. -
Steve’s comment reminds me of the Fedex commercial where the nebbishy junior exec’s idea is not heard by anyone at the table until repeated as if original by the CEO. Maybe I didn’t do the hand gesture right? (grin)
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From this day forward, I’ll be sure to read all of your posts before just jumping in there and blurting something out. (chuckle)
I met Dick when he came to Phoenix in 1987 to give a seminar on his little trick bag and we use his stuff all of the time. I’ve even sent some techniques to him over the years. He’s a wealth of practical, hand on techniques and knowledge
Looking forward to more of your contributions in 2008.
Steve Wargo
Tempe, Arizona
It’s a dry heat!Sony HDCAM F-900 & HDW-2000/1 deck
5 Final Cut (not quite PRO) systems
Sony HVR-M25 HDV deck
Sony EX-1 has arrived and it’s fascinating. -
Unfortunately, there are some people who feel that the Internet is not “real” and that they really only want to focus on magazines. After calling Dick to speak with him, even after telling him that the COW does more traffic than EVERY trade magazine in this industry COMBINED, he really wasn’t interested.
So we recommended him to Videomaker’s owner as he’d be perfect for their very practical nuts and bolts approach. Both Tim and I think that would be a great fit.
Let’s see where he lands. Somebody is sure to grab him.
Best regards,
Ron Lindeboom
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronlindeboom
Publisher, Creative COW Magazine
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