-
please explain the new business model to me
-
I get what you’re saying, Bob. And good points raised by others who responded too.
I too earned a living as an editor in India in the nineties and 2000s. And then worked at managing large post facilities.
Out here in India, the exact same situation is emerging.Large post house – telecine, SAN, grading theatres, Avids, Smokes, Quantels, VTR-laden machine rooms, routers, wiring – are rapidly being replaced by smaller digital file-based systems.
I run a small boutique place with the best talent who work on a freelance basis for me. So I’m using a different model. I no longer rent out facility or equipment. I rent out talent. Myself and my friends and colleagues. I’m urging offline editors around me to do the same, rent themselves and absorb the cost of the equipment.
When it comes to specialised jobs in post – editing, sound editing, finishing (online), sound fix and mix, colour grading – the tools are cheaper, and affordable, so everyone and his dog has gone out to buy one. And then, they try doing it themselves. And then they pay for my services.
I think in this new world, we post experts will actually do better financially compared to the old system of a businessman-run facility investing in equipment and us working as employees for a wage.
———————————–
Neil Sadwelkar
neilsadwelkar.blogspot.com
twitter: fcpguru
FCP Editor, Edit systems consultant
Mumbai India -
By writing apps and working for Google. 😉
Jim Wiseman
Sony PMW-EX1, Pana AJ-D810 DVCPro, DVX-100, Nikon D7000, Final Cut Pro X 10.2.1, Final Cut Studio 2 and 3, Media 100 Suite 2.1.6, Premiere Pro CS 5.5 and 6.0, AJA ioHD, AJA Kona LHi, Blackmagic Ultrastudio 4K, Blackmagic Teranex, Avid MC, 2013 Mac Pro Hexacore, 1TB SSD, 64GB RAM, 2-D500, Helios 2 w 2-960GB SSDs: 2012 Hexacore MacPro 3.33 Ghz, 24Gb RAM, GTX-680, 960GB SSD: Macbook Pro 17″ 2011 2.2 Ghz Quadcore i7 16GB RAM 250GB SSD, Multiple OWC Thunderbay 4 TB2 and eSATA QX2 RAID 5 HD systems -
[Andrew Kimery] “And that sounds like a great discussion. When can we start having it? “
I don’t know whether this addresses what you are looking for, but here’s a thought. I advise a couple of local colleges that include both film and digital media programs. So far the best job opportunities are in digital media. These are programs that not only teach production, but also branding, marketing, and advertising concepts. The idea is to develop well-rounded graduates that can develop strategies. Some of which includes production, but some of which may involve print, web, or social media campaigns. Other than a few traditional markets doing film and TV, that’s what I see as more future-proof in other markets.
– Oliver
Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
[Neil Sadwelkar] “I run a small boutique place with the best talent who work on a freelance basis for me. So I’m using a different model. I no longer rent out facility or equipment. I rent out talent. Myself and my friends and colleagues. I’m urging offline editors around me to do the same, rent themselves and absorb the cost of the equipment. “
To some extend some of this was kicked around in a previous discussion about rates. I think in general, it’s harder and harder to get paid for your gear, so we will all have to adjust accordingly. This isn’t unusual in other businesses either. For example, here in the US, car mechanics are often hired with the expectation that they bring their own stocked tool chest to the job. For many that’s an investment of at least $2K (for used tools) and up (for new tools). That’s part of what they bring with them, but they get paid according to skill and ultimately the clients that come back for repeat business.
– Oliver
Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
[Oliver Peters] “Other than a few traditional markets doing film and TV, that’s what I see as more future-proof in other markets.”
I agree with Oliver.
The bottom line is that things have changed. So sticking with processes that solved yesterday’s problems is a suspect strategy for tomorrow.
Today it’s all about sniffing out, as early as you can, how inevitable change will continue to affect your future. And the only useful solution is to connect more with people who look ahead – and less with people that simply defend the status quo. Not because the status quo was bad. But merely because the status quo is shifting faster than ever.
It matters less WHAT you know than WHO you know (the WHAT being devalued since factual knowledge is all on line in your pocket) not as some elitist strategy – but simply because being connected with inquisitive people who experience things and think in different modes than you do is how you get EXPOSED to new thinking more quickly.
And that’s how you move forward today, IMO.
Know someone who teaches video editing in elementary school, high school or college? Tell them to check out http://www.StartEditingNow.com – video editing curriculum complete with licensed practice content.
-
[Bill Davis] “The bottom line is that things have changed. So sticking with processes that solved yesterday’s problems is a suspect strategy for tomorrow.
“It isn’t just us, either. Take a look at the advertising agency business. Sure there are still a lot of traditional shops, but there are also a lot of other types of “brand strategy” companies. Even the old established names have divisions to tackle the new ways of marketing for their clients.
– Oliver
Oliver Peters Post Production Services, LLC
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
[Jim Wiseman] “No future in Premiere for me.”
but it’s so so so good jim. I’ll swallow anything – sort of – for how good premiere has gotten. And the update cycle has been completely insane. That said I forgot to transfer from my business to my current account for the annual one time payment for CC. I got an email off adobe saying I need to update my payment details.
Everything still boots, it’s not like they turn off the lights immediately, but it’s a pretty uncomfortable reminder that I don’t own my primary toolset. I don’t like the feeling at all, because I owned production premium CS6 just like you – but premiere pro is a mortal lock.
https://vimeo.com/user1590967/videos http://www.ogallchoir.net promo producer/editor.grading/motion graphics
-
[Bob Zelin] “Apple iPhone 6s will have 4K.”
It doesn’t matter Bob. It’s not a practical camera to do demanding production with.
Last job I did, 2 talent, 2 wireless mics, wireless video out to the client monitor from the stedi
They are not going to do a simple commercial shoot with that phone. Not going to happen. On the other hand I should have had a sound guy with me and a gaffer. So that’s been cut. You get fewer people but you are expected to bring home more.
Think about it like this, the DSLRs came out and changed the game, but then people figured out that it was an impractical camera to shoot with in a lot of ways. They put out the C300 to cover what was missing. That’s a long way from an iPhone in cost and in what it can do.
So the 5d is lacking on demanding shoots but the iPhone isn’t? Nope
When I started doing the robo cam on sports in 99 everybody said “that’s it, it’s going to take all of our jobs!” Never happened. It’s tiny 20X lens can’t get tight enough across the playing field to compete with a 100x. There are more hard cameras on games now than there where in 99
It went the other way.I still say 4k files are too big for most TV jobs. Just takes up too much space on the drives for what you are going to use it for.
2 hour sit-down interview at 4k ProRes is like 903 GB same shoot with 1080 XDCAM is 47 GB
New shiny objects abound.
Not time to panic just yet : )
-
[Michael Aranyshev] “[Bob Zelin] “With the exception of hi end shows and features, how does the majority of the people on these forums continue to earn a living ? “
I think this is maaaybe a little overcooked as a point? camera and software tool availability seems to have set off a nuclear explosion of quality content. No one wants hamfisted malarky made by a skateboarder, they want and expect the likes of what they see on amazon, netflix, and the million other platforms producing content.
Corporate material, even for internal – looks utterly ridiculous these days? I know a small shop in London, basically a husband and wife team that win awards like bandits putting together stuff with stop motion, animation, Red shoots, you name it. Even some going away videos for senior corporate personnel are 10K jobs these days. because they have gotten to know they can get crazy stuff for that money with the tools dissemination. They’re aware serious looking stuff is always in reach. That creates pride competition for the look and feel on their end. I think Vince Laforet set off a bomb really.
I don’t think it’s the coming of the apocalypse, I half think it’s glory days?
https://vimeo.com/user1590967/videos http://www.ogallchoir.net promo producer/editor.grading/motion graphics
-
I understand, Aindreas. But for my situation, doing docs, no mograph or very little, ownership is way more important. Just can’t hand it over to Adobe, even if they sent Walter Murch over to do the editing. Although the conversation might be splendid. I really am committed to fighting this rental or it’s gone model. You are doing something way different than I am, and for you it might be worth it. I’m going to be working on these for years, and just can’t see giving that big a chunk to Adobe for something that I already own can do well. I have a feeling there are others like me. If I must, I’ll continue to learn X. Honestly, Media 100 could do what I need. Really hoping Resolve will save us from the clutches of Mr. Burn the Boats, but I have reached a point where I just need to get to work and not worry about the rug being jerked out. Must be my rebellious American soul. Boston Tea Partyish. Love mixed metaphors.
Jim Wiseman
Sony PMW-EX1, Pana AJ-D810 DVCPro, DVX-100, Nikon D7000, Final Cut Pro X 10.2.1, Final Cut Studio 2 and 3, Media 100 Suite 2.1.6, Premiere Pro CS 5.5 and 6.0, AJA ioHD, AJA Kona LHi, Blackmagic Ultrastudio 4K, Blackmagic Teranex, Avid MC, 2013 Mac Pro Hexacore, 1TB SSD, 64GB RAM, 2-D500, Helios 2 w 2-960GB SSDs: 2012 Hexacore MacPro 3.33 Ghz, 24Gb RAM, GTX-680, 960GB SSD: Macbook Pro 17″ 2011 2.2 Ghz Quadcore i7 16GB RAM 250GB SSD, Multiple OWC Thunderbay 4 TB2 and eSATA QX2 RAID 5 HD systems
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up