Regrets

[Steve Rhoden]

It cannot be changed…Final cut Pro is what it is and
sony vegas is what it is. Everyone is free to choose whatever
application they feel more comfortable using, unfortunately
most in the broadcast industry are disillusioned that Final
Cut Pro is the “Holy Grail” of NLE’s.
It has its strong points and weak points just like every
professional editing software on the market.

I am fully aware of the job market requiring Final Cut
experienced editors (nothing is wrong learning final cut,
it’s not rocket science) But unlike you Philippe,
I have no regrets investing in Sony vegas, nor in the future
will there ever be any.

Steve Rhoden
(Cow Leader)
Creative Arts Director and Film Maker.
Portfolio at:
http://www.youtube.com/hentys

[Joe Mantaratz]

Twenty years ago MAC had the niche in the market place for desktop publishing, music and video editing and their software/hardware was always about three times the price. They had the market locked in for quite some time. Did they do it better back then? Yes but only because they were the only ones really providing this service. Hence most people that have been in the business or around it started working on what was available and built their systems around it. So fast forward to present day and you can obtain a MAC for fairly close to what a PC costs, the software is still a bit more than it is for PCs unless it is offered in both platforms. I am a musician and in the studio we used exclusively MAC. It was expensive but the best. Now it is just a matter of what works for you. I still record music with my MAC and do my editing with Vegas. My preferences are for MAC only because they have a better track record for stability whereas PC’s simply do not. MAC are by design restrictive and less prone to user induced problems. Another upside is virus’ for the most part are written to PC’S not MACS. I build my own PC’S and like being able to tailor make everything, but I also like bringing in my MAC for their unbeatable warranty and getting it back the same day for ZERO charge!
Bottom line, it’s all about what works for you but certainly do not limit yourself to one platform, learn as much as you can from anyone you can and put those tools in your box.

[Stephen Mann]

“How can we change that?”

We can’t, but you can. Well, maybe you can add to the movement of the industry, one job at a time.

If its a job in the industry that you want, then you really need to learn FCP or Avid. At least to get into the door.

I am not looking for a job in that sector, but it always amazes me when a hiring manager tells me that Avid or FCP experience is necessary. My response is “Do you require a carpenter to have experience with Sears Craftsman hammers?”

Basically, Avid, FCP and Vegas are merely tools, so sell yourself on the quality of your work.

Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com

[Chas Smith]

Back in the “dark ages” of NLE’s, (circa 1992-3) when I was considering buying/investing in a NLE, I was intrigued with a German company’s product “FAST” because of price, user interface and feature-set. Unfortunately, during the sales demo, the system froze or crashed too many times. While the salesperson was trying to figure out what happened, I got up to get a cup of coffee in their breakroom.

As I waited for the coffeemaker to fill the pot, a tech-serviceguy walked in and we struck up a conversation on NLE’s. This was back before everyone had cell phones and so his pager kept going off. He basically told me that for every 10 “help” pages from new NLE customers, only 1 in 10 would be from a “Mac” user and he could talk them through a simple prefs or “zap p-ram” procedure over the phone whereas the PC-based customers had to go through much more hand-holding or Sys reinstalls.

This little conversation helped me choose Mac with a Targa2000 Nubus card and Premiere. It worked well about 70% of the time, prompting me to upgrade during Media100’s “Fire Sale” when they went PCI, I upgraded again during the PCI firesale. I was pretty happy with Media100 until Data Translation got weird with all their fractional “upgrades” and with CEO Molineri trying to put a “TV Station on every desktop” ( anyone remember that debacle? ). The shift in Media100’s product emphasis left a lot of TV / Video users out in the cold with unreasonable upgrade costs for too-little upgrade benefits. I got ticked at a company that ignored my loyalty as a customer and started to look around.

Reasoning that PC’s were getting better at dealing with video, I took the plunge, built my own PC and got Vegas 6.0 at deep discount from B&H ($99 full OEM version). I’ve really not regretted it as it is a really powerful NLE software and I’ve turned other colleagues on to its capabilities. I’ve considered AVID and FCP as another tool in my shop but I’m an indy producer and I guess I’m too old and don’t have the bald-head or spiked hair and tat’s to be considered an “artsy-creative” to be hired as a fulltime editor for a creative shop. But as for choosing Vegas… no regrets… it is a helluva product and while the PC may not be as “bullet-proof” as the MACs… it is a solid performer.

If you are interested in working for someone else, I’d recommend some additions in your skillset; take some classes…. learn AVID or FCP or whatever and use it enough to get you hired. Barring that, if you like what you use and it’s making you a living and enhancing your creativity instead of limiting it…then don’t look back and keep blazing your trails.

FWIW, no matter what tools you use, it’s the end result that matters most. But if you’re looking to get hired by production companies..then you have to consider their tools and workflow and match em.

My2Cents,

Chaz

[Chas Smith]

I agree with you Steve. Unfortunately though systems may have their own unique operation peculiarities, configurations and workflows that possibly require more than a basic familiarity from the worker / user….hence the hiring manager’s preference for someone with exact experience using a particular system.

And having been a production manager for a large TV facility, I can personally recall how some new hires who had “experience” with our “in-house” gear would often perform faster & much better than those who used something else. Not saying they were bad employees ( well some were ) but they either took much longer to catch on than desired, made more mistakes or they were befuddled while trying, resulting in more time and cost to the company.

Managers use job descriptions with check-boxes to hire as that’s their job. They don’t like to take chances with someone who, while they may be a good editor given a particular toolset; if they don’t match the company job description/requirement they’ll be passed on. And if a manager hires someone who fails to perform right out of the box… it will reflect poorly on the hiring manager as he or she is assessed on how well they determine qualifications in choosing people for the jobs.

But I do agree with your outlook… a good editor is a good editor. But if they can’t sit down and make the machines fly right away… someone is going to have some serious splainin’ to do.

FWIW,

Chaz

[Steve Rhoden]

Those are some very good points Charles…you are
absolutely right.

Therefore, here is the best advise i would give:
For sony vegas users who are, and in the future will be
seeking a fulfilling & lucrative career in the job market,
learn and master Final cut or Avid along with your
continued use with Vegas (the basics are already learned).
For others who run there own show…well, Vegas is the path
to the light. lol

Steve Rhoden
(Cow Leader)
Creative Arts Director and Film Maker.
Portfolio at:
http://www.youtube.com/hentys

[Philippe Orlando]

I’m totally happy with Vegas. I was just observing that when somebody wants to hire an editor they ask most of the time for FCP and sometimes AVID, actually. But as far as the application, I wouldn’t try to edit my film on anything else than Vegas. It’s powerful, intuitive, nothing’s missing. I just want the application to get the recognition it deserves. You know what? Some answers made me think. SOmebody suggested that we change the world one job at a time, well, that’s exactly what’ I’m going to try to do. I’m going to show prospective employer my work done on Vegas and if they like me, they can talk to me, if not, since I don’t need to be an editor to make a living, they can take a hike. I’ll stay with Vegas and will totally refuse to pay three time for a mac what I’ve paid to build my PC.
Phil

[Steve Rhoden]

Thats the spirit Philippe.!!!
Nostrodamus said that in the not too distant future Vegas
will be the leader and film makers tool of choice across the
industry.

Steve Rhoden
(Cow Leader)
Creative Arts Director and Film Maker.
Portfolio at:
http://www.youtube.com/hentys

[Stephen Mann]

“Nostrodamus said that in the not too distant future Vegas
will be the leader and film makers tool of choice across the
industry.”

I am seeing Sony advertising Vegas Pro more frequently in some of the pro magazines that I subscribe to.

Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com

[Steve Rhoden]

lol…See them a lot too Stephen,
Sony Creative just need to step a lot more in marketing
this incredible editing application to the professional
and film industry.

Steve Rhoden
(Cow Leader)
Creative Arts Director and Film Maker.
Portfolio at:
http://www.youtube.com/hentys