the ever changing angry reader of Creative Cow

[Mark Suszko]

I’m gonna guess the people that take your news badly, Bob, are generally older types, who were used to “durable goods” actually BEING “durable”, i.e. long-lived and not designed for near-term obsolescence. People “of a certain age” have expectations for consumer products that last and don’t need frequent replacement or upgrades, and by extension, they expect things to be similar in the pro broadcast electronics world.

Millennials, on the other hand, grew up in a world of continuous churn for upgrades, with devices, formats, brands, all rising and falling with the lifespans of mayflies. It’s easier for one of the “yong-uns” to come to grips with the need for an upgrade, than the “oldsters”.

They’re really not angry at you, Bob; you’re just the handy physical focus for their anxiety. I think one thing that needs to happen in these conversations is to frame, for the client, what the modern expectation of “value” is, for broadcast gear, in accounting terms, and not in terms of how a consumer expects a car to last ten or more years.

The company accountants think of depreciation in standard terms of four or maybe six years. The rule of thumb in TV is, a computer ought to hold up for two years ( the time period in which it’s expected to pay for itself) before needing an upgrade or replacement. So, it’s not outlandish, I hope you agree, to expect a peripheral to that computer to be viable for up to four years, at which point, the technology has advanced enough to make it attractive to replace or upgrade, for the new, better performance. Certainly, after 4 years, the gear’s efficacy should be reviewed. If you actually GET 4 years’ usage out of modern video gear before you swap it out or upgrade, you’ve actually done very well. Anything beyond 4 years is gravy.

When you install anything in a client’s space, a little speech might have to go with it: “This is the top of the line model as of this week. It should last at least long enough to pay for itself. Beyond that point, nobody can say how long it will function or be relevant to the job, and that’s just the price of progress. Ask yourself: did I get the minimum performance out of this in the time it paid for itself? How much longer did it continue to make money for us, beyond the expected EOL?”

We have robot probes driving on Mars that are thirteen years past their 90-day operational life expectancy. If Opportunity goes “Tango Uniform” tomorrow, NOBODY has a right to complain about shoddy products.

[Walter Biscardi]

We are at an age where $1200 cameras create better imagery than $50,000 cameras of 5 years ago. Yes, if you have equipment older than 5 years, it’s obsolete. Doesn’t mean it’s worthless and can’t continue to make money, mind you, but it is obsolete and you really shouldn’t expect the manufacturers to offer full support. The manufacturers have moved 5 years down the road. They expect you to move along with them.

I just tried out the iOgrapher for the first time on a recent cruise. Yes, I absolutely CAN shoot episodes with my iPhone 6 and I intend to start doing that very soon.

The world is changing, it’s generally getting cheaper and yes you can continue to use that obsolete equipment or you can sell it today while it still has some value and upgrade to the newer, cheaper stuff.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author, Chef.
HD Post and Production
Biscardi Creative Media

Craft and Career Advice & Training from real Working Creative Professionals

Blog Twitter Facebook

[Ralph Hajik]

Bob

There’s a lot of people that can’t stand to hear the truth of what you say, that’s ok. They’re only fooling themselves by throwing their money away. That’s ok, because that’s what makes the world go round and let them support the economy. Bob, you’re ok in my books and keep speaking up on what’s happening because I myself like hearing what you have to say.

Happy Travels
Ralph Hajik
https://www.RJTravelMedia.com

[Bob Cole]

All true, and I totally enjoy your curmudgeonly observations. But there are two wrinkles to this question of new technology, one from the client POV, one from the producer’s.

1. Most clients are oblivious to the technology you use, and are focused on results. There was a time when I had to explain that my relatively small camera was an improvement on my big old “professional-looking” camera. That is no longer the case. Now, you can even bring out a GoPro for that extra POV shot, and clients don’t react in horror at how small it is.

2. From my own POV, if something works, has been battle-tested, and I know it like the back of my hand, I’ll use it — even if its creators have replaced it with some new whiz-bang software or device. Hey, it’s their job to sell us new things; it’s our job to decide: “Naaaah.” Every time I postpone a buying decision, something better comes out a few months later anyway.

See, Bob, there are curmudgeons on both sides of this issue.

Bob C

[Ty Ford]

Bob you ignorant slut….(SNL reference)

There is still some life left in some “legacy” gear.

At some point, every piece of gear hits the wall.

Try the old “slap and tickle” approach. See how ingenious you can be with how to squeeze the last iota of capability from the old stuff, then explain how th new stuff does so much more, or so better.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford\’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford\’s Blog

[Bob Zelin]

Bob you ignorant slut….(SNL reference)

I love Dan Ackroid !
Bob

Bob Zelin
Rescue 1, Inc.
bobzelin@icloud.com

[Cleave Frink]

I would add that I’ve personally seen you install tens of thousands of dollars worth of this equipment through the years at companies like Alphawolf….LOL….so maybe you are partly to blame! Can’t believe I came across you here Bob! But it was a great surprise!

Cleave Frink
Producer/Assistant Director, DGA
Transvideo Studios
cleave@me.com