[Bob Cole]

Thank you. The ball just began working again, seemingly on its own. I still don’t know why, but within FCP, it stopped scrolling for a day or two. Maybe it was a piece of dust.

Just to be sure I’ve stated the problem correctly: the “ball” I’m talking about is the one on top of the mouse. It’s an optical mouse so no ball on the bottom.

[Bob Cole]

[Iain MacKinnon] “St Andrews’ Links?”

per a recent piece in the NY Times there are dozens of local 9-hole courses in Scotland that are much more modest, in some ways more “authentic,” and so low-key that they collect fees in a box, on the honor system. $20/day, which is some tiny percentage of the big courses. Sound good?

[Bob Cole]

[walter biscardi] “How many other services can you get without paying for them up front or making the final payment upon completion? “

Your question points this discussion into a useful direction. There are other businesses where payment occurs after services are rendered (doctor visits, transcription services, delivery services, freelancers, landscapers, utility bills). What do they have in common? My first guesses: uncertainty as to the final charges until services are completed, and no convenient physical check-out at which to levy the fee.

What we don’t have in common with utility companies: leverage. We can’t cut off our customers’ power for an unpaid bill. We can’t “un-deliver” a video (though watermarking comes close).

I appreciate your point, though. I need to become much less trusting, especially with new clients. Luckily, my major, established clients and I have an unspoken agreement: prompt payment, unreasonably great (“you’ll regret hiring anyone else”) service.

When one of my sisters ran a bunch of retail stores, she learned that it is bad business to treat ALL your customers like the minority who are shoplifters. For me, demanding immediate payment from long-trusted clients would be similarly counterproductive.

Bob C

[Bob Cole]

[walter biscardi] ” we now archive every project, every piece of media to raw SATA drives. “

I used to do that too, even though I’d read about how inappropriate hard drives are for archiving. Apparently, they don’t like NOT being used — which is exactly how archives are treated.

I ignored the advice and bought drive after drive — cheap and fast sounded great. But then I had an archive drive fail. So now I use LTO-3. I’ll probably have an LTO-3 tape fail too someday. But it does seem to be more of a standard for archiving than hard drives.

Bob C

[Bob Cole]

Fantastic point, Ty.

Back in the day when video originals and masters were physical pieces of tape, it was easy to handle the issue of ownership-of-media. But now that has changed, for better and for worse.

Clients have the capacity to make perfect copies of their originals before handing them off, and copies of the (often Internet-delivered) masters as well. But most don’t. Or, they misplace files.

I’ve invested in an LTO-3 drive for archiving media, project files, and output. Up to now, I’ve done this as part of my overhead, as a backup in case of RAID failure.

But Ty’s post makes me start to think: my “backup” is probably the only available “original,” and the only way a lot of these projects could ever be rebuilt or modified. Shouldn’t I be charging? Do you? How do you bill it?

One drawback to billing for archiving is that it might create a legal liability in case a project couldn’t be entirely reconstituted due to archive failure, loss, incomplete files, etc.

Bob C

[Bob Cole]

[Jessie David] “I received a call from one of their employees who left a message stating that he was their new video guy “

From this, I infer that the business is not primarily a video production company, but uses video fairly extensively. The owner must figure that even at your reduced rate, he can get a better value by bringing the video work in house.

This guy has played you for a fool. So why not turn that around on him? I recommend that you play the wide-eyed innocent, who assumes that everyone else is as honorable as you are. If the owner won’t meet, write that e-mail, copying your mutual friend. Remind him of the understanding, assure him of your continued interest in working for him, especially since you feel a part of his success, and share with him your confusion about being contacted by his employee who identified himself as a video guy. You’re happy for his success, you’re enclosing your (full) rate card, and you look forward to working with him in the future.

If he has a guilty conscience, you’ll get some money this way. If he doesn’t have a guilty conscience, it’s hopeless anyway and reaming him out would just feel like a backrub to him.

Don’t give up the elements. If you do, you’re acquiescing in this act of betrayal. If asked, explain that you’re keeping them because you assume that he will honor his commitment, and therefore, you will need them to service his account. If he assures you that he will never hire you again, do that math about the difference in the rates, and offer them for that difference.

While some businessmen value their workers and treat them very well, there are those who tend to ask just a few questions: Does this person help me make money? Can I get his/her services cheaper/better from someone else? The recession isn’t bringing out the milk of human kindness in those people on the borderline, either.

Good luck to you. I’m sorry this happened.

Bob C

[Bob Cole]

[grinner hester] “You will never instill your work ethic in others. “

True for most bosses. But there are RARE exceptions. I shot a corporate video for the founder of a company who wanted to tape a “good-bye” as he was turning his baby over to new management. He is a very ordinary — okay, HOMELY guy. But when he looked into the camera and spoke, his sincerity and enthusiasm were mesmerizing. I am sure that he made his employees work harder.

But grinner — this is a case of “exceptions prove the rule,” because it is indeed a rare skill. A few teachers of mine have had that ability as well.

As for work ethic in our business: with freelancers, I like people who love and take pride in their craft, and who like people. The rest takes care of itself.

The only speech I ever give a new worker is: “Safety first.”

Bob C

[Bob Cole]

[Michael Gissing] “It sounds like you are out of your skill zone here and the best advice I can offer is to send this to an audio pro”

Couldn’t agree more, and I’ve broached that topic with the client.

But for my own learning, as well as future projects which may not have the time or budget for outside assistance, I’d appreciate any more guidance. I take your point about EQ before noise reduction, which seems like a blunt instrument in this case.

Specifically: I thought there was a spectrum-analysis tool which essentially could help in the EQ process.

and: I’d be curious what you thought about workflow: whether I should treat the original files, vs. the edited clips, given the fact that there are only five original files vs. dozens of edited clips.

Thanks again for your help.

Bob C

[Bob Cole]

You’re smart to think about this in advance. If you’re getting bad vibes, there’s a reason. It’s totally reasonable for a first-time, out-of-state client, to require payment in full before tapes are released.

Signed,

Been there (with an out-of-state firm), didn’t get paid for that. (Ever. Still rankles!)

[Bob Cole]

[David Roth Weiss] “As I mentioned yesterday on the phone”

That was you? I thought it was a prank call. Sorry!

[David Roth Weiss] ” no matter what, CalDigit has you covered”

If I were covered in money the CalDigit HDOne would be terrific; it’s a bit pricey. David, you know me too well to recommend a RAID that’s more than the net worth of General Motors.

No, seriously now… Thank you, David. You clarified the issues, AS USUAL.

Bob C