Brendan Coots
Forum Replies Created
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Filemaker Pro as the database component is definitely the way to go here. You can use a system like Intelliscanner (https://www.intelliscanner.com/products/pro/integration.html) to scan barcodes right into the database and create/edit/search records.
I have seen this particular system in use at three post houses for tape archiving, so I know it’s reliable. It helps that Filemaker Pro is really easy to get going if you have any database experience, and if not, FMP developers are plentiful and relatively cheap.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
I couldn’t agree more. Every shoot should have a good solid contract backing it, but especially in situations like this. Make sure that your contract clearly spells out your compensation no matter when, how or by whom the video is sold.
Personally, I won’t touch projects like this with a ten foot pole.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
Decklinks are great cards and seem to offer more for the money. But like all competing products out there, some people would disagree with me on that. I use a Blackmagic Extreme HD and, while I had a few minor issues once that a software update fixed, it’s been very reliable and seamless.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
A cell phone number will stick with you even if you move to a new area code. There is also the added benefit (or disadvantage, depending on how you look at it) of having all business calls routed directly to you even when you’re out in the field, on vacation, in the tub etc.
You might as well route the ads to your cell phone as long as you are happy with your provider and aren’t going to switch any time soon, but I also feel that landlines are so cheap, you might as well get one just to have a line for in-house clients to use and for fax services, if nothing else.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
That’s all true for sure, but you still need to tell the client upfront that you charge extra in these situations, as your audio engineer friend does.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
If I am reading your story correctly, it sounds like you are planning to bill the client a higher rate without prior notice. In my opinion you can’t just charge whatever rate you feel like after the fact, even if it is a fair rate given the circumstances. You absolutely MUST tell the client in advance that you will be charging a rush fee, and give them the opportunity to approve that rate or find a different provider. You can count on never getting work from them again if you do, and to be honest with you it’s a little shady. I would eat it this time, chalk it up to “lesson learned” and put together a policy that you apply to all future work.
On the issue of rush fees in general, it really depends on the situation. I have only charged clients rush fees in a few circumstances, mostly where they were adding new requirements to a project in progress, were presenting them very late in the game and odd hours would be required to complete the work. This is the kind of scenario that most reasonable people would expect to pay a premium for.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
You should pretty much always output an uncompressed version of your video from After Effects and use a dedicated compression app for the compression stage. AE sucks at rendering to compressed formats – the files are usually larger (by 200-300%) and uglier when done in AE vs. a compression program. Another reason is that, suppose for whatever reason you find yourself having to render out the video to an additional codec, say h.264 for the client to preview on the web or for your demo reel, etc? You now have to go back and re-render out of After Effects, which depending on your project could take hours, rather than a few minutes or less with a compression app.
As for what compression application to use, You might try pulling it into your DVD authoring app and do the MPEG2 conversion there, or search the web for a program that supports your needs. The format you requested is very specific so expect limited support from apps (As you found) and/or to pay for the privilege.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
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Here’s some unvarnished advice:
1. Don’t start a business built around software/services/industry you don’t thoroughly know and understand. This is a recipe for failure, or if you’re lucky it will just take years to reach a baseline. Given the likelihood of a coming recession, it’s not a kind market to enter without being able to compete from day one. You may want to get more industry experience if you plan to offer creative services, because this is an extremely difficult industry to survive in. In business texts, this is the first rule they tend to mention because it is one of the leading causes of business failure.
2. You need to solidify what it is your new business will offer, to whom, and how/why you are better. Write it down and read it through the eyes of a prospective customer, because if it isn’t a compelling pitch you probably aren’t going to win much business. The field is crowded, after all. You started out saying you would be doing stock video/photo, but then went on to talk about web design, editing etc. These could be considered complimentary services for a larger studio to offer since that company could create entire units around these services and dedicate resources toward developing out that aspect of their offering. But an individual or tiny company will have a tougher time landing business because it comes off as a “kitchen sink” approach, and people will be less likely to trust that you are good at any one thing you offer. You are not a general handyman, and that approach doesn’t work too well in this industry since each discipline is so specialized and could be an entire career path on its own. A cohesive, tight core focus will also keep your sales, marketing and financial resources focused rather than spread like scattershot across a wide and competitive field of services. Believe me when I say that offering more services is not necessarily better, especially if you don’t know how to do those particular services better than the next guy. Maybe consider focusing on video and editing, or just web design, but not all of the things you mentioned.
3. Go to Amazon.com and pick up a library of books on the subject. Not just “how to shoot video” type books, but books that discuss marketing, sales, general business strategy etc.. Remember, when you start a business you’re no longer just a video guy, you’re a businessman and you need to learn how to run a business. Think accounting, sales, marketing, business development, networking, IT, janitorial, production, billing, contract law etc.
4. Carefully consider, research and plan for things like taxes, business licenses etc. Taxes end up being the death of a lot of companies because they wait until it’s too late to understand the law. Remember, as a business (whether you’re planning to be a contractor OR a legit business) your tax obligation is much higher, and the laws much more complex. Did you know you have to file and pay taxes quarterly? If not, you need to spend some time looking into it or risk rounding out the year with a tax bill that swallows every penny of profit you THOUGHT you made.
Hopefully this doesn’t sound too discouraging, but running a business really isn’t a light-hearted affair, it isn’t easy, and it requires 110% dedication to learning a LOT if you want to succeed. Unfortunately, there are no forums, books or consultants that can summarize it. It takes knowing your chosen industry cold, understanding business management reasonably well and being willing to starve, work late and put it all on the line, often for years, before seeing real profit. Once you get to that point, however, it will be the most rewarding thing you’ve ever done, and will all seem worth it.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
If you’re going to sell it, Craigslist is probably a better bet than Ebay. The shipping costs will end up being 50% of the purchase price going through Ebay, which given the low dollar value of the item this will scare most buyers away. With CL you can move it much faster, and at the price you want without having to lower it to accommodate shipping fees.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com