Brendan Coots
Forum Replies Created
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I guess now would be a good time to list my Video Toaster, Amiga 2000, 4GB Hard drive and VHS decks. Purchased for $5,600, my loss your gain at $3,500…
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
PCs lose value so fast it will make your head spin – these days, they seem to lose about 20-25% of their value PER MONTH.
Very few places even sell the Athlon 3500+ chip anymore because it’s so outdated, but last I saw newegg had it for $40. Based on this, I’d say your rig is probably worth $100-$200, tops. You might be better off keeping it around for email, gaming etc or give it to a relative/friend/charity in need.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
We have an ironclad contract that takes anywhere from 33% to 50% upfront, with no work to begin until payment is received. We also ask for the remaining balance to be paid upon delivery (no Net30) so that people can’t get their video and then disappear.
The biggest problem with this entire situation, at least in my experience, is that most clients seem to think that they can pay you whenever is convenient no matter what is in the contract. The problem is, people inevitably act as though they have no communication with nor control over their accounting departments, who don’t seem to understand how to process ANYTHING outside of their slow-moving Net30 world. It’s a huge problem for us, because penalizing the client for breaking these rules isn’t a great way to build a relationship but every client seem to break the rules.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
I was JUST going to suggest the render out the grain then overlay method…
Some other things that might be causing slowdowns:
– Large layers, especially in 3d space – even if subcomped to smaller sizes or scaled down in AE, they will kill your render times. Use the smallest images you can, based on how close they get to camera.
– lots of 3d layers going at once – unless there are interactions, you could try prerendering them in batches (i.e. the top 10 layers, then the next 10 etc.)
– 3d lighting effects. Prerender lit backgrounds etc. where possible.
– Lens blur is extremely slow. If possible, use Fast Blur instead (which is programatically identical to Gaussian Blur, just faster). I know the effect is different, but it is a time saving option in a pinchBrendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
There is a prep guide available on the Adobe ACE signup page. I’m assuming that if you signed up you saw this already, but it’s the only info out there I’ve seen.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
Try subcomping the .ai file and make the .ai file a 3d layer. Then go back into the main comp and turn on both Continuous Rasterization and 3D Layer for the subcomp. This should work, but be aware that sometimes you get very strange scale and other issues with continuously rasterized, 3d layers, especially if you already did animations on the layer before turning on CR. You may need to recreate those animations to get things working properly.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
The above comments are all good – it boils down to your contract (you ARE using a contract, right???) and what terms you have arranged with them via the contract. If they insist on getting the files (and it sounds like they plan to use the files to explicitly cut you out of the loop) then you need to arrange a fee or compromise with them.
I wouldn’t just give in on this issue, otherwise you are little more than a prep-artist and allowing the client to hire some dirt-cheap artist to do all the meat of the job. It’s situations like this that cheapen the entire industry, so HOLD THE LINE! 😉
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
Personally, I say your work is the only proof you should need that you are competent at your craft. This is especially true if you are running a business – for any client to ask if you are certified would be truly ridiculous if your reel is strong.
On the other hand, if your reel ISN’T strong, no amount of certification matters at all. I would avoid paying for such things, even if it is only $10.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
Not knowing what you know/don’t know about computers and what contributes to speed, here’s some basic info:
– The mac pros have 4 processors vs. your current setup of 2.
– Mac pros support much more RAM than your current setup as well.
– AE CS3 can use all four cores of a Mac pro, provided that the machine has around 2GB RAM per core. This means 8GB+ is ideal. Apple-certified RAM can be purchased from third party companies like Other World Computing for 1/5th what Apple charges, making this a more reasonable option.
– When set to “multiprocessing” mode in prefs, AE CS3 on a mac pro quad (with 2GB RAM per CPU) will process four frames at once during RAM previews, which is essentially a 4X boost in speed.
– Mac pros feature the Core 2 Duo chip which is definitely superior to your current setup, and you will probably notice speed benefits JUST from the faster front side bus/ram speed etc. of the Mac pro.The above setup, a Mac Pro Quad with 8GB of Other World Computing RAM will cost you about $2800. You could probably sell your current machine for $1200 or so in today’s market, meaning you would need to come up with $1,600 or so to make the switch.
I would tend to disagree with the opinions here that there is no way to get noticeable speed increases, just by going to a Mac pro you are rendering 100% faster with AE CS3 due to having twice as many processors.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com -
Bingo! A lot of freelancer posts I read on message boards seem to forget that they are small business entities, and that they are competing against other small businesses aka contractors.
All other things being equal, rate is more than likely going to be the deciding factor in getting hired or not, yet many, many freelancers write things like “You should decide what you would like to make this year, then add 50% to that amount just to be safe.” Ah, if only life were so…
Of course NOT being equal is the goal – working faster, delivering better quality, better accuracy, working as a partner with your employer rather than a mere hired gun, things like this make you worth more and less subject to price competition.
Brendan Coots
Splitvision Digital
http://www.splitvisiondigital.com