[Bruce Bennett]

Hi Greg,

There have been several threads that are similar to your post. You’ll get lots of answers and great advice if you search the COW for previous threads.

But, here’s my input…
I use Acuity for my $1 Million General Liability policy (with Marine clause) along with my equipment insurance needs. (Being a Producer, I need to worry about me breaking other people’s stuff before my low overhead stuff). I pay about $40 per month (one person, Producer with no major equipment).

My short “layman’s” answer to you post..
You will probably have to get 2 different policies. (Not quite sure what the Insurance terms are for this, but I’m sure others here that will jump in and let you know).
The first policy is for the equipment that you break. The second policy is for all the equipment (your equipment and your subcontractors’ equipment) that other people break.

As far as theft? Good question. I’m not quite sure what I have for that. I’m going to call my agent tomorrow to find out.

P.S. you may want to fill out your profile with more detail about who you are. In my experience, it helps you a lot and you’ll get more respect and answers here on the COW.

Thanks for the post and Good Luck!
Bruce

Bruce Bennett
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC

[Bruce Bennett]

I use QuickBooks and am happy with it. You may want to check into the “contractor” version which has some features that work well with video production companies.

Some features are sold as add-ons for QB, like “payroll” and “online transactions.” My accountant figured out what I need to pay the government for payroll, so I don’t need to purchase that add-on option.

Like several people indicated, backing up your files is important. I backup my QB on a USB stick (you don’t want to backup up on the same computer that QB is installed on).

Bruce

Bruce Bennett
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC

[Bruce Bennett]

[Pat Ford] “the post house can do it better but not perfect.”

Since all your source footage is PAL, I would sub out a dub house to do the conversion. I would also convert to tape vs. DVD to avoid compression issues/artifacts.

Format conversions are never perfect, but some “higher end” dub houses have equipment worth thousands of dollars to do the best possible quality. I’m not too knowledgeable on the technical stuff, but the top dub houses separate the video fields during the conversion and “reassemble” the signal for the final converted output. This is a different process than most “common” dub houses use for conversions.

Good Luck,
Bruce

Bruce Bennett
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC

[Bruce Bennett]

Hi Matthew,

The first thing I would do is hire an independant, experienced proposal writer that knows how to write for government bids.

Good Luck,
Bruce

Bruce Bennett
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC

[Bruce Bennett]

Hi Bob,

I’ve never done anything for national cable, but here’s my release. BTW: I hereby give copyright reproduction permission to every one on the COW to use it 🙂

TALENT / MODEL RELEASE AND AUTHORIZATION

I _____________________________________________ hereby grant Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC and/or its affiliates, affiliates, subsidiaries, licensees and successors the irrevocable right and permission, throughout the world, an unlimited number of times, in connection with the photographs, images, video, and/or audio taken of/from me, or in which I may be included with others, the following: (a) the right to use and reuse, publish and re-publish, said photographs, images, video, and/or audio, in whole or in part, modified or altered, either by themselves or in conjunction with any other photographic, image, video, and/or audio projects, in any medium and form of distribution, and for any and all purposes whatsoever, including, without limitation, promotional, advertising, re-sale and/or other uses/trade purposes; and (b) the right to copyright said photographs, images, video, and/or audio in its own name or in any other name that it may select.

I hereby waive any and all rights of inspection and/or approvals of the uses and final products, including any and all advertising copy or other materials, in whole or in part, as part of a composite or distorted in character or form, to which my appearances may be used and/or published. I hereby forever release and discharge Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC and its employees, affiliates, subsidiaries, licensees and successors from any and all claims, actions and demands arising out of or in connection with all uses of said photographs, images, video, and/or audio, including, without limitation, any and all claims for invasion of privacy and libel. This release shall be binding upon me, my heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

CHECK ONE:

[ ] I hereby warrant that I am over the age of eighteen years, have read the above fully, completely understand the contents hereof this Release/Authorization, and agree to its contents and conditions.

[ ] I am a parent or legal guardian of the below minor, have read the above and fully, and completely understand the contents hereof this Release/Authorization, and consent/agree that I and the said minor will be bound by all the provisions contained herein this Release/Authorization.

Printed Name: ________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ________________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number: ______________________________________________________________________________

Signature & Date: _____________________________________________________________________________

MINOR OF ABOVE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN (IF APPLICABLE):

Printed Name: _______________________________________________________________________________
Social Security #: _____________________________________________________________________________

Signature & Date: _____________________________________________________________________________

Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC:

Representative’s Printed Name: __________________________________________________________________

Signature & Date: _____________________________________________________________________________

Bruce Bennett
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC

[Bruce Bennett]

Hi Bill,

I watched “Using SEO as a Direct Response Medium.”

My first question… Is your character generation within title safe? The “IMPAQT” logo in the upper-left corner as well as the lower screen names/titles look like they’ll get cut off on some TVs.

Yeah, avoid shooting against exterior walls with blinds. It’s just a very bad thing to do. You can see your outside color temperature lighting intruding in your indoor color temperature lighting and it looks bad. Many years ago, I learned my lesson on this when I shot a similar type of video. As the early and mid morning daylight changed to later daylight, you could see the outdoor color temperature change throughout the video. Since then, when I’m in a situation in which I’m forced to shoot against blinds (and if we’re on a first floor and can access the windows) I have my crew go outside and put black blankets or anything we have to completely block out the daylight. If we’re not on a first floor, we cut gels or use anything that we can with gaffer tape to block it out under the blinds.

Break up the background behind the interviewer with some kind of pattern. It looks too flat and there is no distance between him and the wall.

The lighting of both people could be better. Back light, soft box key and side fill or reflector. Rim lights on top of shoulders are good too.

Unlike what Tim heard on your “50+” video, I hear good audio for this particular one.

If this is a lower budget video, it is pretty good for what your client paid for.

Bruce

Bruce Bennett
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC

[Bruce Bennett]

Robert,

With all due respect, you would be crazy to use such footage without getting it cleared first. Legally, you must get reproduction rights from the movie copyright holders. If you don’t, there’s no doubt whatsoever that you are in complete violation of copyright. For corporate video, the use of such footage is rarely worth the high costs of getting reproduction copyrights from the original owners.

Lawyers will go after you and your client. Remember, you can be sued for each and every occurrence of copyright violation. For instance, if you create 500 DVD copies, that’s 500 copyright violations.

Good luck,
Bruce

Bruce Bennett
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC

[Bruce Bennett]

My thoughts on this…

A long time ago when I first started in this business, I decided NOT to include my name, or the company name for which I worked for, in my projects’ credits. As the years went by, I developed into a better Director/Producer (and thus my projects/deliverables got better). I shriek once in awhile when dig out some of those dusty old projects that I used think were so cool and great; only to realize that they were substandard stepping stones to the quality level that I now produce (which I’m sure I will feel the same way about years from now).

I know for a fact that some of my old grinder clients still use videos that I produced for them 12-16 years ago. I am thankful that my name is not on them in case prospective new clients see them (with my name on them). Chances are slim that it would happen (we shot S-VHS and edited on ¾-inch tape back then) but now, with this new fancy medium called the “Internet,” videos could be out there for every one on Earth to see forever!

Just my thoughts on this…

Bruce

Bruce Bennett
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC

[Bruce Bennett]

[Craig Seeman] “If anyone from that place calls for assistance I’d say something like, “I have to clear it with your boss” and then contact her explaining someone contacted you from their office for a service and then explain what you’d charge.”

Very good advice 🙂

Bruce

Bruce Bennett
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC

[Bruce Bennett]

Hi Peter,

I don’t know how it works in Ireland, but here in the USA, if they paid you, then they own your footage and final deliverables. The subject of “copyright ownership” has been beaten to death on this forum. You’ll find all your answers and lots of opinions on copyright ownership if you do a topic search on COW. http://www.copyright.gov has lots of answers.

It sounds like this is a very low-end client and puts price near or at the forefront. They have served their purpose and it’s time to move on to better clients. Such clients are good for your initial portfolio and getting work from well-established, higher paying clients that actually want good production value. Since your client indicated that they are not going to hire you any more, I would ship everything to them and when they call for help, email them written estimates and charge them every time. Your written estimates and their verbal commissioning of work would constitute “work for hire agreements” and help ensure your payments.

Don’t take grinder, low-end, crappy seeking production clients at heart. They are nothing more than a stepping stone to your career path. Whenever you talk about them to other clients, colleagues, etc. say nothing but the good things and keep the bad things to yourself.

One last suggestion… I see you have posted many times here on the COW. You may want to take the time and fill out your profile.

Good luck,
Bruce

Bruce Bennett
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC