[Donell Hall]

I guess I am confused by the statement of “Its just like if she posted on her own personal website.” How exactly is that? I would not have a problem with that but she doesnt in fact own facebook.

Facebook in there terms of services says that by posting a image to their site you,

“For content that is covered by intellectual property rights, like photos and videos (“IP content”), you specifically give us the following permission, subject to your privacy and application settings: you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook (“IP License”). This IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it.

Basically I gave HER permissions to use the photos for personal gain, I did not give her permission to transfer the license to a for profit company that can use the photos as they see fit including decisions for profit. That language is not in the contract.

From what I have been researching, I am pretty sure I have a point but thanks for your insight.

[Donell Hall]

Maybe I confused my question.

I was asking because it was said to always have a back up near you just in case everyone else fails. Maybe I assumed by back up they meant a type of recorder like a 744T, but I think that would chance the package you are working with.

So to be more clear, if someone is paying for a basic package what backup solution is there that doesnt change the package itself? I can rent a 744T and have back up for days but wouldnt do that unless a client was paying for it. But maybe that is wrong, maybe I should just throw in safety nets in that way.

Of course the real answer to all of this is to not screw up in the first place!!

[Donell Hall]

Hey, quick question, I didnt mention this before but they didnt order a digital recording system. Do you normally bring that to all gigs? I am only asking because that is the difference between a 302 and a 552. I normally dont bring that type of gear unless its asked for. I have done that gig a couple times and its always just been a basic package.

[Donell Hall]

Thanks for the advice, can I ask exactly how does one get into government video? Who do I talk to? Who do I call?

[Donell Hall]

I have been working about 5 years and I have done pretty well for myself. The thing is that I actually dont like working in “film” and TV, I think this is because I am the son of a life long cop and the grandson of a life time service man and firefighter.

Basically I have a chip on my shoulder because tv and movies dont actually “help” anyone. I am always looking for a way to use my video skills to help people and I just havent found that niche yet. What you said there interest me a lot though, can you go more into it? I would like to hear more.

[Donell Hall]

You know that makes sense, although later that week I found out that most of the personal there thought I was recording completely independent from the camera so he probably thought he didnt have to worry about it. Although its still odd since I plugged in tails straight to the camera.

It is what it is, a screw up by me.

[Donell Hall]

Yeah, its an extremely tough thing because of how simple the solution is. Although I would never shift blame and again I am ultimately at fault no matter what, I do have to ask.

On most shoot I do not notice the camera, hell I rarely even plug in the tails I usually set them next to the camera and tell the op to plug them in. Its your camera I dont want to be responsible for any settings to get switch. How did you set levels to tone without noticing you were not getting tone? Its a mystery to me. But again its not really his problem its mine.

Just a really tough thing to happen. When things go wrong like that it messes with my psyche for a long time. I wont be able to sleep for the next 3 days until the gig wraps and probably a couple weeks after awaiting the fallout.

[Donell Hall]

Hello again everyone, just popped back in to let you know how I handled it.

Just to clarify my problem was not reluctance to speak to the client. When you go through 12 video guys and 8 audio guys..the problem of communication probably sits firmly at your feet. Unless they have just been incredibly unlucky. My issue was mostly how much effort should I put forth to a client who clearly doesnt understand or care how this relationship should work.

Many of you hit it firmly on the head and I have choosen the route of submitting a end of season report that had all the fixes that I think we should go through. I also told them I would be happy to sit down and discuss each one in detail if they scheduled one (they havent and probably will never)I have since told them I am only available through email on days I am not scheduled to be there.

I am now in full, put my head down, cash my check and say thank you option until I get let go, in which I will say thank you for the opportunity and be on my way. I patch everything together as best I can for the shows but the very second its over they become out of sight out of mind.

I firmly think you can not care MORE than what the client does or risk a mental breakdown.

I feel good that I gave them some options and the ball is in their court as for exercising them. If they want everything to stay the same..so be it..I will cash my checks, pay my bills and be happy.

Thanks for all the input.

[Donell Hall]

Hello Mark, thanks for responding.

I highly doubt this client is Google’ing my name and if they did hopefully they would find the many other projects that I have done. But thats neither here or there.

I believe you misunderstood (or maybe I didnt explain it well enough) the original post. The problem is that They are not happy with it. They constantly complain about the many problems in quality the system produces. They are in a constant state of surprise when a show goes wrong, which it does often. They want more, they just dont want to pay for it. I am willing to give them a little bit more no charge to make my life easier but I cant fix every problem just because I am a nice guy. Thats how people go bankrupt.

The bottom line as it seems for them is this. They want to walk in and just have things “fixed” and maybe if I was earlier in my career I would be more willing to do it. As a freelancer I dont think I can just show up one day and start fixing things just cause.

I seriously want to help them…I just dont know how without loosing money at the same time.

[Donell Hall]

Its hourly, Call time 6pm, show starts at 7pm, end at 9pm.

Like I said I only work about 10 paid hours with them a week, that why it kinda hard for me to justify 5 to 10 hours of unpaid research.

Again, every freelancer has their own set of rules so please do no judge in the sense that I am lazy or just not going the extra mile. Mine state to only give a client about 25% unpaid extras.

But I agree with what has been stated here, I have 2 choices, bust my ass and go way over the top on my own time to help this client. Or scrap by like the many that have done before me and probably after me.

I just have to decide how important this is to my well being vs how quickly I can replace this client with other business.