[Grant Wilber]

Thanks for all the good advice.

I’m definitely one for always making sure that I do right by my customer and won’t hesitate to eat costs or do more shooting or editing when its my fault. I’m still starting out so sometimes I just try to go too big with a production when the lower budget’s doesn’t allow for it to be done correctly.

Again great advice all around though.

[Grant Wilber]

It will be staying digital. This is for an event so will be shown over projector from a computer. But then it will just be online video after that.

[Grant Wilber]

I would say be prepared to have about 60 – 80 GBs if you are doing it by yourself. 100 – 120 if you got an assistant running around with you.

For ceremony I run Lapel mics to recorders that are put in peoples pockets. Wireless systems give you a bit more peace of mind, but I’ve had and seen so many interface problems with them and I didn’t want to invest in a top of the line system as I don’t use it that much. Then try to find a soundboard and plug an audio interface (H4N Zoom) into it. Plus a third mic getting the ‘room’ is good too for a backup backup.

For the reception I just try to get as many audio feeds as possible. In a dream scenario the DJ has powered speakers so I grab an XLR off that, put a mic in front of the speaker and grab just whats coming out, then get a feed from the mixer. Between the Zoom and some recorders I can get at least three feeds usually.

I would recommend to try to upgrade to the 5d. You can get them used right now for around $2,000 then pick up T2i’s as backups for around $500. I’m using the T2i right now and am looking to upgrade. If you are using lights then it should be ok, but you really start pushing it if you get up and beyond 1600ISO. Unless you are going for that ‘vintage organic’ look, its not gonna be all that sharp and pretty grainy. I don’t like setting up lights and think it just ruins the atmosphere and just too much planning so I don’t accept receptions that are extreme low lighting.

For lens’ either the 24 1.4 (crop frame) or 35 1.4 (ff) are gonna be your babies for reception. I pretty much only shoot with the 24mm 1.4 during receptions as there is such low lighting. Other than that the 24 – 70 is a good all purpose. Then maybe a 70 – 200 for reception and some sort of wide lens’ when you need it.

Turn around I think is usually around 3 months. Depends though, if you are doing this full time then you could probably get it done faster. But I don’t think 3 months is too unreasonable. It’s alot of work especially if you do heavy editing and really try to give the client back as much as possible. I try to send them a quick music video first then a piece of video here or there if you feel like they are on your back.

[Grant Wilber]

If you just google ‘free web hosting’ theres a lot of sites out there that will provide it. They might run kinda slow so it’s best keep them simple and link video through vimeo or youtube. When I first started and didn’t wanna pay for hosting I used one of those sites. You might have to sign up to a few of them til you find one that works for you.

Also if you have TV the provider might give you web hosting space. I had cable and for a little while had my site running on that.

[Grant Wilber]

I’m in the same situation where I’m on the fence with some people about whether to get a lot in writing or not.

At the very least come up with an ‘agreement’. Just a bullet point of what they are paying, when they are paying, and what you are providing in terms of the production shoot and final edit delivery. Alot of times the client will actually appreciate you doing that.

There will be times when shoots get cancelled after you rented a bunch of equipment or postponed after you arrived and paid for parking, and other factors that you’ll wish you came up with a better contract.

I dont think it will turn people away though as usually you’ll be giving the contract after they’ve already decided to go with you. If anything what you can do is have a 1st page ‘agreement’ where its large print and easy to understand, then a 2nd page with the ‘fine print’. That way people don’t feel that they are signing a huge legal document.

[Grant Wilber]

What everyone said about the quality of being a teacher is dead on. But just having background experience in the field is huge. When I was in college I had teachers with a ‘background’ in film production (20 years before) and some of them just couldn’t teach effectively because they brought no real work experience in. Or all the handouts they gave us as examples of forms where typewritten with whiteout marks and would ask for beeper numbers.

I always loved when teachers would talk about jobs or specific experiences they had. Makes it feel real. I think the fact that you have this is a big factor. You could bring in old jobs (client emails, production stills, edits, problems, etc) and I think students would really benefit from this. Even just talking about copywrites’ and real examples of how you got certain music or the ropes you went through to clear a song for a project.

[Grant Wilber]

Alright thanks.

Now would my Soc Security Number happen to be my federal id as I am sole proprietor of my business? Thought I read that somewhere.

[Grant Wilber]

How about an imac with intel core 2 duo from around 2006. Seems like alot of these you can get for under $300 on ebay. Only has firewire 400 but I could live with that as I’m not editing on it. Anyone foresee any problems I’m overlooking?

[Grant Wilber]

I figured it was a f-stop difference. Although I couldn’t believe how much more sharper and contrasty the overexposed camera was.

any ideas for fixing this in FCP?

[Grant Wilber]

Alex I will name my first child after you.

That was exactly it. Must of changed it thinking it was only effecting timeline playback. Thank you thank you thank you.