[Jamodi Robinson]

You’ll almost never specifically hear a project to requite Vegas. I tend to look for those who don’t specify or it seems like they’re just saying FCP because it’s “supposed to be said.” I believe in most of those cases, they’re looking for a capable editor to help them solve their problems. When you’re coming from that angle, you can show results and skip the unneeded discussion on which program to use. You don’t hear of people telling a plumber what kind of pipe to put under their sink or someone telling a mechanic tools needed to take apart an engine and put it back together again. I mean, I can just picture, “Excuse me, surgeon. I want you to cut my heart open and fix it, but let me choose which scalpels you’ll be working with. Oh, and I’m going to be sewing myself up, too.”

I tend to focus on what the particular problems they’re encountering, what format it’s in (Red, HD, SD) and how it’s going to be output (and where it’s gonna be seen). This makes it much more manageable to find work based on talent to get the job done… because I’m sure if there was a “Vegas job” out there, it’s pretty easy to find talented and hungry Vegas editors out there. I’ve found it really easy to just make sure that everyone has the same media copy, then all you have to share is project files. Forming like Voltron from anywhere in the world.

Let’s expand people’s options!

JaModi
https://www.degvideo.com

[Jamodi Robinson]

I hear you, Joe… it is quite an interesting topic. Honestly, it seems like the least educated (and biased) people on the subject seem to be the ones trying to dictate choices for others in the industry. I see your point that the industry is built on the Final Cut system (which I have no problem with) but just like film is making room for digital, we need to make room for alternate forms of post-production. Workflow, ability to collaborate with others, cost effectiveness, and quality of final product should be all we’re looking at. But it seems, like most of the time, people not using the software are making decisions for others based on saturation in marketing and the inability to recognize the positives of this areas evolution.

I do disagree with you on editors needing to learn FCP to get jobs. Although I always think it’s helpful to know as much as possible (including multiple softwares) there are smaller (and growing) but just as talented communities of Vegas users, Adobe Premiere users and Avid users. If these communities can work together and support each other, we can address this issue for what it it and not just do it because “everyone else is using it.” I for one, refuse to get into a discussion on post production software with clients (mostly because they are limited in their information, and it’s only final results that matter). I feel like if you don’t make it an issue, then it’s not one.

Obviously, there are situations where you will need FCP skills to work with projects and teams who are based on that system, I don’t deny that. But there I feel like it’s irresponsible and a dis service to make any editor uncomfortable for the sake of a blind “buzz word” response. We are hired for our creativity, problem solving, and storytelling, so let’s not waste energy entertaining such a non issue. We are at the first point in history where PC or MAC, Final Cut, Avid or Sony Vegas, professionals can churn out quality work for their clients and audiences alike.

JaModi
https://www.degvideo.com