Jay Curtis
Forum Replies Created
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1) How do you plan to protect your equipment? You may already have a bag or larger case that this unit will go into, and you may not.
2) Are the extra accessories worth $300 to you right now? If not, since there’s no discount for buying all the pieces as a kit, you can always get the rest of the kit for the same price if you decide later that you need them.
Jay
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OK, not going to try to add an “oloris” to the end of this one, but spend $3 on a piece of foam core at your local arts and crafts store. Sketch out your pattern with a pencil, then take a box knife to it.
You can grip clamp it to your road rags frame, or clamp it to a C-stand. When it finally wears out, head back to the craft store.
The advantage to “real” cookies is their durability, but with durability, comes weight. The foam core version is disposable, but both lightweight and inexpensive.
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Certainly, know what you’re duplicating.
For your small schools and such, you should also consider the rights of the author of the work being performed, i.e. playwright, composer, etc., or the holder of the performance rights.
In some cases, you may need the right to record the performance as well as the right to duplicate the recording.
Many illustrious others have written LOTS more on this topic; find them with the search function.
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I learned from a friend the best way to deal with clients like this, even if you’ve been doing these rush jobs in the past without charging extra.
My friend’s policy was to avoid saying no to a client if there was a way around it. Mind you, he also knew how to keep from getting stepped on by grinders, too.
If he had other projects in the works, the answer went something like, “Wow, we’re really booked up right now. We had everything planned out for your project to be ready on _______. I’m not sure we can get it as soon as you need it without some overtime.”
Client: “How much is that?”
“Time and a half our hourly rate.”
“Oh. Uh… maybe the original date will be OK.”Right.
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I think this topic comes up from time to time, but it often wears different clothes. Communications solution provider versus specific job description.
Evan, it sounds as though you are an editor. It is your passion. Now, take a look beyond the concept of “just” editing video. Editors are first and foremost storytellers. You are someone who is skilled at taking something as vague as an outline, or as specific as a script with storyboards, and making it into a compelling visual story.
Dan and others are right on the money. In this economy, you may have better chances of getting a job in the industry that uses your skills as a storyteller than specifically as an editor.
Many of us have examples of ways we’ve applied skills learned in video production to other jobs, even other industries, before we’ve found our way back to what we love. You’ll have a story like that soon, too. Maybe you find something editing shorts for live corporate events, maybe editing for web distribution. You might even find something that you like better than editing! (OK, maybe not, but you have to admit it’s a possibility!)
We empathize with your struggle right now, but it sounds like you have what it takes to look a little outside the box, and find yourself doing something different, but that still uses your passion and skills for visual storytelling.
We wish you the best.
Find ways that your skills
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The best character generators for live events are often the most expensive. The leaders in the industry are Chyron and VizRT. You may visit the Chyron forum here on the COW.
On the less expensive (but with less features) list, I would include Compix.
How is the rest of your van outfitted? I freelance with a guy who has 5 ancient but workable 1/2″ cameras with studio kits, a 16-channel audio board and a used single-channel Compix. He produced a 10-week package of local high school football games for the CBS affiliate here. Not network quality, but with a budget that made it worthwhile for the station, the producer, and the local crew.
Hope this helps…
Jay Curtis
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Aaron, thanks so much for all you’ve contributed to our lives, not just in the depth of AE and ways of thinking about it that some of had never before imagined…
…but also the generosity of giving of yourself, and the value of lending time and expertise to the benefit of others.
Thank you!
In this stressful business that so often demands more that we thought we could give, congratulations on making such a dramatic choice to put your family first. Keep doing that — you can’t go wrong with that investment!
Jay Curtis
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The vote happened yesterday, with Microsoft, Google, Motorola and others salivating over the chance to develop gadgets for the “white spaces.”
Lectrosonics declares the sky is NOT falling, though:
https://www.lectrosonics.com/PressReleases/whitespace/whitespace.htmJay Curtis
Blue Vase Productions
Monroe, LAJay Curtis
Blue Vase Productions
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I’ve seen this done on the extra-cheap before. I’ll echo Mark’s objection that the shorter the video, the longer the finalization.
Use two off-the-shelf DVD recorders, and alternate them. One is burning a live interview while the other one is finalizing the last one.
Jay
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Another related question: Why are you likely to get a better result from other applications (QT Pro, Sorenson) than from the Adobe “best” way of doing things?
I can begin to guess, using a rough analogy, that the Adobe way is a swiss army knife, while other, more specialized programs would be more like using a surgeon’s scalpel.
I know you’ve been doing this for a lot longer than I have. Under what circumstances (or for what tasks) does the Adobe way of doing things coincide with Dave’s way of doing things? Other than web use with the quick start option, when are those roads most likely to diverge?
In my case, I recently used AE output to “DVD MPeg” setting for building a Encore DVD for use in a live conference-style event, and it worked beautifully. I’ve also worked at a production house that used AE and Sorenson for small, email-able approval copies of commercials.
What are a couple of things you’re most likely to go “outside Adobe” for, even though it may be a process they claim to already do well?
Thanks for your time and expertise!
JayJay Curtis