[John Baumchen]

I would be inclined to ask the company to give me a letter where they would indemnify me for any legal actions that might arise from their actions.

Just because you work for a company, doesn’t mean you’re covered if someone finds out and decides to sue. You can’t break the law just because your boss tells you to. To really cover yourself, you need to report it, otherwise, you’re an accessory.

“be seen, be heard, be remembered”

[John Baumchen]

Really the only place I have seen the Adobe production suite used is in small wedding videographers

About four years ago, Adobe wasn’t up to par for professional use and I would have agreed with the above statement. But times they are a changin. We have an Avid Adrenaline running Media Composer and a Matrox Axio LE running Adobe Production Studio Premium.

Having worked on both systems, let me voice my observations between the two.

Adobe outputs just as good quality as the Avid, at about 1/3rd the cost and without a $3700 annual maintenance cost, is far more user friendly than Avid, is much more compatible with different media file types, does not have a 2GB file limit on exporting media, can author DVD’s without resorting to third party software, and allows for much better media management. In addition, PremierePro, AfterEffects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Audition, Encore, and Flash are all tightly integrated with each other, making edit and authoring sessions very productive.

So, as a production department for the Federal Government, have to say that we’ll take the Axio running Adobe over the Avid any day.

[John Baumchen]

I would reccomend Adobe Production Studio Premium.

It has everything one needs to produce professional and polished video, or graphics. An added plus is the fact that all the programs integrate seamlessly with each other. No annoying compatibility issues to deal with.

https://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/production/

Cheers

[John Baumchen]

I have a menu with 12 buttons for 12 clips. On one button, I want the clip to loop, (it’s a seperate compilation of all the other clips), so I set the end action of that timeline to go back to chapter 1 of that clip’s timeline.

However, when the clip hits the end, it just returns to the menu.

Any suggestions?

[John Baumchen]

Using Premiere Pro, I export the video from the timeline to ClipNotes, which creates a PDF with the video imbedded.

The client reviews the video in Adobe Acrobat and can place comments inside Acrobat while watching the video. When the client is done reviewing and commenting, XML data is sent back to me via e-mail. When I receive the data in the XML file, importing it back into Premiere will create markers on my timeline. Clicking on the marker will display the client’s comments.

[John Baumchen]

Now if only it would do the camera work for me too!

[John Baumchen]

Here’s a great article that you might find helpful.

https://videouniversity.com/contarti.htm

[John Baumchen]

I used to use the following format to quote. I split it up into the four major areas of video production.

1. Preproduction
Here I listed all the things that need to happen prior to the actual taping and who was responsible for what. Example: Delivery of approved script (client), Location approval (client),Filming permits (you), Booking talent, (you), and dates.

2. Production
When, where, how long.
3. Post production
Graphics, titles, credits, F/X

4. Change Orders
How much for what, conditions, signatures required.

With each of the first three stages, I stated an amount that would be due and payable on the completion of the particular stage and by a particular date. (the due date was to keep the project on track, other wise, the clinet could get lazy and not bother to provide you with what you need from them, i.e., material, graphics…etc.)

When you and the client are reviewing the proposal, make sure that they designate one, (1), person who has the authority to make change orders. It can prevent headaches down the road. (Three people giving you conflicting change orders is not fun.)

Basically your quote should contain all the services you will provide, when you’ll provide them, how much it will cost, when payments are due, client responsibilities, and the sign off process.

The video university site has some great resources that may shed some light and give you some ideas as well.

https://www.videouniversity.com/

Cheers.

[John Baumchen]

You could handle this several ways.

1. You could be the point of contact with the client, hiring the ad agency to work with you. Sort of like being the general contractor. That way, you can provide the services within your capability and markup the agency’s invoice. Much more work on your part here but also the potential to make more too.

2. You could approach the agency with a proposal that you recieve a commission on the work they do for the client and that you provide the services for this client that fall within your area of expertise. After all, they wouldn’t have the business if it weren’t for your involvement.

3. You could hand the business to the ad agency with the understanding that you provide your expertise to the client.

If it’s a big agency that you’ve never worked with, this might be a good opportunity to do business with them for their other clients as well.

There is nothing wrong at all with receiving a finders fee. The only time it is considered a ‘kick back’ is if you are an employee of the client, and want the ad agency to kick something your way for hiring them.

As for the amount of the fee? Well, if you just pass on the clients name to the agency and they land the job, 10% of the gross. If you actively work on their behalf to bring the client to them, 20-25% is not uncommon.

Cheers and good luck.

[John Baumchen]

Did they say what truck it fell off of?