[Jon Harrison]

Anyone ever resolve this? I’m having the same issue – I had no idea this was a problem.

Thanks,
Jon

[Jon Harrison]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone, especially Mark, on your guidance with this. Update on this project – we start the build out in 2 weeks. We ended up having to get permits but it’s for the better. Most if the equipment is already here. It’s very exciting. I’ll try and post before and after pictures for everyone to see.

Thanks again!

Thanks,
Jon

[Jon Harrison]

ok – so I really like the Panasonic AG-HMX100 Digital AV Mixer. I think it has everything that I need as well as the ability to grow with our production. I’m looking at recorders now – any that you recommend? Are these are the same or similar to the type of DVRs that security cameras use? Can I uses something like a Drobo to record straight to? Also I noticed that the mixer output is SDI, and most recorders don’t have an SDI in, it seems to be mostly USB in – is there a SDI to USB converter – is this problematic?

Paint – I’m going dark gray, I’m assuming flat and not semi-gloss to control the lighting? We also have a drop ceiling and we’ll be changing out or painting those as well.

Thanks!

Thanks,
Jon

[Jon Harrison]

Hi David,

Sorry for the confusion – sounds like you have a much better experience with the online service than I have. The big difference is you seem to have a phone conversation with them – maybe I’ve just got some bad apples but when I’ve tried, I do receive samples from a script I sent them and when I followed up via email with some suggestion and then asked to meet via a phone call they usually drop off. I agree with you that you can find some awesome talent this way – this is actually how I found the talent that I use constantly – I agree due diligence is the key. maybe I’m to partial to my current talent and give up too soon?

It’s been years since I’ve tried VO talent again, maybe it’s time to give it a go again.

Thanks for the feedback!

Thanks,
Jon

[Jon Harrison]

I have a couple VO talents that I’ve used for year – male and female. A couple times I get it in my head to try and use something like voices.com or similar and I usually end up regretting it. I think it’s because it feels more like a quick process and looses the compassion that I’m typically looking for – at least this was the case for me. I usually just go back to my talent pool and don’t look back

Their rates typically range from $175 – $250 an hour, but they are so good and they know what I’m looking that I never struggle to get what I want in the first couple runs. And I can give them a call last minute and they accommodate and fit my work in at the same price.

Thanks,
Jon

[Jon Harrison]

Having lived some of the results of what you’re talking about I can say that this is very sound advice and shouldn’t be taken lightly. It also speaks towards your experience in the industry/market and not just your skill set.

Thanks again Mark!

Thanks,
Jon

[Jon Harrison]

Mark – you’re amazing man! thanks for all the support. I’ll have to post a pic when it’s all said and done.

Sorry I missed the paint feedback – my heads spinning with all this and my deadline is like now.

Thanks,
Jon

[Jon Harrison]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I have a couple questions that hopefully you might be able to help me with.

Mark – you mentioned the switcher and a recorder. I have very limited experience with switchers, basically I can use one but have never set one up. I’ve looked in to the Tricaster and Datavideo. Where i’m struggling is understanding everything that I need to be up and running. I know I need monitors, BNC cables, some come with keyboards or boards, do they record to an internal drive or do I need that? You said “recorder” is that a separate unit?

Also, I won’t be adding graphics until post, having the option to transition to a presentation or their computer. For example, of they are giving a tutorial and I want to transition from them speaking to their powerpoint presentation or what they are show on their computer. Possible?

Zoom Controller – I’m looking into this as I also think it will be very beneficial. I’m running a Sony HXR-NX3 but can seem to find anything that might work.

The PAR Can lights – they seem to just be RGB, I’m assuming they can’t be used to fill white like I would with Kenos or my Arri kit? Should I really be looking at LEDs that are white and control color with gels?

I want to hang a grid or something from the celling to hang some semi-permeant lights. In the past I’v just mounted some coping/metal piping. Any other recommendations? Ceilings here are over 10ft, but probably not higher than 15ft.

Currently the walls are white – would you recommend painting them dark to control lighting.

Still looking into storage options – My company understands that a lot of the budge will go to this. Any recommendations? Had cloud storage progress enough to be able to actually use it for video?

Sorry for all the questions – I’ve built sets in the past but never something that needs to be a “catch all” type studio – mostly talking heads, interviews, training and talk radio type stuff.

Thanks everyone!

Thanks,
Jon

[Jon Harrison]

Thanks Guys – very helpful.

My expectations for the studio aren’t grand given the space but I know I can do a lot with it – I just want to make sure it’s done right and with room to grow.
Thanks for the link Joe – that helps!

Thanks,
Jon

[Jon Harrison]

Mark this is a fantastic start! Thank you!

I’ll be doing all the graphics in post and our CEO does a lot of speaking events and wants to get much better at reading a prompter so going real shouldn’t be a problem. Hadn’t thought about the Varizoom controller – that’s a great idea!

The CEO in the office…yeah, we did that and it’s turned out ok but I have to go about it by covering all the natural light (view wasn’t impressive) and lighting it all. It turned out ok but he realized that sitting behind a desk wasn’t the look he wanted.

LED PAR can light – are those recessed into the ceiling? Just thinking about lighting the backdrops for depth and evenly lighting the green screen.

Sound – we are in a corporate industry building with the typical metal framing and drywall. I don’t think that they’ll want to, or even get approval from the build to add cement board. It might end up being the acoustic tiles on the walls. Most of my issue seems to be doors slamming.

I figured the storage would be pretty expensive, I also want to roll in an asset management system.

Thanks again!!

Thanks,
Jon