[Kevin Wood]

Assuming you are using seperate drives, one for Windows & applications, the other(s) for video & audio:

On your Windows drive, you should at defrag weekly or so, or as needed. The amount of fragmentation shouldn’t be too much if you are accumulating a lot of junk.

On the media drives, its easier to just delete everything on the drive before beginning a new capture. Or if you can’t delete everything, delete everything not needed for the project. Defrag the rest, then capture. You could even do a quick format, but don’t pick the wrong drive.

But if you have a project running & working, don’t mess with it. Finish your tape, etc., then just delete.

[Kevin Wood]

Under Post-Production, I would add “Creating Final Format,” or something to that effect.

This could include tape, web, DVD, etc., but I suggest keeping that step seperate from the actual editing, the same way you seperate digitizing.

Make sure that your clients know that it takes time to render, output, develop, etc.

[Kevin Wood]

You could always get another encoder that goes directly to DV format. You’ll probabbly come out way ahead on the time vs. money equation.

For suggestions, look at the ADVC-300 or higher from Canopus.

[Kevin Wood]

You should consider getting a book or two on web design, to give you an idea of the basics. Here are a few to check out:

1. The Non-Designer’s Web Book 3rd Ed. by Robin Williams
2. Robin Williams Web Design Workshop by Robin Williams
3. Web Design in a Nutshell 3rd Ed. by Jennifer Niederst

[Kevin Wood]

Unless you have a a really bad job, or a really big bank account, you might want to consider doing production work part-time as you build a client base.

You can still follow all of the sound business practices that you need as a part-timer. When you get to the point that your production work is making you more money than your job, then would be a good time to go full-time.

FWIW, this isn’t to dissuade you from starting a production company. The tone of your question suggests that you might need to do some further planning first.

There will be a ton of work to do that’s not production related, that also doesn’t bring in money (such as building your business infrastructure). Spend time planning your business, and have a better idea of your sources of work. Implement your plans in small steps while you still have an income, without the added pressure of no income. Find people who need your skills and subcontract, especially if the web is your main venue.

There are plenty of resources available, and your best opportunity for success will be if you don’t simply “wing it” and dive in with no plan.

K. Wood