Larry Melton
Forum Replies Created
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Yes, Todd, you are lucky. I recently had to send spots to about 14 different outlets in Michigan. Two were cable systems with their own upload website, but at least they had the same specs. Of the other 12, there were at least six different combinations – some accepted HD, some SD only. A couple are mpeg-only, most of the rest Quicktime H.264. Interestingly, only two of them want slate/black/spot – the rest want the files to be exactly 900 frames. Most were uploaded to the stations FTP, also using Filezilla – but we also have a couple that have to pull from our FTP.
Like you, we just charge accordingly, but it can be a little confusing at times. And of course, the specs might change without anybody notifying us…until after we’ve uploaded a new spot.
Larry Melton
1041 EastLarry Melton
Triangle Productions Inc -
I don’t know what size market you’re currently in, but I would suggest first making a lateral move doing creative work at a TV station or cable company. Maybe it’s different today, but when I worked in midize TV markets, it was an incredible opportunity to be creative with promos, local TV spots, news graphics, etc. They were hungry for folks that were willing to work hard. It’s a grind, and the pay is crappy, to be sure. But it WILL give you the chance to build up a reel that can get you noticed.
Some forward-thinking stations will have the same tools as top post houses…and no one who really knows how to use them well. Good luck.
Larry Melton
Triangle Productions Inc -
Todd, everything you’re saying here is stuff my partner and I have discussed many times. Recently we did a spot for a car dealer that was going to 14 stations in three different markets. But every station got a different version of the spot, with a specific phone number graphic that allowed the client to track which buys were generating calls.
So that’s 14 different exports. And of course, one station wants MPEG-2 with slate, one MPEG-2 without slate, some QT H.264 with slate, some without, some MPEG-4…you get the idea.
My solution has been this: it’s editing time. Whatever time it takes to export these files takes my time, computer time, knowledge of compressions, proper software, constant communication with the stations to determine what their specs are….so I just charge them the same hourly rate as I do for editing. And really, when you calculate how long it takes to export, upload, etc, it ends up being about the same cost as a Beta dub for the client – I might be able to do 6-8 per hour, and our rate is $200.
Regarding DG, I believe that even if you upload just one spot, that as each station retrieves it, the advertiser or agency is charged a fee – something like $25 (if anyone knows exactly please correct me), so the client would still be paying the equivalent price of the dub. And we just found out that for HD delivery, DG is charging $250 per spot!
Like you, I’ve been doing this a very long time, and I still have to slap myself whenever I hear the words “simple” or “easy” come out of my mouth. Nothing is ever as simple or easy as it seems.
Larry Melton
1041East
https://www.1041east.com -
You know, I almost feel a little bad about making fun of all these people and calling them dumb. But I’m certain that there are message boards all over the internet for plumbers, HVAC guys, auto service technicians, or any one of dozens of other areas I know nothing about, and they’re full of ridiculous, laughable comments and questions that I asked.
So I feel a little better that occasionally, I can brighten their days as well.
Larry Melton
1041East -
Hey Nick,
It’s nice to know that even the guys I depend on for advice struggle with this stuff sometimes :).
We have always taken the approach that “the quality of your video is an indication of the quality of your product”. The perfect example of that is the national car spot for the auto companies vs. the local spots for the used car lots. I’m sure you can come up with dozens more as ammunition.
I’m not up on what sales experts are preaching these days, but I’m pretty sure they’re not telling salespeople to wear ripped jeans, drive crappy, dirty cars full of fast-food wrappers, or forget to shave for several days. (Proving that I am not fit for sales).
But the point is that ALL of this stuff, video included, make up the image that’s created by the sales person. The way a potential customer experiences that image – what it feels like, looks like, smells like – is how he sees the product that’s being sold.
Think about how many situations you’ve been in where one little negative thing, even in the midst of strong positives, swayed your opinion. If you can get your client thinking that way, he might see that it’s unlikely that a crappy video will convince anyone to buy, but it could convince someone not to.
Happy Holidays Nick!
Larry Melton
1041 EastLarry Melton
Triangle Productions Inc -
Eli:
I don’t have a lot to add about how to parlay awards into more work. Like you, I tend to assume that people will notice and that will be enough. But of course, it’s not – you have to sell it.
More importantly, let me echo Todd’s kudos here – the TCM promos are as finely crafted as anything I’ve ever seen. I think the best thing about them is that they convey a sense of love and reverence for these films. Even if I was completely unfamiliar with them, I would understand from this promo that these films were important and mattered in people’s lives.
When I see amazing stuff like this, I always want to know more about the process of creating it – it appears to have been a pretty huge undertaking. How many hours of editing? What software did you use to composite? How many days shooting in studio? What was the budget? Maybe you should consider an article for the COW magazine.
I’d pay twice what Ron charges to read that :).Congrats on the well-deserved recognition. I feel like I won an award just watching this.
Larry Melton
Triangle Productions Inc -
I like your thinking, Mark. About 20 years ago I was doing a “customer service” video for a major manufacturer of window treatments. This was aimed at interior designers who sell their product.
As I listened to the content, many of the nuggets you’ve shared came up. And from that, I created one of my own: If you have a client that’s unhappy, or a mistake has been made, it’s imperative to make it right. No matter what it costs – $50 or $5000 dollars – at least you KNOW that’s how much it costs. If you don’t fix it right and the client shares their dissatisfaction with others, you’ll never know how much it cost you.
There are exceptions, because sometimes clients just refuse to be satisfied. Most of us know these clients as grinders, and interestingly, I think if they spread poison about you, there’s not much damage done, because most folks recognize them for what they are. That’s especially true in smaller or mid-size markets.
Anyway, regarding why clients come back….I’d say the major reason for me is because once they hand off the project, they don’t have to deal with it anymore. They know they’ll get value for their dollar –
not cheap, not expensive, but a good value for each dollar they spend, whether $2000 or $20,000. My goal is to give the greatest possible value for every dollar that comes through the door. I’d like to say I do it by being smarter, more efficient, or having better technology.But the truth is most of that value is realized through more hard work on my part. And that formula usually works in any business.
Cheers,
Larry Melton
Triangle Productions Inc -
I still have the system, and I just set it up and it works great. Contact me offline at larry@triangleprod.com.
Thanks
Larry Melton
Triangle Productions Inc -
I just got in a demo of the HZ-CA13U lens adapter and hope to borrow some PL mount lenses from a friend and play around with it in the next few days on my HD100. I’ll let you know what I think.
Larry Melton
Triangle Productions Inc -
Yes, I was definitely thrown off by that 720×512 size, and that’s actually what prompted this post.
Thanks for the comments.
Larry Melton
Triangle Productions Inc