Mike Cohen
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COW Coin
Forum Replies Created
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Windows computers may come with a DVD drive, but not necessarily DVD playback software. We encounter this all the time with clients on large corporate networks.
Mike Cohen
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I think what he means is:
We should be able to use any type of media for the purpose of commentary or education or for entertainment, ie a mash-up or remix – just as long as we acknowledge the original producer or owner of the work.
That being said, I created a video a couple of years ago, for fun, using google streetview images and music from an open source music site. I got 20,000+ hits. I then found a similar video by another person and found clips of my video in his video, with no attribution. I did not like that, but it was all in good fun.
I also posted some clips on YouTube promoting some video products that we sell. I found clips from two videos in videos from others as well, one of which was used to promote a doctor’s practice in India. This I did not like very much at all.
So we have several overlapping issues:
1 – Is it ok to use media owned by others to comment, discuss or educate? What about for entertainment purposes (that is, a mashup or whatever, done for fun, not for monetary gain)? Those using the media believe it is ok. The owners of the media are a mixed bag of “it is ok, it is free advertising, promotion, we like that people like our stuff, etc” and “how dare you steal from me.”
2 – Is it ok to use media owned by someone else for your own personal or monetary gain, with or without attribution? I think the answer is obvious.
This being said, any video that appears on YouTube is subject to being associated with an advertisement that makes Google and the advertisers themselves money. Thus, unauthorized use of media can in fact provide monetary gain to someone, likely someone not associated with the actual use of the media.
Sticky situation.
There is an urban legend, possibly true, of a dad who sent a VHS tape of his young daughter’s ballet recital to Disney, with Little Mermaid music on the tape. Disney sued the guy. Disney should be happy that kids are having their ballet recitals to their music as opposed to using music from Dreamworks movies! That’s worth a lot of advertising dollars.
Mike Cohen
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Recently I used a duplication vendor for two jobs. The first one they delivered on time, but more than 5 units had corrupt data. 5 out of a few thousand is a reasonable tolerance, but more than that and you are afraid to distribute any. The vendor’s response, “hmm, it seems our duplicator outsourced the job to save costs. Sorry”
My response “well, you already charged me a large sum of money, what are you going to do for me?”
This went on and on until they A) said they would refund my money if I return the order and B) said they would get me a discounted price the next time.
The 2nd job (simultaneous) was delivered 2 days late to the correct address but in the wrong state!&^%$
Again I got the same spiel from the owner – we’ll get you a great price on your next job.
Yeah right. Excuses and promises don’t make up for shoddy work.
Well, the next time I will find a vendor who charges a fair price and who can deliver.
A bit off topic Nick, but I know what you mean.
It is a buyer’s market for vendors. Vendors need to remember this.
Mike
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We had one of those Hitachi Z1 cameras – bright day glo orange.
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So in other words, the people looking for a job posted an ad for themselves, knowing that when they applied to companies they would be googled. I wonder what the content of the ad and the links looked like.
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In general, there are no customary fees unless you are a dentist.
Since you are moving from volunteer to paid work, you need to factor in the following:
1. Do you have a full time job or is this freelance work your income?
2. How much time is this project likely to take?
3. What are your expenses? Likewise, will the rate you charge cover your expenses, profit and salary?
That is a start. Others will likely chime in. If you do a search for pricing in this forum, you will see many threads along these same lines.
Mike Cohen
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If charging more for a DSLR shoot, you had better show up with this:
https://www.shotonhd.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/zacuto-Robert-Rodriguez.jpgnot this:
https://cache-03.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2009/09/IMG_5974_01.jpgYour goal should be to turn out a good finished product, not spend a lot of time figuring out how to charge more. Either charge more or don’t – focus on your craft and meeting customer expectations.
Mike Cohen
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[Ron Lindeboom] “we are working on plug-ins for some of the NLE applications to allow for direct “Export File Preview to COW FTP.”
Ron – we have been wondering why Media Encoder cannot upload to an FTP automatically. I think Squeeze has this feature. Likewise, there should be a way to automatically upload the contents of a watch folder to a specific location.
Mike Cohen
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If the person is nervous and giving you a sourpuss face, you can try using the line “Try not to smile so much” followed by your own smile – that will either get a laugh 90% of the time, which naturally puts people at ease, or 10% of people will take you seriously and never smile!
Pretending that the camera isn’t rolling is a good way to get people to rehearse. Also see if you can turn off the red light on top of the camera. Full size ENG cameras usually have a switch – smaller cameras may have a menu option to turn off the tally light.
If you have a monitor, make sure the talent cannot see this.
Mike Cohen
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Certainly meet with the person some time before the actual shoot – maybe even rehearse the lines without a camera. Anyone who is new to the experience will be wowed by the lights and all the people/gear on the set. People need to know what to expect.
Assuming you are going into this cold, you might do a run-through without lights or cameras on, with room lights and fewer people in the room. People often freeze up when they are asked to do what they normally do but in a room full of people and camera equipment.
Then maybe try one with the camera rolling but fewer crew, and even offer to play it back for the talent.
I have been asked to stand in front of the camera and do a take myself.
As for the crew, they should know enough to not laugh or make comments about the performance if it is rough. You should also reserve a few self-deprecating comments should you need them – you can make someone feel less nervous if you break the tension by diverting attention from the talent.
Mike Cohen