Mike Cohen
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COW Coin
Forum Replies Created
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Nick,
In the past week I have spoken with at least 3 surgeons who were preparing to go to Haiti to lend a hand. I know one doctor in particular who has spent weeks there in recent years doing surgery for the locals. Another surgeon I know spends weeks at a time in remote locations not only doing procedures, but teaching the local practitioners to do the procedures themselves.I agree that we should help out however we can.
In the past week there have been news stories about cruise ships continuing to visit Haiti for recreation, despite the disaster. Back in 2003 my Royal Caribbean ship stopped at Labadee for a day. Oddly the itinerary called it Hispaniola – the original name from the days of Columbus – as if to hide the fact that we were visiting an impoverished failed state.
The locals who were working at the isolated beach resort area were all very kind, albeit desperate for my dollars. I did purchase some hand made trinkets, some of which I have hanging on my office walls. In a way, I would rather purchase items from local vendors than snowglobes and coffee mugs from China.
Knowing what I know now, I think supporting the local populations at resort destinations is a good idea, assuming they really get to keep the money. Should cruise ships visit during disaster recovery? If it can be guaranteed to support the locals and provide jobs to people who would otherwise be destitute – why not.
Haiti has a long road ahead. They deserve our help. But like governments in other parts of the world where western nations have intervened, we need to make sure that the money goes to the people who need it and that the government remains on the up and up.
As for the Help Haiti Now telethon, to relate this thread to our professions, I think it was well done, and amazed at the number of celebrities who volunteered. Oddly enough some of the actors who served as on-camera hosts seemed to be the same people appearing on late night shows to promote their movies. For example, Clint Eastwood and Matt Damon appeared together. Sure, they are friends and both care about those in need, but they do have a movie getting Oscar buzz. Seemed a bit fishy even if that was not the intention.
It was cute that they zoomed in on Spielberg, Julia Roberts and other A-listers as they chatted with ordinary folks who had made a donation. Again, I give these folks credit for stepping up and no doubt donating millions of their own dollars. But honestly, watching Spielberg make smalltalk with someone over the phone was a bit uncomfortable. I hope he donated some of his 2 billion dollars to the cause. I’m going to make a donation right now.
Mike Cohen
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I agree with Nick. This is a sizable investment for a small company – better to do it right the first time.
Where in MA are you? You might talk to HB Communications in North Haven, CT – they do excellent work and can provide the on-site service you may need. Years ago when we were planning to move our editing facility to a new building, we had them in for a consult. Their suggestions and wiring diagram made the work easier, which we ultimately did ourselves. But never hesitate to ask an expert.
As Nick said, while we are experts here at the COW, an in-person expert would serve you well, even for a consult.Another theme we tend to agree on here is to think of the big picture. Rather than saying “I want to build a studio – is this the right stuff to buy” perhaps you should say “I think I need a studio – here are my reasons, here is my end goal – am I on the right track – have I forgotten something – is there an alternative – what else should I consider before opening my wallet?”
See what I mean? Anyone can order equipment – it is the execution you need to think about before you spend that kind of cash.
If you want a new house, you should talk to a general contractor and an architect before you go down to home depot and buy a bunch of tools, nails and wood without a detailed plan.
Mike Cohen
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From my corporate perspective, here is the issue (not really a problem, since we video professionals are happy to deliver whatever format the client requests)…
Corporate folks play their videos on laptops. They travel, fly a lot and go to trade shows. They are not going to lug a blu-ray player and HD tv with them. They are going to use their company issued laptop. This laptop is probably a year or two old and may or may not even have DVD playback software.
I have advised a few clients to install VLC player, since Windows Media player fails to play mp4 and DVD discs in some cases. Often a DVD with basic no-frills menu that makes it easy to find and play the video does the job just fine. Thousands of copies of such DVDs have been distributed around the world.
Sometimes we even create a custom self-contained Flash app featuring f4v video in a self-contained player not dependent upon a particular media player – because playback is more reliable than the unknown computers found at various locations. If we are to deliver HD video it likely will be for playback via Flash.
Also, the software DVD playback controls are non-standard and have very tiny buttons for mouse operation. Sometimes a custom solution is the best fit.
Blu-ray may take hold. Much of our work is edited in HD and delivered in SD as is discussed all over the COW. That is what the non-broadcast non-entertainment market demands.
And when this market demands blu-ray, green-beam, yellow-dream, mister-clean or unicorn-rainbow-bunny-rabbit-puppy-dog-ice-cream format delivery, we’ll be there for them.
Mike Cohen
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You could approach architects and fine art painters, as their work deals with perspective.
Sorry I couldn’t resist.
Mike Cohen
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I think the BBB may have some value at the local level and with the older generations. But these days, there are plenty of websites to go to to vent about a business or service. In fact, if I get a phone or postal solicitation for a service or product, I google it with the word “scam” or “complaint” after it. Even if 80% of people writing bad things about a product or service are wing nuts, you can at least get a barometer reading and then make an informed decision.
Mike Cohen
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You justify your cost to a customer by doing good work that meets their requirements.
Mike Cohen
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your AVI files may play ok in your media player, but if Premiere does not have a native preset for that format, then playback may be no better than native AVCHD.
I too have a new i7 machine – playback is certainly better than the Core 2 Duo with AVCHD, but the video card also has an impact. We went with the Matrox MXO2-mini for our intermediate codec, since Windows does not have a Pro Res equivalent that comes with Premiere. Cineform is another option.
Mike Cohen
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For example, occasionally there is thread entitled “Clients we hate” or something similar.
I may have something useful to add, but I don’t want Google associating my name with “clients we hate” (aside from this post 🙂 ) so I may change to something like “client satisfaction” or something more benign.
Todd – sorry I changed the subject again – seems to be the theme of this thread.
Mike Cohen
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we too use those rolling golf cases.
They are however not intended to hold 80 pounds of golf clubs, so check the rivets and hinges after every trip. Also, the light stands become a projectile and can poke holes in the top of the case – a piece of plywood cut to fit will extend the life of the case.
Be sure to check your luggage tags as in this case, ALL bags look alike. Nothing worse than getting to a location to find you actually have golf clubs.
That being said, 9 out of 10 times, the rental car bus driver, hotel clerk, taxi driver and fellow passengers will ask you where you are golfing, or if you had a good game. Best thing to do, to avoid getting hammered with questions about how to set the clock on a VCR and how to download YouTube videos is to lie and say “great game.” In fact, research the local courses.
Finally, when you hand off your heavy gear or carry-ons to the TSA folks, be sure to thank them for doing a great job. They seem to appreciate being acknowledged. When my bag gets hand searched, after the usual questions like “are you gonna take my picture?” or “that’s one heck of a camera, do you work for ESPN?” (being from central CT, there is actually a good chance of working for ESPN) – I say “keep up the good work” in a very sincere way.
Because seriously, when it comes to security, I say better be safe than sorry. I’m just surprised velcro shoes have not made a comeback.
Mike
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According to TSA, it is business as usual
https://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/dec25_guidance.shtmbut I suppose each airport will have its own interpretation of “normal.”