[Nick Griffin]

Hearing little from anyone else, let me tell you what little (I think) I know about trademarks (at least in the US).

Immediately start using a small superscript TM beside your logo. That indicates an INTENTION to secure a Registered Trademark. Ideally you should begin that process right away, but I’m reasonably sure immediacy is not a requirement. But, if it ever comes to a fight, first use weighs heavily as does earliest formal application for the trademark.

The true purpose of a trademark is to identify and separate your product/service/offering from those of your competitors. Think of the consumer looking at a row of shoe boxes. If I were to produce a brand labeled “Nickie” which had a curved check mark below it the legal assumption would be that I was deliberately trying to make consumers think that my shoes were Nike. I would be in violation of their trademark.

Now take that idea forward with your business. You want to create a brand image such that potential purchasers know that it’s you. I believe (and I’m NOT a lawyer, yada, yada…) that you can’t trademark a word, even if it’s a name. You can trademark the visual expression, ie. – logo. However, I believe that you can copyright (Circle C) a name and a slogan if they are unique.

A trademark won

[Nick Griffin]

Wow! Thanks, Ron!! As always, YOU ‘DA MAN!!!

[Nick Griffin]

Bill –
Both of you seem to be avoiding the money issue. Do what Ron said and just ask them. Then you may have to go into sales mode. You may also want to tell (or better still show) them just how little time it takes in Photoshop to make dramatic fixes.

They’re being cheap beacuse this is new to them and they’re afraid of spending a fortune for something that they probably don’t even have as a budget line item. Nurture them. Help them “get the best possible results for what they have to spend.” Ask THEM to do time consuming tasks like scanning the photos. Get them to narrow the scope to save money. Make them think, but do it gently so you’re HELPING them think. THEN you’re in a position to make subtle bumps — but always from the standpoint of “You know… this small change would really help with…” (You get the idea, right?)

And man can I relate to broken executive promises! If I had a dime for everything a Vice President (usually of Sales) promised and then never delivered… I be rich enough that wouldn’t have to spend so much time waiting for things from Vice Presidents!

[Nick Griffin]

I believe that this is only a portion of a group of pieces which a production company did as their demo. The one other part which I’ve seen is called “Truth In Advertising” and it does for advertising account execs and agency producers and creatives what “The Reel Truth” does for Directors and others on set. FALL DOWN FUNNY!

Does anyone know how to get a copy of the entire show?

[Nick Griffin]

So, Bill… Is there a question here or are you simply telling us that you skipped a few of the early-on financial points and are now regretting it?

Sounds like they want what you’re proposing and since it’s so closely tied to their corporate pride, you should be able to make good money IF you start managing the process. It is ESPECIALLY important to manage their expectations and let them know how closely related time and quality are.

Sounds like a fun job. More so if they leave you alone and have limited input after the initial meeting.

[Nick Griffin]

Sure. You can use my name. Anything that helps raise my Google ranking. (Apparently Nick Griffin is a very verbose member of the British Nazi party. Guess I should be glad my name’s not O.J. Simpson.)

[Nick Griffin]

Let’s see. A wipe is the covering/revealing of a portion of the image. A DVE uses computer power to take the entire image and squeeze, stretch, curl, twist and even move it in 3D space. Very different from a wipe, yes?

And you are correct in that it is indeed quite easy to lessen the aesthetics of a production with the overuse and inappropriate use of DVE effects. BUT… they still are one form of transition.

[Nick Griffin]

Mark –
What a GREAT job you’ve done putting all of this down. It’s obvious that you’ve spent more than a small amount of time answering all the dumb questions which come up WAY to often.

A couple of brief suggestions.

Film vs. Video
I usually explain this as the difference between capturing a few hundred shades of a color versus several thousand. For some things it doesn’t matter at all for others the ability to see subtle details makes a huge difference. Film is smooth and natural. Video tends to be more harsh. And just to add confusion, high end HD video can take on a film look.

Camera Moves
You might want to explain how a camera moving into, away from or with a subject is a much more dramatic effect because it simulates the way we see. Zooms, pans and tilts kind of accomplish this, but nothing like the real thing. That said, it’s essential that clients understand that this is truly a case of getting what you’re paying for. Dolly shots cost more because there’s more equipment, more people needed and more time to set up and rehearse them.

Transitions
Is DVE missing for a reason? Explain the computational power makes certain transitions of shots possible. Maybe describe some of them like squeezes and/or (God forbid) page turns.

Talent
Dead on! Depending on the size of your market you might want to explain the differences between union (AFTRA/SAG) talent and non-union. Of course the real key always seems to be how often they’ve done something similar. And as far as voiceover, personally I would NEVER work with a voice talent without directing the session and most working from home studios have the ability to give you a phone patch so you can easily control the session.

Thanks, Mark. You’ve provided an excellent tool for us.

[Nick Griffin]

We belong to the Mid-Atlantic organization “Printing and Graphics Association” so we’re able to partipate in a plan from “Graphic Arts Benefit Corporation.” It’s NOT cheap, but does give us access to private top docs (rather than an HMO with fewer choices).

So, Yes. Ron, I’ll be VERY interested in whatever can be put together in the name of the COW.

[Nick Griffin]

My favorite furniture ad was in print, from a New York dealer named Sofa King. Their tag line is “Our prices are Sofa King low.” (Works best in New York and New Jersey.)
🙂