Nick Griffin
Forum Replies Created
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[Paul Bertham] “wouldnt’ be easier to have a maximum of two software version?”
I disagree. Going back to its inception Media 100 has offered multiple levels of its product to best serve the needs or the broadest possible number of users. What about this doesn’t make sense? There are plenty of users who need more than the version for “kiddies” but don’t need the “cutting edge suite.” I used to be in that group before dramatic price drops across all NLE products made it so going for the top end was a no brainer.
That said, even though Media 100 is far and away my NLE of choice, the cost of Apple’s Final Cut Suite is so inexpensive that having that around, if only to use almost everything in the box BUT Final Cut Pro is also a no brainer. Media 100 version 13’s ability to interchange timelines with FCP users and go back and forth to Color for correction is simply remarkable given the relatively low investment required.
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The Pension & Welfare payment is probably not enough money for it to be much of an issue even for the IRS. Since you paid the talent’s corporation and not the talent as an employee, the P&W is just a miscellaneous expense. (IMHO. I’m not a lawyer or an accountant, just a Signatory to both AFTRA and SAG.)
Going forward, when hopefully this will become more of an issue because of more work, get an accountant to tell you how to set this up. The primary reason that paymasters (Like Trice in DC) are in business is so that as producers we just write one check, which is an expense and the paymaster becomes the employer, responsible for all the taxes, etc.
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[Mark Suszko] “needle-drop music. (Using real needles then!)”
Mark, from one old fart to another, good one. Just a day ago I was explaining to someone where the term “laser drop” came from.
One additional thought on tape ownership (then maybe this topic will go to rest again for a couple of days). We recently had a client, for whom we’d already made a bunch of compromises, ask in advance of a shoot if they could have the camera tapes. My reply was, “Sure, but why would you want to pay an extra third for the shoot just so you can have the tapes?”
I went onto explain how in many forms of creative enterprise a “buy-out” of the material always costs a third to a half more because it’s essentially telling the creator that the business will be going elsewhere and the material can be used to do anything.
The client, I assume fearful of raising the cost of the project any further, immediately dropped the question and we moved on.
It really does all come down to what Chris and others were saying about service. That’s what they remember and that’s why they come back.
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Having a line of credit is simply good business practice as it allows you to stay up to date and consistent with your own vendors, sub-contractors, etc. There is no substitute for good credit and a floating line of credit which you pay down when times are good and withdraw from when times are lean is a potent financial tool.
Bank of America was only too happy to issue our line about 15 years ago. (Who knows, given present banking conditions, if that’s still the case for small businesses and I’m hoping that our sterling history will make the next renewal go smoothly.) Our line is based on the “small business prime rate” which last month was 4.0%
What a line of credit is NOT for is financing large capital purchases like equipment or remodeling.
One other point: while there are many businesses whose start up capital came from the owner’s personal credit card debt I would bet, that for every one which has eventually succeeded that way, there are a dozen who have ended in some variety of financial discomfort or disaster. Paying credit card rates of 18% or more is not a good way to get ahead. (IMHO.)
What I do like about credit cards are the awards programs. Like many other small businesses we pay with American Express whenever possible. We still have to pay the bill in full every month, but earn a few hundred thousand awards points a year to use for airline tickets & upgrades, toys, etc. My dentist gave me the idea when he confided that he’d taken his family to the Caymans on the points he’d earned by putting the cost of a few new dental chairs and related equipment on his personal credit card.
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Grin-
If this was a perfect world you would have the right answer. But, sadly enough, it’s not.As someone who routinely falls on both sides of this — being the one who hires freelancers as well as the one who is brought into projects AS an outside freelancer — the realistic answer is that for some people and some companies non-competes are a requirement. I routinely try to avoid people who I don’t feel I can trust, but I’ve been fooled before. Our non-compete language is part of a 20 paragraph terms and conditions on the back of our purchase order.
I believe that Walt’s information is correct, but varies by state. I also believe that the term can be extended to two years. The basic spirit of the law is that the non-compete can’t deny someone the right to earn a living. What it can do is prevent employees, contractors, etc. from poaching the people and companies to whom they were introduced by the employer. In the case of a really broad sales job where hundreds or even thousands of prospects are deemed off limits, non-compete agreements usually add geographic language. ie.- “…cannot perform a similar service within 50 miles of previous employer.”
BUT, as is the case with many other things legal, I’ve seen non-competes which are entirely un-enforceable. They’re used to intimidate and give the employee the illusion that the law would be on the side of the employer. The employer is betting that when push comes to shove the average person won’t have and especially won’t be willing to pay for the legal counsel which could challenge the agreement.
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Personally I come down on Grinner’s side. But that’s just as far as our company is concerned. This stems from years of working around copywriters and art directors who thought their sole purpose in life was to win awards.
Cut to kid in his late twenties saying: “Did the spot work? I dunno and don’t care. I just know that ___(trendy thing of the day)___ wins awards.”
On the positive side I have seen that winning awards can have a TREMENDOUS effect on clients. You’re the hero for the day (while saying behind your back that it was their idea all along). Awards are especially important to mid-level people on the client side as they use them as validation for their superiors on what a good job they are doing. Top level people, especially those plugged into sales, usually think awards are nice, but have their focus on results. This is just one of the many reasons I learned to keep the award-hungry types away from meetings with the top people.
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Wire transfers from here costs $35 for the sender — at least from my bank, Bank of America. I believe it’s about the same from outside the US, coming in.
As to communication issues, that’s obviously a much bigger deal, especially when language issues are part of it. Go slow, be very clear in your own communications and avoid colloquialisms.
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Mark-
There’s very little difference between doing business internationally than there is domestically across state lines. Namely, should you run into trouble getting paid using another jurisdiction’s legal system quickly becomes more trouble than it’s worth.
So just apply the same standards you would to any other stranger. 1/3rd on booking, 1/3rd on submission of 1st cut and 1/3rd prior to delivery of final master. Up until that last stage what you’re providing should have timcode or a bug burned into it so they can’t just walk with the product. UNLESS what they’re doing is fishing for ideas and will just take what you show them and try to imitate it. Then you may be hosed for the third or the second and third payment.
If they want to establish credit with you make it a requirement that they pay up front on the first few jobs while you check out their credit with other vendors — hopefully stateside vendors. But don’t assume that they are out to get one over on you. If you’re good (which your web video certainly is) it will be of benefit to them to have an ongoing relationship with you. Treat it as such an you can develop a valuable new client.
One good part of most international business is the culture of the wire transfer. When somebody pays you can know it immediately because your bank can confirm that the funds are in your account. That can be a lot more comforting than a check (cheque) which may or may not be good.
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[Timothy J. Allen] “Eventually, you will have enough business where the new projects step on the old ones”
What I believe Tim is saying is something I’ve advocated on these pastures for several years. Add new business at the top (higher rates) and let the business at the bottom drop off unless they are willing to pay the higher rates. WHEN market conditions allow for this, it’s a great way to grow. Just don’t get too cocky and get left hanging out in the cold with no one willing to pay the new rates.
That said… Dude!!!! $1,000 for a 45 min show in HD?? Using gear you own?? You knew what to expect when you asked the question.
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And one more thing… You may not need the latest and greatest computer to start out. You can get used Macs (and PCs, too) for far less than a new one. Google “used Macs” and “used computers” and you’ll have lots to choose from.