Patrick Ortman
2
COW Coins
Forum Replies Created
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If they get outed, it’s their fault for being jerks to these kids they “hire” for free to do all the work. Interns are fine, but they should not be running your shoots and so forth. It’s abysmal that this prodco has stooped to this.
I agree with you on my mistake on the budgets for those two follow up projects. The only thing I have to say in my defense is at that time we were transitioning our business model. We’re now doing many more higher-end film/video projects (we started as a web shop that did an occasional video).
We (and by we, I mean in the end despite any advisors and advice received, it’s my fault) hadn’t fully developed an idea of what these operating expenses would be. For instance, it was a bit painful to realize we really needed a second edit bay (and another editor) to get things done in time for the client’s deadline.
That mistake won’t be made again. I plan on making a whole slew of other mistakes in the future, instead 🙂
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PatrickOrtman, Inc.
Los Angeles Digital Agency and Video Production Company -
Plus you’re one of the best guys in the southeast, plus you’re located close to, and have connections with, things going on in Atlanta- which is a regional production hub. Plus you’ve been really good at getting the word out when you do cool stuff, and you’re very active in posting and helping people on the Cow. And finally, there’s a little bit of luck (we all need luck, too).
Not kissing your butt, Walter. Just saying, it’s not JUST low overhead and volume. If that were the case, you’d be in Beijing using local talent.
Operating Expenses:
Neil’s got a great point. There’s a tv commercial company in Santa Monica that’s known (spots you’ve seen on national tv), who are trying to deal with reducing operating expenses by having unpaid post-film school interns do ALL the creative jobs on set and in post (besides direct, they still do that with a paid director).I personally made a huge error last year, related to operating expenses- we did a project for a client and made a little bit of money. Then the client insisted that we cut the budget for the next two. Wanting the work, I said yes. Turns out, we lost money on those two projects. Like Neil’s lawyer example, who couldn’t even stay in business if they had to “only” charge $250/hr, the fee for these two projects sounded like a lot of money on first glance, but realistically after operating expenses were calculated, it wasn’t enough. As painful as that lesson was, to me, I’ve put in some controls that hopefully will ensure we don’t end up doing that again.
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PatrickOrtman, Inc.
Los Angeles Digital Agency and Video Production Company -
I missed the 80s, I was just a kid. Sad.
Voiceover for $250 works once in a while- if I know who I want to use, if they’re non-union, and if the client isn’t too picky. Otherwise, if you need to do casting, union, tests for the client, etc., it’ll be more. Sometimes a lot more.
I know I’m like a broken record today (see, 80s reference), but the trick really seems to be to stop being a commodity. You’ll have to compete with the “kid with a camera” crowd if you don’t explore exactly why the client should pay you more.
Then again, I’m still learning 🙂
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PatrickOrtman, Inc.
Los Angeles Digital Agency and Video Production Company -
That’s absolutely true, I agree. It’s maddening, as clients begin to think we’re all commodities. And the smarter of us realize that by presenting ourselves or allowing ourselves to be seen as commodities is foolish. You need more than equipment and a great room. You need value-added, or you’re gonna be next on the chopping block. What is it Ron says? Nobody wins in a race to the bottom?
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PatrickOrtman, Inc.
Los Angeles Digital Agency and Video Production Company -
As long as small and nimble is smart, I tend to agree.
A side note: a whole lot of microstudios haven’t spent time figuring out a fee structure that will allow them to be in business for more than a couple of years. It seems like an ongoing problem for businesses in our industry.
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PatrickOrtman, Inc.
Los Angeles Digital Agency and Video Production Company -
Mark Said:
“Two: when I get a little down from situations like this, I try to counter it by stepping up my own game. Not necessarily for that client, but for SOMETHING of worth or interest. I look for something creative to throw myself at, either at work or in personal life, and I convert the anger and frustration into fuel for the muse. I seem to do some of my best and fastest writing work when I am royally P.O.’d.”And I agree! It’s so awesome to turn something bad into something good. Sometimes it’s a hard turn, but worth it every time.
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PatrickOrtman, Inc.
Los Angeles Digital Agency and Video Production Company -
Also, if you’re on a Mac, give the app called Self Control a try. It locks you away from the big distractions online…
Good to hear a lot of us have a bit of ADD going on. Sometimes the best ideas come when you’re “wasting time”, though 🙂
P
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PatrickOrtman, Inc.
Los Angeles Digital Agency and Video Production Company -
I find in unsurprising that the two places in Los Angeles County that are the least friendly to anyone with a recording device of any kind are the two places with arguably the highest concentration of lawyers- Beverly Hills and Century City.
I think part of the problem is we’re so used to big film shoots. When we apply for a permit through LA, for instance, there’s a huge list of things we need to check off- are we using a generator, how many hundreds of feet of parking do we need, etc. Stuff you’d need for a feature film, maybe. But not for a lone guy with a DSLR taking pictures of buildings. Still, at least LA has that option- solo dude with a camera- and charges appropriately ($60). For Beverly Hills to go about 10 times that much is a little crazy.
That said, yes I was told to just do a 1 day gig for TMZ and to keep my laminated TMZ badge. Apparently, that frees you up to shoot pretty much anywhere with impunity. (I should clarify- I wouldn’t ever do that).
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PatrickOrtman, Inc.
Los Angeles Digital Agency and Video Production Company -
I bet they are :-). Hi, City Attorney!
In LA, you can get a still photo permit for $60.
Remember, I’m a guy with a 7D and a monopod. Not a big caravan of film trucks with dozens of people. I’m not shooting a film, I’m taking pictures of buildings and traffic for a doc. That’s it.
Beverly Hills claims on their website that the fee is $142 or so, but in reality you’ll end up waiting 6 weeks and ponying up very close to $500 plus whatever other fees they deem suitable.
Apparently, this applies even if you’re just a guy with an iPhone, if you wish to upload those pictures onto the Internet. Even for noncommercial use. (Citation here: https://bit.ly/hHgfXY )
It’s just me complaining, Mark. Gotta vent :-).
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PatrickOrtman, Inc.
Los Angeles Digital Agency and Video Production Company -
Beverly Hills
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PatrickOrtman, Inc.
Los Angeles Digital Agency and Video Production Company