[Paul Thurston]

Hi Richard,

1) You shall take the 124-minute Digital-S tape and throw it out. Regardless of manufacturer, you shall banish ALL 124 minute Digital-S tapes from your gear and sight. Never again, shall the thought of recording or playing back a 124-minute Digital-S tape pass your mind.

2) You shall ONLY use brand new Digital-S tapes and those shall be 104 or smaller in length.

3) You shall use a brand new JVC Digital-S head cleaning tape (JVC DCL-5) on your Digital-S gear anytime you see drop outs or if the channel condition light, upon playback, changes to a color other than green (BR-D85U machine.) If a tape plays back with dropouts inside a BR-D40U, upon executing the Return button on your camcorder setup, the head is dirty/clogged. Take the Digital-S tape out and exchange it for a DCL-5 head cleaning tape. Play back the head cleaning tape for 15 seconds and then eject it out. Put your recording tape back into the BR-D40 and record. You shall never again consider cleaning JVC Digital-S recorders with any other method.

https://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/accessories.jsp?model_id=MDL100034&feature_id=05

4) If the BR-D85U machine tells you it has a 58-2 error problem, it may be related to the tape you inserted into the machine. Bad tape…

5) The Genlock IN / Sync IN of the BR-D85U should be found in the back of the machine, near the center (from left to right.) The BNC connector should be labeled “Video In” and under that label it should read “reference.” Both the BR-D85U and the DeckLink Card should be fed the same Sync signal. Make sure you terminate the Sync In of the BR-D85U (there’s a switch for that near the BNC connector.)

6) The Gray image you see on the BR-D40 recorder, when you playback the Digital-S tape on that machine, is a definite sign the playback head is clogged/dirty. DCL-5 head cleaning tape should be used on that machine.

Try not to playback tapes on the BR-D40, regardless. Use the BR-D85U for playback of tapes. The playback function on the BR-D40 is for confidence checkup when you press Return on the camcorder lens.

7) Last time I heard, the Digital-S division of JVC was no more, circa 2005. It’s highly unlikely you’ll find a JVC organization that may service your Digital-S equipment. But then again, you may find somebody who used to work for them that may still have the equipment required for service.

Hope that helps.

———————————————–
Paul Thurston
Producer
Chile

[Paul Thurston]

Okay, the short answer is forget the Producer’s Portal for now. The Portal is setup primarily for “their” known providers and not “us.”

The “Discovery” known Providers have set themselves up in the past decade as Providers and the process to become a Provider is not automatic, it takes deep pockets. They, the Providers, too had to make shows at first that had next to no budget and had to Produce and Post Produce primarily out of “their” pockets.

A Provider also has to have Errors and Omission Insurance. This Insurance Policy is used to pay the Lawyers of “Discovery” when “Discovery” gets sued or is named in a lawsuit related to one of the shows they broadcast. EO insurance is expensive and its related costs come out the pocket of the Provider.

Discovery, via its many outlets and legal structures, is not the only “entity” that buys shows. But, your show must already be in tangible form, tape, for it to be considered by these “other” broadcasters. (Cannes film Festival is the place you set yourself up to sell your stuff.)

On a far side note, if you have deep pockets to Produce and Post Produce a series, of whatever genre, you probably then have enough money, or have access to enough money to actually negotiate free airtime on other outlets hungry for “free” shows that fit their marketing / programming requirements.

Mary Gerber asked:
“Is there something in writing within the producers portal specs. where Discovery spells out to people who are submitting ideas that they really are not accepting ideas but finished programs? If there is, I missed it.”

The info is not found in the Producer Portal website, since the portal is for those who already have a working relationship with Discovery.

Now, you will probably still make your show regardless. But the info I’ve provided is just to orient you into the realities of Production as it stands now.

———————————————–
Paul Thurston
Producer
Chile

[Paul Thurston]

Discovery (Discovery Networks, Discovery Channel, Discovery Communications and or similar), as a legal entity, exists primarily in the USA and Canada. They, the USA Corporation have nothing to do with they, the Canada Corporation. Both share the same Trade Mark, “Discovery.” This is important because if you’re going to sue, you have to understand who, in what country, stole what.

For example, the Canada Corp is open to receiving finished shows that are shot/edited in HDCAM or transferred to HDCAM from some other HD technology (not HDV.) They are not open to receiving finished shows in SD video.

The USA Corp is not open to accepting any programs, unless it comes from their known providers, which happen to set themselves up as a provider early in the decade. These shows have been market tested and proven to fit the marketing requirements of Discovery USA.

Neither of these Corporations, Canada Corp or USA Corp, are open to receiving show ideas that are not already in tangible form, tape, because they are not interested in financing any shows. They want somebody else to pay for the producing of these shows.

If your idea was “stolen,” it probably means the idea had already been submitted as a finished TV show by somebody prior to your submission. Again, because Discovery is not willing or able to finance anything that is not already edited and shot by somebody else. They, one of the two corporations, the USA Corp or the Canada Corp, may from time to time appear like they are making a show, but the reality is, it was paid for by somebody else (as a co production per se, between some government grant and or private grant from somewhere.)

Having said this, “Discovery” in any of its corporate structures does buy stuff from producers, and boy do they shop for shows at the Cannes Film Festival and similar. But they, the USA or Canada Corp, are shopping for finished/edited shows. They are not interested in ideas of shows… because they, the USA Corp or Canadian Corp do not have the human power to make such shows or the money to pay for the producing of such shows.

Discovery USA, may from time to time buy finished shows and re-edit them. These shows are made by others and sold, at a discount to Discovery USA or others, so Discovery USA may put it’s intro and ending. These shows fill up the programming requirements of the other properties (cable networks) Discovery owns in various other countries.

Now, having said this, the USA Corp does have “some” editing equipment. But this equipment is mostly Standard Definition stuff used to guaranty the shows they contract out fulfill broadcasting standards for NTSC.

Please be advised that Discovery, as a trademark, is used by many Corporations around the world, to buy and make available programming. That does not mean, these other Corporations have anything to do with the USA or Canada Corporations… they do not. The point is, if you’re going to sue, you have to make sure, again, who exactly stole what and in what country…

Now, what about the flagship shows of Discovery Network. Shows such as the Deadliest Catch and similar, don’t they, Discovery, own it. If you look at the credits, you will see who “in reality” made, the show. Discovery may have negotiated to “own” the show rights, but it’s shot/edited by an external production company. They, Canada Corp or USA Corp, may pay for these shows, but that’s an exception and not the norm.

Hope this helps

———————————————–
Paul Thurston
Producer
Chile

[Paul Thurston]

Perhaps I can be of assistance here.

The I-9 form is used when a person INSIDE the United States of America performs work. This form lets the US Government know, should there be an audit, if YOU (the one that did the work) paid your taxes to the USA Government and if you were legally hired to work INSIDE the USA.

Since you are probably not a USA citizen, you probably live OUTSIDE the USA, and the work you did was more than likely done OUTSIDE the United States of America, the use of form I-9 is not necessary or required. See this: https://tinyurl.com/y4mhry

The contract you signed probably spelled out when you get paid. If not, it should have.

Did you sign this contract as a Loan Out Corporation (meaning you are legally setup as a business in Romania and your Company is the one that “signed” the Contract) or did you sign this contract as a non-corporate person “natural person, not a legal entity” person who is doing work for hire?

IF you signed the work contract as a “natural person,” then you are just an international consultant doing work for a USA Company. This means your taxes are due in Romania and not in the USA (form I-9 is not required.) If you signed the work contract as a Legal entity (Loan Out Corporation) then you are a Romanian Company doing work in Romania and all is required, ONCE you get paid is a local bill of sale.

Having said all this, perhaps the Accountant of the USA Company thinks you live in the USA and therefore needs clarification as to your status… are you an employee (with FICA deducted), are you just a Loan Out Corporation, or are you just a person doing a service but not an employee? All three suppositions are wrong as again, probably, YOU ARE NOT LIVING INSIDE THE USA, ARE NOT A US CITIZEN, and the work was done outside the USA. You may want to ask them why an I-9 form is required or expected.

To change the subject, normally you would charge 50% or more upfront once an international contract is signed. “Some people” ask between 80-100% percent upfront and that is acceptable too.

In the future, you may want to reconsider payment terms, in writing, before doing any more work for them. Marking your video sequences is an excellent way to help them understand the work is just about done and payment is expected real soon. Talking to the person that hired you also helps speed things up. By no means hand out your unmarked work without payment in full.

———————————————–
Paul Thurston
Producer
Chile

[Paul Thurston]

Hi Ron,
Did the e-mail invites get sent?
Paul

[Paul Thurston]

Wow, thanks for the info.

———————————————–
Paul Thurston
Producer
Chile

[Paul Thurston]

Hi Emre,

Could you kindly explain some more the info about “This unit is NOT for live broadcast…” Does the resulting image look fuzzy, have problems with reception, or is the delay unbearable?

-Paul

———————————————–
Paul Thurston
Producer
Chile

[Paul Thurston]

Ha! I’ve seen this before. Here’s how it’s going to happen.

1. The salary you will negotiate has already been set. It doesn’t matter what number you give them, you will still get paid what has been established. So just ask what the number is and then you’ll know. There will be no negotiation, regardless of what you were told… the “negotiation” is just the justification of the part of the budget they don’t know about yet…. AKA what the equipment will cost.

2. Your Dogs will stay in the USA… if they travel with you to Africa… they aren’t coming back.

3. The purpose of all the video work you will do is to a) justify the money being used locally for various side project the construction will require, b) to control/protect the Engineers who will oversee the project locally and back in the States, c) to show back home how the project advances, and d) to teach the locals about safety rules and how things get done around the construction ground.

4. Since you are probably a US citizen, you will still be required to pay USA federal income taxes on all money received regardless of where you did the work… you’ll also be expected to pay local income tax too. So keep that in mind when it comes to getting paid in Africa. (US Citizens living abroad get a sizable Federal income tax deductible, but any amount over that…)

5. Register at the local US Embassy… in case you got to leave the foreign country real quick.

6. Equipment wise… stick with SONY as much as possible. There’s probably a local SONY rep where you’re going so get to know them. You’ll probably be buying stuff from them (tapes) when you least expect it. Regardless, all video equipment will need to be imported and you’ll be expected to pay import tax. Whatever it would cost you to buy it in the States, multiply that by 2 just to cover import duty. Also remember that foreign electrical outlets may be different than what you expect.

7. Camera Crews (locals) may or may not know how to take care of your equipment… stuff will get broken and stolen. Your budget will need to account for that (+ import tax if you’re getting new stuff ever so often.)

8. Depending on local conditions, your equipment may get “adopted” by bugs that like heat emitting devices. Bugs and equipment don’t get along well for too long.

Enjoy your experience.

———————————————–
Paul Thurston
Producer
Chile

[Paul Thurston]

Hi Mick,

What do you tell somebody that was completely underpaid, bait and switched, and asked to do it again?

The fact of the matter that you learned new stuff is beside the point. The issue is that you agreed to do something and found you were doing work that requires much higher pay. Much, much higher pay I might add.

When dealing with dishonest people, it’s really difficult to stand for your right to be treated honestly. I’ve seen it. Dishonest Producers usually tend to justify their actions in production meetings by saying something around the lines of… “Don’t be sad to step over lower individuals, they’re just steps in your ladder of success.”

The cause of these work realities are Production Executives who underbid to get the gig. That’s why they offer ridiculously low wages, unrealistic work schedules, and expect you to agree to “perverse” work systems (such as bait & switch and suggesting you lie about the number of days worked just to get paid “for your extra effort.”) These “perverse” ethics tend to mold the crew to act dishonestly to get paid for honest work. If you ever see that pattern of work in any production again, that’s your cue to not work with those people again.

Wish you the best,
Paul

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Paul Thurston
Producer
Chile

[Paul Thurston]

Hi Walter,

You know what, if you can afford it, I recommend having your own stuff in your shack. Verizon Communications offers a top speed of 50Mb/s for downloads and 20Mb/s for uploads with its FiOS fiber optical system. In most places, it sells this service for $140 per month. Yeah, you end up having to put together your own severs (one windows Server 2008 64-bit for video streaming and one Linux + cPanel server for your e-mails and webpage.) But it’s YOUR stuff and bandwidth is shared with no one. The only downtime is that caused by a power outage in your shack or a hard drive failure every two years if you chose to not use an SLC solid state disk.

-Paul

———————————————–
Paul Thurston
Producer
Chile