[Steve Kownacki]

Those recorders are so cheap now, I suggest getting 2 and running a backup unit with a simple DA. Or, when we do that sort of thing, I usually set one up s-video from the camera and the second composite from the monitor jack and get a window burn; depending on your audio, you could split it out of the cam with each channel feeding a DA so you get interviewer on one channel, interviewee on the other or mix them first. Lots of options.

I’ve seen problems in the past too where the menus aren’t generated correctly and the safety copy is nice.

Steve

Steve

Being rich has nothing to do with wealth.

[Steve Kownacki]

And it’s not just the advertising potential in the suite/skybox, but your opportunity to entertain current and prospective clients in a really unique way. Gather up groups of your best customers and cater some evenings at the rink. It’s WAAAAAYYY cheaper to retain customers than attract new ones.
Steve

Steve

Being rich has nothing to do with wealth.

[Steve Kownacki]

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!

That monster!! I jumped out of my chair and dropped the laptop!

ILM must be shaking in their boots.

Steve

[Steve Kownacki]

Gad Tim, what a pain – we’ve all been there unfortunately. This thread hasn’t left my mind the last couple of days. Here’s my solution. Of course this is prefaced: I’m not an attorney and this is purely my thoughts on the subject. 😉

There’s a high number of posts about copyright infringement. My suggestion is to let the hack go about his business. No doubt this organization you’re involved with will volunteer that they already have tons of stock shots and video available – another sigh, he still gets paid the same and his work load is reduced.

Let them use as much of your material as they want that they have in their possession (whatever they volunteer, not you) and get the entire project completed. Then just simply hand then a cease and desist letter at the town preview party before they distribute. You could then work out a compensation deal.

Steve

[Steve Kownacki]

what specifically do you need to shoot with these 2 people? can you do it outdoors and use natural light and bounce cards?

Steve

Being rich has nothing to do with wealth.

[Steve Kownacki]

Weeeellll…. Judging from your posts, you plan on doing this right. So while I feel DVCam may be adequate, you’d still need to rent another one. So with all the budget items we’ve covered here, you might as well rent 2 great cameras as the rest of the process of crew, lighting, audio, directing, staging, post, etc will remain unchanged. I’d still use older broadcast BetaSP (not the DXC stuff) over DVCam (they can be rented cheap around my area) or move to HDV for acquisition and do your final downconvert to SD when you edits done. I’m still a fan of a full-size camera and good glass when you have to move the camera, maybe its just me, but I get smoother results.

I’d say you have to look at the competition, if the production value of her DIRECT competitors can be matched with DVC then do it, but if for just a few bucks more (camera rentals) you can surpass expectations, then she sells more and you are a hero.

Don’t forget to let here know that the production cost is a small part of the whole project – hey, maybe you should ask to see her business plan! – there will still be cost for package design, marketing, printing, duping, marketing, and did I mention marketing? Sure the 10 she sells to her friends & family will give her a warm fuzzy but what about the other 2,000 or so @ $20 she needs to sell to break even.

Ask her to send you web links for the videos she likes that have rave reviews. You can do some research and find out some estimated budgets on them. Like I mentioned earlier, we did it on the cheap for a now price of about $15,000 – this got her an interview where Sony put $500,000 into the Buns Of Steel video.

Anything worth having requires hard effort – she needs to understand that. Oh, and money.

As I recall she had sponsors too, but just for clothing the steps and something else. Cheap stuff, no cash. Anymore, just like you picking clients, sponsors only want to be associated with winners.

And that’s my thoughts for the day, time to walk the dog.

Steve

Being rich has nothing to do with wealth.

[Steve Kownacki]

That’s what we’re here for!

Steve

Steve

Being rich has nothing to do with wealth.

[Steve Kownacki]

Skip the ND, block it and any other windows completely. Can’t see the room before the bid? Add a contingency for that – explain that you have requirements for electrical, ceiling height, ventillation, ambient internal and external noise, equipment staging, food/craft (I NEVER work without food), etc. And that the facility will essentially be shut down while you are doing this, so there’s lost revenue for somebody.
Steve

[Steve Kownacki]

[Mike Cohen] “You might build into your proposal a rehearsal, where the talent goes through their routine, and you shoot this with 1 camera, so you can try out different angles, and then review the tape with the client. Planning, planning, planning.”

ooooo! Excellent suggestion! I do remember now going and watching a couple of classes to see how she interacted and what the students did. I’m doing this tomorrow in prep for a demonstration video for a furniture refinisher; if nothing else, will let the client know first hand whether they can perform on camera or not. Helps immensly in establishing a budget and answers their most famous question “It’s only a 30-minute video, how long could it possilbly take? An hour?”

Don’t forget to get location rights and releases and model releases; you may also need to pay for additional security/school babysitter when you are there too. Cameras in schools are crazy anymore – don’t assume your client is handling any logistics, spell it out and bill for it.

Cheers,
Steve

Steve

Being rich has nothing to do with wealth.

[Steve Kownacki]

Woah man! This is getting more complex the more I ask. Here’s what sparked all of this: I had a worker’s compensation insurance audit mid-2007 requesting the wages (and classifications) for employees and that of independent contractors. Also needed to provide proof via W-9s that these individuals were indeed contractors. That kept my workers comp policy in balance. I am told that I should also have a copy of each contractors General Liability Policy in my file too. So, for any freelancers who don’t go thru an agency, do you have printed confirmation of a liability policy?

Steve

Being rich has nothing to do with wealth.