Steve Kownacki
3
COW Coins
2
Premiere Pro Coins
Forum Replies Created
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[Jeffrey Gould] “I was actually hoping it could be shot MOS, at least no music, and add the music later. It has to be difficult to balance the music with the talent”
We had the music playing just loud enough for them to do the routines, then added it in later in post.
[Jeffrey Gould] “Are those cameras DVCAM or Beta? Is DVCAM acceptable?”
We shot on BetaSP, but with good lighting, I think the DVCam would be acceptable. Whatever you shoot, have a GOOD monitor to a/b your cameras and make sure you set them up the same.
[Jeffrey Gould] “Since I only own one, I would have to rent another.”
I know we all like to make money with what we own, but don’t hesitate to rent 2 cams as the project requires and budget for it.
[Jeffrey Gould] “Did you constantly move the jib and have the other camera on a tripod or handheld?”
The jib was small thing on a Panther dolly, maybe 8 feet off the floor tops. I ran that one since I knew the shots I could get. Nowhere close to flying over the whole set. This shot was only cut to when she was doing one-on-one commenting. The 2nd guy had a tripod-mounted front on shot that rarely panned to make sure instructor never went out of frame.
Feed the mic receiver into a mixer with a compressor, also run a shotgun for any comments made by the others (they always cheesiliy chime in “ooooh, feel the burn!” or “looking good Mary, feelin’ good Marcia!”) then run the outputs split to each camera so each has heaset mic on ch 1, shot on ch 2. You’ll need a distribution amp for that.
Go with your instinct. One cam probably won’t do what she wants and I don’t know how you’d possibly shoot film-style with one camera – again ask to see a similar DVD of what she has in mind and show her how 2 or more cameras are used.
Make sure the lights in the gym don’t buzz or flicker, you may want to turn them off. Audio could be a nighmare even with a close-up mic, plan to hang packing blankets everywhere out of site to soak up reflections.
Steve
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75+% on an almost 10 year old Sony DSR-300 DVCam, this includes TV commercials, corporate work and seminars. Good glass and still a great image. It’s all about lighting. 3 hour record time. This is the only broadcast cam I own.
10% on Panasonic 200 P2 with firestore for commercials; nice
image, not fond of the focusing and iris. Pretty pictures. Still stress about the files getting lost, although it hasn’t happened yet.10% on Sony Z1 (?) HD thingy – it’s good too.
2% on cheapie handycams (outdoor pickup shots)
2% on the Fisher Price black-n-white camera that records on audio cassettes.
2% other.
Lots of cams available for rental in my area so why buy.
Steve
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We did an aerobics video some years ago and its funny to see the reviews on the web! Some here: https://www.videofitness.com/reviews/pappas-is.php Poor production value, poor audio, and the list went on and on. Although we got hammered, she auditioned for the Buns Of Steel series! Doh! She said the only difference was that we had about 50 fewer on the crew, I was organized and methodical and we were much more enjoyable to work with. At least I have that. My first suggestion is to make sure you want to work with them first.
We shot it with 2 sony 637s lots of lites, a fairly good wireless, a jib… took 15 hours start to finish in a dance studio (no real set). We were production, she was responsible for everything else. Shot the easy stuff (ie least amount of sweat) first and worked up to the intense stuff last. First mistake was she brought audio on cassette not CD – beware synching issues later. Wouldn’t spring for the good headset wireless specifically for this purpose, wouldn’t do it at night so we had strange lighting issues from the many windows… the list goes on – things we warned her about and didn’t have control over. All in all it was pretty simple I thought, 1 day shoot, 2 person crew; 1 day post (A/B roll in early 90s) for about $4,000 for the 60-minute video. I’d charge triple that now and produce the same thing. Biggest change is I would take TOTAL CONTROL OF ALL ASPECTS or I’d walk away.
They may be asking for “critical angles” etc, but they may not have a clue and that’s just what someone else suggested.
There’s about 50 trillion workout videos available and marketing one is tougher now than ever. I don’t know the top new names, but we competed with the Denise Austin and Jane Fonda types – TOUGH! It was sold in 3 nationally-distributed catalogs. Your budget will be the lowest cost item. Apparantly the Sony Buns of Steel had a budget of $500,000 US. I guess I bid a little light.
So what does all this mean… have your client show you the exact video they want you to produce. Trust me, they have one in mind and can show this to you. You’re not going to re-invent the wheel, just put your client in the setting they show you. Once you have this, you can easily develop a budget.
I sure hope I didn’t come off cynical. This was just my experience, and it was a really great one. Oh, and I don’t suggest working for a percentage of sales.
Peace,
Stevecheckout some mics here https://www.fitnessav.ca/SearchResults.asp?Cat=5&Click=2&gclid=CMPZ6cvFvZECFQ2nGgoddBX6Cg
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The manual puts in writing what I review every week. Everybody understands the company mission and vision; they all have “key results areas” (similar to a job description) and know who our clients are and how we treat them. Like goals, stuff needs to be in writing or it’s just a wish. The HR person is definitely money well spent.
Steve -
Oh, he’s not a kid, 15+ yrs corporate guy.
(Laughing) I’m just getting too old for the crap and don’t feel like dealing with it. In fact, I’m almost done with a new 50-page employee handbook that I’ve developed with my HR consultant that details all this stuff. It’s been fun running the show the last 16+ years, but as I look to passing on the torch someday, I really want to create a business model that goes along with our culture and not just what fancies Steve from day to day.
(Still laughing) We don’t do web design, so I’m bringing in a guy to completely pass the job to and take a commission. I didn’t want to take any chances, so I told him how to dress and how to act in our upcoming meeting! He was cool, and after some explanation of this thread, completely understood where I was coming from.(Keep in mind I know the guy, he’s not a stranger)
Maybe I just need a vacation. There’s a big difference between tolerance and acceptance. This may be an accepted way by today’s youth, but they better straighten up. And we as business owners have to set the example. My kids do alot of eye-rolling when I get on my soapbox about “it’s not what you know, but who knows you.” Yep, who’s knows you, not who you know. We all do this social networking, and its too easy to find stuff with a web search. You can google somebody, see their posts and its a goldmine of psychological information about an applicant.
Thanks for your ears. Time to go make pretty pictures.
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How often do you plan on using the mic? Do you need to be ready to go at a moments notice? Why not rent gear or gear and an op and get some training at the same time? There’s enough prod companies around here that stuff is readily available and to get a great mixer for $30/day and mics for under $20, you can get what you need for a specific situation. Steve
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We let a guy come edit on one of our stripped systems (G5 and a monitor on a desk, no video monitor, no decks) and billed him $55/hour start to finish. You can add your rate on as an editor. We did buy him lunch ’cause $7 for a sandwich goes a long way in pleasing a client.
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[Steve Wargo] “”What can I get for around $200”, my reply is “We’re almost there right now”.”
That Kills!!! I’m adding it to my list; usually I say “I can’t even give you a referral for that much.”
And while you can get fully-functioning software free as a demo, I still think you’re not allowed to make a profit with it. I sure don’t like it when I see our work on the tube that somebody ripped. Keep good ethics from the start.
The goal isn’t to “make their heads spin” (although it usually does) You are simply a pro laying out the requirements of their job.
Steve
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you could even add some time as director during the edit too since you’ll be wearing 2 hats.
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[David Roth Weiss] “being grown-up that separates you from the the twenty-somethings”
right on! AND if you’ve been reading the “recession” thread, just be honest and take care of them. I think you’ll look more professional to go back and say “now that I’ve had time to review your file (that’s billable too by the way, plus the initial meeting time) I can give you a scope of work and an accurate bid.”
I’d price it this way:
meetings/reviews/producer stuff: 4/5 hours@90 = 360
adjust ppt problems(fonts/images): 1 hour @ $90 = 90
export using MAC Pages or MAC PPT (this is best)& batch in pshop with 50pxl border for video safe: 1 hour @$90 = 90
2 hour audio studio: $180
announcer: $150
FCP edit: 2 hours @150 = $300
Various web versions for approval ($15/min x7=$105per review): 3 reviews: $300
Archive all the stuff to a data DVD: $100.
SUBTOTAL : $1570.
profit: 15% $235.50
TOTAL: 1805.50 PLUS TAXObviously this is what it SHOULD be. You’ve got play room because you may have lower hourly rates, but be competitive. You’re an expert. If you’re not, at least you’d be paid like one while you learn this stuff. Even if you didn’t charge them for your voice talent or the various approval versions, your price only comes down $450. But I wouldn’t do that. This is about as bare bones as it gets. You could do really creative edits and add a few hours.
And don’t forget to tell them that revisions are extra after things are approved. They will have spelling errors on slides they give you. Make sure the music they provide has proper rights. You could even pad your time another 20% and then “come in under budget!”
Hope this helps. Don’t sell yourself short.
Steve