Steve Wargo
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COW Coins
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Premiere Pro Coins
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We just went through a 92 day slow pay recently and when we sued our client, we also sued their client, a well known stage actor. It was a demo for the stage actor. Our attorney also issued a cease and desist order to the client’s client that informed them that we were the copyright holder to the footage and that they could not use it until all notes were paid in full in cash. We were paid, in cash, within 24 hours by our client.
On another matter, we produced a 30 minute infomercial for a regular client in January. We usually collect 50% up front but the client sweet talked my wife into waiting. I had no idea and when we were done, we just handed him the master, as we usually do. He has paid a total of $2000 since then. I am out all of my crew costs because we pay everyone regardless of whether we get paid or not.
The infomercial runs on the golf channel every sunday and the product is a vest that teaches muscle memory to the golfer. We start our legal proceedures this coming week. This has been a good client for years but he has always been a little slow on the pay side. I would be $7000 ahead if I had turned this job down. I fired my wife from the position in the company that she held. Sometimes, things just turn to crap, no matter who it might be.
Steve Wargo
Tempe, ArizonaIt’s a dry heat!
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It’s not theft. It might be a “conversion” crime in some states but it’s entirely civil in nature. If they brought it to you of their own free will and left it at your place of business, it is not theft. Theft is described as taking something against someone else’s will, knowledge or permission, and (this is big) you have to plan on keeping it. That’s why kids are not charged with “auto theft”, but are charged with “joy riding” because they did not intend to keep the vehicle. Once they “convert” it to their use permanantly and it’s obvious that they do not intend to abandon or return it, they can then be charged with theft.
I too would transfer the files to a safe place and return the drive by common carrier (a delivery service) with a full description, including accessory list and serial numbers. Get a signed receipt. Never actually admit that you have the original material.
Most likely, you are completely screwed. Sorry.
The above statement is not to be construed as legal advice. It’s just my opinion.
Steve Wargo
Tempe, ArizonaIt’s a dry heat!
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Yep. Just pick the DVCPROHD codec in the capture widow and bring it in via HD-SDI cable from the deck. We’ve done this on a number of projects so the client can edit on a tamed down raid setup.
Steve Wargo
Tempe, ArizonaIt’s a dry heat!
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We keep a software/hardware notebook which lists every computer, drive, monitor, mouse, software, etc. that we buy. All of the original receipts are copied, serial numbers religiously recorded. Why would we do something so insane? Because we burned our own asses a long time ago during a computer meltdown using Discreet Edit on a custom box. It cost us big bucks to bring it back to life. The book sits in the company safe.
Anyone reading this thread needs to put a set of records together today or tomorrow at the latest. We learned the hard way.
Steve Wargo
Tempe, ArizonaIt’s a dry heat!
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My first computer was a Tandy 1000 in 1985 which ran on MS-DOS 5 and had one 5 1/4″ floppy and 128K of memory. I added a second floppy drive and 256K of memory. A hard drive option was $375 for the 30Mb drive and $350 for the controller card. The CPU ran at a blistering 4.71 Mhz. I still have the entire computer and monitor. It still works like new. The CPU was $995 and the color monitor was $425. Isn’t it odd how you can still get a decent computer for around $1000 and a nice monitor for around $400. See, some things haven’t changed at all. A friend of mine brought a Macintosh computer home. It had a slot for a 3 1/2″ floppy and it was all built into one piece with a handle built in. With a long enough extension cord, I guess you could call it a portable.
In 1965, the average color tv was around $500. It still is.
VWs were about a dollar a pound (1800) and Big Twin Harley’s were $2000.
Levis were $5. Tattoos were $20
What else ya got Dave?
Steve Wargo
Tempe, ArizonaIt’s a dry heat!
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I don’t register my guns but I do register my software.
There are several reasons to register software. First of all, they build updates as they get the word on problems. They can contact you for those updates to keep your machine running in top condition. They are buried with people contacting them about a glitch that, most likely, has been dealt with and solved. With registered owners, they send out a notice, we go online, download the patch and we are on our merry way. They prevent a certain level of software piracy. I know it’s difficult to imagine but some people have been known to install and use software that they haven’t paid for.
Before Final Cut became an actual professional level program, somwewhere around 4.5, we used Discreet Edit and the price for the real time version was around $15,000, just for the software. It didn’t run without having a dongle attached. Discreet had the best NLE on the face of the earth but it was way too expensive. Along comes FCP, at less than we were paying for sales tax on our product, and Apple sold a billion or so copies and actually made a profit. Of course, everytime they sell FCP, they also sell a computer to put it on. Add a few accessories and ca-ching, dollars everywhere. It’s the American way.
So what does all of this have to do with registering software? … Nothing.
Steve Wargo
Tempe, ArizonaIt’s a dry heat!
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Jared,
Not to nit pick but telling us that it is an F-350 is the most important detail you can supply. This forum was created for the Sony F-900 camera and the F-350 is a brand new baby. Because neither John nor I own a 350, we have to depend on others for answers that rely on owbership level experience.
Also, when I add std,/cine1/cine2/cine3/cine4 together, I get 5 settings. But that’s probably because I got straight Cs in grade school math until I took algebra in the fifth grade. Then, it got interesting. Funny how a challenge can make one rise to the occasion.
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What we have done is install a rackmount switch panel that is a row of switches with a plug on the back for each switch. I plug anything in that needs to be powered down occasionally and the switch is on the back, like our raid for the NLE. But you do have to wonder how a team can engineer something that cost thousands of dollars and no one looks at how it works when installed. I bought my switch panels off of e-bay and they are of surprisingly high quality for around $30 shipped. We have our network router and internet modem running of this thing because we have to reboot those once in a while also.
Steve Wargo
Tempe, ArizonaIt’s a dry heat!
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Great advice. But actually, Quicken Home & Business is cheaper to buy ($80) and there’s your book keeping system. Here’s the link to the Quicken website. https://quicken.intuit.com/quicken_products.jhtml?priorityCode=3948700000&lid=intuitnav Look for deals from the on-line software companies or discount stores.
Another thing to think about buying would be a dictionary or some spell checking software. Everyone in bussines should have these, especially if they’re doing froms.
Lastly, on the advise given previous to my post, scratch where it says “Net 30 days” and make it “Payable upon receipt”. There is no reason in the world why you should become a bank and loan people money. When you start working with corporations where they have a system of accounting that has no provision for paying cash, then you’ll need to consider giving them time to pay. As a matter of fact, if it’s a big job, ask for 1/2 up front.
Last year, I had Albertson’s Grocery for a client and they wanted to be able to pay in 60 – 75 days. But, when I need a loaf of bread to put on the dinner table, it’s cash, right now. Nobody needs 60 days to pay.
Good luck,
Steve Wargo
Tempe, ArizonaIt’s a dry heat!
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As Tim said earlier, trying to edit HDV footage and then playing it back could be a nightmare. HDV is not the world saving format that some thought it would be. The 100B is a proven winner, following the explosive use of the 100 and then the 100A, nothing has touched their reliability and popularity.