Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: corporate

Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: corporate - Recent Posts http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Community Forums » Tag: corporate - Recent Posts en Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:18:04 +0000 EarlC on "Getting Started" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/getting-started#post-56130 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:00:40 +0000 EarlC 56130@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Visited your site. Nice and clean, basic information, easy navigation. What comes to mind is the need for some kind of graphics on each page, nothing overwhelming, but some kind of visual presentation to catch those who might be put off by copy-only presentations, even if the copy is clear, clean, crisp, readable and concise. Of course, when you DO set up some clips for viewing/samples the resulting thumbnails or representative images for the clips may suffice for a graphics treatment. An easy way to establish a video clips samples landing site is to open an account at <a href="http://www.ning.com">NING</a> where your source files will be converted to clean flash files and a copy-and-past embed or link is provided that you can add to your website/Wordpress blog. There are, of course, other sites where you can create a video landing site, but I found Ning to be simple, effective and fairly clean for a free option - plus Ning and others also offer "for fee" options as well, useful depending on your particular budget, needs and desires. GENERALLY industrial/professional rates are often loosely based on one-hour-per-finished-minute for estimating charges. That, of course, would also depend on the amount of complexity involved, and as was pointed out you can certain be as flexible as you want while establishing your services, products and creds. peggig on "Getting Started" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/getting-started#post-56128 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:40:48 +0000 peggig 56128@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Thanks, TJ. Do you have any suggestions on how to estimate how long a pro might take to edit the same video? That's kind of what I'm trying to figure out so I have a rough idea of how to price my work. peggig on "Getting Started" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/getting-started#post-56121 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:17:00 +0000 peggig 56121@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ BTW, I have a temporary Web site at <a href="http://www.roguevideo.wordpress.com">http://www.roguevideo.wordpress.com</a>. I don't have any samples up yet, but I'd appreciate any comments or advice on the site content or layout. TJ Robertson on "Getting Started" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/getting-started#post-56120 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:16:30 +0000 TJ Robertson 56120@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Hi Peggig, First of all, don't undervalue your work. You're helping people a lot, and most of them are more than happy to pay well for it (and the ones that aren't, aren't your customers) Secondly, it's okay that you spend more time than a pro, as long as you're not being a perfectionist. Don't spend 3 times as long on a project, only to make it 10% better. (unless your clients are also perfectionists, and willing to pay 3 times as much). And lastly, if you feel like you're overcharging because you take so long to complete the videos, just estimate how long it would take a professional to edit the same video, and charge for that many hours. Just make sure you keep your rates high. This will make you look like a pro, and help you get more work. If you start out with low rates (under $25 an hour), most people won't value your work because they'll just think of you as the "cheap videographer" I hope that helps... keep it up =) peggig on "Getting Started" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/getting-started#post-56112 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:14:31 +0000 peggig 56112@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Great blog, Earl! I got some good ides from it that I will certainly try. Thank you! EarlC on "Getting Started" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/getting-started#post-56094 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:56:21 +0000 EarlC 56094@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Lotta marketing info at <a href="http://www.eccomeecgo.blogspot.com">E.C. Come, E.C Go</a> - check it out! Earl Chessher peggig on "Getting Started" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/getting-started#post-56080 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:01:46 +0000 peggig 56080@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Thanks TJ. I checked out your blog and it was interesting. You recommend chargingÃ??Ã?Â a minimum ofÃ??Ã?Â $25 an hour to start. I tend to spend way more time editing than most people probably feel is necessary, but I'm kind of OCD about getting the best result that I can with the footage I shoot. I typically shoot about 7 to one ratio of video footage to final product, and spend well over a hundred hours editing a typical half hour project. That's partially because I shoot in HDV and I use Adobe Premiere Elements to edit with. I tend to have short scenes with lots of transitions, montages, etc, and often have to adjust audio levels and color balance. Premiere Elements is kind of overwhelmed by this, and I find I need to makeÃ?Â a number of short projects, save them out as MPEGs, and then import them into a master project, Even so, Premiere Elements freqently crashes or hangs, and that adds a lot of time to the editing process. At this point, I can't estimate how many total hours I'll spend on a project, so I'm not comfortableÂ billing by the hour and having the customer shocked at tht final price. I'd prefer to bill by the job, and then I won't feel like I have to rush or compromise on quality. As I get more experience with this kind of videography, I'll be better able to estimate jobs and may feel more comfortable billing by the hour. For now, I'd like to get an idea of what typical prices are for fairly common projects, like weddings, events, corporate/industrial videos, etc. Does that make sense? Thanks! TJ Robertson on "Getting Started" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/getting-started#post-55892 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:47:14 +0000 TJ Robertson 55892@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Hi peggig... if that is your real name =P First of all, I think you underestimate your situation. From the information you've provided, and the sample you have, I would say you're in a position to make some good money with your equipment. There are a lot of things you can do to start bringing in some extra cash, including setting up a website, branding yourself, and offering promotions to local businesses and groups... ...but honestly, I think your best first step would be to check out craigslist... you might be surprised how much money there is on craigslist, and, given your situation, I think you could easily start booking some jobs. And once you get a couple jobs, the referrals and repeat work can sometimes be enough to keep you busy (assuming your work is good for the price... and I'm sure that it is) I have a video on my blog that explains it more thoroughly, if you feel like checking it out. Congrats on taking the first step, and good luck on making some extra cash. Keep me posted =) 2ten on "Getting Started" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/getting-started#post-55853 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:32:34 +0000 2ten 55853@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ This is a topic I would be interested in some insight also. As I branch out and try and do more video for money this is something I am very uncomfortable with. How much is my time worth - shooting and editing? I have a documentary nearly done for PBS and will post details when it airs but that's going to make me nothing really. Having a background in engineering we struggle with how much to bid in the engineering world too, always worrying we are bidding to high but not wanting to leave money on the table. Any small shops out there ready to share some financials? A lot of us are in totally different markets so I don't see us "stepping on each others toes" if you will. Do you charge by the hour for wedding shooting? How about corporate videos? How do you break into the local tv commercial market? I know I can do better than many local commercials I see on around here, but how much would you bid if you could even break in? coveymess on "Getting Started" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/getting-started#post-55848 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:44:51 +0000 coveymess 55848@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ howz it go peggig i would like to interest u in expounding on ur investment in videoproduction... here iz my contact <a href="mailto:turnerhollywood@yahoo.com">turnerhollywood@yahoo.com</a> peggig on "Getting Started" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/getting-started#post-55045 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:11:11 +0000 peggig 55045@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ I've been making documentary videos for a public access TV series for the past year, and I also did a promotional video for the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeFAaZx8pBc">Southern Oregon Humane Society.</a> A few months ago, I was hired to produce an educational video for the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/bearcreekgreenway#p/u">Bear Creek Greenway Foundation</a>. I bought a Canon HV40 for that project, along with a Libec tripod, Audio Technica lavalier microphone, and other necessary equipment. Having invested in the equipment, I'd like to try to earn some money doing video productions. Because I'm in a very small market, in an economically depressed region, and do not have high-end professional equipment, my niche would be customers who can't afford first tier professional video production, but would like to get the best quality for the lowest price. I'm looking for suggestions as to reasonable price ranges for these types of video, and what considerations to take into account when bidding on a project. <ul> <li>Event videos <ul> <li>Weddings</li> <li>Graduation videos</li> <li>Other milestone celebrations</li> <li>Sporting events, equestrian events, 4H events, etc. </li> </ul> </li> <li>Corporate/industrial videos <ul> <li>training</li> <li>promotional</li> <li>educational</li> </ul> </li> <li>Legal depositions</li> <li>Political campaign videos</li> <li>Life histories (there are a lot of seniors in our community), mini-documentaries, special projects</li> </ul> I would also appreciate any suggestions on ways to find potential customers and get the word out to promote my services. Thanks in advance for any advice! composite1 on "Pricing" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/pricing#post-47414 Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:43:54 +0000 composite1 47414@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Brian, As always, Earl lays it out there like it is. Here's a link to the video posted by Video Chick on her blog that nails this topic on the head. <a href="http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/mcurtis/story/funny_video_discussion_vendor_client_relationships/">http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/mcurtis/story/funny_video_discussion_vendor_client_relationships/</a> I've heard every excuse in the video and more. Like Earl said, 'get it all in writing' and be advised: everything you discuss in e-mails, text's and IM's are considered admissible documents in court. So when discussing negotiation points, pricing and intended services to be rendered, stay on point. Keep everything accurate so that what you've discussed with the client is in compliance with what is in the written agreement. 'Pay as you go' is best, but you may not always be able to get those terms particularly if you are not the originator of the contract. No matter what terms you agree upon, stick to them to the letter and document it. If the client comes up 'light' and you end up in court, having documented your compliance with the contract will be your strongest defense. brianwebb on "Pricing" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/pricing#post-47393 Sun, 31 May 2009 16:12:37 +0000 brianwebb 47393@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like I could be in for an interesting side job full of "devils in the details" issues. I appreciate your thoughts / time. EarlC on "Pricing" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/pricing#post-47374 Sat, 30 May 2009 19:51:52 +0000 EarlC 47374@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ I shoot half-day = $150 per hour; full day = $100 per hour, both for one location, single set-up, for 8-hours total including set-up and break-down. I edit according to a supplied EDL, or autonomously and provide a VERY rough cuts edit for preview so I know we're all on the same page, for $100 per hour, or sometimes based on a "finished minute" approach at $250-to-$350. That depends on a LOT of whereas and wherefor clauses or lack thereof in the production agreement, the complexity, etc. Client then comments for changes, etc. and I finish accordingly. ANY client, commercial or otherwise, wanting to "sit in" on the editing process needs to be willing to pay $500 or more per hour, depending on the amount of "input" the client wants to have in the process. There are numerous whereas and wherefor clauses in THAT agreement especially. It will NEVER be cheaper, or faster, or even necessarily BETTER if the client goes this route with me. Most recently I shot a series of "talking heads" for web production and advertising purposes. The shoot was originally supposed to last four hours or less; the talking heads were supposed to each have up to 30 minutes to do their "takes" of one or two "1-minute" presentations and maybe one of "5-minutes" duration. All that went out the door because MOST of them were simply NOT prepared although they had plenty of lead time, were supposed to be the leaders in their field of experience, and were supposedly accomplished workshop/seminar presenters and capable extemporaneous speakers. NOPE. Because such things occur more often than not, and most commercial clients ALWAYS underestimate theirs or our expectations, I usually always include a clause that points out EXACTLY what will be done if all goes the way they said it would. Thus a "simple" shoot that would have included two set-ups, and six speakers would up taking multiple set-ups, last minute changes, thoughts and ideas, and too many takes each that progressively went from poor, to bad to worse. In almost every instant I had to work from several takes to get one that might work for them, thus increasing the amount of editing time involved. It went from the anticipated (by THEM) "clean-up" edits, intro title, doughnut for opening/closing and one copy each on DVD, high resolution web ready and medium web ready, and THEY were going to do the uploading. NOPE. NOTE: It will ALWAYS be MORE work than explained, understood, described or anticipated. It will ALWAYS take MORE time, both for shooting, and for editing. The client(s) will ALWAYS try to get a few extra "little things" tossed in for no additional cost - going from concession to concession. The old "given 'em an inch and they'll take a mile" cliche. Pad your bids, and charge accordingly, based on contingencies rather than stated actuals. Get it in writing with signatures by the decision makers, not their "hired help" who most often are full of self-importance and self-professed experts, whatever. That gig should have cost the company ONLY $1,000 for four hours shooting, or less, and two hours cleanup editing, delivery of the three qualities of perhaps nine separate clips. With THEM doing the uploading and repurposing. Instead, and thanks to contingencies written into the production agreement, signed by their "decision makers" (yes, multiple signatures, with ONE person designated to "sign off" on completion), they were billed for more than $3K. That brings up another thing: get a 30 percent to 50 percent deposit or retainer upon signing of the agreement; get a "progress payment" payable at the time you (if you do this) present the VERY ROUGH CUTS preview; final payment upon their receipt of the product. Keep in mind that it doesn't matter WHO you do business with, like Mr. Toupee, er, uh, Mr. Trump says, "nothing personal, just business" NEVER, EVER deliver the finished product without a specified and binding payment agreement, or preferably receiving the final amount UPON DELIVERY. Once they have the final product in hand, your negotiation powers are zero - nothing you can really hold over their heads. If my clients have a problem with how I expect to get paid and when, knowing my reputation for solid business and quality, hearing from many positive referrals, or having met with me a number of times and already gaining a number of concessions from me I prefer to NOT give, then I know from experience to expect "problems" when it comes to getting my money. So I am always up front in doing business with anybody, telling them I am not a large production company capable of extending payment plans, net 30s or subsidizing them. So, if they want good (often GREAT), relatively fast (often VERY FAST) and cheap (I prefer to call my productions "affordable"), then I in turn expect to be paid upon delivery of the product, and not a minute later. The client I used as an example? I have done everything promised in the agreement, on time or early, and their product is sitting on my shelf waiting for delivery. They have been notified when it would be ready and were notified when it was ready several days early. They're dragging their feet in getting the balance to me, so I've reminded them of their agreement to pay upon delivery, and to notify me when their check is "in hand" not when it is "in the mail." Much longer, and they will also have to wait until the check clears mine and their accounts before final delivery of ANY further video product. It's business, right? Oh, and I am now doing the uploading, but that is on hold as well until they "Show me the money! All of it!" brianwebb on "Pricing" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/pricing#post-47368 Sat, 30 May 2009 17:01:46 +0000 brianwebb 47368@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ I'm bidding on a project and would like feedback on pricing. It's a half day shoot (4-5 hrs) Then edit 3 or 4, 2 - 3 min clips, then upload them to youtube with graphics for names etc. Between logging and editing I'm guessing it will take me another half day (4-5 hours) for a total of 10 hours. If there are issues might go up to 12 hrs. I'm shooting on JVC 100 camera and editing on final cut pro. I have plenty of experience in the TV news biz but don't do many freelance / corporate gigs. Any thoughts? Thanks jerronsmith on "lo-fi vs hi-def" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/lo-fi-vs-hi-def#post-39851 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:53:49 +0000 jerronsmith 39851@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ It actually depends on who the audience is. Marketing is targeted to a specific audience. blumantaray on "lo-fi vs hi-def" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/lo-fi-vs-hi-def#post-39840 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:51:07 +0000 blumantaray 39840@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ One of the rules of thumb in creating content for the web is always to build for the lowest common denominator of your expected audience first. That's kind of what I was getting at. I guess part of the problem with my question is that I was talking about both production values and content, which is where it gets confusing. I finally found an example of what I'm talking about. The company gotvmail recently released viral videos with Gary Busey in them (you can watch them at <a href="http://www.garybuseyonbusiness.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.garybuseyonbusiness.com</a>). These actually seem more or less professional, shot in a small studio probably, but they also have a kind of lo-f, user-generated feel about them, partly because Gary Busey is so stupid but because they're so off-the-cuff. I don't know whether they're HD or not. But this is the kind of video that could potentially appeal to a youtube surfer while making it clear that it was made by a company with more money than you and your home movie makin' friends. So, to rephrase the question, is it better when companies aim for the kind of idiocy that gets hits these days online, or is there a place for more classic advertisement? jerronsmith on "lo-fi vs hi-def" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/lo-fi-vs-hi-def#post-39718 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:18:37 +0000 jerronsmith 39718@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Another issue is that the playback of high definition video requires greater system resources on the viewers computer than the lower definition counterparts. One of the rules of thumb in creating content for the web is always to build for the lowest common denominator of your expected audience first. domineaux on "lo-fi vs hi-def" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/lo-fi-vs-hi-def#post-39680 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:06:23 +0000 domineaux 39680@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ I presume you are talking about website playback of videoÂ Â It's got a lot more to do with user connection speeds andÂ computer hardware when you provide video in HD. HDÂ requires moreÂ resources at the server level. If we didn't have DSL and Cable connections theÂ Youtube would notÂ exist even using standard def. Most sites wouldÂ do well to have a standardÃ‚Â and Hi-Def choice. This way users can click on Standard, whichÂ isn't that bad in some formats. I have an e6600 quad core processor OC to 3.4GHz, 4 gig of ram,Â nvidia 8800gtxÂ OC 512MB Video cardÂ and DSL connection.Â WHen I try to play HD I frequentlyÂ cannot get a good stream, and must constantly click on the arrow.Â There are some good formats that playback very good resolution quality and they aren't HD.Â blumantaray on "lo-fi vs hi-def" http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/lo-fi-vs-hi-def#post-39677 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:30:42 +0000 blumantaray 39677@http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/ Â Maybe this is an odd start to a thread because I don't have any real question per se, I just find it interesting how (and correct me if I'm wrong) as the technology for creating movies and distributing them gets better and better we have websites like youtube and google video where millions of people are watching some of the most horrendously compressed video I've ever seen. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking these sites, because they do what they do well -- they bring content to the masses with speed and can expose a lot of people to new audiences. But now video production, even for corporations, requires riding this thin line between lo-fi content that can be cheaply and broadly distributed, and hi-def cutting edge content that expresses professionalism. I can't really think of any good examples where a company has done both, which may weaken my argument (maybe you can), but it's a discussion worth having. What do people seem to want more of these days?