http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ Videomaker Forums » Forum: Making Money - Recent Posts en Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:36:03 +0000 http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/starting-a-video-editing-buisness#post-52441 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:23:50 +0000 EarlC 52441@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>The guys who have posted here are right - ya gotta pay your dues, learn the ropes, gain experience, ect. BUT...</p> <p>...I'm also a believer in, forgive the cliche, "True Grit" and the benefits of someone who toughs it through to get the door of opportunity open. No, you don't want to leap into a sea full of sharks (and that is what it can seem like at times in the video business) but you can test the waters, ease into action, then start kicking into higher gears as you develop the necessary skills.</p> <p>Some people are too inclined, too often, to spend too much time paying for a education, researching the next best thing and putting off ANY forward action. That is not everyone's way. Some do it dumbly by jumping in on an emotional whim, others do it smartly by cashing in on the practical reasoning their left-side brain provides but they often lack perception from their creative (if any) right side. There are a boatload of folks who sense the opportunity, know their limitations (mentally, emotionally, physically and fiscally) but are willing to intelligently "jump in" depending somewhat on the "luck" and lightning strikes that might occur.</p> <p>So, while there are a bounty of practical ways to approach this business - and the above "pay your dues" approaches are a reasonable suggestion - there are also elements, voices and strengths within you that might push you harder toward jumping in.</p> <p>I was impressed (and still am) with the story of Lee Stranahan, former renown Video Toaster guru who, with the support of his working wife took a year off from making money to delve into and learn the NewTek system that was wowing the Amiga community with its video editing capabilities. Sure, Lee had some general knowledge of things, I do not remember his pre-Toaster background, but nonetheless he invested a year into digesting and becoming intimately familiar with a completely new system. The effort paid off as he gained a reputation for knowing the Video Toaster inside and out - to the extent he once released a GREAT how to video that said: "Ten Things You Can't Do with the Video Toaster - and How to do Them!"</p> <p>So, if you think you can do this, and you WANT to do this, and you feel like you owe yourself the opportunity to make it work for you. Just do it! You'll learn a lot along the way, or quit - either way you've not wussed out of trying. I keep hearing my late Mom, telling me: "Great ideas won't work unless you do."</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/starting-a-video-editing-buisness#post-52434 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:43:23 +0000 composite1 52434@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Grinner,</p> <p>'2 decades faster than most!' And this applies to Jack and everyone who participates on these forums. Unless you're born into a showbiz family, born wealthy or personally tapped on the shoulder by the 'divine finger', odds are good that getting anywhere in this biz is going to be a long and arduous 'assault'. Half the battle is building up a body of work to make people think you're worth betting their money on. The other and harder half is keeping your spot once you get there.</p> <p>Nowadays, all the digital revolution has done is make it possible for more people to get started. Nothing's changed about building up a credible body of work and a rep to go with it. Anybody can have dumb enough luck to get 'struck by lightning' once. The real trick is doing it at will and make it create funny animal shapes at the same time.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/starting-a-video-editing-buisness#post-52417 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:50:19 +0000 grinner 52417@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> thank you, sir. Only took 2 decades. lol</p> <p> </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/a-difficult-decisionwhich-nle/page/2#post-52404 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:17:41 +0000 composite1 52404@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Sarge,</p> <p>I currently use both adobe and sony product suites. Vegas/Acid/Soundforge for audio finishing and out to PC media format. Adobe for graphics, mographics, flash production and crossplatform collaboration in QT. Both suites have serious muscles in their own right's but have weaknesses that I use one or the other to counter. Soundbooth is a snazzy little program but gets stomped into a fine paste when compared to the soundforge/acid combo. Vegas and Premiere are both workhorses but when combined with their other components (i.e. premiere/photoshop/afx or Vegas/Acid/Soundforge) turn into other-worldly tools. I've used vegas since '07 and premiere since '99. Both are easy to learn and are reasonably priced (premiere in the bundle that is) but neither program alone is a game-changer in my eyes or experience.</p> <p>As far as Vegas being available for mac, you can hold your breath until FCP goes cross-platform while your at it. Not going to happen. Just like apple, sony makes computers too (Vaio anyone?) and just like apple are carving their own niche out of the market.</p> <p>Brokenjack,</p> <p>That rig you built is called a 'Hackintosh' and though I completely admire the 'spirit of building' you've exhibited, that thing is mad-illegal in the eyes of the mac-nazi's. I wouldn't post to the world that you've got one of those things up and running. One thing though, it is a testament to the fact that except for some lines of code, there is nothing different between mac's and pc's anymore except for the price and the hype. BTW, my name is not 'Francis', 'Surely'.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/a-difficult-decisionwhich-nle/page/2#post-52402 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:18:29 +0000 SargeHero 52402@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Over this past months I have learn to use Premiere Pro and have edited several proyects. I started editing in Vegas Pro 8 and comparing it with Premiere I like Vegas a lot more. Vegas inter-phase is more user friendly than Premiere and from my experience is easier and more comfortable editing in Vegas. In Premiere you start with 3 video and audio tracks in the timeline (the video is above and the audio below), in Vegas you have a huge timeline with unlimited video and audio tracks rearrange any way you like (this is something I miss a lot) Another thing I miss are the markers and regions, which you could see the lines all over the timeline with an specific color (is use that a lot). In Premiere the markers are not that powerful, but they are still useful. Now Premiere have an incredible powerful tool that Vegas does not have, which is the "Dynamic Link". Using After Effects, Photoshop, Soundbooth and Encore along with Premiere you can make anything you desire and instantly see it in the other program. This is extremely useful in the editing process because you will never have to say "Sorry I cannot do that effect in Vegas" (this happen to me editing a short film) Despite my personal experience with Adobe and dynamic link my vote is still for Vegas Pro as my preferred NLE. Is a shame that they don't have it on Mac OS. </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/a-difficult-decisionwhich-nle/page/2#post-52399 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:40:53 +0000 XTR-91 52399@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Wow, this thread started a good six months ago. Considering that the poll is actually closed (never heard of one being before), I'd have to give Sony Vegas the edge with the right combination of price, features, and functionality. I'vehad little experience with Final Cut Pro and no experience with Adobe Premiere. Premiere seems very functionable, but outcosts Sony Vegas Pro 9 by nearly $200-$300. Final Cut Express (MSRP $300) is great if you're in the $1,200+ realm of purchasing Mac systems.</p> <p> </p> <p>Here's my take on the age-old Windows vs. Mac phenomena: Microsoft seems to be chasing after budget consumers and businesses with features that burst right through the doors. Apple seems to be implementing the 'high-quality' system that is designed to handle media and suit the needs of a fanatic who wants a good, stable, and less virus-prone system.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/a-difficult-decisionwhich-nle/page/2#post-52398 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:25:54 +0000 brokenjack 52398@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hey sargehero,</p> <p>I'm not sure what hardware you went with on your mac, but I just built a PC and loaded OS X on it just to see how well it would hold up in video editing. I am now running it as my main computer with Final Cut Studio. It is extremely stable, and I saved about $3000 extra bucks by not getting a Mac Pro. There is no IO card in it though.  It's a core i7 w/12GB DDR3 and a 1GB ATI 4870 vid card with dual monitors running at 1920 x 1080. I still cannot get over how well it handles 25 layers of 720p in Motion.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/starting-a-video-editing-buisness#post-52356 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:30:18 +0000 composite1 52356@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p><em>"I suggest staffing for 5-10 years then freelancing for at least 5 years."</em></p> <p>Grinner,</p> <p>Lay that 'Reality Whip' to him! Jack Grinner's suggestion may sound harsh, but this is not a business you should jump into haphazardly. You could easily blow a buttload of cash on gear and software then go bankrupt because you didn't have enough experience / skill up front. Hopefully, you've gotten an idea from the posts Sarge recommended.</p> <p>BTW, congrats Grinner on getting your series picked up. </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/starting-a-video-editing-buisness#post-52351 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:16:51 +0000 grinner 52351@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> You obvioulsy are not ready for this venture. It'd be a good idea for you to work in the industry long enough to educate yourself before venturing into an overhead with no bookings. I suggest staffing for 5-10 years then freelancing for at least 5 years. You'll then know your specialty, what tools are required and what that is worth. </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/starting-a-video-editing-buisness#post-52346 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:06:50 +0000 Jackforrester 52346@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Thanks </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/starting-a-video-editing-buisness#post-52345 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:01:18 +0000 SargeHero 52345@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I ask a similar question months ago. Go check out the post.</p> <p><a href="http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-much-should-i-charge-for-video-editing-only" rel="nofollow">http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-much-should-i-charge-for-video-editing-only</a></p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/starting-a-video-editing-buisness#post-52343 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:08:10 +0000 Jackforrester 52343@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Hello,</p> <p>I am interested in starting a small buisness with video. I would like to offer an editing only service where people would send me there raw footage and i would do some simple editing on their video. This would be charged at a small price. I was wondering what would i need? Would i need any permission and would it work. I would also like to know how much to charge?</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/ads-by-google-waste#post-52037 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:48:18 +0000 XTR-91 52037@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>The Google Ads are section of most pages is also something I barely ever take notice of. I've also seen the multi-page ads that provide clickable arrows for scrolling through the pages. Considering that the user will have to click five pages just to see an ad, it seems like doing "cheap" ads with Google is a hard take. One of the smarter moves that Google made, however, is charging money only if the ad is clicked (specially navigated to through Google ads).</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/ads-by-google-waste#post-52036 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:46:24 +0000 thebeatsuite 52036@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Advertising with Google can both work and prove a complete waste of time, it depends on how you strategize</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/a-difficult-decisionwhich-nle/page/2#post-52005 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:33:06 +0000 vanlam 52005@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Good choice SargeHero. I love Vegas (And still use it w/ SoundForge for audio editing/mixing), but for more complicated projects, Final Cut Studio is a much better choice (Plus Motion and Color are amazing extras). </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/professional-forms-contracts-receipts-etc#post-51925 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:00:32 +0000 grinner 51925@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> I still just use word for invoices. You really ottaa start fresh with Quicken or something of the like.</p> <p>I've never heard of a video company writing regular receipts. I think that would lower many companies' view of your company.</p> <p>I don't do contracts. I invoice at 30 day net (though some like to pay 90 day net lol) for my regulars and I get half down and half when done for new clients. </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/professional-forms-contracts-receipts-etc#post-51902 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:59:20 +0000 BruceMol 51902@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Videomaker Mag has a book of forms for contracts etc. Or you can google that or ask a lawyer.</p> <p>If you need a good looking receipt, quickly, and have Microsoft Excel, you'll find a template for receipts in the template folder (depending on version) File&gt;New&gt;Templates on My Computer&gt;Spreadsheet Solutions&gt;Receipt</p> <p>I think getting accounting software is a good idea too, it's just that learning how to use that software takes awhile.</p> <p><strong></strong><strong> </strong><strong></strong></p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/professional-forms-contracts-receipts-etc#post-51894 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:03:09 +0000 joespain 51894@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Just go to Office Depot or any store like that. They'll have receipt books and other things you can use. </p> <p>Though if you're starting a small business, I'd suggest buying a copy of quickbooks or some other accounting software so you can make professional invoices on your computer as well as keep track of your expenses.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/professional-forms-contracts-receipts-etc#post-51887 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:41:53 +0000 Hi Mom Videos 51887@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I am lining up my first few serious professional jobs, and I am wondering where I can find professional receipts and contracts that can be adapted for my business.  I am doing work for a business, and they need a receipt to prove that their expendature is business related.  Any ideas?</p> <p> </p> <p>Thank you =)</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/entry-level-cost-for-video-business#post-51845 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:29:45 +0000 composite1 51845@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I started my outfit with SBA assistance. They helped me put together a solid business plan and really helped me understand the business side of what I wanted to do. I was able to get a Lawyer onboard for cheap and have my taxes worked on by a pro accounting firm. That said, having the BP was a good exercise in getting into business and understanding what needed to be done. </p> <p>On the flipside, just as Grinner implied I 'had to adapt.' Despite my solid research and 'SBA Approved' BP, nobody was going to lend me money despite my experience and contacts. So by financing it myself, I slowly began to build my business. Now, some fortunate things happened enabling me to get equipment because I had taken all the previous steps in starting my business and I was able to take full advantage of them. Even so, it all came down to slogging it out to get gigs and build my reel and rep. Which by the way, is an ongoing process. So for me having 'both' made the difference.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/entry-level-cost-for-video-business#post-51765 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:52:46 +0000 grinner 51765@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> That's one way to look at it. Another way is if you write a business plan to start a video company with no loan, you are simply filling a day off. You can plan all ya want but untimately you will evolve with an ever-changing industry. </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/entry-level-cost-for-video-business#post-51757 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:41:55 +0000 LDPLDP 51757@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>If you can afford an attorney or accountant, fine.  But they cost $$$$.  An attorney or account can't write your business plan.  Only the entrepreneur can do that.  A good business plan helps identify the required financial and technical resources, the customer base, etc.  Creating a business without a plan is like hiking in the woods without a map or trail.  You're chance of failure becomes significantly higher without a plan.  SCORE and the SBA web sites contain valuable information for the small entrepreneur.  They also have FREE consultants who can meet with you in person or use e-mail where you can get answers to your questions about running a business.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-stock-footage-site-for-travel-footage#post-51755 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:46:58 +0000 birdcat 51755@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>It all depends on what you're willing to spend.  Pond5 is fine but is at the lower end of the price spectrum (I have some clips out there myself).</p> <p>Also at the free/cheap side is Footage Firm (<a href="http://www.footagefirm.com/free-footage.html">http://www.footagefirm.com/free-footage.html</a>) and their sister site Stock Footage for Free (<a href="http://stockfootageforfree.com/">http://stockfootageforfree.com</a>).  Considering what you're paying, their stuff is quite good (I have used many of their clips in my work).</p> <p>On the higher end are places like Artbeats (<a href="http://www.artbeats.com">http://www.artbeats.com</a>) which has great video but you're gonna pay a lot for it.  They do have freebie downloads of clips if you sign up.</p> <p>Somewhere in the middle are libraries like Digital Juice's VideoTraxx HD (<a href="http://www.digitaljuice.com/products/products.asp?pid=914">http://www.digitaljuice.com</a>).  They are only selling their HD collection right now but occasionally bring back limited runs of their older VideoTraxx 1, 2 &amp; 3 libraries (SD) for about $100 each.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/thoughts-on-wedding-shows#post-51751 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:33:24 +0000 EarlC 51751@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>Good info, OC. In several years of doing one or two shows a year, we signed agreements at the show maybe three times - even that is rare and unusual. But, as you noted, and I've advocated - work those lists! If you work the list with calls, letters, postcards AND e-mails, you can milk it for a lot over a long period of time.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/thoughts-on-wedding-shows#post-51748 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:10:05 +0000 oc6088 51748@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I just started doing wedding shows last year..two per year.  I live in a rural area,  112,000 people in the county.  This is what I have learned.  These shows can be very expensive...$1000 +.  The very first show I did, I decided at the last minute and got in for $300.  The coordinator did it to fill up the place and told me "not to tell anyone."  This years renewal came in at $400..she "just couldn't do it for $300 again".  That's ok with me! </p> <p>I have never booked at contract at the show.  The best thing you get from these are the lists.  I usually send out an email 6 months before the wedding.  I also have been successful in sending out an email to the brides after they are married, with a line like, "Did you film your own wedding?  Need someone to edit it or put it on a DVD..."  Not a ton of money in it, but I usually do fairly well and it's easy and they normally order copies.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/funeral-slideshow-costs#post-51744 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:52:03 +0000 futball8 51744@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p> It depends on your geographics and demographics as well. I have done memorial montages for about three years just with one local funeral home. Bear in mind I live in rural northern Michigan in a town with a population of 3,500. The funeral home averages 100 calls per year. I was doing 3-4 per month at $125/each + copies @$10.00 each. The MI economy has gone to crud and now I'm lucky to get one per month - people just aren't spending money anymore.</p> <p> I charge $125.00 for up to 30 photos - every photo is custom animated via keyframing - no photo is ever static - creates a more emotional and moving piece. I've always gotten rave reviews, but people just are not spending anymore - at least for now.</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/funeral-slideshow-costs#post-51742 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:16:12 +0000 grinner 51742@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>If ya just adhere to your regualr hourly rate, you'll never mind extra elements or revisions and you'll never have to wonder how much you'll make, ala selling DVDs. It keeps the math very simple and more importantly, weeds grinders by default.</p> <p> </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/funeral-slideshow-costs#post-51739 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:14:28 +0000 EarlC 51739@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I do hundreds of them each year, but I also offer and provide projection services as well making this an easier sale. I practically GIVE away the montages because they usually bring me the income I want from the projection, and I make an average of $150 additionally from the 5-6 average number of digital master DVD copies I sell.</p> <p>The money being in the projection and duplication, I offer 24-hour turnaround from time of receipt of materials (hard copy photos and/or digital Jpeg files on CD, or a mix of both, the occasional slide or so), I charge $125 for production of the master DVD. I allow for "up to" 150 images, three songs, opening/closing title, custom graphics on the DVD and a custom insert in ultrathin DVD case.</p> <p>My family clients average 80-to-100 images, but there are a few who go higher. Average length of the project is 8 minutes, a number of them go to 12 minutes, and the rare person who doesn't care about driving their guests to apoplexy will go beyond the 20-minute mark. I try to dissuade them, but I give them what they want, and charge $2 for each additional photo over 150, plus $5 for each song beyond 3. They provide their OWN purchased commercial CDs with the songs they want.</p> <p>I built my relationship with area funeral services providers by proving myself over the long haul. I have managed to serve them well, deliver when needed and have guaranteed and stood by my 24-hour turnaround. Consequently, most of the counselors I've worked with now give me a week or more (most of the time) lead time.</p> <p>Keep in mind that my funeral memorial montage business hinges on getting the projection services as well. On average I make about $600 per memorial, spend 3 hours, give or take, on creating the montage DVD product, and up to 3 hours (setup, projection, breakdown) on location - $100 per hour works for me.</p> <p>You can find a number of useful articles regarding not only montage production, but projection and memorial service, as well as funeral videotaping and production at my blog: <a href="http://www.eccomeecgo.blogspot.com">E.C. Come, E.C. Go</a> Check it out!</p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/funeral-slideshow-costs#post-51735 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:00:18 +0000 avawser 51735@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I have been producing photo slideshow videos independently for 5 or 6 years now but have never been able to break into the market for getting a contract with a funeral home and producing for them on a regular basis since every one of them in my area already have their own contracts with other production companies.  Recently I discovered a new funeral home coming to the area and I really want to give it my best shot to pick up a contract with them.  I have produced a demo reel of some of my most recent and best slideshow videos but I am not sure what I should ask for charge costs.  I have my own current price rates but I don't know what one should ask as a fair price to a funeral home business.  Does anyone do this and if so what do you charge for a video to a funeral business?  I don't want to overcharge them, yet I don't want to be getting paid literally nothing for the work I put into it as well. </p> http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/best-stock-footage-site-for-travel-footage#post-51723 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:12:59 +0000 Hi Mom Videos 51723@http://videomaker.com/community/forums/ <p>I have footage of the grand canyon, eiffel tower, colosseum, etc.  I think I have settled on pond5.com but I was wondering if anyone knew of a site that is better suited for travel vids.  </p>