Avid — Has the Ship Sailed (or Even Sunk)?

March 07, 2013 in Business, Video

avidsink

Mark my words… Avid will make a desperate announcement at this year's NAB (if not sooner). Their 'we're focussing on the pro market' strategy is too little and too late. The pros they want to keep are moving on in records numbers (let alone dwindling).

My favorite quote from a Boston Globe Article

"‎To fight back against Apple and Adobe, Avid spent more than $600 million buying two companies in 2004 and 2005 that sold audio and video editing products aimed at consumers. Instead, Avid wound up selling its consumer businesses last year for just $17 million."

Sounds a little desperate to me…..

A few "things" to keep in mind

The company has reported a net loss each year since 2006, from $198 million in 2008 to nearly $21 million in 2011.
Avid indefinitely delayed reporting its 2012 earnings and refuses to say when they will (a HUGE no no for a publicly traded company)
Stock prices are in a tail spin.
~~Avid has cut out all of the bundled software like Boris, leading you to essentially have to install Adobe's suite.~~ I'm hearing conflicting reports on this one… looking into. Latest info is that Boris Continuum Complete was only product pulled.
I can tell you a WHOLE lot of broadcast stations are switching to Adobe Premiere Pro.
Apple seems to actually be trying to woo back it's "pro" market as well. Both Apple and Adobe are rapidly starving Avid to death.

Articles you need to read

If you run your shops on Avid... it's time to start thinking about a transition strategy.

I'd like to be wrong… but encourage my fellow pros to start thinking critically if they run their businesses based on Avid workflows.

Time-lapse & Panoramic Photography Field Workshop

March 06, 2013 in DSLR Video, Video

I'm teaching a two-part Time-Lapse & Panoramic Photography Workshop at the NAB show. Join me for a classroom tutorial and hands-on afternoon field trip to Red Rock Park where you will capture shots of the park and sunset. Attendees will learn the best practices and techniques for shooting time-lapse video and panoramic photography in one of the most scenic settings in the country. Space is limited.

Time 12:00 — 9:00 (lunch and snacks included)
Saturday, April 6
Register Here

Free Time-lapse Workshop in NYC

March 01, 2013 in DSLR Video, Photography, Video

StartedTimelapse

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Event Type: Photography, Software
Skill Level: Intermediate

DSLRs can produce amazing photos and video… but how about compelling video created from hundreds of still images? In this seminar you’ll learn how to create dynamic time-lapse video and use photographic techniques to achieve amazing dynamic range and super high resolution. Rich finds that time-lapse is a great creative outlet that almost any photographer can learn in just a few hours.

You'll learn the whole process from shoot to post… with an emphasis on speed and practicality. You’ll learn how the addition of a simple intervalometer to your existing DSLR kit can open up all new creative outlets. No expensive gear to get started, just a clear path and streamlined workflow. You'll also learn Rich's data management approach from field to studio to keep all those images safe. Finally, put the images together with popular tools like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro.

You can register for free here

Project Management Tutorial: Managing a Project with Facebook

February 27, 2013 in Business, Photography, Video

Watch more at http://www.lynda.com/Video-tutorials/.... Discover how to use Facebook groups as a project management tool.

This tutorial is a single movie from the Practical Project Management for Creative Projects course presented by lynda.com author Rich Harrington.

Introduction
1. The "Whats" and "Whys" of Project Management
2. Understanding Services Offered
3. Project Management Core Concepts
4. Scoping the Project
5. Estimating Time
6. Client Communication
7. Project Control Cycle
8. Managing Employees and Contractors
9. Effective Teams
10. Keeping Clients Happy
Conclusion

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Get 7 days of free unlimited access to lynda.com.

Creating Videos People Want to Watch

February 26, 2013 in Business, Digital Publishing, Video

There’s a lot to making a great video… one that connect with an audience and drives them to action. Of course video can be both expensive and time consuming. In this session, web video expert Rich Harrington shares practical advice that won’t break the bank.

You’ll learn industry secrets like:

What’s the right length to keep someone watching?
How can you ensure your audio doesn’t suck?
When should you use graphics to inform the viewer?
How do the pros create messages that stick in the viewer’s brain?
What role does music play in a successful video?

For more great content like this… come see me at the TAP!2013 conference in Las Vegas — www.TAP2013.com

The Workflow of a Professional Film and Video Colorist

February 25, 2013 in Business, Video

I recently had a chance to write a detailed article about the workflow of my colleague Robbie Carman. Rob is a professional colorist (who works on films and television shows).

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Our recent guest Robbie Carman of Amigo Media shared a lot of insight into the world of professional film and video. He also wanted to give you an idea of what his work environment looks like.“Well I like gear! In reality my gear is separated into several categories,” said Carman. “A decade ago, the color correction systems that were in use were between half a million to a million dollars.”

Fortunately the prices have fallen significantly. There's still a lot of gear, but things have gotten a lot more affordable.

Here's the whole article.

Project Management Tutorial: The Characteristics of a Project

February 23, 2013 in Business, Photography, Video

Watch more at http://www.lynda.com/Video-tutorials/.... Explore the characteristics of a project, including its purpose, constraints, interdependencies, and more.

This tutorial is a single movie from the Practical Project Management for Creative Projects course presented by lynda.com author Rich Harrington.

Introduction
1. The "Whats" and "Whys" of Project Management
2. Understanding Services Offered
3. Project Management Core Concepts
4. Scoping the Project
5. Estimating Time
6. Client Communication
7. Project Control Cycle
8. Managing Employees and Contractors
9. Effective Teams
10. Keeping Clients Happy
Conclusion

Follow Me on Twitter or Facebook

Get 7 days of free unlimited access to lynda.com.

Essential Questions to Ask at the Start of a Project

February 21, 2013 in Business, Photography, Video

essentialquestions
Through the years, we’ve learned many lessons the hard way. While every project is unique, it often seems the problems remain the same. Here are a few questions we always ask at the start of a project:

Who is our customer? Projects often have many parties involved. Know who you are responsible to keep happy.
What is the purpose? Establish what the video is trying to accomplish.
How will we measure success? Determine which factors will be used to judge the success of the project.
What do we want to say? Identify the goal of the piece and the message that the audience should walk away with.
What resources do we have? Decide who will be assigned to the project. Establish if there are any assets or resources available to the project that should be utilized.
What is the budget? Never discuss approach without having an idea of your financial constraints. Creative types often get swept up into big ideas without knowing what the project can support.
What are the deadlines? Equally as important as budget is schedule. You need to understand any major milestones so you can schedule work and adjust your approach to match the available time.
Are there any customer requirements? Never make assumptions. It’s always a good idea to ask the clients if they have any specific needs or requirements for the end product. You’ll often be surprised how important details can go unspoken until the very end of the project.

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Creating a Multi-camera Music Video: Field Production

February 20, 2013 in Business, DSLR Video, Video

The following is from a new project I'm involved in called The Power To Create.

Join us this week, as we go on location with rising country music star Tyler Toliver. Have you ever wondered how music videos are created? In this episode, Host Richard Harrington and special guest, Director of Photography, Kevin Bradley will take you behind the scenes of a multi-camera set. From camera selection to lighting, you will learn the tools to produce a multi-camera music video.

In this show you’ll learn:

The tools needed to set up a multi-camera production.
Why it is beneficial to use a multi-camera setup.
The importance of capturing audio from multiple sources.
The advantages and disadvantages of using zoom lenses and prime lenses.
How to use fog and practical elements to add depth to your scene.
How to have a cost effective multi-camera setup.
How to manage footage securely on set.

Be sure to subscribe today (iTunes or YouTube) to not miss the next free episode.

We'll be back with episodes on editing in Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro soon.

Don't forget to enter our monthly contest for a free Drobo!

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Creating a shot list and shooting order for Photo & Video Projects

February 18, 2013 in Business, DSLR Video, Video

This tutorial shows how to plan for a photo or video shoot by building a shot list that addresses factors such as talent limitations, continuity issues, and location availability.