Frame Rate

This news may be a few months old, but it’s important to note. YouTube is now the second most popular search engine, right behind Google. Just type in “YouTube second most popular search engine” and you will come up with dozens of articles. YouTube has surpassed Yahoo! which is now in third place. This should be an eye-opener for everyone who has considered the use of online video, but hasn’t made the investment. Worth considering.

Everyone has their own system of filing and archiving, but whatever that system is, be sure to adhere to it. Otherwise things could get messy down the road, because you never know when a previous client will call you up and ask for a file on a job that’s at least five years old. That’s when your filing system is put to the test.

This morning I came in to the office and checked email (as I always do). There in my inbox was a message from a one-time client, needing files for a job I did back in 2005. I immediately thought, “There’s no way I have a copy of that. I gave everything to her.” So I went and checked the job file, and sure enough, I had filed away an extra copy for my own records. Let that be lesson #1 - Always keep duplicate copies for yourself. Don’t give everything to the client.

Here’s a quick run-down of how I store and archive client projects:

• Once the job is complete, I leave all elements on my hard drive for 45-60 days.
• When I get approval from the client and I see that no more work is needed for that particular project, I do two things: 1) Make a master copy of the project onto both tape and DVD, and 2) move all raw elements to an external hard drive for archiving.
• Over the next several months, I wait and see if the client will use any of these elements for various projects. If there are no repeat jobs for this client, I usually remove all the raw footage from the hard drive to free up space for new jobs. However, I still retain all the project files from my editing system. That way, if I need to revisit this project again, all I have to do is reload all the old footage. My logs, edit points, effects, titles, etc. remain intact because I saved the project files.

In video production it becomes very important to have an efficient and organized archiving system, because video files take up so much hard drive space. Your system is probably different from mine. Some people put everything from a single project onto an external hard drive, then label the drive and store it on a shelf. Some people use big rubber maid tubs to store everything from a particular client. Me? I use a CD/DVD tower to organize my clients’ master DVDs, tape racks for all raw footage and master tapes, and file folders for all paperwork. It’s important to find a system that works for you.

I’d be interested to know what everyone else is doing to archive old projects.

In an earlier post I discussed the importance of conducting research before entering into development on any marketing/advertising effort. When dealing with a client, it’s important to set aside time for an initial creative interview. I have a graphic designer I work with who will never start any project without first sitting down with the client to discuss the needs of the business.

But how are these initial meetings conducted? What do you talk about? How do you know if you’re asking the right questions?

Ultimately, being able to conduct an effective initial interview will come with practice. And the questions you ask will depend on your particular discipline. I might not ask the same questions as a graphic designer would, because I deal with video production.

As you work with more clients, you will be able to refine your interview skills and quickly mine those nuggets of information that will aid you in your creative development. Here are some questions that I usually like to cover in my initial creative meeting:

1. How do you plan on using the video?
2. What’s the size and scope of the project, as you see it?
3. What’s your time frame for completion?
4. What are the objectives for this video?
5. Who is your audience, as you see it?
6. What do you feel are the main selling points of your business?
7. Does your business have a mission statement? What is it?
8. What objections might people have to buying from you, or using your service?
9. What are your short-term and long-term goals?
10. How do you want the public to perceive your business?

From this initial interview, you need to find the core PROBLEM that your efforts will SOLVE. These questions are by no means set in stone, and you don’t need to limit yourself to asking only 10 questions. Sometimes the client has thought about these things, but often they need you to prompt them into evaluating themselves and their brand. Be sure to take a lot of notes throughout the meeting and feel free to jot down a few ideas during the meeting as they come to you.

Everyone involved in the production industry here in Alabama is keeping his fingers crossed for this bit of legislation to pass. Here’s a brief report from NBC13 News.

Ever since Changeling was released last fall, I have wanted to see the film, for a couple of reasons:

1. The premise sounded intriguing
2. Clint Eastwood films always deliver substance - a strong story, wonderful performances, and emotional themes.

I finally had the chance to see the film a couple of weeks ago and found that the story connected on a number of levels. Changeling tells the true story of Christine Collins - a single mother living in LA in the late 1920s, whose only son suddenly disappears. What follows is an expose of corruption within the LA police force and the strong-willed determination of Christine to find the truth about her son.

The driving force behind the film is Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Christine Collins. Critics of the film have argued that Jolie does a disservice to the actual Christine Collins by playing some scenes with intense emotion and angry outbursts. Critics say that the real Mrs. Collins was calm, collected, and strong. However, I found nothing in Jolie’s performance that gave any hint that this woman was weak or submissive. I became thoroughly invested in her plight and cheered her on when she stood up to an authoritative system that saw women as hysterical and vulnerable.

In filmmaking, a balance must be maintained between developing character and moving the story forward. If you ignore the story for the sake of character, the film can become a meandering mess with no direction. If you ignore character and go for the story, the movie will disconnect itself from the audience and no one will be interested in what happens to the characters. Eastwood walks this line perfectly in Changeling. He knows when to slow down and take the time to explore Christine’s character, and he knows when to ramp up the story and hold the audience’s interest. 

Once again, Clint Eastwood delivers a strong, emotional film that delves deep into the human condition of pain and loss. The more I see from this director, the more I am engaged and inspired.

8 1/2 out of 10