John K.
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Feb 19, 2005, 9:07 PM
Post #46 of 101
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Douglas,
With all respect to you and your level of knowledge, the wedding crowd (in general) isn't a good candidate for being on the bleeding edge because we don't get $22,000 per wedding, nor do we have the million dollar budgets of major network shows like JAG.
It just seems a stretch to expect wedding videographers, who in general, complain about how they already don't get paid enough for their work and the hours they spend editing - for them "us" to run out and buy HD stuff now (in its earliest stages), which will further lesson one's profitability.
Again, network TV is one thing (which I know is your area of expertise) - but do you think if JAG were paid $2,000 a show, they would upgrade all the cameras and equipment? And, if they had to hand deliver their show only, for private viewing, to one young couple and their parents (notice how small their audience would be now), would it make sense to stick money into HD now? What benefit would that bring to the videographer who is already complaining about how they charge too little or spend too much time already with editing?
Whether or not a videographer upgrades now to HD or not, to me, has nothing at all to do with them being or not being on the cutting edge. I would call them SMART for carefully evaluating their situation and making their decision based on "what makes business sense" and "just what exactly do their clients expect". Again, for some, now might be the right time to get in on HD and reap some benefits. For those not doing it now and waiting a few more years, I think they are just as cutting edge for knowing when it’s the right time for them and knowing how to maximize their profits and enter the whole HD world when they see it as a benefit - not something to enter because Sony or the trade mags say they should.
The later phone call stuff I think is over-hyped - the limited amount anyone would make from calling a bride in a year, or two years, or more to transfer their video to HD would be minimal, compared to what the videographer would be spending now to get into HD. Further, I know I don't want to be bothered in a few years making more copies from a wedding done a few years ago - that's the last thing I want. Most wedding videographers I know want to be completely done with that particular wedding once the couple picks it up.
This has nothing to do with your response Douglas, but perhaps you would agree with me: I don't see WEVA publishing any advice to videographers (esp. the new, young, full-timers) about setting up a retirement account and planning for their future - and perhaps drop a note of caution that one shouldn't keep sticking every cent of profit into new cameras and equipment (because it is so darn tempting). How about an article about how to maximize profit, or how one can achieve a more profitable business and maintain longevity in this field? But if WEVA or other trade mags did this great service to videographers, than I'm sure they would loose their paid advertisers. I don't think it should come as any surprise that the trade mags are all going to say HD is here now and bigger than ever and everyone wants it. It makes business sense for them to say that - so, we too, as videographers, should do want makes business sense for us.
I have no doubt someday it will make sense for me to go HD; for some, now might be perfect. I would say though, for many videographers, waiting till our markets are ready and asking for it and other fixes are in order, makes more sense.
Anyway, wanted to share my side of the fence with you, the $2K+, but not over $3K per wedding vs. what's first happening in the world of million dollar major network studio productions that you're in touch with. Keep in mind too, with the big dollar stuff, the infrastructure is in place, or getting there. With wedding videography, not all couples have the right TV (in fact, I’d say most don’t), their parents most likely don't have anything at all and there isn't even a HD-DVD player released yet (which means, when it is released, that will take a good year or two to find its market). I have no doubt that the current DVD world will enjoy several more healthy years.
Take care, and thank you for your sharing your knowledge on all of this stuff and what is happening in the world of big dollar video productions, which I’m beginning to learn more about. I hope I didn’t come across like a grumpy as* on this post, I appreciate your input (time) and answers you provide on these issues.
Take care,
John
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