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ptalsky

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Everything posted by ptalsky

  1. Eric, While I haven't had it formally reviewed by an entertainment or IP lawyer, my standard deal memo/agreement states that I own the copyright until I am paid at which time I provide the production with a release of ownership. I do know that there is a slight difference between saying you own the recordings and owning the copyright on those recordings. Ownership of the physical media is less of a concern. And yes, I do understand that on many larger budget productions this won't fly, but again, I live primarily in the low budget world. And, once I explain why I do this (having been burned and not getting paid once), usually the producer(s)/director(s) understand. And, funny enough, the ones that argue the most about this clause are usually the ones that tend not to want to pay right away too. Bottom line is if they know they are going to pay you in a timely fashion, they have no reason to complain about this clause. Phil
  2. So Marc, is there any benefit to something like the SlateMate that DSC sells? Link: http://www.dsclabs.com/slatemate.htm Phil
  3. Tom, From my experience (outside of the production world, but still in the realm of getting paid for work done) verbal agreements are much harder to enforce (he said/he said). If you have an email chain that shows the producer agreeing to terms, that will help some. But, if you just have an email you sent, with no reply, then that really doesn't give you the proof points you need. My guess is, if the guy you're dealing with is really shady, and knew up front he wasn't going to pay you, he was probably pretty careful in his communications with you. If he's just dumb, well, you at the very least can probably file a lien against the film/project. My sympathies - I've been there. I never did get paid, and that is why I have everything in writing with anyone I do work for (even the pro bono work I occasionally do). If nothing else, it eliminates any confusion. BTW (and you didn't ask, but since I'm feeling expressive...) on the pro-bono agreements, I always write it up at my full day rate, and then show the discount - I like to reinforce the value they're getting. :-) Phil Eric, I love the visual of the entire sound team showing up at the producers house, collapsed boom poles tapping in their hands, in dark caps and sunglasses (at night, of course). :-)
  4. Tom, Do you have a written agreement signed by the "producer"? If not, this may make things more difficult for you. In the agreement I use with people where I'm concerned about getting paid, I actually have written into my agreement that I retain the copyright to all sound recorded until I am paid and any and all payments clear. At the end of the project, and when I've been paid in full, I send a notice releasing my control of the sound copyright. I've had a couple of folks express concern about this clause, but when I tell them it is there because I have been burned in the past and not paid, they usually understand and accept it. In the one case where the person would not accept it, I turned down the job and found out later that the person that replaced me did not get paid. Also, if recording double system, I never turn over any DVD's until I'm paid. Often that results in a check for each day's work, but that's okay with me. I'm not sure if this can help you for your current issue, but may help in the future. I got sidetracked with the above, when what I was trying to say is always make sure you have a signed agreement/deal memo that outlines both what you expect in payment and what services and equipment you will deliver in return. It helps to keep things clear, makes it more difficult for a producer to say that they didn't understand or didn't have budget, and will help you collect in court. With a signed agreement, presuming it's within the dollar limits, you can probably just go to small claims court without needing to hire a lawyer. Phil
  5. Well, there was one notable mis-step - the Newton. :-) But other than that, I'd have to agree. And certainly very few since Steve kicked Gil Amelio out. Phil
  6. I go into all low budget projects with this understanding up front - it obviously isn't traditionally sound's responsibility to deal with this but as long as I know it going in, I just consider it a part of that job. Honestly, this is in part why I like doing low-budget work. When you go the extra mile (or more) for them, it is amazing how appreciative they are. At the theatrical premiere of a feature I worked on last year, they actually singled me out and thanked me in front of everyone there. Sure, a thank you like that doesn't put more equipment in my kit or food on my table, but it sure did make me feel good anyway. (And yes, I also understand that that production team was a rare exception - I've also had producers/directors that try to take advantage of me. They generally don't succeed. :-)
  7. On low budget projects, and if they're using HVX's then it is low budget, I always run a TC slate for a couple of reasons. First, there is rarely a scripty on the set, and as often as not, I end up doing a lot of their job (keeping track of shots, etc.). Also, the person PA that usually ends up slating often forgets to change the scene/take number on the slate, and this can lead to confusion in post. I can't tell you the number of times I've gotten a call from an editor asking what scene/take is associated with a particular timecode (of course they could do as I do and pull the sound report to see, but they don't always get the sound report). Bottom line is there is often so much confusion on these low budget sets that having something automated like a TC slate often helps correct for some of this confusion. (Oh and if they're trying to run two cameras, don't be surprised if you can't even get one boom in. Often (again, in my low budget experience) they try to use two cameras to save time, and as often as not, it ends up taking more time. :-) Phil
  8. It sounds like a bad sector on the drive then. I would imagine there is some sort of a disk repair type of tool for the Mac out there - knocking wood - I haven't needed one yet. Phil
  9. One thing to try is to just copy the file to another location on the same hard drive or on an external hard drive and see what happens. Don't try to cut and past, because that doesn't physically move the file on the drive. How big is the file itself? Is it bigger than 4 gb? If so, that's your problem - DVD's can only handle 4.3GB (or is it 4.7?...somewhere in that range). HTH, Phil
  10. Senator Mike sent me a private reply that I thought others might find useful (reprinted with permission): Hi, Phil, when I hook up multiple antennae for "diversity", I like them to be as diverse as possible, in as many ways as possible: location, plane, type, etc. the Helicals are pricey, but have proven to be effective for longer range reception under varying circumstances. James Stoffo designed one that is I believ manufactured and marketed by Shure. Sennheiser has another design. These antennae are particularly popular (and effective) with the network (and other) wireless rigs for sports venues. an alternative would be YAGI antennae, which are very directional, but most effective in a single plane. Yagi's are more directional than the Log Periodic (most fin's) and also have a higher Q (frequency selectivity) and thus narrower passband. I like to use YAGI's, too. I've been a ham radio operator since way, way back in my Jr. High school days, and have been working with radios and antennae (including VHF and UHF) since then. antennae are, in my opinion and experience, about the most important part of the system, and the best way to improve a system. and, BTW, those little whips suck! all the best..
  11. Hi all, Just wondering if anyone here is using Helical antennas instead of or with sharkfins for location wireless. Are they worth it? Maybe mix one helical with one sharkfin? Thoughts appreciated. Thanks! Phil
  12. I've used an earlier model of the Casio, and it wasn't bad, but it could only print in a small section of the CD/DVD. You then had to turn it and make sure the alignment stayed just right (and flip the copy upside down) to get it to print in other areas on the disk. I recommend getting an Epson printer that prints on media, and print directly onto the media and then hand write the roll/date on it. Get the ones with the white top, it is easier to read and requires less ink coverage (generally) to be legible. The Epson comes with software that helps you design your artwork - I've done some cool things with it. Phil
  13. Darren, I didn't mean to scare you that far - just add the anti-virus protection and you should be fine. I run both Windows and MacOS on my Macbook, and haven't had any problems. Phil
  14. The only time I don't run anti-virus protection on a Windows machine is if it is never, ever, in any way connected to the Internet. I was at McAfee (a leading anti-virus vendor) for several years early on (employee #20, 1 month after the IPO, darn it) and know how real the risks are. (BTW, I have no affiliation with McAfee, including no remaining stock). If you are a Comcast subscriber for your Internet, you have a free McAfee subscription included, so I would strongly recommend you take advantage. While the risk is great from email attachments, Web sites are also very problematic - even ones that you "know" are safe. A well known Web site was hacked a year or so ago, and anyone that went to their homepage (and didn't have A/V software installed) was infected. Even installing software or running demo CD's can be risky without protection. (At a large trade show a few years ago, one of the world's largest chip manufacturers was giving out an infected CD at their booth). Anyway, hopefully I've scared you enough into doing the smart thing. :-) Phil
  15. Thanks all for the feedback and answers - SAG is a very different beast when it comes to non-union work. Phil
  16. One question I have about I.A. is can you do non-union work if you're in I.A. or is there some equivalent to Rule One (beaten into our heads) that SAG has? Thanks! Phil
  17. Jeff, Thanks for posting this link. I just ordered one. :-) I've been a Vonage customer since they first released their service (and suffered from a lack of reliability for a long time). Now, it's stable but a bit pricey. And, I travel a lot, so now I can take my phone with me. Thanks again! Phil
  18. Phil, another thing to be aware of - you may have to check any boom poles you are carrying. I can't get a consistent answer from TSA (I ask at every airport I travel through, since I travel a lot). Mostly, the answer I get is that it is an agent's call at the time you try to pass through security. Another thing to think about - allow lots of extra time to get through security. The one time I did travel with wireless sets, they hand inspected all of my carry-ons. I've heard from others that they have gone through the same thing. And I agree with the other poster that you should get hard cases even for your carry-ons in case you have to check them at the gate. (Another) Phil
  19. I'm wondering if anyone has looked at using the ZFR100 in this type of capacity. Seems like a good option (with the stereo adapter added) though a bit more pricey. It sure is nice and small, and has good capacity and timecode. Phil
  20. Oh and when you're thinking about costs on the R400a's, don't forget to add in the cost of the rack mounting hardware. The last quote I got on it was almost $400 for the dual unit rack mount. Started me thinking of going to a rack shelf ($19) and velcro (priceless). :-) Phil
  21. Philip, The feedback I was given when I purchased the R400a's was that they were somewhere between the 401 and the 411 (without any of the shielding in either one). Just let me know when you have a break in your schedule... Phil
  22. Philip, I have a couple of R400a's in block 25 I could lend you if you wanted to try them out - I haven't racked them yet, but you'll get the full effect. Email me off group if you're interested... (philREMOVETHIStalsky@yahoo.com) Phil
  23. Brian, I went through the same thing, scanning the room for a clock or watch that wasn't there. The actor finally spoke up and I felt terrible bringing this to everyone's attention. And naturally this was in hour 14 of a long overnight "day". Phil
  24. Philip, Sorry, I missed the updates to this thread. Nope, no reactions of any kind with Hypafix. That is one of the reasons Hypafix is used to hold down IV tubing on patients - it has to stay for a while. (And, I recently had some surgery and the dr. told me to use paper tape to hold a gauze pad over the stitches - which of course didn't stick with a darn. Welp, out came the Hypafix and viola! Stuck great and after wearing it for about 2 weeks (changing it once a day), no problems at all). I just bought some more from AmeriMed (found and purchased through Amazon) and their prices are pretty good. I get the 2"x10yard rolls. Oh, and another trick to getting the tape to stay stuck longer - round the edges rather than square cutting it. I'm sure there's a good reason this works, but I can't figure it out other than to say, it does work. Phil
  25. Philip, The only thing I can imagine is that they are asking for more of a performance bond type of insurance, under the label of liability insurance. For example, insurance that covers the cost of production if you fail to properly capture the sound and they have to re-do your work (believe me, I'm not saying you would do this, but that is the only thing I can imagine). This is fairly standard in business, but I haven't seen it in production. For example, the company I work for is negotiating an OEM agreement with another software vendor. We expect them to carry liability insurance and name us on the policy to cover situations like if they are found to be selling their software "illegally" (stolen source code, patent infringement, etc.) I don't know that this is what they are asking for, and I still don't think it's reasonable to expect those of us being paid at the rates we're paid to have to add this level of insurance, but it certainly wouldn't surprise me (especially if the company is being advised by business lawyers). Keep us posted. Phil
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