Are you Hobby or Pro?

Sr_C wrote on 6/27/2002, 2:47 PM

I am a hobbyist looking to start up a side business within a year or so.(I have quite a bit to learn with NLE!) I am new to Vegas and basically every time I run the program I become a little more attached to it. This forum has been fabulous in answering those questions that I can't seem to figure out on my own. It's obvious this forum has an enormous knowledge base coming from its members. I thought it might be interesting if we started a chain where we could find out more about everyone's background. So:

Tell us if your a video hobbyist or a Video Professional (or in between, like me)
What kind of projects do you do mostly. (home movies, weddings, music videos, commercials, animation, movies etc.....)

For example I am again a hobbyist looking to go semi pro. I plan to concentrate my efforts in the production of music videos for local bands in the Minneapolis/St.Paul area. My main background is in audio production/creation.

Thanks, Sr_C

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Comments

Summersond wrote on 7/3/2002, 11:52 AM

Semi-pro/hobbyist. I have videotaped weddings, dance recitals, graduations, etc. on the side for 18 years. Not my full time job, but I love doing it. When I rec. VF2, I still did not dabble in digital NLE. I had a DPS analog video capture card with Editbay software. Got a new PC several years ago, upgraded to VV3 last year and have never been happier! Things I always wanted to do with the other software I had, I can now easily do with VV3. I do mostly music videos now for graduations, weddings, etc. with a few weddings and recitals thrown in here and there for good measure. I wouldnt change software now if they paid me 2X list price.

sonicboom wrote on 7/3/2002, 12:11 PM

there was a similar thread like this one 6 months ago
i still like my original response
i use it for porn!!
ok, just kidding
i fell into vv3 last september because i am a hypnotist and i wanted to use sound forge to trim and make music for my show
i called sales and they told me about vv2
the saleman -- josh -- i still remember his name -- i have a good memory for names -- told me vv2 had all the features i needed to edit plus i get video
i have been taping my shows for over 15 years with a cheesey vhs camera and then editing tapes with a panasonic av mixer---the quality is pretty bad
anyway, i started editing with vv2 and i really liked it
no real loss of quality
finally i decided to get a sony dv camera----a friend told me to get the 2000vx
it is awesome
now i can make great tapes----
even better though--i put the good camera on the sunjects--and the vhs camera on the audience
then i put split screen or picture in picture and the video looks great
if i get enough money i will buy another camera and then have a great video
******i do not charge for video
i give subjects a video as courtesy for volunteering to be hypnotized
it is a great promotion for me
i also have a practice where people come to me to stop smoking etc.
but i love doing the shows--comedy clubs etc.
********
i have gone on websites and i see pro videographers charge different prices for different parties
maybe $1,000 for a wedding
more if they want video montage of still pictures etc.
$75 per dvd and $50 per extra vhs copy
really, all you have to do is call a few and you will get a barometer of what to charge
btw, this forum is awesome and i come in here a few times a day
i'm glad GG is back he is most helpful
but everyone in here is really great
thanks to all
sb

SonyDennis wrote on 7/3/2002, 12:33 PM

If all the new Vegas features were ones requested by sonicboom, now you'll know why.
///d "I liked it better than Cats, I'd see it again and again" @

FadeToBlack wrote on 7/3/2002, 1:22 PM

sonicboom wrote on 7/3/2002, 1:58 PM

now on the count of three all of you will edit my projects
also, i am the first hypnotist on my block using vv3
cheers
sb

Stiffler wrote on 7/3/2002, 2:10 PM

Sr C...I'm also a hobbyist, but want to go semi-pro (wanna-be) someday.

I've done a couple of music videos of a local band also in the Mpls/St. Paul area!! I'd like to do weddings also.

Competition? Hmmm...Let me know if you want to do some multi camera work up here sometime.

joncinmn@hotmail.com

rmack350 wrote on 7/3/2002, 4:12 PM

At this point I'm a hobbyist.

My background is in production lighting but I've been working in-house for the last year and a half as a web developer. I also do a small ammount of editing on an m100.

I see a lot of professionals here from related disciplines. People who are in the biz and want to move laterally. This seems good for SF because they have a customer base that will want their products as they develop.

As far as pricing your work goes, you should make sample budgets. And when you get jobs you should try to hire people with greater skils than your own so you can gain from their experience.

Rob Mack

VideoArizona wrote on 7/3/2002, 4:45 PM

Pro.

Started in New Hampshire as a radio announcer, then moved on to Boston for college in radio and tv. After a stint in the Air Force working radio and tv, left the military and went commercial...in radio and TV in Denver. Since then, I've been happily enjoying the heat of Arizona as an independent producer who speciallizes in corporate communications, Independent films, documentaries and an occasional high end legal piece.

I've edited audio and video since the early days of razor blades and splicing. I'm currently running two systems in my office. Primary system is the hybrid editor from FAST..the Video Machine, which though its 8 years old now, still has perfect pictures and very fast. Second system is Vegas Video 3...and I am truly enjoying the easy learning curve and outstanding quality I've received with the product. I do almost all my compositing on Vegas since its so fast and easy compared to "other" more expensive programs out there! Plus the audio capabilities simply astound me every day.

I shoot and edit in Betacam, MII, DV and am still making money despite the economy (knock on wood!)

Cheers to all of you for allowing me to "lurk and learn".

David

newmoon wrote on 7/3/2002, 5:43 PM

Somewhere in between. Been playing music in a band for 15yrs. Started out on drums, picked my brother's guitar and was hooked eversince. Produced & recorded 3 albums in my basement studeo. Now I guess it's time to put those musics to video.
I've been using VV3(when ever I get the chance) for about a year now, and I find it so much easier than Adobe. I'm on my 2nd music (karaoke) video. This forum has helped me out tremendously. Nice knowing ya'll. Check out my website newmoonrock.com.