Call to fellow editiors. Your help is needed

p@mast3rs wrote on 4/26/2004, 6:50 PM
Im shocked, upset, and devastated. I just found out tonight, a somewhat close friend of mine, recently lost his house due to a very damaging fire (electrical). He is a wedding videographer and I have learned that unfortunately because of the economy, he didnt carry any insurance (home or business.) (Not to smart and I have told him a thousand times.)

Seeing as we are all editors and in times like these, I feel that we should pull together to help out those that are not as fortunate. Having been a member of this forum for over the last year, I have seen first hand how quickly we are to help people that have questions. I have personally taken it upon myself to help make a difference for this guy.

Greg lost everything he used in his business. His home. His furniture. All of his gear. He had three rigs that he used to edit on which I have been able to find kind hearted people to help replace the computer system for editing. He is a Premiere editor so I donated a copy of Premiere and After Effects to him and I threw in my copy of DVD Encore as well (since I have VV5 and DVDA2 now.) along with a nother rig to edit on. I also went through my gear and found some things (lighting gear, lenses, etc...) I could afford to get rid of that wont impact the projects and work that I do.

Unfortunately, the cameras he had were melted to the core. He had a beautiful (2) PD150 and a GL2 that he used to do weddings. I dont have an extra camera to give him so thats where I am coming up short.

I ask of the community and fellow colleagues to help me figure a way to help this guy out. I am not asking for people to give him any cameras (the ones he had were expensive enough). Please look through the gear you have and if you have anything that you could live without and want to help out, please feel free to. If anyone has any of the cameras that he had that needs fixed or wouldnt cost much to repair. I know there is no way we can replace everything he lost but my goal is to at least replace one of his PD150s.

No one is obligated, compelled, or expected to help out. Those that do will do so with the greatest appreciation for their kindness and generosity. I t just saddens me that a good man, a loving father, and a good husband had this tragic event happen to him. I dont expect anyone who does choose to contribute to contribute at the level I am. Any and everything would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for allowing me to try to help this guy out.

If anyone would like to contribute, please feel free to email me at: patrickdmasters(removeforspam)@yahoo (dot) com Paypal donations wil be accepted. If someone does have a PD150 or a GL2 that they would like to sell if they dont wish to donate, I will do what i can to purchase as long as payments can be taken because the majority of my money is tied up on a project currently otherwise this situation would be a non issue gear wise.

Once again, thank you to all who can help and thank you to those who would like to but cant.

God Bless and please, take a moment tonight and kiss your kids and cuddle with your significant other and realize just how lucky you are for all you have worked for. This family has lost everything and I hope they wont be forgotten while the rest of us enjoy success.

P.S. He has no clue what I am doing for him and hopefully this comes together in the next week so he can return to his gigs.When I deliver the stuff to him, I am taking my HD1 camera to film his reaction and plan to post it on the web so everyone can see first hand the impact we are making on this family's life.

Comments

p@mast3rs wrote on 4/26/2004, 9:55 PM
Sorry to bounce but its in the name of good will.
stormstereo wrote on 4/27/2004, 5:47 AM
If I could, I would. I'm over here on the other side of earth with my very limited amount of gear. I've cut down on it to be able to carry it all in a backpack. Should you not be able to get a cam for him - the only thing that springs to my mind is that he could rent one to make the vids and let the client pay for it. Just in the beginning, until he's made enough to buy a new one.
Good luck/Tommy
p@mast3rs wrote on 4/27/2004, 6:26 AM
I thought about pitching the idea to him for renting one but I realized that they have lost everything so I am sure money is going to be even be tighter for him and their family. From what I understand, nothing was able to be saved from the fire. Clothes, furniture, etc....Hopefully with the help of God and the good will of the board, we can help minimize the awful hardship this family is facing now.
p@mast3rs wrote on 4/27/2004, 7:19 AM
Just got off the phone to a buddy of mine and explained the situation to him. He said he is willing to match .50 on the dollar for whatever is raised. For those of you who are contributing, please leave a message on this thread so he can see just caring of a community we are and so he can see that he and his family were not forgotten in this time of need.

From the emails I have already received, I cant say thank you enough for your words and kindness. This by far the greatest community I have ever seen and I just know that he and his family will probably cry tears because allof our unselfishness. Thank you to each and every one of you for making me very proud to be associated with you.
GaryKleiner wrote on 4/27/2004, 7:51 AM
OK, I'm in for $50. Where do I send it?

Gary
p@mast3rs wrote on 4/27/2004, 8:07 AM
paypal email is pmasters at fuse (dot) net

Thanks Gary. May God Bless you for your kindness.
p@mast3rs wrote on 4/27/2004, 9:41 AM
Thanks goes out to Doug also. He has donated a spare mic he had laying around. God bless Doug as well.
DavidMcKnight wrote on 4/27/2004, 9:46 AM
Sent my contribution just now.
p@mast3rs wrote on 4/27/2004, 9:48 AM
I saw that David. Thank you and may God bless you as well. Forgive me for sounding like a preacher, I promise its not my intention <grin>
p@mast3rs wrote on 4/27/2004, 3:02 PM
Bump again so it doesnt get lost. :)
RickGB wrote on 4/27/2004, 4:56 PM
No offence, but is this for real? It sounds like a classic Internet scam. Any news reports online about this fire etc? I have seen this kind of thing many times before.
p@mast3rs wrote on 4/27/2004, 5:14 PM
"No offence, but is this for real? It sounds like a classic Internet scam. Any news reports online about this fire etc? I have seen this kind of thing many times before. "

Hey Rick, no offence taken. I assure this not a scam. Nothing more than a guy trying to help out a good friend who was dealt a bad hand. I couldnt imagine going through what he and his family are going through. As far as I know, there are no reports online but I believe it was covered on their local news.

I can totally understand any doubts that anyone has regarding this. When the stuff is delivered to him, I am taking my video camera along so I can capture the moment of all of our generosity and also so everyone who contributed can see the impact that their kindness has had. If I were more successful and had more money or equipment to help out, this call for help would be a moot point because I would just take it upon myself to provide all the help they needed.

I agree that I have too have seen this kind of thing. Its really sad that there have and will probalby always be people that scam people like this. It makes it harder for the honest people that are just trying to make a difference and help out. Thats why I have given all that I can give because most of the replies have been condolences and best wishes which definitely serve their part in helping keep he and his family's moral up.

Again, no offence is taken. Im sure I would have had the same questions if faced with the same situation and not knowing the person.
rextilleon wrote on 4/27/2004, 5:39 PM
I can vouch for Acidsex---straight shooter.
jdas wrote on 4/27/2004, 6:12 PM
Sorry for sounding suspicious. Can you provide some kind of sound proof e.g a report to the authorities, a news article,anything else so that more people,including myself, will come forward to help.

p@mast3rs wrote on 4/27/2004, 6:32 PM
I will definitely see what I can do. I dont have a copy of the report since it wasnt my home nor in my area. I would call him and ask for a copy of the report but then that defeats the purpose of surprising him with the fruits of our generosity, but more importantly, would probably give him the chance to refuse to accept the help.

I can imagine the shame and the amount of pride he will have to swallow to accept what I have been able to do so far. I also understand their will be some skeptics and the only thing I have to offer for validity is my word which doesnt mean squat since not many, if any on this forum know me personally.

That was the one reason Im trying to raise gear instead of cash. My credibility here isnt easily verifable and I do expect some to think it could be a scam. I would do the same for others in the forum should they suffer something such as this in the future. It was funny. Earlier, a friend of mine said I must be crazy to do this for someone else when the chances of the situation being reversed that others wouldnt do this for me. I responded that its truly pathetic that our world has come to someone trying to do a good deed is seen as crazy. Its definitely a crazy world we live in.
DataMeister wrote on 4/27/2004, 6:34 PM
One thing you might could do is go and look at all the previous posts that AcidSex has made. See what kind of person he sounds like. Of course you'll need a good bit of time since it looks his posts go all the way back to March of last year.

JBJones
p@mast3rs wrote on 4/27/2004, 6:44 PM
"One thing you might could do is go and look at all the previous posts that AcidSex has made. See what kind of person he sounds like. Of course you'll need a good bit of time since it looks his posts go all the way back to March of last year."

Very true. I have had moments where I could have been more kind or shown more tact in my communications (last week for example or my thread on the thoughts of upcoming Vegas 5 lol). I am sure I have even offended or insulted some. Stress does that sometimes. I just hate to think that someone who wanted to help out wouldnt because I offended them at one point or another.

I have enjoyed my time here since last March. I promise you this. If it were a scam, who would have waited over a year to try and pull it off? Not to mention how sleezy someone would have to be and we definitely know they are out there.
p@mast3rs wrote on 4/28/2004, 6:23 AM
Thank you Rex for your donation. It never amazes how the good guys always stick together in time of need. God bless you as well.
Electromen wrote on 4/28/2004, 8:21 AM
I am willing to help with cash. I want a newspaper article, library will have it.
p@mast3rs wrote on 4/28/2004, 8:25 AM
Electro,

I have contacted the local papers there to see if they have a report or story on it as most papers do stories on fires and the causes. I am awaiting a call back now as some clerk is doing research on it for me. I will definitely pass along any information I get.
Electromen wrote on 4/28/2004, 9:58 AM
A letter from the local Fire department with Chief's signature will do.
p@mast3rs wrote on 4/28/2004, 4:18 PM
"A letter from the local Fire department with Chief's signature will do. "

I tried that route as well today and was told that if I wasnt the house owner or with an insurance company, I am not permitted access because it is not public record.

Not a big deal. Its just going to be easier to get a loan and use my house as collateral. Probably what I should have done in the beginning and I am positive I am going to get seven kinds of hell from the significant other for doing this but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.

Thank you to all who wanted to help and couldnt. Its definitely the thought that counts and thanks to everyone who did help (David and David.) Hopefully Greg can come on here sometime soon and extend his appreciation and thanks as well. :)
kosins wrote on 4/28/2004, 5:24 PM
Hi Acidsex,
I commend you for your efforts and compassion toward others.
I understand anyone's apprehension toward contributing to "issues they read on the internet", and realize that in most cases, caution is wise and good.

I believe ya. I sent a little, via a PayPal address you posted earlier.

Good Luck to your friend.

John Conley
p@mast3rs wrote on 4/28/2004, 5:58 PM
Hey John,

Thanks. I totally agree with being cautious.I would probably think the same if I read a post on a forum like mine. Truth be told, if this guy wasnt a good friend of mine Im not so sure I would putting forth all this effort which is sad thing to say about myself but Im sure if I ever see this happen to someone else, I would definitely not hesitate to help out.

Just imagine the backlash and credibility issues if Zippy had posted this news. LOL.