Sony Certified Vegas User - Should I Wait?

Jonathan Neal wrote on 9/14/2007, 12:59 PM

I've mentioned that I'm very interested in purchasing the Sony Certified Vegas User (SCVU) exam, but most of the program looks geared to Vegas 7. Would any SCVU's on here mind sharing their thoughts, or what you might know about Vegas 8 and SCVU certification?

Comments

[r]Evolution wrote on 9/14/2007, 4:27 PM

I am in your same shoes... trying to decide whether to do it or wait.
My conclusion comes from what I've heard on this forum:

The SCVU seems to NOT carry much weight in the Production world.
Until Vegas Pro becomes accepted, respected, and used like the professional tool it is... I'm gonna hold off. (I'm not Avid, Premiere Pro, or FCP Certified either though)

My questions are:
Do you hold other Certifications?
What do you look to gain by having the SCVU Certification?

Jonathan Neal wrote on 9/14/2007, 7:06 PM

1. No, I hold no other video editing certifications, but I do have a few mildly impressive things I can put on a resume.

2. What I gain from the SCVU certification is a great, affordable proof of my abilities. Very basically, it's a cheap, respectable proof of something I'm good at. Less basically, it's something tangible from a very recognizable company that sticks the weight of "Sony" and "Official Certification" into my qualifications. They're gonna see what I do and think I'm a wiz anyway - (i'm sort of forced into boasting there, but I think to the non-computer user we all look amazing clicking away) - and that piece of paper has a way of sealing the deal, so to speak. As it is, my resume looks pretty good, and this wouldn't be my primary job anyway - why not add the extra talking point? :)

Jonathan Neal wrote on 9/15/2007, 9:08 PM

I'm bumping this in hopes that ANY SCVU certified member will respond.

DrLumen wrote on 9/16/2007, 12:25 AM

My decision would be based on if you have to re-certify for each version. If the certs are good for a lifetime, get it now on 7 and not worry about 8.

If the program requires you to re-certify on each version (like M$) then wait for the ver.8 tests.

Someone should know if the certifications expire.

Kennymusicman wrote on 9/16/2007, 4:53 AM

There was no mention of expiration when I took mine a while ago.

As for SCVU - it mostly shows knowledge of Vegas, not necessarily of video editing and production as a whole. Plus the exam in online, and you get 3 chances to pass.

The SCVE has a lot more to undertake, and seems to require being taken at Sony in Madison (or sim) which kinda makes it a no-no for me in the UK.

I think it is up to you whether or not you go for the SCVU - are you going to get something out of it? Thus far my MS qualifications haven't done much for me.. Do I regret them though - no.
As for do I regret taking the SCVU - again, no. It may not be industry standard, but I learned a lot in the process of taking it, and teaching others the info required to get it.
It helps learning your shortcuts, knowing takes, knowing whether CC works in/out phase etc.
For those reasons alone it's worth looking into - it's a discipline of making you learn more about Vegas than you currently do (not necessarilly applying to everyone!) and it may be fruitful for you with the expanded knowledge in the long run.

HTH

Ken

gwyador wrote on 9/19/2007, 12:45 PM

I just thought I would chime in here that I too would love to get the vegas certs but the SCVE is out of the question for shear cost to achieve... the SCVU is feasible for me but to be honest I am waiting because I don't need it to edit in vegas I only need the cert if I want to work for someone who values the cert. actually I really love Vegas and the thing that really frustrates me sometimes is that vegas is such a great editor and yet for some reason people have latched on to what one tech I know called the three big ones or the three A's (apple, adobe, and avid)... Sony is at least as "big" as the three A's but for some reason the clout is not there... and I sure wish I knew why!!....