WANTED: Vegas Editor for an AWESOME MOVIE! ($250)

ShannonRawls wrote on 9/3/2004, 12:34 AM

OK....here's the story....

We just finished a wonderful production shot with 2 Panasonic DVX100a camera in 24p mode Advanced. All is well and an Editor was hired. During crew calling I prefered a VEGAS editor because that's what I use when I edit, but naturally all types of editors using various platforms applied for the position. Well, I hired an AWESOME editor who was going to use "AVID Xpress Pro 4.5". I seen his work, I liked his work, I was ready to pay him...I was going to deliver the Hard drive with the clips from the production and everything....until.....I visited the AVID website to check out his gear. (for my own personal security)

Now, what I found is that the AVID Xpress Pro 4.5 with the Mojo seems to be a phenomenal piece of equipment...however... IT DOES NOT WORK WITH .AVI FILES!! *red flag*

Avid uses their own proprietary format called '.omf' causing a non-conforming, non-fluid workflow. What I mean is, as a Producer, I do not like to be 'locked-in' to going back to the editor. I mean I would never change an editors cut without asking him to do it (film etiquette). That's like altering your mothers BBQ Sauce recipe or changing the music a composer makes for you without telling him. I would never do that to an editor, BUT....just to "look" at my footage, or maybe cut a small trailer, or for every little thing or whatever it is I may want to do after I receive my drive back, I want to be able to do it without making an appointment to use his proprietary AVID system. They say this .omf format is better, but I don't care nuthin' about that! I want AVI....period! It does say that it can be converted or whatever, but if it doesnt edit .avi files natively, then I can't work with it. *sorry* Also, it exports only Type-1 .avi files and they are limited to 2gigs (even with XP Pro NTFS). Additioanlly, because it works with this proprietary .omf file type, to make a DVD, after your done with your final cut, you have to go from AVID to Sorensen Squeeze and then do a conversion, and then from there you must make an mpeg2 and THEN to your DVD authoring program. *shakin' my head* Sorry...I want one nice single large DV file staright from the editing program in .avi format that can go straight into whatever DVD Authoring program we choose.

Needless to say...I am now forced to find another awesome & capable editor...and now I am going to stick with a professional editor who uses what I am familiar with.... VEGAS!

SO..here's the Deal....

I am now crewing for the editing position for "<UL>MATTHEW 26:17</UL>". The movie production went super smooth, it was mind-blowing! The cinematography is stunning and the picture is gorgeous. The production sound is awesome too. (although we may need to bring a few actors in for ADR and have the sound designed for the final cut).

The project was shot with two Panasonic DVX100 cameras (the main camera was the 'a' model). It was filmed in 24pAdvanced mode using about 5 MiniDV cassettes each (4 hours 20 minutes) and the entire project is fully digitized in .avi dv clips on a single 250 gigabyte Western Digital Hard Drive. Each take is a separate clip all nicely organized into folders and each clip is named corresponding to its take. *ready to edit*

Also on the 250GB drive is about 1400 high resolution still images taken with a Canon D1 Digital SLR camera, The actual Clips of the 'auditions' during the casting call of each actor that was hired, behind the scenes interviews of every cast and crew member, clips from a rehearsal and a time-lapse clip of the set being built from a Canon XL-1s camera. All this extra footage is there for the Special Features section of the DVD that will be edited by MOTIMEDIA once the movie is finally completed.

We shot the movie in Letterbox mode with the intentions of making a 2.35:1 widescreen 24p DVD movie with a running time about 25-30 minutes long. The purpose of making this film is the aspirations for artistic purposes of those involved (cast and crew alike), to enhance the reels of the key department heads (like yourself) and to flood the festival market with this wonderful story. We missed the SUNDANCE deadline (which was Sept. 3rd) and that really upsets me, but that's OK, we will be sending it to other noteworthy festivals once the movie is finished. (It will also be headlining at MY film festval...

We will be hiring a composer (and possibly a sound designer if you cannot handle that part) to work alongside you to bring this picture to completion so we can all witness your gorgeous Final Cut.

I am writing this to see if anyone is interested in adding another feather in their cap by editing this wonderful project for the compensation stated in the subject of this message (it still is a low-budget project *smile*), also you will receive Copy, Credits, Experience, Exposure, and listing on http://www.IMDB.com. I am an editor myself (I use SONY VEGAS 5) but as the director of this project, I believe that would be a detrimental mistake trying to take on the TOTAL creative responsibility of making this movie. We all know that directors always fall in love with their footage, and I am no exception. *smile*

So if you are up to the task and you have a little extra time on your hands and the equipment to make this happen please visit the link below to read all about the movie and download the script. If you like it, you can visit the other link below to fill out the short form to contact me. I'd like to know what soft/hardware you have to make it happen so let's talk further.

Visit the site. You can see the production stills and everyting else...

"MATTHEW 26:17" website: http://matthew2617.beoutpictures.com
Editors who want to cut this film: http://www.beout.com/casting/crew-matthew2617.htm

Thank you,

- Shannon W. Rawls
- BeOut! Motion.Pictures
- www.BeOut.com

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Comments

ShannonRawls wrote on 9/8/2004, 8:57 AM

"You want the MPEG to come straight off the Vegas timeline, and if you want it great, you'll potentially want 2-pass as well. "

OK, thanks for the tip....I was thinking .avi from the vegas timeline straight to Architect to render the MPeg would be better. But again, what do I know... *smile* I'll see what the editor says.

epirb said "If Shannon found it offensive then I will appologize to him."

Naw epirb..*smile*...it's all gravy big dawg. I know it's just a discussion forum. Actually those two ladies are EXTREMELY good looking. (not as good looing as my wife i've been married to for 1.5 years, but still) *smile*

1. For those who are flipping out over my 'hollywood statements', please understand...I am no billionaire James Cameron, nor do I have to be to know how things work. But this is what I do and I normally work on larger projects. However when I do shorts, I keep the budgets very low. All I was trying to say is don't downplay a project, editor, or producer simply because it's a low budget short experimental project. Matthew 26:17 is great, it is going to be cool to watch, I am going to stream it from the website for all to see, I am going to duplicate about 500 DVD copies and give them away for free to whoever asks (courtesy of my company stompshow.com), I did pay for this myself on a hum-bug, and no this is isn't my so-called big break as someone put it. It's just a cool short movie that I came up with while working on another movie. During downtime as the G&E dept. setup a new shot I caught a glimpse of the Davinci painting of the last supper sitting on a fireplace mantle and I pondered to myself "I wonder what they are talking about?" I then asked a friend to write a short script about it, and here we are. Gee wiz guys, you would think I was trying to do Spiderman 3 the way you guys are coming off. *shakin' my head*

2. The ONLY REASON I didn't wanna do a rough cut is because I know 'me'. I would end up with a 9 hour movie from my 8 hours of footage. *you know how directors get with their footage*. And by me not being a 'DIRECTOR" but just a Producer who filled the directors shoes on this one....I know I wouldn't have too much footage end up on the floor. So by hiring someone who may be bored and want to add a nother notch on his belt rather then drink beers and watch Seinfeld all summer....here, put your creative thoughts into this film, make your own creative cutting decisions and rough cut this for me. That's all. All I was going to do was say "Here's the script, here's the script supervisors notes, here's the Hard Disk with the digitized footage and here's 15 twently dollar bills (fifty extra buckas as a tip)...call me when you're done" None of that over-the-shoulder crap that I see most editors I hire go through with the directors I hire. Apparently giving them $250 was offensive to 80% of the people on here.

I see I opened up pandoras box on this one. I shoulda just went to the local Jr. College like I started to do. (only reason I didn't is because I like VEGAS, not FCP! and figured a few of you would want to do a quick and easy job)

A few emails I got.....

Why we should pick them: "I'm an independent filmmaker whose been doing this for 20 years. Normally I dont take jobs that pay 250---However, this looks interesting and I do have some availble time."

Why we should pick them: "I am fascinated with this craft, believe that a movie based on a bible, whether comedy or drama, would be fun to edit. I also understand your point you made on Sony Vegas Forums, I won't snob you when recognition, fame, and glamour are at stake. I have no pets to walk, my wife is happy when I'm locked in my editing room, the kids are happy because the wife let's them get away with a lot more than when I'm around, and I'm happy. I would be willing to do some test edits in case you wonder whether I can handle this or not so there would be nothing to loose. Also, should a major studio hire me as a result of editing this short film, I will refund the $250 and take you out to dinner ( after cashing my first check ). So, to sum things up, I have Vegas, I have the skill, I have the drive and desire, and I have a sense of humor which makes me a darling to deal with."

I guess most of you guys think these two people are absolute fools. Welp, on the contrary, I think these are the kind of men who will do or have done extremely well in life and is exactly what independant moviemaking needs. and they have been added to my editors rolodex with a silver star on their page so I can call them for the 'triple your day rate' movies I sometimes get into (like Stepmasters on beout.com).

But what do I know...I'm an idiot for offering a couple hundred bucks. LOL

I digress.

*peace*

bStro wrote on 9/8/2004, 1:12 PM

If that was an attempt at humor epirb you weren't even close.

He was referring to the actresses in Shannon's film.

Lordy, they're cute.

Rob

Former user wrote on 9/8/2004, 1:33 PM

With all due respect Shannon, you might not have gotten this grief had you explained in the first message what you explained later. That this was a personally financed project and you were lookin for someone who was interested in this type of project. In your first message you keep referring to WE and Sundance and other things that tainted your sincerity in completing what seems a very personal project for you.

Just my humble opinion and good luck on your video.

Dave T2

epirb wrote on 9/8/2004, 6:23 PM

Shannon ,
Good luck with your search I'm sure the'll be more responses like those.
Glad you understood my meaning, it was meant only as a compliment to the Ladies/Actresses.
Was I lying Bstro.???

I will aso say this,as a relative newbie to editing, I wish there were some oportunites to do some editing sort of like that in my area.
What I mean not being a professional editor as my full time job, and my bread and butter. I would welcome the oportunity to do some things for free or close to free, just for the expierience. Though nothing like your film (way too big of project for my skills). Heck it'd take me till second coming to be able to tackle that!
But smaller projects that maybe someone else is also editing that could then look at my work and say what worked and what didnt.
Right now I'm doing Instructional/Video manual work for a company I'm trying to start. But with that type of editing I dont think allows for development of an editing style or as much creative freedom, like I see in stuff by Mark2929, Stonefield,and so many others.(By the way Stoney, your Talent is also quite beautiful, If I didn't have a wonderfull girl at home, I'd be a Rose Reiter groopy, she makes my heart skip a beat everytime I see and hear sing .)

apit34356 wrote on 9/8/2004, 6:40 PM

A silly question, what about the sound track for the scenes? The control of the mood and lenght of the scene is a mix of pictures, sounds and music.

markrad wrote on 9/8/2004, 8:25 PM

bStro,
Thanks for taking the time to clarify the meaning for me.
Makes a whole lot more sense now when its put in the proper context.

Mark

theceo wrote on 2/14/2005, 3:54 PM

Dude didn't you know Immanuel was black dude?

http://www.sollog.com/books/Templar-Iesous.shtml

But then again on the other hand he claimed to be Lucifer.

http://www.sollog.com/666.shtml

But then again there was no real Jesus

http://www.jesusisnotgod.com

You related to Lou?

I know the guy that penned You'll never find... an old blind dude.

250.00 for a 30 Min short

I thought I was cheap.

hehe

Stonefield wrote on 2/14/2005, 5:42 PM

Just had a look at the site and perused the pictures. Excellent casting and lighting. I wish you success with your movie !!

...stick to your dreams man.

ShannonRawls wrote on 2/14/2005, 7:33 PM

Lou is my cousin. "You'll never find" one of my all time favorites. $250 wasn't cheap, it was 'inexpensive'...there's a difference. *smile* The movie is cut, and the sound is getting sweetened now. Will be released around Easter, (pun intended).

Thanks Stonefield. The DP (brett erskine) did an outstanding job. I will be hiring him again on bigger budget projects.

*poof*

- ShannonRawls.com

thirdnostril wrote on 2/15/2005, 2:53 PM

Epirb,

Religious people are, in my experience, very easy to offend because, in their heart of hearts, they know they're putting real-world belief in an allegorical mythology. This tends to produce extensive insecurity—I mean, think about it. They know it's false, yet they know they believe it. At a core level, it makes them doubt ALL reality and ALL their perceptioons, but they can't admit to that. If you were carrying around THAT kind of baggage, your skin might get really thin too!

So let's do the right thing with religious folks, and pity/ignore them. It'll save you the aggravation of trying to talk sense to them.

Oh, and from what I hear, Jesus had a penis.

BLASPHEMY!

Praise "Bob," y'all...

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 2/16/2005, 9:54 AM

when will you guys learn to just leave religious/political topics to other forums - I am a christian, but I know that this is not the place to discuss people's belief systems. People want to believe that there is no God. Well it's your enternity and you can choose to do whatever you choose with it. But - it's just flamebait on this forum, so take it somewhere else. Shannon didn't do anything wrong by asking if someone wanted to edit it on vegas - I've never done a movie, and I wouldn't mind the experience - however I don't have a calibrated monitor etc... to view on, so it's not likely that I would be able to do proper co.co. (not that I have much training in it for that matter either). All that aside, I wouldn't mind doing it. You can contact me at dayvids_productions at yahoo dot com

Dave

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 2/16/2005, 9:58 AM

"Religious films don't make it at Sundance unless they're stories of extremes such as the story of the Tibetan struggle, the Russian pogroms, or religious repression.

can't help but read something like this and think that it sounds like there's bias in acceptance

I realize that you edited later and said that there were three this year, but even still - if the religious movies subjects were reversed I'm sure there would be an uproar right quick.

THIS IS NOT A STATEMENT ON RELIGIONS, it is a statement on sundance if anything.

Dave

filmy wrote on 2/16/2005, 1:04 PM

>>>Shannon didn't do anything wrong by asking if someone wanted to edit it on vegas - I've never done a movie, and I wouldn't mind the experience - however I don't have a calibrated monitor etc... to view on, so it's not likely that I would be able to do proper co.co.<<<

An editor edits, an editor by nature does not do any color correction/timing. While it would be wise to have a good monitor that is properly set up (color corrected) if all you are doing is editing it does not really matter if you did not have a calibrated monitor. Before people jump on me for this I am speaking of being an editor in the sense that someone is looking for someone to EDIT - not do anything else. If they expect you to do "everything" than they need to state than and hopefully pay you to do it. Shannon stated he had been looking for an editor, I would think, based on the price he was offering at the time, he went elsewhere for sound design, dialog editing, adr, foley, final mix, final color timing and final output. On the other hand with a limited budget maybe he was expecting one person to do it all for that price. Either way - FrigidNDEditing don't sell yoursehlf short as an editor because you feel your monitor is not set up correctly.

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 2/16/2005, 2:26 PM

"Either way - FrigidNDEditing don't sell yoursehlf short as an editor because you feel your monitor is not set up correctly."

I wouldn't dream of it. I simply offered because I have never done anything of the sort, and would like to have a shot at some experience with it. Plus it's certainly not bad to get my name on something :-) However I'm not considering my editing talents lacking because I haven't got a proper monitor to view on, I'm just saying that he shouldn't want me to do that.

I'm really kinda intrigued by this. I sure wouldn't mind at least getting a better feel for what he want's me to do, and going from there. I can't get better till I get some more practice (and that's how I would look at this, paid practice).

Dave

Shannon Rawls wrote on 3/24/2006, 10:37 PM

Remember this post back in 2004? When I humbly came here and asked for a Sony Vegas editor for a no budget non-commercial project? At which time a few people tried to rip me a new one for offering such a low salary amount to the editor even though I tried to explain how the crew was all working for low-low and it was more of a 'creative thing' then a money thing?? If not, scroll up and read the thread. It was killed in its tracks and I got only a few leads here because of the HATERS.

Anyhow, well......that young Vegas editor....who stepped up and did the job for peanuts back then just to get started........ is now making a wonderful living editing highly commercial MTV/VH1 music videos and sitcom TV pilots today. Good job for him and thank you Jeff! ......Now that I have other projects where I can pay him full rate, I think he's so big now, I don't think I can afford the guy! *smile*

OH YEA....one more thing........

Matthew 26:17, now closed captioned in DigiBeta, will be airing on TBN (channel 40) to over 98 million households worldwide this Easter weekend.

I personally think the Director SUCKED and could have done a helluva better job. But *shrugs* oh well.....TBN seemed to like it enough to showcase the non-commercial creative works to the world.

It will air at various times over Easter Weekend, starting on Good Friday.....the actual DAY of the Passover meal, THE LAST SUPPER....how wonderful.

So the next time someone visits this website looking for some assistance...or better yet, asks you for a little help........help them. Don't hate on them. It's amazing what a little faith, perserverance & non-greedy support will do for you.

that is all.

- ShannonRawls.com

GGman wrote on 3/24/2006, 11:43 PM

didn't realize the thread was old.

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 3/25/2006, 12:01 AM

very happy to hear that you succeded. Wish I could have helped, but I never heard anything from you. I'm glad to hear it succeeded though, just one more thing that Vegas has done that is making it big - and it Never hurts to hear/see that happen. It's true that there was no need for the hatered and you probably feel a little justified in a small bit of nose rubbing ;-) - and I can't say that I blame you, but remember that these were the days of "theceo" and the other wacko's that almost cost us the forums. good riddens.

and as for jeffery - Way to GO!! - that's awesome.

Glad you had success Shanon, it always feels good when you don't fall flat on your face :).

Dave

apit34356 wrote on 3/25/2006, 1:29 AM

Way to go, Shannon! Please post again in a new thread on the showing date, just to help us remember to "tune in" the movie!

PeterWright wrote on 3/25/2006, 3:02 AM

Well done Shannon - always good to hear stories like this - and well done Jeffery the editor!

I don't know if we'll get to see it in Oz, but I'd be interested to hear about the film's angle on the last supper - presumably there's some interpretation of the event in there.