Doug,

Have you ,or anyone else, actually done any paid work for her? I spoke to her and she seems like a nice enough person. The only drawback is that she doesn't currently have any business. It sounds like she's trying to market her ideas, but is only in the planning stages.

I'd appreciate any info.

Bruce Yarock

They were working on 90,000 realtor websites, now they are branching into car ads before they have shot a single home tour?

Their website does not work.

They put all risk on me. If client is unhappy it is my fault. If commercial is ugly it is my reputation. If they go out of business, who is realtor gonna call? (Clue: local guy). If someone gets hurt in the shoot it is my buttz and my insurance. If realtor is not ready to shoot, how long am I expected to wait and do they expect me to return again later for same $100 fee? Can I refuse to shoot with certain realtor who are chronically late?

In most places you need a business license to be in business. Here in Sarasota County, I would need 6 different licenses (One from each city plus one from the county) to do this kind of mobile work.

Is this work-for-hire? Who owns the copyright? What does the contract say? What does the non-compete say?

Am I expected to get each realtor to sign a talent release? DId they even think about this? Whose buttz is on the line ? Talent release even a bigger issue with car dealer ads.

What if homeowner gets pissed at the inside of their home (likely with personal possessions) being on the Internet? What if they get burgled? Who is homeowner going to sue? (hint: everyone). Will they be providing me with location releases for each house I shoot?

I seem to remember someone saying she must be legit because she gave him a phone number for her attorney. Did you call it, and did you verify that he is a real attorney?

Has anyone seem the agreements or non-compete she wants signed? She wants to use my reputation and thgen prevent me fomr even competing with her or stepping in to pick up the pieces locally when she crumbles. It is likely the non-compete will prevent you from ever working for that homeowner or the realtor ever. You may end up paying her a cut just to shoot a wedding for someone you met thru working for her.

BTW, she and programmer are the two "owners" of this business. Are they married? Boyfriend/girlfriend? What happens to all of us when they have a fight?

My questions just go on and on. Until I see some of the legal stuff mentioned here addressed, the amount of pay is meaningless to me. Even then, it just smells like a dead horse.

But she and her shill certainly know how to create some buzz.

<But she and her shill certainly know how to create some buzz.>

That was my gut feeling also.

I spoke to her, and she had lots of different ideas. If you listened to Doug, you'd think she had an ongoing business. When I asked her about that, she said they were still laying the groundwork, and that she would get back to me later that day... Never heard back from her.

What I can't understand is why people engage in such mental masturbation, and waste so many people's time.

Bruce Yarock

Well, there's a lot to be said for the "Stone Soup" approach to building a project. Start the buzzz, generate the interest, get SOME commitments, and everyone else jumps on board. The idea is to build a critical mass of people/money and the project gets moving.

SOMETIMES it works... but not always. Basically, you have to have a sound enough idea to get the real commitments in the first place.

That's fine, but her "shill" presented the business as something that was ongoing, already in existence. Would have been more sensible and honest if she represented her efforts as what they are...efforts. She had nothing going on, but attempted ( and succeeded) in making people believe that she could offer them work.

Some images that come to mind- "smoke and mirrors", "cart before horse", "building a house from the roof down".
I've been in business since 1981, and I have low tolerance for bs artists.

Bruce Yarock

Just Found this

All great ideas, especially starshipwarrior's. I just started a company and now have almost 1,000 videographers around the world. We tape companies and stream the the video. We charge the client $199 and the videographer makes $100 of that. Seems like pocket change to some, but then think about shooting 1-7 of these per day and it adds up.

website is www.GoLookInside. apply at www.videographersneededcom

I just signed a company that repesents 200,000 people who will all need videos. And, we basically give web sites away at $50 all inclusive just so people have a place to run our videos.

Thanks, Skye WinslowHere
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/t107348.html

That's what the promo says, but when you talk to her, she tells you that she doesn't actually have any business yet.If you Contact her,I'd be curious to hear her reaction.
Bruce yarock

Well her website is reasonably well laid out with lots of stock graphics of smiling models. The video samples on their site however are pretty bad, about what one might expect with a single camera and available light. The resolution is terrible, either due to the camera used or just crappy compression for streaming. I wouldn't necessarily want to buy a house based on these sorry samples.

If this is the best they offer it is hard to see how anyone would want their services even with a rock bottom price.

Wow! Imagine that, BOTH websites are down!

I actually wanted to see the crappy quality of video to see what a hundred dollar shoot and edit looks like. I guessing similar to an Auto Trader classified photo. You know, the grainy black and white one's in the paper. Maybe not quite that good because after all, those photographers make big money, considerably more when you take into account your equipment investment and man hours involved. They show up with a $49 digital camera and take 1 shot and leave, most never even heard of a "tripod"!

The http://www.golookinside.com/ is up. The addresses listed were both mistyped.

Interesting. If you're just starting out and need a first or second client, it might be a way to start.

I did like going to see their sample videos because it allowed me to compare the different compression qualities of the big three media players, quicktime, windows media and real. I thought Windows was the winner.

Scott

Anyone get their information packet and NonCompete Contract in the mail like I did? Likely I'd be one of the first being in Dayton OH and her in Indy. I'll fill more in for you folks this evening as I'm back at work.

I got mine yesterday. The only part that really worries me is the W2 - I am not too keen on giving social security numbers ect until I actually have a reason too, ie: I actually have done some work for them.
I would like to hear from some of the more legal types here what they think of the non-compete

Samuel

Can you post the non-compete agreement here or somewhere else?

Guys, after careful examination and careful thought...my opinion is that this is a scam. I have communicated with "Skye" via email a bunch of times.

If it's not - at the very least, it's a waste of time.

Murph

I got mine the other day as well. I'm also a little leery of the contracts, mostly the ownership of works.

Hey guys, just wanted to throw up the 'investigation' I wrote up when this whole topic came up. It's quite long and will be split between this post and the next.

Again, this was written back when the topic first came up and has not been edited since so there may be more information now then I had when it was written. I will not be updating or continue a running list of changes or new information as I do not wish to persue my 'investigation' any longer. Some site links may no longer be available. I have not checked or updated these.

My 'insights' are found inbetween the ** marks.



<removed orignal posting by Doug Puckett>

*********
Sure sounds fishy to me. And quite a few others on the messageboard as can be seen. Just establishing the domain name and the name attached to the bottom. Helpful tools in internet sleuthing.
*********


WHOIS DOMAIN SEARCH

http://www.networksolutions.com/en_US/whois/results.jhtml;jsessionid=RPRKO3RSAPVBICWLEALCFEY?whoistoken=0&_requestid=300257

photographersneeded.com
Registrant:
Domains by Proxy, Inc.
15111 N Hayden Rd., Suite 160
PMB353
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States

Registered through: GoDaddy.com
Domain Name: PHOTOGRAPHERSNEEDED.COM
Created on: 27-Sep-04
Expires on: 27-Sep-05
Last Updated on: 28-Sep-04

http://www.networksolutions.com/en_US/whois/results.jhtml;jsessionid=RPRKO3RSAPVBICWLEALCFEY?whoistoken=2&_requestid=300434

yourgoldenopportunity.net
Registrant:
Domains by Proxy, Inc.
15111 N Hayden Rd., Suite 160
PMB353
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States

Registered through: GoDaddy.com
Domain Name: YOURGOLDENOPPORTUNITY.NET
Created on: 12-Sep-04
Expires on: 12-Sep-05
Last Updated on: 12-Sep-04

NNOVIA.COM
Registrant: Make this info private
nNovia (22060252O)
1630 Oakland Rd.
Suite A 206
San Jose, CA 95131
US
Phone: 999 999 9999
Fax: 999 999 9999


Administrative Contact :
Caldeira, Robert
(RCC451)
robertcaldeira@AOL.COM
1650 Zanker Rd, Suite 126
San Jose, CA 95112
US
Phone: (408) 441-6916
Fax: 999 999 9999

Technical Contact :
Brenner, Michael R
(MB1617)
michael@BRENNERNETWORK.COM
PO BOX 1456
PEBBLE BEACH, CA 93953-1456
US
Phone: (831) 384-4141
Fax: (831) 884-0999

Record expires on 10-Apr-2005
Record created on 10-Apr-2000
Database last updated on 07-Jul-2004

*********
The first two websites were both registered by the same proxy company 15 days apart. Not liking that the domain registration was done with an intermediary but there are sometimes legitimate reasons for doing so. First website listed was found at the top of either domain and both are identical pages. Either this is a scam or the people deciding the domain names aren’t really bright. That’s just my opinion however. Site with hardware DV recorder seems to be legit, didn’t pursue that avenue really.
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http://fox59.trb.com/news/wxin-pm-meetourteam-bob.story

Bob Donaldson

Bob joined WXIN Fox 59 in 1991. He anchors Fox News at 10, one of the most successful newscasts in the Fox network. Besides his work at the anchor desk, Bob has been an Emmy- Nominated writer and producer of documentaries on Fox 59. His efforts also helped make WXIN-TV "Fox Station of the Year" in 1992. Bob graduated from the Missouri School of Journalism.

Bob began his professional career in the small Texas town of Beaumont. In seven years he climbed up the ladder of success. First in Oklahoma City as a reporter, then in Salt Lake City as an investigative reporter, Oklahoma again as a weekend anchor, and Little Rock, Arkansas, as a main anchor. Then, finally to Indianapolis as the main anchor for Fox News at 10.

Bob and his wife, Skye Winslow are the proud parents of two girls and a boy.

*********
Found this one pretty quickly. Appears that Mrs Skye Winslow and Mrs. Skye Donaldson are likely the same person. Perhaps a maden name that she has chosen to keep. Not a significant flag in my book. Another good avenue is that her husband is Robert Donaldson anchor for Fox News 10 in Indianapolis. Served there since 1991 is what I’m getting out of the bio. I think that’s quite a prestigious position and probably very financially secure. Doesn’t seem like a position to risk any bad press associated with false marketing etc.
*********


http://www.google.com/search?sa=X&oi=fwp&pb=f&q=skye+donaldson+indiana

Skye Donaldson - (317) 581-9847 - 9650 Copley Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46290


*********
Found this number on Google’s search. Listed in reverse telephone lookups to be owned by Skye Donaldson, Skye Winslow, S. W. Winslow, R. Donaldson, and an R. A. Donaldson. Very likely to be Robert her husband. Also found on http://www.daplus.us/ is lists some other information:
Est. Home Value: $350,000 - $399,999
Years at Address: 6
Est. Household Income: $201,000 - $499,999
Dwelling Type: House
I phoned a friend I had in Indianapolis who is familiar with the area and said that the address I gave him and subsequently looked up on www.mapquest.com was in a very wealthy area and would likely reflect a home location of a well-paid individual. He attempted to contact Mr. Donaldson but was unable to reach him at that time.
*********

http://www.bavc.org/cgi-bin/paid_jobs.cgi?page=week

Accession number: 25576
Position: videographer
Company: Skye Winslow Productions, LLC
Hours: any
Pay: $100 and up
Union/Nonunion: Nonunion
Job Description: Hundreds of photographers in all 50 states to video tape narrated tours of real estate. Realtor contacts our site, requests video, pays immediately and photographer arranges the shoot day and time. Realtor gives on camera "narrated tour" of listed property. Photographer edits and posts FTP file to our server. Pay is immediate. Realtor pays $180. Photographer keeps $100 AND any additional a la carte fees. We are an international company and serve over 90,000 Realtors. NO FEES - NO COSTS to photographers other than required equipment.
Requirements: 3 CCD camera, wireless mic, basic editing skills, ability to shoot and edit within 48 hours. Must fill out questionnaire at www.photographersneeded.com
How To Apply: visit www.photographersneeded.com and fill out questionnaire or skyewinslow@aol.com
Contact: skye winslow
Date Submitted: Tue Sep 28 17:14:26 2004
Other: Permission for a background check, liability insurance and letter of non-compete is required.

*********
Found out the company name “Skye Winslow Productions, LLC” and it’s linked to the website and Mrs. Skye Winslow. Not anything groundbreaking but it’s just more fodder for Google.
*********



http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:S8WG_Z3kkL4J:https://www.filmunderground.com/Filmmaker/State/14/xt/Indiana.htm+Skye+Winslow+Indianapolis&hl=en&start=3

as retrieved on Mar 10, 2004 09:24:37 GMT

as of Oct 04, 2004 19:25:00 EST (when I looked) name no longer listed on site.

Winslow, Skye
9650 Copley Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana 46290
voice: 317-581-0546

Also a mirrored site: http://www.filmdeveloper.com/Filmmaker/State/14/xt/cfs_1.htm had the same info cached by Google but is no longer listed.

*********
Again, nothing huge but notice the phone number. Different than the one found previously. This number also registers to Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson in various forms but on Directory Assistance Plus it shows only 2 years at the current address with all other information being the same. Another phone line installed perhaps? Seems likely to me.
*********


http://www.co.hamilton.in.us/apps/reports/rptparcelinfo.asp?parcelno=1713100401012000

Parcel No: 17-13-10-04-01-012.000
Property Address: 9650 Copley DRIndianapolis, IN 46290 Deeded Owner: Donaldson, Robert A & Skye WinslowOwner Address:9650 Copley DRIndianapolis , IN46290
Legal Description: LACOMA ESTATES 167.6 X 475.2 A 2/11/93 FRM BRUMMER 9305667 9/11/95 FRM BRUMMER 9551305
Section/Township/Range: 10/17/03
Subdivision Name: LACOMA ESTATES
Block:
Deeded Acres: 0
Political Township: Clay
Lot Number(s): 4
Most Recent Recorded Date: Not Available.

*********
Found this on the Hamilton County Indiana page. Just cements for me that the address is correct and Mrs. Winslow and Mr. Donaldson are ‘together’. The pertinent information in email I received from Mrs. Winslow is listed below. Yet another different phone number that is unable to be traced via any of the reverse lookups I have available. I’m not willing to pay for Cellular number lookups so I was unable to determine if it is indeed a cellular number or not. Reverse lookup only had some slightly confirming information available. “The phone number "(317) 581-1766" is a Carmel, IN based phone number and the registered carrier is Ameritech Indiana.” Carmel IN is what I would consider a suburb of Indianapolis and the address provided is very likely in Carmel. I live in a suburb of Dayton and most of my mail comes addressed to Dayton and not the suburb name. The only other clue is that it’s carrier is Ameritech and is in Indiana. Ameritech was recently (2 or so years) bought up by SBC. SBC does have an agreement with Cingular Wireless for cellular service. Didn’t come up with anything conclusive with that avenue.
*********


Email received from Skye Winslow
SkyeDonaldson@aol.com
Tuesday, October 5, 2004 11:31 AM

Skye Winslow
9650 Copley Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46290
317-581-1766



*********

So in conclusion, I’ve determined that 1 I have way too much time on my hands, and 2 that there is a Skye Donaldson/Winslow that lives at the address provided and the numbers listed in other areas are also registered to her. The only questionable number is the one sent in the email, as I can find no information further on it. This leaves me with few options that this situation could boil down to.

1. Legit.
2. Someone is falsely using the Mrs. Winslow/Donaldson name to pull of quite an interesting scheme. Not sure what that purpose would be, and it would seem to be a lot of work to get some names, address (physical and email) and phone # at a minimum. The equipment listing section was optional and I only filled out a few of the fields.
3. Mrs. Donaldson is attempting to con people out of their personal information and gradually take over the world. Wait, forget that last part. Besides identity theft, or junk mail and spam, or physically coming to the address to loot, I can’t think of a reason to do that but the reasons mentioned are probably good enough for most people.
4. Mrs. Donaldson has herself been deceived into this venture, and may be dragging us into it without knowing. It’s a ‘fly by night’ company as Mr. Donald from the DV Info Net message board has suggested and is there to slowly real you in with little bait and then when you take the big hook they leave you hanging with no compensation for the big job you did for them. I can see that situation under the circumstance that Mrs. Donaldson has been deceived into this venture but I would think that with her husband’s position that she wouldn’t want any bad exposure. Plus they’ve had one of their numbers established for quite some years and own a home. Doesn’t seem like the kind of people to just disappear to me. The fact that I received a confirmation email from a noreply@photographersneeded.com and from what I think is Mrs. Donaldson’s personal email address SkyeDonaldson@aol.com. Seems a bit odd that if it was her ‘program’ that she wasn’t set up with some addresses with a. her Production company’s name (which does not have a domain registered that I can find), or b. the photographersneed.com site.




My judgment call on this on is that it’s likely #4 but I think it’d be really cool if it were #1. I look forward to receiving any more information on this venture. Must always err on the side of caution.





*********
Additional Site found Skye Winslow Productions, LLC. Oddly to me it talks about exercise equipment. Doesn’t seem to match anything else I’ve found and it is a cached link from Mar 8, 2004 05:54:08 GMT. Didn’t find any more leads in that area.

*********




http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:PaoUjQY36NAJ:www.alibaba.com/trade/globalbuyer/hotbuy%3FSearchText%3Djump_rope%26stype%3Dgb+%22Skye+Winslow%22&hl=en
YS Manufacturing [United States] Purchasing Products: sports and nutrition,Pilates exersize ball jump rope


Skye Winslow Productions, LLC [United States] Purchasing Products: Rhythmic gymnastic equipment for preschool children(balls, ribbons, clubs, jump ropes,hoops, etc.) 11 inch balloons, 16 inch punch balls, nylon scarfs, bean bags.Rhythmic ribbons should be of good quality, 2 meters in length with a swivel stick. The rhythmic ball or heavy weight plastic or rubber ball should be 6 inches in diameter. The gymnastic hoop should be 24 inches round and non-kink. The rhythmic jump rope has no handles. The gymnastic clubs can be plastic. The nylon scarfs can be 12 inches or 16 inches square. Bean bags should be square with plastic pellets. Punch balls should be 16 inches and be able to be screened with my company logo.

Man, you should be a PI.

But, seriously...is this all not a waste of time or what? If they have venture capital to sustain their business this long without actually doing anything...well, that's questionable. The fact remains we've been doing all the work trying to get information. Any reputable company would not send out all this communication ASKING for information and not follow-up regularly. In any case, it's not worth the effort if it ain't flying by now..

Jacob, you should do a video on "How to be an Internet sleuth".

I would not give any positive weight to the fact that they are well-known. Lots of well-known people (or their spouses) get into all kinds of questionable deals, including State Governors and Presidents.

Did you by chance do a lookup on their LLC?

Even if completely legit, it just does not look like a good deal unless you are a student, can drop everything on short notice, and don't need much income per hour. It sure would be interesting to see that non-compete and other contractual stuff. I bet it does nothing to protect us against client, copyright, or homeowner lawsuits.

I'm a little baffled.

WHO cares who it is? Do YOU really feel that your time, skill, sizable investment in equipment and inability to compete with them in the future is worth making a lousy $100 a day? (really, do you actually believe you could do more than one a day if they are across town, and these are Realtors we're talking about, you'll be there all day while they tell you how to do your job) The company makes more than you do off this and what do they have invested? Some website and a few phone calls? Whoopie! Why don't videographers just get off their butts and go get the work by themselves, and charge a fair price! (read, don't sell your soul for a nickel)


I don't really think it's a scam per se' as much as I think they are just trying to make a buck off of some poor unsuspecting soul.

<<<-- Originally posted by John Galt : Jacob, you should do a video on "How to be an Internet sleuth".

I would not give any positive weight to the fact that they are well-known. Lots of well-known people (or their spouses) get into all kinds of questionable deals, including State Governors and Presidents.

Did you by chance do a lookup on their LLC?

Even if completely legit, it just does not look like a good deal unless you are a student, can drop everything on short notice, and don't need much income per hour. It sure would be interesting to see that non-compete and other contractual stuff. I bet it does nothing to protect us against client, copyright, or homeowner lawsuits. -->>>


I'll consider the video. :) No, not really, I just fed information into the google machine and out came more stuff. It's like that old TV show where they put in a bunch of random objects and out came a story book about it or something. Man that memory goes way back. :)

I didn't look up their LLC, as I really didn't have a good resource at the time for it, nor did I even think of it.

I also agree that it doesn't look like a very good deal for normal 'established' videographers. I'm full time employed in another field and the only times I'd be able to do such a thing is after work hours and possibly on the weekends. It'd take a lot of filming to make a living at $100 a commercial.

I'm not really interested in the 'work for hire' nature of the contract. If I do some good work, I'd want to keep it for a demo reel or something. Within their contract, you'd be giving up that right.

I think we should go section by section through the contract to see if anyone has any particulars they'd like to talk about. Think it'd be good, just from a learning standpoint, even if you don't become employed by GoLookInside.com.

I totally agree with Chris and Rhett. Even if it's not a scam, it's just not worth fooling with because of the terms, all of that red tape and most importantly that low pay. No legitimate job should be that hard to get. If it's that difficult to just get started, imagine trying to get paid!

It sounds as if this is their last minute attempt to get in on a market that is quickly shrinking. There are alot of people doing this so it makes more since to just do it for yourself and keep the middleman out of it.

I talked to her a month ago.She has no conceete business. It's either a scam, or fantasy/delusion. A big WASTE of time and bandwidth. The original poster was probably her shill.
Bruce Yarock

Uhhh, what is a shill?

<<<-- Originally posted by James Emory : Uhhh, what is a shill? -->>>

try here (http://www.dictionary.com)

Now why did you have to make me go to all that effort?

Wow, I don't know what kind of money you guys are making but the money is definatly there in the Video Tours business. I talked to Skye a couple of months ago, I had already been doing video Tours on my own for about 6 months, and decided to stay on my own, all the contracts and paper work through her, not worth it.

We charge anywhere from 150-300+ per house, 20 houses a week would be part time for myself and business partner. Take the low $150*20 houses a week * 52 weeks a year you're looking at over 150k per year, split that and I'm happy making 75k working part time ( I'm also a full time student). Not saying I'm making that right now, but we recently moved to a bigger market, and am getting all our ducks in line, Real Estate is huge after the Superbowl, and am looking for business to take off.

I can't really believe I'm posting this, because the tour are so easy to do, pay so well, and I'm paranoid about hundreds of videographers deciding to shoot Video Tours.

The original poster implied that he had no connection with these people, and only wanted to spread the news to help others...
I once worked for some guys who auctioned off persian rugs, going from city to city. If the price didn't go high enough on a particular rug, a guy employed by them ( nobody knew) would bid the price up. You would call him their "shill".
Bruce yarock

Guys, I got a package in the mail yesterday from Skye. It's my opinion only, but it's totally NOT worth the effort. It seems like a hokey thing they have going on...they put in a bunch of flyers for us to give out. (Ok, so we're also sales people now too?) I have a hard enough time promoting my own business - these hokey looking flyers will only confuse my higher paying customers. Their whole campain looks like a cheap commerical, "Be a Millionaire!" type promotion. Get real, no one is making a million bucks by trying to get people on-board by sending them flyers to pass out. One of the services is Web Design...gimme a break. Web design? That went out with 8-tracks! No one is paying for that unless it's local - people want to sit down with someone and workout a plan for their own site. Who the heck is going to pay some middle person (us) to then contact someone else (them) to build a website for like $99? It's stupid - (in my opinion).

If anyone wants more details I'll give them - but, I will say the contract is almost a long as the one I signed for buying my house! I'm not saying this is legit or not - I can't say that for sure and everything I am saying is my opinion. They are looking to pay a small amount for signing such a large contract that basically says they own you in that particullar market for 3 YEARS. Say again?

Come one people - no regular job, even on a strict contract asks to OWN you for 3 years! At the most, jobs ask for a 1 year commitment. But, 3 years? They are doing this because they know after 3 years they'll be able to grow their business enough and own the market a percentage of a market. Is that smart? Yes, for them...not for any of us. The fact is they'll make a few bucks because of people signing up...saps. But, they'll fold like every other online business does that doesn't have a real viable plan.

Worst case senario for us...they'll own our asses for 3 years because some weird clause in this huge contract says we can't shoot ANY video for anyone. The next thing you know the video world collapses, people start shooting HD and using iMovie by themselves because they don't want to support the monoploy of Skye, we all loses our shirts and houses, wifes and girlfriends leave us, we're walking the streets looking for food, flashes of suicide makes us insane, we all gather and wait for 3 years to end....it does, but now every man/women/child that didn't sign the contract has taken up videography and they own very successful businesses. So, now we have to start at the bottom getting coffee for some jerk who used to work for us and he's thinking we're dumb for signing a contract that took away our livelyhood. The only thing we can say is, "Would you like cream and sugar?"

I'm not into signing my video skills to anyone for 3 years..even a year is pushing it. Believe it or not, I actually care about my friends in the video business. Yes, someone cares! I'd hate to see people getting involved in someone they might regret. I highly suggest talking to a lawyer before you sign their contract, if you chose to. No matter what, don't just sign it and send it back in their "SASE". They're making it really easy huh? It's funny the post it says, "RETURN ASAP" - all over the contents it says they want you to sign and send it back ASAP. They say they need you to get it all back to them or they'll have a harder time dealing with processing your crap. Really? Then they say that getting it in the mail is quicker for them to process than getting it online. Just my opinon, but I smell a rotten egg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man, this stinks like a burrito fart!!!!!!!!!!

NOTE: All of the above statements are my opinion only. I do not have first hand knowledge of this company or the people. It's only my opinion and fiction.

You had me at "Burrito fart."


Does anyone know where that parallel universe is, the one where if something sounds too good to be true, then you should totally go for it?

If you liked the "Burrito Fart" part- you'll love what I just added to that previous post. lol

Alright so only one person has said they got a bit of work from them; and they are rapidly trying to get every person in America with a video camera under the non-compete...

Here is the clause :"7. Non Competition. In consideration for comapny's disclosure of confidential information to recipient , recipient hereby covenants and agrees that during the term of this agreeement and for the period of three years thereafter recipient will not except as authorized in writing by company whether as principal, partner, shareholder,agent, officer, employee or consultant of any entitiy, directly or inderectly carry on or engage in the business of desiging developing, making, testing, distributing, promoting, marketing, selling or implementing any products or services that compete with comapny's streaming video products and services."

I just quickly typed that out, If anyone still wants to see the paperwork they send you I can scan it in when I go to the office monday. If anyone is interested.

The only thing that made it tempting was that trying to get the local real estate agents on board for an independent venture was like trying to get blood from a stone

"We invest 150,000 a year into advertising, and we really cant see how investing a hundred dollars into actually showing people our homes could possibly pay off" or "We got calls from Chicago about doing this and whatnot, but we think another page or five of yellow page adds is a better use of our money"

Does anyone have any advice for actually trying to get some of the least tech savvy or out of the box thinkers on the planet on board for streaming video

(these “professionals” had websites sooo wonderful, their animated blinking .GIFS, uncompressed .bmp images and terrible html actually crashed my browser; I didn’t know that was possible!) With that call I also said would you be interested in a professional web design, and then they said "Oh no we just did our site and we are very happy with it"

I should have bookmarked it, it had all the beauty of a crashing plane.

Edit: Here it is; they seem to have fixed it somewhat, it doesn’t try and run odd JavaScript popups so it doesn’t crash my site, the .bmp files are now .jpg but still, this is what I’m working with in my area www.lakeshorebhg.com

Nice, all I saw was some tacky background with a couple of links at the bottom. One bright red one and one bright blue one. Wow, they must have spent a whole $1.95 on that web site, it's so well thought out and attractive. If they still rely on the yellow pages for the bulk of their referrals then they aren't doing very well. Word of mouth is where it's at but they apparently don't have any satisfied customers.
Real Estate agencies are notoriously CHEAP! My aunt is an agent in NC and I spoke to her about this a long time ago (why they don't shoot the houses they rep) but nobody wants to pay for it. Kind of ridiculous considering the commissions they earn. They would rather spend it on tacky business cards with everybody's photo on it (like I give a shit what they look like) and stupid note pads and refrigerator magnets. Oooh, I'll bet the ROI for those is high.

To expound on the “Non Competition... for the period of three years... directly or indirectly carry on or engage in the business of designing developing, making, testing, distributing, promoting, marketing, selling or implementing any products or services that compete with company’s streaming video products and services."

This is the SHORT list.

You can’t work for realtors, time shares, vacations, etc.

You can’t do video work for Veterinarians, pet suppliers, pet stores, groomers, breeders, etc.

You can’t work for restaurants, bars, chefs, culinary schools, wineries, kitchen tools, appliances, etc.

You can’t work for dealerships, repair shops, tire companies, designers, auto parts stores, etc.

You can’t work for graphic design, computer repair, parts and sails, retail, internet providers, software developers, etc.

Salons and spas, massage therapists, barbershops, exercise equipment, skin products, yoga instruction.

Hotels, car rental companies, amusement parks, airlines, tour companies

Small business owners, doctors, lawyers, dentists, CPAs, home businesses, banks, lenders, etc

You are effectively forbidden for using YOUR EQUIPMENT AND EXPERTISE for anything but weddings or films for three years!

Normal “Non Compete” clauses say you can’t steal their customers and clients that they introduced you to and undercut them. Which is perfectly reasonable for a larger company to do. They don’t say you are out of the industry for three years no matter what.

Now in the friendly text at the start of the document it says (im going to type it quickly for meaning, not good copy) "This nodisclosure restricts you from only the Type of work and clients we send you, for example if we ask you to work with ABC car dealer and he asks you to create a professional 30 seccond TV commercial or corporate video we would encourage you to accept the job, however if its one to five minute streaming video from the client we send you it would fall withoin the non-compete agreement"

And below that it says you need to send it back ASAP!

That is friendly text, and not part of the contract, It is also not what I have interpreted the contract to outright say, it says I cant do streaming video from anyone from "ABC's profession. not just "ABC"

ABC's profession being anyone in that list above.

Edit: the tricky part being; that little friendly example is perfectly valid and honest; Under that agreement I could do a commercial for them... it just doesnt also say if XYZ car company approached me without ever having heard of GoLookInside and said "I would like a 3 minute streaming video on my site" I couldnt do it, simply because golookinside claims that if I do any streaming videos it is competition.

I do believe I am quite glad I didn't sign up or get involved.

What I do not have? Any real business sense!

What do I not know? All this legal stuff!

Sometimes being lazy pays off. Because of the diligent work you guys did, I shall now resolve not to get involved with these people. I thank you.

It's hard to believe that this thread about these con artists and their shill, is still alive! We all have WAY to much free time on our hands...:)
Bruce yarock

I saw this post on another production board and then I saw the name Skye in the first post on this thread. They are both in Indiana and both don't sound all that realistic about rates and what their product is or would be, especially for what they're paying. Is this the same person initially described? This was posted on 4.3.05 on that production board. Check out the rates and what they expect for them.

www.golookinside.com/faq.html


The Post

"INDEPENDENT VIDEOGRAPHERS (GoLookInside.com) GoLookInside.com, is the world's largest streaming video production company. We employ over 2,500 videographers in 15 countries. Our business model is very simple. For $199 we send a videographer to our client's location. Tape our client on-camera in a short "web commercial" then add music and titles and host on our servers for a year. If our clients they don't have a web site, we offer a customizable, interactive Site for only $50. No design or maintenance fees. They get email and language translations service as well. Our clients include any person or company who wants to work with a professional videographer for 45 minutes. This can include: restaurants, hotels, spas, hair salons, shoe stores, Mary Kay reps, bands, Realtors, etc. Overtime or 'a la carte' fees are paid directly to the videographer at the time of service. This includes $25 per 15 minutes of overtime and $25 per DVD. GoLookInside.com pays you $100 for every completed video every Friday via direct deposit. These are basic shoots. Nine tripod setups at a home and seven at a commercial property. Editing is about 12-15 edits. We provide licensed music. Graphics would include the client's logo on full screen at the beginning and end of the video. Titles include the name and phone number in the body of the package. Videos run 60 - 90 seconds...they should be shot like a news package or a one-minute TV commercial. You must own a 3CCD camera, light on a stand, wireless mic and tripod. We do perform criminal background checks. Our client's log onto our web site, enter the location info and zip. Based on zip code, we know which videographers are available. The client sees a Profile Page of each videographer and can choose who they want to work with. We call you and you set up the shoot according to your schedule. After taping, turnaround time is 48 hours. Your personal page includes, bio, photo, streaming samples and your web site link. If you don't have a web site, we can provide one to you. Check out our company FAQ and demos at www.GoLookInside.com. If you wish to join our network....from our home page, click on the guy with the stedicam in the bottom right corner...and fill out the info page. You will then get a series of emails with more information and a PIN to your account. If you have questions you can email me at Skye@GoLookInside.com We expect to start shooting in three weeks and ramp up to 2-7 videos per day, per videographer by September."

She had a post on craigslist too.

Have you guys seen the samples they put on their site, they are just horrible, you think they would be able to produce something bettter then that.

I've been doing tours for a while now, if you guys would take a couple of minutes to check it out and comment on the videos I would appreciate. The site is new I just wrote it a couple of days ago, so it's not 100 percent complete yet.

www.wowvideotours.com

Thanks,
Todd

www.atlanta.craigslist.org/tfr/69699671.html


"GoLookInside.com is in need of experienced independent videographers with their own equipment. GoLookInside.com is the world's largest streaming video production company. We employ 2,500 videographers around the world.

Our business model is simple. For $199 we send a professional videographer to our client's location for 45 minutes. We tape the client on-camera in a "Web Commercial" then edit, add titles and music, and host the video on our servers for one year.

If the client doesn't have a web site, we offer a customizable, interactive Site for $50. No design or monthly maintenance fees. It includes email, language translation and domain name.

So, for $249 our client's can buy a custom video and custom web site.

Here's the breakdown. Of the $199, we pay the videographer $100 plus all 'a la carte' fees. An 'a la carte' fee includes, overtime - $25 per 15 minutes after the initial 45 minutes. $25 for a DVD. Clients are limited to nine tripod setups at a house and seven in a retail facility. We pay you every Friday. Clients pay 'a la carte' at the time of the shoot.

How it works: Clients log onto our Web Site, enter the location address, and zip code. Now we know which videographers are available. The clients' view Personal Profiles of the videographers and they choose who they’d like to work with. We call the videographer and he/she sets the appointment… based on their schedule. (This gives you flexibility in scheduling) After you tape, you have a 48-hour turnaround. We require you to shoot, perform BASIC editing. It'll look something like a full screen graphic of their logo, page turn, client on-camera in a wide shot standup, approx. 11 - 15 total shots with half-second dissolves, full screen graphic again and our animation. Total time: 60-90 seconds. You will FTP the finished product in an MPEG 2 format.

We know scripts are important and many times, clients aren’t prepared when you arrive. So, we’ve hired hundreds of writers who’ll proof the client’s work, rewrite it to a 60-90 second video, then send the completed script back to the client and to you. This allows you to stay on time and shoot more videos! The service is free to the client, so we expect they’ll take advantage of it.

You must own a 3CCD camera, light on a stand, wireless mic,tripod and be able to edit. All of this equipment is MANDATORY. We don’t allow hardwire mics instead of wireless, we don’t allow camera-mounted lights and yes,… we CAN tell the difference! We’re talking $300 to $700 per day, everyday around September and a slightly more limited basis before then…so, we expect you to be a professional and have the required gear. Also, we do perform criminal background checks. And, you must guarantee your work.

Who are our client's? Anyone and everyone who wants to hire a professional videographer. This can include: Realtors, restaurants, hotels, dog groomers, spas, bands, churches, and boutiques...everything... Look at your phone book...those are our clients!

For our $99, we find the work and send it to you. Manage all payments and accounting, marketing, advertising, memberships to organizations, trade shows, servers, payroll, merchant service fees, licensed music, professional services like lawyers, CPAs, encoding equipment, overhead, etc.

We give you a personal page which you can upload your BIO, photo, link your web site to ours, and stream your video samples. If you don't have a web site, we can provide you with one at no charge.

When you can begin: Most likely in May. We feel you will have limited number of jobs to start with (depends on your personal page...you’ll want to get it built ASAP) if you're talented and clients like you, you can shoot 2-7 jobs per day by end of August or September (possibly before). This is not a job for beginners! And, yes…if you can shoot and are professional – You WILL get work.

Go to www.GoLookInside.com to apply. Click on the videographer on the home page and fill out the videographer questionnaire. You will then receive an email giving you access to the videographer’s information section. You will be asked for personal information. So, please check us out…We are listed on Dun and Bradstreet, the financial who’s who in the US. We also employ ADP payroll company to pay you weekly…believe me, they did a pretty thorough check of our company since we’re talking about serious money! And, our attorney, Ron Elberger is one of the best. http://boselaw.com/AtyTemplate.asp?ID=19 His client’s include David Letterman, Emmis Broadcasting and Michael Jackson.

Here’s what we will ask for…and we need it immediately since we begin work May 2nd.

We NEVER sell any information. We are privately held, with no partners or investors... so, no one sees your information. Clients only see what you post on your Personal Page. Please visit our web site at www.GoLookInside.com and read the FAQ and "Order Now" page for more information.

Sorry, we're receiving an amazing amount of info right now, so if you ABSOLUTELY have a question and need to talk with me you can email me at
Skye@GoLookInside.com Please DON'T SEND ME YOUR RESUME AND DEMO REEL, I won't open it. We'll see it on your personal info page.

Web Site - www.GoLookInside.com My phone (but only if absolutely necessary please!) Skye 317-581-1766 We are getting ready for the wave of business we are about to receive. That's why this is so detailed. Please read our FAQ and Order Now forms to see what we tell our clients.
*Yes, are working now, but with limited numbers of clients...we are in the process of signing deals with HUGE companies
*Yes...We need videographers EVERYWHERE.
*Yes, I CAN get you work if you are good with a camera!
www.GoLookInside.com Look here before you call me!
Thanks for your time!"

well, that sounds somewhat better than before. However, we all know everything takes longer than it should, and I estimate they'll be paying out the ass with the overtime. 45 minutes? Whatever! I'll wait it out. All you rich people get back to me, then I'll sign up.

You know, I'm really starting to feel that we should keep this "Helping Hands" forum limited to DV Info Net members seeking other members.

I've just about had it with this thread; don't expect it to last much longer. The only question is where to put it... "Taking Care of Business" will be the most likely forum for its ultimate destination.

I'm with ya, but can't we keep it around for the fun factor?

I think Bruce summed it up pretty well last February:It's hard to believe that this thread about these con artists and their shill, is still alive!

Will someone please transfer this thread to the gun and ammo forum, where it can be shot properly once and for all time?

How about area 51 for this thread? Sounds right to me.

Yep. It's kind of......well......beaten to death. I posted that recent update just to provide the latest activity. Some of those claims just seem unrealistic and with all of the related posts and experiences with this organization, it seems like it needs to be monitored.

Besides, if you bury this thread, you just know someone new will join in a month, and say "I just found these people looking to hire videographers everywhere! Are they for real???"

Then it starts all over again...

James:

Their solicitation apparantly went out on all the craigslist.org boards it hit the Santa Barbara, CA board also, its funny how the job also started in May here in SB....thank god Ive already sent my info to the bank in Nigeria that is representing my deceased relative who apparantly worked in the oil industry and no longer need to work.

M