View Full Version : Videographers needed all over the U.S.


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Doug Puckett
October 4th, 2004, 06:33 AM
I recntly discovered a company who is recruiting videographers all over the US to do real estate video tours. If this of interest to you you can sign up at this URL....

www.yourgoldenopportunity.net

Why such a name Im not sure. It may sound like spam but its not. When you fill out the questionaire on the site you will get a reply from Skye Donaldson. She is starting this company based in Indiana and I think it has awsome potential. When you hear from Skye you will send her the zip codes of the areas you want to work. It is that simple. If you dont want to travel much its up to you.

If you have any questions shoot me an email at doug@wolfhillproductions.com. If you sign up, tell her I referred you. I dont get anything from that, I just want to help get this going and Im curious how many people are reading my posts.

Here is her description to me from her first email......

I started shooting narrated video tours earlier this year and found myself swamped with work. Then a major real estate company approached us to work exclusively with them. So, I'm putting together a team of photographers, soon to be 6,000 strong, around the globe.



The system is fairly simple... The Realtor signs onto our site, requests a video and is forwarded to the photographer nearest the location they'd like taped. The photographer contacts the Realtor and sets a date. If you can't shoot it within the 48 hour time frame...let the Realtor know in advance and I'm sure they'll be okay with that.



The photographer is responsible for contacting the Realtor then shooting and editing the video. When complete they FTP the file to our administrator. Videos should be 3 minutes and under. Usually a wide shot with the Realtor in front of the house, dissolve as you go into the home, dissolve on any staircase and dissolve again when you go to a wide shot of the backyard. Of course, use a wide angle lens.



So, what's the pay right? Well, I'll just say we're the "McDonald's" of video production. We charge a low $180 per shoot. $100 of that is the photographers. Don't worry, we receive a lot of work. You could easily tape 5-7 houses/videos a day. Other work includes Realtor Profiles, and Broker offices. Soon we'll be taping apartment complexes and small businesses. You will stay busy. Also, you can leave your weekends open for weddings. You can work as much as you want to. And, you receive immediate payment via PayPal.



As a photographer, I'm aware that we are used to receiving more pay on a shoot...but, I know with 5-7 homes/videos per day...I made quite a bit of money. I use Nnovia to digitize my video and don't have any upload time. This cuts my editing time down to about 20 minutes. www.Nnovia.com (If you want this product, don't buy online. I can get it wholesale for you.)



If you have any other questions, please let me know. I expect to have a total rollout in December. Until then, we'll be creating the 90,000 websites (that's how many Realtors we'll be working for...)and securing photographers from around the world. I'll be sending letters of noncompete soon. If you're not interested don't send it back and I'll count you out....but, I hope you join us and change the way real estate is sold.



Thanks again,

Skye Donaldson

Samuel Birkan
October 4th, 2004, 10:07 AM
I tried to register but there website crashes after I hit the submit button.

Doug Puckett
October 4th, 2004, 10:12 AM
What happened when it crashed?

I will research it for you.....

doug

Cliff Hepburn
October 4th, 2004, 11:09 AM
Doug, how are you involved in this?

Doug Puckett
October 4th, 2004, 11:41 AM
I signed up with Skye just like everyone else will. The concept seemed cool to me and I told her I would spread the word on all the different videographer forums I visit.

I dont get anything for referring people, nor do I want anything. I just wanted to help out. I figure the more people that sign up, the quicker we can all start making money.

Let me know if you have any other questions. If I dont know the answer, I will find them for you.


Doug
doug@wolfhillproductions.com

Jacob Ehrichs
October 4th, 2004, 03:25 PM
It does seem very interesting venture and a promising market, but it just seems a bit iffy. Not that you're really disclosing a lot of information on the website, just address and phone number info, it's still a bit of a flag for me.

One hesitation is your low post count. Granted I don't have very many either (18 with this one I believe) but combined with the fact that you've recently registered (Oct) as well. Just makes me a bit cautious, that's all.

Now let me just say that I don't think YOU're spamming or trolling the board and please don't take this as a personal attack. It's not meant to be. It's a broken world out there and caution is always advisable.

Other is that the site was created on 12-Sep-04, and was made by a company called Domains by Proxy which is designed to protect the registers identity from anyone who has the knowledge to get that info. Again, not an attack as there are obviously very ligitimate reason to do such a thing, it just raises another red flag for me.

On the other hand there is a person by that name living in Indiana and I do have her number so I may just give her a ring to see what the deal is.

Like I said, it'd be a great market and one I'd enjoy getting into so if it was, it'd be sweet to do it.

Doug Puckett
October 4th, 2004, 04:25 PM
I get sick everyday when my "in" basket is full of spam, so I understand your concern.

I signed up on this forum this past weekend just because I just found it. I have been posting on the VU forum for a while now and was looking to expand my horizons.

If you have her number I suggest calling Skye up. You will get all the info you need.

As for me I am just a videographer from VA. The only interest in the company I have is to see it succeed so we can all in turn do the same. When all is said and done I will get paid the same amount you do if you sign up.

As with everything, if you do not ge "the-warm-and-fuzzies" about it just ignore it.
I just want to spread the word, nothing more.

Doug

Jacob Ehrichs
October 4th, 2004, 05:08 PM
I appreciate that 110%. Glad to see you're looking to help out your fellow video people.

I'd really like to see some business information, which I did end up finding out with a bit of research. The internet truely is a powerful too.

Ain't gettin the warm fuzzies as you put it, but pieces to the puzzle are falling into place and I think I will call just for info, if nothing else. Thanks again.

Samuel Birkan
October 5th, 2004, 06:41 AM
I am also very sceptical.I also saw the proxy owned website. I did sign up though and spoke with Skye yesterday. I don't know much about her business plan and what chances it has to succeed but I do think that she is genuine. She definitely has been involved in video making for a while and seems to know what she is talking about. I dont see that there is much to lose here other than disclosing your name and address to her. If you get a job and she does not pay then chalk it up to experience and move on, but I don't think that will happen. I'm waitng to hear more from her.
Thanks

Boyd Ostroff
October 5th, 2004, 07:12 AM
Yeah, well I personally wouldn't touch this. Maybe it is legit but it has all the earmarks of a "get rich quick" scheme if not an outright scam. I'd wait until December and look at a couple of the "90,000 websites" or talk to a few of the "6,000 photographers."

Jeff Donald
October 5th, 2004, 07:14 AM
I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but I would like to point out some past experiences with companies wanting real estate videos produced. I used to own a large video production company in Cincinnati. Historically, the Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Indianapolis areas have been a hotbed for fraudulent companies commissioning real estate videos. I lost around $20,000 participating in similar ventures in the mid '90's.

In no way, am I construing , that Skye Donaldson, or her company are involved in any illegal business activities or practices. Nor do I have any knowledge of an attempt by any person or organization to commit fraud. I just wanted to point out some of my experiences in the past, in a specific geographical region, with certain types of businesses.

Doug Puckett
October 5th, 2004, 07:36 AM
In the world we live in today, one cannot help but be skeptical!! Especially when you lose a load of money like Jeff did.

I like this forum and since I just found it, I will not post anymore on this subject. If you have any questions regarding this or as time goes on you want to know my progress just send me an email and I will answer it for you.

Dont get me wrong, I dont hold it against anyone for being leary about it. Its hard not to now-a-days.

Doug
doug@wolfhillproductions.com

Josh Bass
October 5th, 2004, 09:07 AM
I'd be interested in something like this, if it's not BS. This seems like the typical thing my dumb ass would go for, getting all excited and then realizing I'm being screwed. I'm certainly not gonna test the waters without some kind of assurance. . .so if anyone tries this or knows anyone who's tried this and it's legit, I'd like to know.

Cliff Hepburn
October 5th, 2004, 09:32 AM
Josh, by then it will be too late. ;->

I signed up but now I'm wondering if that was a good idea. I gave up my spam email account so no harm there. It is unusual that Skye Donaldson created separate website and not used the company's web address.

Doug, I still don't understand your involvement, did you create the website? If you just signed up like everyone else, how would you know more than anyone else.
Your interest seems to be more than just wanting to see someone succeed.

Doug Puckett
October 5th, 2004, 09:53 AM
I know I said I wasnt going to post anymore on this but I will this one last time to respond to Cliff.

Two weeks ago I got an unsolicited email from Skye explaining what she wanted to do and gave me the link to sign up like everybody else has seen. I signed up, she sent me a return email and we have been talking back and forth on the phone about it since.

Simply put, I liked what she had to offer and I told her I would post her info on some videographer forums I visit. I repeat, I GET NOTHING FOR DOING THIS, I ONLY WANTED TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD!!!!

When all is said and done, I will get paid in the same manner and SAME RATE as everyone else . Nothing more, nothing less!!

I know you all dont know me here but I like to help people out and that is what Im trying to do. It is just my personality. Ask SKYE, she will verify what Im saying.

It seems I am repeating myself too much here. If you dont believe me, fine! If you like what Skye is offering sign up. If you are skeptical then dont. Its that simple.

If you have anymore questions ask me by email or you can contact Skye on the website.

Doug

Christopher C. Murphy
October 5th, 2004, 10:47 AM
Everytime I "Submit" - I get this message:

error '80040211'

/photo/process.asp, line 80

Anyone else get that?

Murph

Samuel Birkan
October 5th, 2004, 12:12 PM
I got the same result, but they got my info all the same.
I,m interested in seeing all the reactions here.

Jeff - can you give some info how these scams were perpetrated ?- especially as I am in Cincinnati and dont want to fall victim, or worse be a part of one.
Boyd - why would you not touch this - other than some time spent and maybe some gas and a tape or 2 I cant see how the videographer can get ripped off ?

As I said earlier - I also spoke with her personally after doing some name and reverse number search's. Her husband is a news anchor on a local Indianapolis TV station and I asked her some location specific questions which she was able to answer without a blink.
I may be naive but I don't think she is trying to rip anyone off. I think her numbers are a bit high but I get the feeling that she is geuinly trying to start a new business.
Samuel

Boyd Ostroff
October 5th, 2004, 12:32 PM
Guys, everything about this smells fishy...

www.yourgoldenopportunity.net
This should be enough to scare you away right at the start.

I started shooting narrated video tours earlier this year and found myself swamped with work.
Sounds like 1,000 other spam messages I've seen

a team of photographers, soon to be 6,000 strong, around the globe.
Trying to impress you with a big number and an international connection

If you can't shoot it within the 48 hour time frame...let the Realtor know in advance and I'm sure they'll be okay with that.
Like many other work at home scams... set your own hours

Videos should be 3 minutes and under.
Hardly any work is needed.... easy money!

$100 of that is the photographers. Don't worry, we receive a lot of work. You could easily tape 5-7 houses/videos a day.
Work at home! Set your own hours! Make $500 to $700 per day! It's easy!

You will stay busy. Also, you can leave your weekends open for weddings.
And you don't even have to work on weekends!

I made quite a bit of money.
Get rich like me!

This cuts my editing time down to about 20 minutes. www.Nnovia.com (If you want this product, don't buy online. I can get it wholesale for you.)
We even help you out by selling you software at a big discount!

I expect to have a total rollout in December. Until then, we'll be creating the 90,000 websites (that's how many Realtors we'll be working for...)
Wow, that's a big job. ACT NOW... or you'll miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

I'm just not buying any of these. There is nothing specfiic in that e-mail about the "major real estate company" she's working for. That website is so vague that I find it disturbing. The whole tone is just like many, many scams I've seen publicized. If this is legitimate then she has chosen a very questionable way to promote her company. Doesn't it bother you that she says it will be easy to make between $2,500 and $3,500 per week?

I really question what real estate companies would be interested in this anyway. Having recently sold one house and bought another one I can tell you that the larger companies already have their own infrastructure for this sort of thing. Take a look at http://realtor.com for example. Also, did you know that a "realtor" is not the same thing as a "real estate agent." It's actually a trademark of the National Association of Realtors (http://www.realtor.org). It would be interesting to see if they have any comment about how this person appears to link her activities to their business....

Quacks like a duck. Waddles like a duck. Hmm, I wonder what sort of animal this is?... Of course this is all just my personal opinion. Maybe you really have stumbled across the elusive "free lunch?"

Boyd Ostroff
October 5th, 2004, 12:42 PM
Samuel: by all means check it out if you're interested. I'll be happy to admit I'm wrong as soon as you spend your first $500 day shooting for Skye. I tend to value my time enough that I don't want to waste it chasing rainbows like this, even if there isn't any obvious risk (by the way... I can tell you how to get a free iPod also ;-). Many of the "work at home" scams involve you buying supplies, or paying a registration fee. Then when you submit your work it somehow fails to meet their standards and is rejected.

Check it out and report back to us afterwards, it should be interesting.

Christopher C. Murphy
October 5th, 2004, 01:04 PM
Hey Boyd, can you scam me for a free iPod?

lol

Murph

Greg Boston
October 5th, 2004, 02:54 PM
I am bothered by the fact that I was being asked by an unknown entity to divulge my address information along with my equipment inventory. Let's hope there isn't a network of 6000 thieves ready to relieve people of their stuff. The Paypal payment thing got me wondering also. Could be something to get account info.

I didn't sign up. Just has too much of that fishy smell to me.

=gb=

Christopher C. Murphy
October 5th, 2004, 04:38 PM
First off, if anyone wants to show up at my house looking to steal from me....they'll be staring down the barrel of a shotgun with my finger pulling the trigger. (I live in rural NH, and we eat burglers for breakfast.) No one F's around with my stuff, so this better not be a scam.

Strangely, there is quite a bit of information sent to you when you "sign up". There is a link to a website with very well known real estate businesses, and you can check out lots of "video tours" etc.

I'm cautious like everyone else, but at this point it looks like something worth exploring. If anyone else would like to trade information about their reply email's...let me know. I don't want to post anything to specific on here right now because no one else has yet....why is that?!

In short, there is a website with lots of information about this thing. If it's a scam they've really worked hard to make it work. Otherwise, someone is legit and might be trying to start something legit....who knows!

Murph

Jeff Donald
October 5th, 2004, 05:26 PM
Samuel, the scam is that they are poorly run and managed companies in most cases. You do a job or two and get paid promptly. Then you get a "big job" involving hours of scripting, production, editing, etc. You deliver the job with hundreds of hours of time invested. No payment. Promises of payment, but still no check. Then they don't answer the phone. They just disappear in the night. I remember a company in Dayton (Mainsail, Full-sail?) got hit for 6 figures.

A hundred here and there is fine. But watch out when they try to get you involved in bigger projects.

Jacob Ehrichs
October 5th, 2004, 06:17 PM
I've written a little word doc with some information on it concerning this topic if anyone would like to see it. Just a sluething adventure I had. I would just post the text but there is some formatting that wouldn't carry over and it could get ugly pretty quickly, and no way to attach the file here. If you'd like a copy please feel free to email me at ehrichsj@hotmail.com and I'll send it out to you. Might be interesting, might not.

James Emory
October 5th, 2004, 09:27 PM
Well another claim made on the website that is a crock is:

"It's a technology savvy corporation that sees the value of being the first and only real estate company to enter the video streaming world."

The first and only? Well maybe in India but in the U.S. there are hundreds if not thousands of companies providing streaming media tours of property and structures. I've been doing it for 5 years. I know of several others not to mention real estate companies that do it themselves. It just sounds like another company promoting themselves as the cutting edge. Just do a search on this board and you'll find a few posts about video tours. I agree with Jeff and Boyd, be careful. That is just not a very realistic scenerio, a bit of wishful thinking. I wonder what she has that noone else has been able to accomplish. They want you to shoot and edit for 100.00 per house. How many do you think you could do in a day and are they all in the same area? It seems that they're making their money with volume considering the low production rates. That submission form sounds like an interrogation rather than an application especially for such low pay. Every client I've worked for just needed to see a resume, reel, and/or references.

Here is a company that does alot of real estate video:

www.crozierhenderson.com

P.S. Streaming media is old news!

Samuel Birkan
October 6th, 2004, 07:00 AM
Jacob I sent you an e-mail asking for your info.

Christopher , would you mind posting the link to the website so I can check it out.. I did not get a link in my reply e-mail from her. Here is My reply from her,

"Hi Samuel,
Thank for responding. It appears you don't have any questions for me so, if you don't mind, I'm copy/pasteing some info I sent to other photographers. It's kind of long, so get some coffee...haha
If after reading it you have some questions, I welcome the opportunity to answer them.
Thanks again,
Skye
By the way...you're the first person I have in Cincinnati...lots of work for you!!! "

Then the standard stuff follows.
If this is a scam then why is she putting her home address in her e-mail reply?
So long as I,m not asked for money or for anything more, then I'm game to try it out , but I'm not quitting my day job yet!
Thanks
Samuel

Jeff Donald
October 6th, 2004, 07:10 AM
I think the use of the term scam is being misapplied in this thread. This is not a scam like the Nigerian "lost money" in the bank scam. My experiences relate to a number of similar businesses that make real estate videos that are poorly managed and the production company (meaning you) is out their time and materials.

Boyd is pointing out that your unlikely to make it rich, like her website implies.

Greg Boston
October 6th, 2004, 07:41 AM
<<<-- Originally posted by James Emory :
Here is a company that does alot of real estate video:

www.crozierhenderson.com

-->>>

Funny that you chose that company James. I watch their DFW home show on Sunday morinings. Since they seem to be TX based, I was wondering how you knew of them.

regards,

=gb=

K. Forman
October 6th, 2004, 08:25 AM
Almost anything can turn into a scam... I did a shoot down in West Palm, footage for a PBS doc. It was a 2 hr drive each way, plus 8 hrs and tapes. I was told to email him the invoice, and I would get a check.

This was 8 months ago, and still no check.

If these people are giving home numbers and addresses, it is at least a little more trustworthy, than say, a p.o. box, hotmail account, or a pager number. As James pointed out, lots of Real Estate agencies are using video, and yes- there are people who want to make money. That is why we do video, right? That was what I was thinking... It just hasn't happened for me yet ;)

It sounds fairly legit, as they aren't claiming you'll make a fortune on a shoot, only $100. That sounds like a fair price to drive out, set up, shoot a walkthrough, and edit 3 minutes of video. If anything, they are likely just sugar coating how busy you'll be. But, if you can get a few jobs here and there, what does it hurt?

Tim Brown
October 6th, 2004, 09:01 AM
I agree with Keith.

Any opportunity can turn sour, but the only reason we take risks is because we are looking at the "potential" of the opportunity. It is my opinion, however, that this is not a scam.

I have sent several e-mails to Skye and have received several responses all containing detailed information and specific answers to the questions I have asked.

One question I've asked in particular was concerning the validity of Skye and her business, to which she responded with an e-mail containing background information, a list of names and numbers of people she has worked with, and the name and e-mail address of her attorney. It seems that all the information she has given has panned out and I have no reason to believe that this is a hoax of some kind.

Hope this helps.

-Tim

K. Forman
October 6th, 2004, 09:19 AM
"the only reason we take risks is because we are looking at the "potential" of the opportunity"

Not me... I do it cause I don't have a real job ;)

Seriously, I do it looking to gain experience, network, and hopefully get a cushy job like Charles Pappert! I just really enjoy doing video, and would do it for free. Unfortunately, free don't pay bills, but the work is plentiful at that rate...

James Emory
October 6th, 2004, 06:40 PM
Greg. www.crozierhenderson.com posted a crew call for shooters in the Atlanta area. They were featuring some real estate or buildings there. They were real particular about their look which is very professional.

Pat Chaney
October 7th, 2004, 01:06 PM
<<<-- Originally posted by Greg Boston : I am bothered by the fact that I was being asked by an unknown entity to divulge my address information along with my equipment inventory. Let's hope there isn't a network of 6000 thieves ready to relieve people of their stuff. -->>>

That's exactly why I wouldn't go anywhere near this either. I don't see why they would need details of your camera, microphone, tripod, computer system etc. If I was starting a business like this I think I'd prefer to see a sample video from the people I was recruiting.

And regarding the comments about this looking genuine and professional - the most successful scams often do. There are people here in the UK (and no doubt elsewhere) that have gone to enormous efforts to fake online banking web sites down to the very last detail, and many people have fallen for it. That's not to say that this is a scam of course, just that you can't draw any reliable conclusions from presentation alone.

Josh Bass
October 9th, 2004, 10:35 PM
Any new info? Still afraid to dive into this one. Anyone actually heard back, been called out to a shoot?

Is there an email for this lady? I can't find one on the site (yourgoldenopportunity.net). I'd like to ask her quesions along the lines of "why do you need my home address?" and "why do you need to know the exact gear I use?" (though I SORT OF see the logic in the latter).

Boyd Ostroff
October 10th, 2004, 06:06 AM
I think everybody is too busy shooting 5 to 7 homes per day to respond.... ;-)

Josh Bass
October 10th, 2004, 08:19 AM
Ha! Brilliant!

Jacob Ehrichs
October 10th, 2004, 12:06 PM
She mentions in her email that Doug posted above that they're 'rolling out' in Dec which is still a month + away. So, I'd say unless you're asking questions of her that there hasn't been any information yet. Josh, if you want her email address I'll email it to you.

Pat Chaney
October 10th, 2004, 03:15 PM
<<<-- Originally posted by Josh Bass : Is there an email for this lady? I can't find one on the site (yourgoldenopportunity.net). I'd like to ask her quesions along the lines of "why do you need my home address?" and "why do you need to know the exact gear I use?" (though I SORT OF see the logic in the latter). -->>>

It may sound kind of plausible on the face of it but I don't see any real logic in it. There is no mention of minimum system requirements on the site, and I'm sure we all appreciate that having high-end gear is no guarantee of quality results. Why they want to know what conputer system you have is even more of a mystery.

Brian Federal
October 11th, 2004, 10:43 AM
Filled out info on your site...and bamyow...it crashes. Sounds like an interesting opportunity. If you check this site drop me an email.
Brian

James Emory
October 11th, 2004, 10:09 PM
Wanting detailed technical and personal info, site crashing by simply trying to provide the requested info, low pay. Are there any other red flags needed? If that's state of the art as they claim....?

Samuel Birkan
October 12th, 2004, 09:44 AM
<<<-- Originally posted by Pat Chaney : <<<-- Originally posted by Josh Bass : Is there an email for this lady? I can't find one on the site (yourgoldenopportunity.net). I'd like to ask her quesions along the lines of "why do you need my home address?" and "why do you need to know the exact gear I use?" (though I SORT OF see the logic in the latter). -->>>

Skye Winslow
317-581-1766

SkyeDonaldson@aol.com

You can give her a call - she answers the phone herself.

Josh Bass
October 12th, 2004, 12:18 PM
Thanks, guys.

Bob Safay
October 13th, 2004, 06:32 AM
James, what part of Atlanta you in? I did not see that post. Bob Safay

Christopher C. Murphy
November 1st, 2004, 03:26 PM
I take it this whole thing was a huge waste of our time. When will we all learn!! lol

Murph

Rick Jones
November 1st, 2004, 05:11 PM
I was contacted by Skye yesterday via email and received a call from her this AM. She's susposedly got a job for me with a local auto dealer. The dealer is a very well know and I'm supposed to film a 2-3 min. infomercial for them. As far as I know, they're to know exactly what they want and all I'll have to do is show up and shoot 2-3 different shots, do a rough edit and slap on a title and ending contact title.

Skye told me they've decided to broaden their video market. That's why this job is with an auto dealer. The pay is the standard $100 but I figure if it only takes me an hour then that's not too bad.

BTW, their new website is www.golookinside.com if you're interested. Nothings live yet execpt the "Order Now" link. It just seems like they're pushing things faster than the marketing is able to keep up with.

It's not all set in stone yet but it seems to me a lot of trouble for it to be a scam. I'll keep everyone posted.

Rick

Ray Lane
November 2nd, 2004, 08:44 AM
Greetings,

Just to let everyone know. I have been in touch with Skye for over a month, and she appears to be legit. I know many of you think that the pay is too low, however, in my area (New England), Coldwell-Banker only pays their shooters $50 per house - and they are a multi-billion dollar company.

The company is a small start-up that is trying to do big things. I don't think that asking where you live and what equipment you use is an unreasonable request. As MANY of you know, being a "videographer" for many people consists of having a $300 camera and iMovie. If I was going to try and use videographers from across the US, I would want to know what equipment they have!

Skye seems like a very nice person, and she is working very hard on getting this going. Give her a chance!

Doug Puckett
November 3rd, 2004, 08:05 AM
Im glad to see more positive comments on this business venture.

Good luck to us ALL !!

Christopher C. Murphy
November 4th, 2004, 07:15 AM
Just an FYI - I got an email from "Skye". It does seem at this point to be legit - she's talking about Re/Max International etc. & Verizon.

Everything business these days requires extreme caution, but from the outside looking in....seems legit. She talked about getting videographers a DVD that explains exactly what they want - wireless mics, tripods, exporting to an AVI for web purposes (encoding) etc.

In short, I do believe that someone (Skye and company) are trying to make a go at something here. Almost 99% of the time you'd never get an email back from someone that talks specfics (wireless mics etc.). Of course, we could all be wrong...but, something tells me it's worth waiting and seeing how it pans out.

Also, she said they were expanding their menu to include other types of businesses because the money isn't there in just real estate. Apparently, it's taking some time to get it all together and we should hang loose until she contacts us again in about 30-60 days.

It's a waiting game, and there is no harm in waiting!

Murph

Rhett Allen
December 5th, 2004, 02:15 AM
<<<-- Originally posted by Ray Lane : As MANY of you know, being a "videographer" for many people consists of having a $300 camera and iMovie

And for $100 bucks that's all she should get! What a joke! Now she's branching out into car commercials?! Hell I get about 10 times that just to edit a 30 second commercial!
Some people won't be satisfied until they completely destroy an industries pricing schedule. I hope you enjoy driving all over town spending your time, your gas, your money and using your equipment to make some ingrate foreign (India, you know, where we're sending all of our jobs) company more money (they make almost as much as you off this) while you make a mockery of our craft!

I would rather see individuals go out and solicit the business themselves for a little more money. I don't care what other Real Estate agencies are paying, if the price starts going up, we all win!

Remember, if you start making it an industry standard to shoot and edit a commercial for $100, don't come crying to me when you can't afford to live at this craft anymore. Maybe fast food will pay better.

I also agree with others, my home address and inventory are none of her business (yet), and my insurance company would probably drop me for doing something as asinine as giving out that info to any website! DUH!

Richard Alvarez
December 5th, 2004, 08:18 AM
I noticed on her page, a question along the lines... "If the product is not up to standards, are you willing to re-shoot at no cost to the client"?

So... I spend my time, money and insurance to go out to shoot some local car dealer, who can't get his lines straight, or his act together, my "One hour shoot" turns into three... and he still looks terrible because he can't deliver his lines, which were poorly written anyway. Two days later, he feels more comfortable with them, decides he doesn't like the first version, and I have to go out and do it all over again for free.


Whats wrong with this business model?


I provide the equipment, (My own values at over ten grand) the time, the gas, the transportation, the insurance (and expose myself to all the liablility) for 100 dollars. (Which, if we are realistic about office hours, travel, setup, shoot, edit and paperwork... is proably in the neighborhood of 20 dollars per hour) I also sign a non-compete that says I won't go with someone else who offers to pay me more if and when they come up with a better "model".

And they get ninety nine dollars for setting hosting a website and giving out your phone number.


By golly, they're right. All we have to do is find a member of this board that's web-savvy, bind together as the "Largest on-line community of Videographers in the world" with "Millions of dollars in state of the art equipment" and offer our "Professional level services" for three hunderd dollars a spot. (Marketing is fun, and easy, no?)

Heck, I'll only take fifty, you guys can keep the other two hundred and fifty.

It's not a "scam" in the sense of the "nigerian money deal" sense, as someone said. It is a business model that the local Television stations often use. The practically give away their production services at cost, because they make up their profit on airtime.

Only in this model, another company is selling YOUR production services at below market cost, because they are making their profit on "Streaming air time". You carry the skills, expense and liability, they carry the video on a server. Sweet deal...


Yeah,,,, painting this fence sure is fun. Why, I haven't had this much fun painting a fence in a loooong time... I wouldn't trade this job for anything...