Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Thursday, September 30, 2010
What is this all about?
I've decided to start this blog as a way to post my thoughts on the changing landscape in the video production industry. So for starters I should probably qualify myself...
Just who is Michael?
Well I have been in the production industry for close to 20 years now. I've worked mostly in corporate video, both in house and as an independent. Yes I have done weddings, yes I have done event coverage and my share of local 30 second spots. But I've also done broadcast work as well as high end corporate productions. My key skill set is that of an editor/producer but I do shoot as well. In short I think I have seen many sides of the industry. Currently I am the owner of M2 Digital Post Inc. which is a small production company in San Diego Ca. And the co-founder of BariatricTV.com which is a niche web show and podcast aimed at the surgical weight loss community.
Just what is this blog about?
It's my thoughts, and practices, on how to adapt to a changing production market. Let's face it folks, we've all watched the work we do become more and more of a commodity as the cost of entry has fallen. Low cost edit systems, low cost cameras, all of it means that there are more people then ever clamoring for the few production dollars in any market. Five years ago I laid our 50k on an edit system that today can be replaced for one fifth of the cost. Eight or nine years ago if you wanted into the game you were laying down 30k for a Betacam, now it's 6k to 10k for a pretty darn good HD camera. Or even less for a DSLR package. Again this all means more people in the market.
So how does one combat this? How do you as a production company make money in a market where what you do is becoming a comodity? I say stop producing for others, and produce for yourself. Produce shows that you want to produce, about things you love doing. Distribute those shows and monetize those shows. Yes it can be done and I have been doing it for years. And that's what this blog is about. I hope to give you some information on how to get out of the race to the bottom of being a commodity, and how to produce a one of a kind thing that can be monetized.
And so it begins...
Just who is Michael?
Well I have been in the production industry for close to 20 years now. I've worked mostly in corporate video, both in house and as an independent. Yes I have done weddings, yes I have done event coverage and my share of local 30 second spots. But I've also done broadcast work as well as high end corporate productions. My key skill set is that of an editor/producer but I do shoot as well. In short I think I have seen many sides of the industry. Currently I am the owner of M2 Digital Post Inc. which is a small production company in San Diego Ca. And the co-founder of BariatricTV.com which is a niche web show and podcast aimed at the surgical weight loss community.
Just what is this blog about?
It's my thoughts, and practices, on how to adapt to a changing production market. Let's face it folks, we've all watched the work we do become more and more of a commodity as the cost of entry has fallen. Low cost edit systems, low cost cameras, all of it means that there are more people then ever clamoring for the few production dollars in any market. Five years ago I laid our 50k on an edit system that today can be replaced for one fifth of the cost. Eight or nine years ago if you wanted into the game you were laying down 30k for a Betacam, now it's 6k to 10k for a pretty darn good HD camera. Or even less for a DSLR package. Again this all means more people in the market.
So how does one combat this? How do you as a production company make money in a market where what you do is becoming a comodity? I say stop producing for others, and produce for yourself. Produce shows that you want to produce, about things you love doing. Distribute those shows and monetize those shows. Yes it can be done and I have been doing it for years. And that's what this blog is about. I hope to give you some information on how to get out of the race to the bottom of being a commodity, and how to produce a one of a kind thing that can be monetized.
And so it begins...
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