In fact, the question in my mind is generally how many human interactions we think we can replace with the Internet. I used to walk down the hill to my local book store, look at what books were displayed there, chat with the guys behind the counter, ask them what great jazz CD they were playing, and generally have a little tiny community experience. Now, I order books online and talk to no one. I resisted this trend for a long time, but now that many of the independent bookstores have died out, I don't really see the point of standing in line at Barnes and Noble.
I suspect that much of what is being outsourced now is the kind of finish processing that traditionally didn't involve a lot of client contact. I have had producers that wanted to be part of the color process, but they are increasingly rare. In general, as budgets have shrunk over the years, my clients have spent less and less time with me in the suite when I'm cutting content, but they typically do still spend some, and I think that time is generally fun for both of us. Some directors, the kinds I like, truly appreciate the give and take, the sparks that fly when two people sit in a room and blurt out whatever ideas pop into their heads. There may be a way to do this on the web, but will it be the same? In the same vein, is talking to someone you love from across the country via web cam the same as having them in the room? I don't think so. We've gone very far down this road, but I suspect that at some point people will start to understand what they've lost, that human contact is worth something, and that you can't replicate it with technology.
In the long run, if I still manage to work, I think it will be because I myself am worth something to the people who pay me, and I they understand that I can't be replaced by the kid editing on FCP in his bedroom or a total stranger in Mumbai.
Shirley
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick <a_pmb_fan@yahoo.com>
To: Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, Oct 26, 2009 10:15 am
Subject: Re: [Avid-L2] Re: Not to say "I told you so...."
I just went through this with a producer that insisted he be at the edit
session in my basement. I insisted I wasn't taking the job if he was. So he
finally gave in and we've been doing video chats with skype. I had to at least
put on a shirt and remember to not stand up during the chat, but it's working
fine.
Rick Emery
www.rickemery.com
________________________________
From: Jon Wilkman <jon@wilkman.com>
To: Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, October 26, 2009 1:05:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Avid-L2] Re: Not to say "I told you so...."
I certainly won't argue that online globalization is having inevitable
impact on making movies, but as documentary producer/director/ writer, I
enjoy the one on one creative interchange with an editor, as both of us
stare at a screen and try to figure out where that next cut will lead.
Even a webcam can't match that kind of collaboration, at least so far.
Steve Hullfish wrote:
>
>
> I'm definitely part of the problem here. I just sit in my basement and
> edit for clients from LA, NY, Nashville, Dallas and Austin. About 5%
> of my business is from clients in Chicago.
>
> Luckily I don't have a webcam set up or you'd be able to see the odd
> impressions the mesh of an Aeron chair makes on a naked butt. That's
> not too much information is it?
>
> I'd try to head off unemployment by suggesting the non-commuting
> route. I'd willingly give up $200 a week in salary if I didn't
> actually have to come in to work ever.
>
> On Oct 26, 2009, at 10:53 AM, guanacaa@aol. com
> <mailto:guanacaa% 40aol.com> wrote:
>
> > It seems that on the way to unemployment I should at least hit the
> > stage where I still have a job, but don't have to commute. Hasn't
> > really happened yet. If I end up commuting right up to the moment my
> > job goes to India, that would be too cruel.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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