Re: Sadly, PROMAX will be closing its doors forever...

Re: passing of ProMax

while I never bought one of their systems, I often viewed their configurations to see what is considered an up to date system spec for editing and they do have a cool website. Companies that have all their eggs in one basket always run the risk of someone inventing a cheaper chicken.
Diversification is a good idea for any business, or a backup plan.

Re: Expecting to be paid for talent vs based upon price alone.

There will always be those who use price as the only barometer of a vendor's services. We recently tried a new DVD replication house, because the owner came to visit us and gave us a good price compared to our usual vendor. We took a chance, and our 4000 disc order was 3 weeks behind schedule and he used the wrong DVD case.

Our services are specialized, however occasionally a client takes a pass, such is business.

Re: Price of Oil

This is the wrong forum to debate the politics of oil or anything else, unless it somehow relates to business and marketing. Certainly higher fuel costs affect the price of goods and services (tape stock?) (traveling to a shoot, running a generator etc) and the overall economy seems to be in one of its predictable cyclical downturns, but we'll recover.

Re: The War

It's technically a police action - LOL. My heart goes out to families of the soldiers who have died on both sides.

Just rented the movie Rendition - not sure if this was trying to be a political anti-Bush movie or just showing rendition for what it is. Time magazine last week had an interesting movie review comparing a documentary about Abu Grahib and Harold and Kumar got to Guantanamo Bay - essentially pointing out that this war has been subject to heartache and ridicule.

Attention Charlie Sheen - I think it is time for Hot Shots Part 33 1/3.

Mike