Marketing the EX3
by Joe Tyler
on
Sep 28, 2009 at 4:47:23 pm
I'm about to re-launch my website with considerable mention of my EX3 package. I've decided to ask the pros, (well some of you) What would you Market regarding the EX3?
Workflow? Cost Savings?
I've got pages of this stuff, just want to see what DPs and clients are thinking.
Re: Marketing the EX3 by Ron Pestes on Sep 28, 2009 at 5:30:59 pm
I would mention all you have listed plus the ability to overcrank and undercrank, shoot in 720 or 1080i, 30p, 24p and the portability and reliability of the -3. I used my EX-3 in Romania for two weeks shooting a concert series and was delighted with how fast it was to set up and get into action. Also the ability to genlock and use SDI connections.
Re: Marketing the EX3 by Ron Pestes on Sep 29, 2009 at 4:36:53 am
I disagree with the above. I have gotten jobs BECAUSE of my equipment list. They didn't know me but based on about 30 applicants it was my equipment list that got me the job. If you have professional equipment, list it because some people still show up with small DV or HDV cameras that can't do the job.
Re: Marketing the EX3 by Michael Slowe on Sep 29, 2009 at 9:34:16 am
I am baffled by this thread. Surely the only thing that matters is what you produce. True you need decent kit but a show reel says more than a store full of technical wizardry and provides cast iron evidence of your skill and ability. Don't clients want to see this evidence before hiring you?
Re: Marketing the EX3 by Jay Gladwell on Sep 29, 2009 at 11:00:21 am
Joe, you'd be surprised at how many can't or don't know how to "be professional." A fair amount of my work is fixing/redoing jobs of other "professionals".
Do you hire an auto mechanic based on whether he uses Snap-On tools versus Stanley tools?
Those few that do hire based on kit are using us as a link in the chain. It boils down to a compatability issue. That's certainly understandable. Otherwise, 90% of the time the client could care less. That's what my experience has been over the past 35 years.
Re: Marketing the EX3 by Tim Kolb on Sep 29, 2009 at 1:14:35 pm
[Joe Tyler]"Of course you do the job well and finish on time, That is called being a professional. So is staying on task."
This is not as common as you appear to believe it is... Timelines are probably the biggest problem with production projects.
If you are hired by producers who have a project and are hiring a shooter...list your kit.
If you are doing production projects for a client and are handling (yourself or contracting) the bulk of a project...show your images.
The lines are becoming so blurred as to what camera is of what quality level...I'm not really an advocate of judging the skills of someone whose gear list only demonstrates their ability to write a check.
Your reel shows that you have the ability to create images...and that's what you're paid for.
Re: Marketing the EX3 by Marvin Holdman on Sep 28, 2009 at 11:22:25 pm
It's not what you point at it, it's what you point it at!
Marvin Holdman
Production Manager
Tourist Network
8317 Front Beach Rd, Suite 23
Panama City Beach, Fl
phone 850-234-2773 ext. 128
cell 850-585-9667
skype username - vidmarv
Re: Marketing the EX3 by Rafael Amador on Sep 29, 2009 at 11:38:38 am
Will be people that will choose you for your kit, will be people that will choose you for your Demo Reel and there are people will choose you because you are fan of the Lakers.
For marketing your self you must use all the elements that you think can attract customers.
Some customers have no idea about equipment, some other do.
Even here in Laos there are people that when they contact me they ask me if I have a 3CCD camera.
Is not just the case of telling to your potential customers that you have a good equipment, is also to tell them that you care bout your work and you invest a bunch of money to provide a professional service.
cheers,
Rafael
Re: Marketing the EX3 by Craig Seeman on Sep 29, 2009 at 12:33:51 pm
Good marketing is about meeting needs and/or solving problems.
I've found that diverse marketing helps. Yes some will look for kit, those that are kit savvy. It's not bad to have a kit web page for such folks
I think it's a good idea to show off what the kit does. This can show how the kit "meets the need" better than a laundry list of features.
Show video:
Great low light shooting the 1/2" chips afford
Depth of Field control the 1/2 chips afford
Slow mo footage at 720p24/60
Time lapse footage
Explain advantages of the workflow:
No need for compatible "deck" when you hand them files.
faster than real time file ingest saves time/money in post production
Client can have master copies on portable hard drive or even SDHC card (and you can have same generation quality protection masters)
The above doesn't require a "kit list" so much as creative flexibility and cost advantage. This is in addition to showing off a demo good reel.
Re: Marketing the EX3 by Noah Kadner on Sep 29, 2009 at 1:08:58 pm
For real- the EX3 is a great camera but it's also an incredibly common camera- everyone has one. So I'd emphasize less the capabilities and specs of a camera that everyone has and more your special services, clients, abilities etc. Otherwise you're just being an ad for Sony and they're doing fine.
Re: Marketing the EX3 by Ed Kukla on Sep 30, 2009 at 11:51:34 am
This will depend on your client. I've seen some clients ask for HD and found out they wanted HDV at very low budget.
My biggest roadblock has been clients that want tape for archiving. They refuse to accept card based recording. This is especially true with History & Discovery networks. I've been forced to use F900 or HDX900 at much greater cost to the client because of the network requirement to archive all materials on tape. SOME production companies will archive to tape after the shoot but most do not want to mess with all that. A one hour show can have 30 hours of material. That is a lot of work to transfer all that material to tape after the fact. Someday the networks will get up to speed with a good archival solution; but until then, tape is still king.
