Mr. Sparkle Heads To The Dark Side?

[mr. sparkle]

Hi All,
I just got back from Boston, MA and got interviewed by the big "A's" main competitor in the digital video realm.

They're offering some good dough.

Pluses: Starting over, good dough, lots of travel, major career boost, meeting lotsa contacts in major production houses, will travel to Japan once a year to Inter Bee. Can make a major difference at this company. 97% of all Hollywood film and TV post uses this tool. Can pile up massive air miles and hotel points. Make TONS of important contacts. Can take a 2-3 year contract. Steady gig with 6 figures. 3 weeks paid vacation.

Minuses: Not a very creative job, relocation to the east coast (west coast Cali native) with brutal winters and mushi atsui summers. Giving up west coast friends and family. I may lose credibility with contacts. It's akin to Luke Skywalker joining forces with Darth Vader. 75-90% on the road travel - exhausting!

May say yes or no to this opportunity. The alternative is to stay in the Apple realm and move to LA specializing in HDTV post-production.

Your input: should I go to LA and go for the gold right now or should I go for the East Coast rock star travel king job with the dark side?

Looking to hear your ideas and responses.

[Taro Toporific]

...Should I go to LA and go for the gold right now or should I go for the East Coast rock star travel king job with the dark side?

Nobody is asking for me on either coast, but I would FOLLOW THE MONEY.

Dang, travel shouldn't be an issue to a single guy like you and it's always good to learn the secrets of the Dark Side. I work be happy to wear Darth's helmet for a while rather the Mickey Mouse yellow pongi hat.

If and only if the LA job is for real working "in HDTV post-production" take it---Is it real offer for real salary?

[GuyJean]

Hi All,
I just got back from Boston, MA and got interviewed by the big "A's" main competitor in the digital video realm.

[SIZE="6"]NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!![/SIZE]

Could you try the creativeless, corporate cocksucking job for a couple years and not lose your 'A' contacts? Steve's joined the dark side.. Why can't you?

Whatever your decision, I'm sure you'll kick ass!

GJ

[amdg]

Congrats!
Can't give you any advice on which one to take though. I just don't know enough about the field. But making good contacts is never a bad thing, and aren't we over that era of Apple vs. The rest of the World?

[American Oyaji]

Hmmm. Tough decision, but look at it this way...

...you've built your experience with Apple up to now and now you want to switch to Avid(I'm guessing).

It depends on how much of a money difference it's going to be. If it is a solid offer in writing, I'd follow the money. I'd make sure I'd have a signed contract and a start date IN HAND before I left.

[Blah Pete]

Hi All,
I just got back from Boston, MA and got interviewed by the big "A's" main competitor in the digital video realm.

Come on Avid is not so bad. it's not like you are going to Adobe or anything...

Will you be doing only DV or do you get to play with their other products too?

[emperor]

saw this linked from TUAW a little while ago:

why I passed up the chance to work at Apple

[Charles]

Moving to Boston and working with #2 strikes me as a way to be a big fish in a small pond. And Boston is one of the most horrid places to live I've ever been in. Go there in December-January sometime if you want to get a real feel for what it is like to live on the North-Atlantic seacoast (I've done that and no amount of money would ever convince me to move to Boston). Plus, it won't make any difference if you make tons of contacts if all the work is done in LA and you are in Boston.

This is the most important time of transition in the media production industry, a time of high risk and high payoffs. You can either get out there and make your own way, maybe earning less in the short term but making the profits for yourself and establishing yourself as a player, or you can coast along with a company that wants to use you to make the reputation for itself. This is the time when I'd be trying to carve out a niche for myself with the people who are actually doing the work, in LA or SF. And that's exactly what I'm planning to do. California, here I come!

It is always more difficult to strike out on your own, it's always less scary to work for someone else that will give you security. But regardless of which choice you make, look at where you think you'll be in 10 years, and then imagine what choices you might have made, and think if you will have any regrets for the path not taken.

[mr. sparkle]

Nobody is asking for me on either coast, but I would FOLLOW THE MONEY.

It's a good chunk we are talkin' 'bout. Like 6 figs. But I made nearly that as a freelancer with the big A + my lecture tour last year.

Dang, travel shouldn't be an issue to a single guy like you

It's exhausting if you stack it up the way it's gonna go. 2-3 cities a week.

and it's always good to learn the secrets of the Dark Side. I work be happy to wear Darth's helmet for a while rather the Mickey Mouse yellow pongi hat.

This is true.

If and only if the LA job is for real working "in HDTV post-production" take it---Is it real offer for real salary?

The job in Boston is a real offer for real salary. I'm just waiting for the phone call. The LA thing would involve me just going for it on my own. However, I really believe in myself and have some kick ass ideas. As Charles says, now is the time to carve out a niche.

I already have my first client, BTW: Avid. ]Could you try the creativeless, corporate cocksucking job for a couple years and not lose your 'A' contacts? Steve's joined the dark side.. Why can't you?[/quote]
I'll always have my friends at the big "A". I just can't ask anything about the next version of FC Studio. Actually, I called a couple of them up and asked their opinion and they thought that Avid would be a good opportunity.

But making good contacts is never a bad thing, and aren't we over that era of Apple vs. The rest of the World?

This job would put me in front of the premier editors and post-production facilities throughout the US. I'm not exactly over the Apple vs. the rest of the world. I'm an Apple-a-holic. I was raised in Cupertino and been drinkin' the kool aid a long, long time.

...you've built your experience with Apple up to now and now you want to switch to Avid(I'm guessing).

Not quite. I was trained on Avid in '97, well before Apple had video tools. Avid WAS the cool Mac tool back then. It was totally the bees knees. Still is. And many of the products do run on Macs and if I have any influence, they will continue to do so. Avid customers, especially LA editors insist on Mac based Avids. In fact, when new Macs came out with only 3 PCI slots, Hollywood dudes began to horde 9850s so they could run all their Avid hardware cards.

I've always considered myself as an editor, first and foremost. I can run Avid, I can run Media 100, Premiere or FCP. They are all very similar. I think that all FCP guys should know Avid too. I've always felt this way.

It depends on how much of a money difference it's going to be. If it is a solid offer in writing, I'd follow the money. I'd make sure I'd have a signed contract and a start date IN HAND before I left.

Well, I pretty much asked for 6 figs. But no offer was handed to me. I think they have to think about how much they want to pay a rock star like me. ]AH DOUMO, DOUMO MISTA SPAKULU-SAMA,

Prease have happy reading:

The Beginning of The End of FCP Bloatware et al[/quote]
I have a feeling that something like that might happen for consumers, but there will always be the need for the storytelling bard. You know, like when Bowie has the skull in his hand and stuff. Avid is LA dude. They rule the broadcast and film wasteland.

Come on Avid is not so bad. it's not like you are going to Adobe or anything...

Adobe might be better because I wouldn't have to move. ]Will you be doing only DV or do you get to play with their other products too?[/quote]
I'll be the man for 7 different products and yes, this includes a couple of big daddies that can do HDTV.

saw this linked from TUAW a little while ago:
why I passed up the chance to work at Apple

What a wuss. He'll have to die knowing that he never went for the brass ring. Serves him right for getting married and having 6 freakin' kids in UTAH. eck.

It's very satisfying going to the office every day at 1 Infinite Loop. Heading down to Cafe Macs for my double mocha at 10 AM. I have a cool Apple Badge opening and closing doors - avoiding Steve - Ha! The people above all are really cool there. I enjoyed the experience.

Moving to Boston and working with #2 strikes me as a way to be a big fish in a small pond.

I'll only be living there "virtually" as there is SO much travel involved Charles. And the way I look at it is that "yes" I'll be a big fish as the face and voice of the company. But the pond is large, because it involves the entire U.S., not Boston. I'll hardly be there. I'll probably be in LA, Chicago and NYC more often than not. They said 2-3 cities per week.

And Boston is one of the most horrid places to live I've ever been in. Go there in December-January sometime if you want to get a real feel for what it is like to live on the North-Atlantic seacoast (I've done that and no amount of money would ever convince me to move to Boston).

I can only imagine. As a Cali Boy, I am frightened by those kinds of winters. And I've heard that the summers are WICKED hot.

Plus, it won't make any difference if you make tons of contacts if all the work is done in LA and you are in Boston.

No, I'll be in LA quite a lot - I'm sure of it. The contacts I make will be nationwide, if not worldwide actually. I'll be in front of some heavy hitters, for sure.

This is the most important time of transition in the media production industry, a time of high risk and high payoffs.

I totally agree with you. That's why I'm kinda thinking I might just go for broke in LA. It's very tempting because there are inklings of "We need hardcore FCP guys that know Avid down here - so get your ass down here!" from studio types.

You can either get out there and make your own way, or you can coast along with a company that wants to use you to make the reputation for itself.

So I go to LA and start up my new studio or coast with Avid. These are happy problems. ]This is the time when I'd be trying to carve out a niche for myself with the people who are actually doing the work, in LA or SF. And that's exactly what I'm planning to do. California, here I come![/quote]
Oh, I thought you already lived in the Bay Area? Well, I'm thinking about doing the same thing.

It is always more difficult to strike out on your own, it's always less scary to work for someone else that will give you security.

To me, it's almost scarier working for the man. As a freelancer, I have a lot more free time to do my own projects - which is my life's blood. I can always survive, but making money is much harder.

But regardless of which choice you make, look at where you think you'll be in 10 years, and then imagine what choices you might have made, and think if you will have any regrets for the path not taken.

Good one. Thanks man.

And thanks all. I have some thinking to do and a few more people to consult with. Wonder what dear old mom thinks.

[American Oyaji]

Sparkle, not sure how old you are, but if you're single, go travel.

I mean, if they are PAYING for your travel and lodging and all you have to pay for is food, rent a small place large enough to work out of and bank your money.

[Mulboyne]

I don't know the industry so I can't offer an opinion about which is going to be better for your career. Whether you choose the freelance route or the company job, you are going to have to be fairly disciplined about how you go about your work and your life. Working for yourself can be extrememly gratifying but can be lonely. Likewise, travelling around 2-3 cities a week. Both can be exhausting and you'll need to avoid the comfort food conveyor belt or else your health will make life a lot less gratifying.

Whatever you choose, make sure it is your decision and commit to it. Don't take a weighted average of what your friends recommend and go with that because you want their good opinion. People will accept your choice if they hear that you are excited by it. They'll keep offering advice if they sense that you are still wondering whether you made the right move. Good luck. It sounds like you have a lot of options and you've put in a lot of work to bring that about.

[American Oyaji]

Wise words from Mulboyne.

[GomiGirl]

Wise words from Mulboyne.

He is a wise man!!!

[Greji]

He is a wise man!!!

What! You're dropping me, your pet Yank, for him? Rumors are, he's a POM!

[GomiGirl]

What! You're dropping me, your pet Yank, for him? Rumors are, he's a POM!

Ya knows I loves ya GB!!! There is room in my life for all of my friends.

[mr. sparkle]

Likewise, travelling around 2-3 cities a week. Both can be exhausting and you'll need to avoid the comfort food conveyor belt or else your health will make life a lot less gratifying.

Absolutely. I have to get in shape and stay in shape to surive the rigors of the road. Fortunately, many biz hotels have such facilities.

Whatever you choose, make sure it is your decision and commit to it. Don't take a weighted average of what your friends recommend and go with that because you want their good opinion. People will accept your choice if they hear that you are excited by it. They'll keep offering advice if they sense that you are still wondering whether you made the right move.

Absolutely, however, the advice of my family, friends and colleauges has been extremely helpful.

Good luck. It sounds like you have a lot of options and you've put in a lot of work to bring that about.

Yes, that's true. I deserve to taste some of the harvest I have already sown. It's weird that Avid has seen that I am a maverick however Apple seems to not understand what I can offer them. Their loss. But as others have said, they'll finally take me seriously once I start kicking some ass.

[kamome]

Congrats on getting the offer, dude. This is a good dilemma to have.

[mr. sparkle]

Congrats on getting the offer, dude. This is a good dilemma to have.

Thanks dude. I am still waiting for the offer 4 days later. I just sent some followup letters. Hopefully that will shake the tree. I hope they can come up with some proper dough. Otherwise, it's time to deal.

[mr. sparkle]

Thanks dude. I am still waiting for the offer 4 days later. I just sent some followup letters. Hopefully that will shake the tree. I hope they can come up with some proper dough. Otherwise, it's time to deal.

Still waiting. But at least I got a phone call saying that I "did well" at the interview. Next stage is making a 40 mi. drive to the branch office next week for a teleconference with the VP. Guess they've never heard of iChat.

I guess because since their spending more than they wanted to for me, they want one last look before they leap.

I've been pricing lofts and cool apatos in Boston. Expensive!

[American Oyaji]

Boston is a pretty nice city though.

I have good memories of Boston.

[Charles]

I have good memories of Boston.

That was before the Big Dig, right?

[American Oyaji]

it was 1991/1992

Not sure what the "Big Dig" is.

[Charles]

Not sure what the "Big Dig" is.

It was a monumental urban renewal project to completely flatten whole sections of Boston, rebuild the freeways, and dig massive underground tunnels, in an attempt to improve traffic flow around the city. The project will never ever be finished. It's years late, billions over budget, and the underground tunnels constantly flood with water.

[mr. sparkle]

It was a monumental urban renewal project to completely flatten whole sections of Boston, rebuild the freeways, and dig massive underground tunnels, in an attempt to improve traffic flow around the city. The project will never ever be finished. It's years late, billions over budget, and the underground tunnels constantly flood with water.

It's a mess. I'd have to commute through that when I'm in town, which wouldn't be much, actually. I should be close to Logan, so I can fly in and out easily. 20 minutes away max.

[emperor]

might be of interest to some of y'all

[mr. sparkle]

Yeah, I'm all over that. They're giving away free camcorders at the events. In LA, they're already sold out, but may offer another date.

XDCAM is pretty damn cool. I'm looking forward to working with it. You don't capture any video into your computer. You just work right off the disk. Pretty cool.

[Charles]

XDCAM is pretty damn cool. I'm looking forward to working with it. You don't capture any video into your computer. You just work right off the disk. Pretty cool.

You can get some of the advantages of XDCAM even with your old equipment. A friend of mine just bought a FireStore to use with his Canon XL video camera. He records DV straight to disk, then plugs it straight into his MacBook for editing in FCP. He raves about how much time it saves.

[GuyJean]

A friend of mine just bought a FireStore to use with his Canon XL video camera.

.................................................

GJ

[mr. sparkle]