> >Philip Hodgetts wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> On the other hand there are probaly 20-30 times more people editing with
> >> Premiere than will ever edit with an Avid. That high end broadcast market
> >> is somewhat less than 15% of the total production market.
> >
> >Phil- The installed base of Avid's in this country alone is over 10 thousand-
> >Are you saying that there are 200-300 Thousand premire setups out there?
> >And you know as well as I do that Avid's are not exclusive for "high end
> >broadcast".
>
> Okay, maybe 20-30 was a bit high, but yes, i'd say there were 100,000
> Premiere owners. Actually I don't find the 200-300 thousand totally
> unbelievable, if not now, within 3 years. Certainly Premiere, EditDV
> combined with SpeedRazor will be over 200,000 before the end of the
> century. Video production and editing isn't considered that 'special' any
> more. Of course only those who end up editing work people want to watch
> and buy will make a living from it, but one high school district alone
> Canada has 300 or so seats in each high school or so I'm leao believe.
>
> Avid's are installed in Small production houses, high schools,
> >colleges, corporate communications offices, Advertising agencies, Just about
> >every General Motors plant there is. etc.... The reason the "high end
> >broadcast" and film folks use Avid systems is because they work. They work
> >well, and like a dog, 24/7. And despite the other packages out there-
> >If you
> >want to give students an edge going into this market, with the best
> >possibilities for a job, you teach them on an Avid. Same reason we
> >don't use
> >cars from the UK for our drivers ed- It has to be done right.
> >
> >Jeff
>
> That wasn't my point. I've got nothing against Avid - they're a fine
> product, but if it comes down to having 1 system to teach on compared with
> 10 (about the price ratio) then you're going to end up with more people
> with more *editing* experience. It's not the software interface, it's the
> experience and practice. Good work can be made with any tools. Avid make
> a great set of relatively expensive tools that the vast majority of video
> editors will never use.
>
> You don't teach driver ed on a porche either. (touche!) In fact, isn't
> most driver ed done on a relatively low priced vehicle? I wouldn't know,
> not being having attended an American high, but I'd be surprised if they
> taught drivers ed on the top of the range, most expensive and highly
> regarded motor vehicles?
>
> It's about choosing appropriate tools, without being hung up on any sense
> of "best". Who knows what those learning now will actually create during
> their careers - it'll go a long way beyond bitmap images over time (aka
> video). That's only one class of data out of about 8 or 9 that will be
> carried in the MPEG 4 container.
>
> Philip Hodgetts philipmh@learndynamicmedia.com
> Dynamic Media Evangelist & Educator
> *Above all, I reserve the right to be wrong*
>
> Media 100 Editor's Companion
> If you Use a M100, you need an Editor's Companion
> http://www.learndynamicmedia.com
> New Articles: Alpha Channels DeMystified,
> Why I'm Passionate about Premiere 5
> President Media 100 WWUG Forum http://www.wwug.com
After listening to both sides of this debate for awhile, it seems nearly everyone
is overlooking an important point. Doesn't the intended audience of the course have
some bearing on the choice of equipment?
If the goal is to teach general communication skills, put together video in
narrative form, etc., then it is the concepts, rather than use of specific tools
that is important. NL's random access to footage, enabling quick edit decisions
ability to instantly view the result is of great value. An NL system for this
purpose needs to be quick to learn and quick (real time) for performing simple
editing functions (Real time effects are not important at this level). A system
that has many bells and whistles can be counterproductive at this stage if it takes
more time to learn or empahsizes myriad effects. Beginners, especially high school
students, are easily distracted by fancy effects and often turn their attention to
them rather than more difficult and important issues of narrative and
communication.
OTOH, if the course is being promoted and intended to prepare individuals for jobs
in the industry, it is obvious that they need to have as much direct experience as
possible working on the same gear they will be using in the field.
At this level there are additional major considerations. For example, having taught
film production at the college level on a part time basis for eight years, I saw
how colleges have to compete for students and "sell" their programs. They may
choose one system over another because its brand recognition and status it will add
credibility to their program and increase enrollment. This is not a criticism- just
an observation. If you doubt this statement, read their recruiting literature. The
film and video workshops in Maine promote themselves in the same way, not only by
the wonderful gear you get your hands on, but the celebrity status of their
instructors as well.
Obviously, there are many levels between these two extremes, but if you keep your
objective in mind, you are already headed in the right direction.
Best wishes,
--
Norm Kern, President Kern Video Productions Inc.
kvp@erinet.com Production/Editing/Distribution
Check our website: Entertainment/Broadcast/Corporate
http://www.erinet.com/kvp Special Interest/Personal/Duplication
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