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Author Topic: Pond 5 review changes  (Read 59070 times)

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SquirrelPower

« Reply #150 on: April 30, 2016, 16:19 »
+2
No offense to anyone here but many have rather naive outlook of new/old management.
Both just wanted $$$$, not the revolution in fair play sharing profit. Old folks got it and vanish into better life, the new one will get $$$ somehow or move to another gig.   8)
p.s. Who really knows what new management inherited from the old one, what kind of issues and problems to scale the business further.

Good points, at least one of the new CEO's is a known startup guy, he is from Grubhub, these guys aren't here to make a family business out of this, they are here to make changes and make money and then off to their next gig. They also hired a currently serving VP at Google to join the board so I think even more change is on the way. 


SquirrelPower

« Reply #151 on: April 30, 2016, 16:23 »
+1
if they are closed to new clips, the place will die as soon as Shutterstock overtakes them and has the largest library.

SS also has no storage problems, neither do Adobe or Getty.

Maybe they do see their future in the membership content where they don't have to share their income with contributors. But a successful subs model needs tons of new content every week.

I don't think the new owners really have a plan, they are just changing absolutely everything, seem to have let go of the experienced reviewers and just experimenting with everything to see what sticks.

Reminds me of what Getty did after Bruce left, but even they were not this drastic in their changes.

Or maybe they are preparing the company for sale or merger, I'd give it until August for that to happen. Maybe SS will buy them.

SquirrelPower

« Reply #152 on: April 30, 2016, 16:28 »
0
They are still paying out 50%, the fastest way to increase their earnings is to cut royalties.

So I do think fair trade was part of the concept.

Of course the owners make money, why else would they run a business.

Well, as I said long ago...not much fun in 50% if no sales. Nice PR though.

This is why I think as a company they are very fast running out of time.  Need another Pond 5 to startup asap but I don't know if that will happen for at least a few years, maybe some merger and acquisition action first but right now what investors would drop millions on a startup that makes 50% commission of photo and video sales of around $40-$100 in a crowded market and in a business with high overhead costs?   Take a look at Motion Elements, nice website, almost like Pond 5 except very cumbersome to keyword and title files but almost no sales for some reason.

« Reply #153 on: April 30, 2016, 17:08 »
0
Maybe motionelements is a family business? If it pays their daily bills, they dont need to grow very fast. Not everyone wants their company to go public. Some people treat it as a business like a coffee shop, many smaller places are just run to feed the owners.

Videoblocks got a lot of content in just a few months, so if someone starts new and can convince people to upload they will get content fast.

But if they dont pay enough, they will be avoided. istock has a little banner now asking to upload 4k, because it will get priority reviews.

I do upload 4k, but it is not my best clips, for 4-8 dollars I am sure there are many who dont bother with istock. I only started uploading agan now, to diversify.

So videoblocks is there and has a chance, Adobe pays 33% and you can get higher royalties on Fotolia itself, all they need is editorial.

We have options. pond5 was very comfortable and very unique.

But we will survive, we create the content and there is no oversupply in video and now there is also 4k.
« Last Edit: May 02, 2016, 07:05 by cobalt »

« Reply #154 on: May 01, 2016, 06:19 »
+3
Pond 5 was ok until about a year ago. You could upload anything that was competently shot and they would accept it.

Having had all but 2% of a recent near 200 clip upload rejected I'm finding it hard to justify using Pond 5. I have clips on there that I still need to label and submit but don't really want to do it now.

Here are the multiple reasons for rejections this time around. Btw none of these reasons were given when I submitted almost the same material from the same shoots a year ago.

Clips are out of focus and 'smudge'. Pond 5 destroyed quite a number of my clips post upload. The curators also don't know that slight haze in the air and shooting before dusk or at dawn and during magic hour creates some wonderful soft effects. Thanks but I do know how to focus the glass. The belief that all digital photography needs to be pin-sharp and look electronic in order to be technically correct is just wrong.

Pond 5 already has clips similar to the ones you submitted. Is this company familiar with the whim of the customer, the value of a huge catalogue and the fact that giving more choice means more sales and that you can effectively sell the same thing many times over. Pond 5 told me that having fewer clips of the same thing means that they stand a better chance of selling. This is illogical. I wouldn't mind if they culled clips which never sold after a few months or a year, but hanging them out and seeing if they sell or not is a pretty good idea.

I was told that Pond 5 are looking for 'vibrant and original material'. Most video stock collections are not very interesting to actually watch until you need something for your edit.  I do a lot of establishing shots which tell you very obviously what city you are in. They are simple, not arty and will fit into any edit. This is a cornerstone of the stock business. For a curator to reject material because it isn't interesting enough or it bores them means that they don't understand the stockshot business too well. Art House clips and niche clips are in fact less likely to sell and specialisation ruins your business.

Lastly Pond 5 returned clips that I had helpfully labelled at 1080p 25fps.

If you find this kind of attitude annoying then you can vote with your feet. Delete your clips and stills and close your account.
« Last Edit: May 01, 2016, 09:43 by abcdstockshots »

« Reply #155 on: May 01, 2016, 06:37 »
0
Closing an account is a very,very drastic measure.

I think it is worth waiting and watching what will happen.

There are enough agencies to upload to and in a few months either the new managers of pond5 have arrived in the real world or a new group of people will come in.

It will probably be an example how not to burn a 61 million dollar investment.

« Reply #156 on: May 01, 2016, 08:40 »
+1
Closing an account is a very,very drastic measure.

I think it is worth waiting and watching what will happen.

There are enough agencies to upload to and in a few months either the new managers of pond5 have arrived in the real world or a new group of people will come in.

It will probably be an example how not to burn a 61 million dollar investment.

I agree.  While I believe that P5 is taking a different path that does not benefit me, time will help shake things out.  However, they are getting smug in their contributor responses, not reviewing content fairly, and not communicating anything about the direction they are heading and how that affects the masses who helped build them.  Not a good feeling, but perhaps the model fails miserably and they revert back to the existing model or a good hybrid of it.  I still think that they could do something effective with their current model, though. They simply choose not too.

« Reply #157 on: May 01, 2016, 09:05 »
+5
I can't remember any site starting down the wrong path and putting it right?  They all seem incapable of reversing bad decisions.  So that makes me think Pond5 are highly unlikely to go back to what made them a great site.  Would be good if they are the exception to the rule.

Alamy are about the only site that seem to have a good relationship with contributors, pay a fair commission and still communicate in this forum.  Such a shame they haven't taken video seriously.  That's one bad decision I feel they made that hurts now because they could be doing well if Pond5 is no longer a great place to sell video.  Lots of us are looking for somewhere else to sell video clips and Alamy would be the obvious choice, if they had the same commitment to video that they do for stills.

« Reply #158 on: May 01, 2016, 17:46 »
+4
Remember Crestock? Remember Revostock?

Downfall starts with picky agency front-men or reviewers... Add just a little more almost impossible standards as they did and they will be erased before we all notice that.

It seems you now need top class footage to get it accepted on Pond5... Production of such footage is VERY EXPENSIVE and selling it for low prices on Pond5 is NOT SUSTAINABLE...

So, now people from movie industry with AVATAR 2 quality footage will be accepted... Regarding documentary footage you need to fly to some other planets and capture footage of unusual and unseen landscapes which are not similar to those in Pond5 base...

I'd call it Mission Impossible and waste of time to do anything with Pond5 anymore.

Have a fast death Pond5!

« Reply #159 on: May 01, 2016, 20:00 »
+3
I can only speak for myself but I see this as Shutterstock genius.....
They were the ones who started the "out of focus" syndrome. P5 and
DP have now jumped on the bandwagon while, at least for me and my
submissions, Shutterstock has returned to a more reasonable form of
rejections. And I'm guessing their consistent acceptance of video clips
will leave P5 in the dust.

P5 will crash just like DP did. Remember when DP was floating near
the top of the middle tier category? What both P5 and DP fail to recognize
in my humble opinion is that not everyone is looking for that perfect shot
of a female CEO leaning across her desk to shake hands with an enamored
client. Many of us who are buyers are often looking for that one simple
shot/clip to fill the void. Forget the aerial shot of a plane flying through
clouds...do you have a static shot of leaves falling to the ground? In other
words, the greater the subject range, the more likely you'll find buyers.


« Reply #160 on: May 02, 2016, 04:44 »
+4
Ok, Pond5 definitely don't accept any new sound effects, sound recordings and other audio related NON MUSIC stock materials. Here is the last idiotic letter from Pond5

---------------------------
Pond5
Hi Mirko,

Thank you very much for contacting us with your inquiry. I have forwarded your inquiry to our Audio lead, and this is their feedback:

While we understand your frustration, after speaking with the team - including our Senior Audio Manager - we've reviewed and stand by our decision. At this time we have over 550,000 items in the SFX collection.

Were always upgrading quality, filling gaps, and entering new markets. There are many opportunities to provide content that will compliment our existing collection. Among other things, were working on a new artists newsletter where well be communicating needs on a regular basis. Please dont be discouraged and good luck.

If you need anything else from us let us know. Thanks for your patience. This was a tough one.

----------------------------

So, they are not opened to any new SFX submissions but they say that " are many opportunities to provide content that will compliment their existing collection. Among other things, were working on a new artists newsletter where well be communicating needs on a regular basis"... I'm definitely going to Envato with my sounds. And they are "working on a new artist newsletter"??? Working? You need a team of 20 people and six months timeframe to work on a newsletter to communicate needs? As far as I'm concerned Pond5's only need is a slap in the face. I know it sounds like Im insulted and hurt (and I am to a point) but this is 90% money related! I gave up my exclusivity (again) with Pond5 in mind as a second/first earning agency for my audio library. If they WROTE ANYWHERE on their submission page, first page, newsletter etc, that they are not accepting NEW SOUND FILES OTHER THAN SONGS AND MUSIC my decision regarding non-exclusivity would be different. Like this I'm stranded (I think that the word) to a degree.

You can submit files but 99% would be rejected. Now, I'm not talking about one kind of audio files, I'm talking about everything - War, fighting, breaking, racing, woods, nature, birds, ocean, beach, walking, running, shooting a gun, cannon, automatic rifle, jumping into water, underwater diving, snorkeling, whales, snakes, bears, lions, hyenas, chickens, pigs, cows, turtledoves, cats, dogs, tennis, football, basketball, crowds, applauses, indoors, ambiance, traffic, car crashes, car skids, indoors car sounds, cheering, objects.........

This is just from the top of my mind and maybe some 5% of files that I have and that they rejected in the first 2400 batch of files. It's not like "oh, if I send variety maybe something will pass". It wont pass.

I'm taking my business elsewhere. Again, I just saw what videohive did to uploading process. It's gonna be a flood but let it. Setting your own prices, auto watermarking, preview files... they will probably do the same with audio. Anyways, there are 5 agencies to submit to other than Pond. Going to work.

Cheers people!

« Reply #161 on: May 02, 2016, 05:09 »
+2
That's a shame Mirko.  550,000 seems like a tiny number when compared to the image collections some sites have.  I know sound effects is a smaller market but I just don't see how limiting buyers choice of new media helps when they used to accept everything.  How much of that 550,000 collection is low quality that wont sell?  They currently have a limited collection that wont grow much and had almost no quality control.  Still hope they can see the problem but I very much doubt they will now.

« Reply #162 on: May 02, 2016, 05:24 »
+3
Again, I wrote another email to them. I still cannot accept that this is their new policy. It just doesn't make any sense to me. But a friend wrote me on PM that they were burned in the past (last year I think) and had to delete 100k sfx files that were fraudulent and that I should push this a bit further cause I already submitted my work there and then delete it when I went back to IS and now again I'm indie... and prove my identity even that I've already did that. I don't know how far should I go without acting like a psychopath or a stalker :) I mean, I'm not that desperate but I also don't like the idea of being "rejected" over some birocatic or misunderstanding matter.

Anyways, I wrote another email and I'll wait and see, again.

@sharpshot
I cannot say how much is low quality that wont sell but I can say that there is a room to grow and that if they were keen to implement some sort of "check up" for SFX artists they should have written it somewhere and colored it red and bold the letters - AUTOMATIC REJECTIONS OF SOUND WORKS WILL OCCUR IF THIS AND THAT IS NOT UP TO DATE AND IF THIS AND THIS IS DID NOT MET OUR DEMANDS REGARDING PROVE OF COPYRIGHT ETC... Then you are prepared for submission process and if not, you would get prepared and you would submit all the documents that are needed beyond the usual SFX ID checkup.

Then again, maybe they really don't need my files :)

« Reply #163 on: May 02, 2016, 06:07 »
0

So, they are not opened to any new SFX submissions but they say that " are many opportunities to provide content that will compliment their existing collection. Among other things, were working on a new artists newsletter where well be communicating needs on a regular basis"... I'm definitely going to Envato with my sounds. And they are "working on a new artist newsletter"??? Working? You need a team of 20 people and six months timeframe to work on a newsletter to communicate needs? As far as I'm concerned Pond5's only need is a slap in the face. I know it sounds like Im insulted and hurt (and I am to a point) but this is 90% money related! I gave up my exclusivity (again) with Pond5 in mind as a second/first earning agency for my audio library. If they WROTE ANYWHERE on their submission page, first page, newsletter etc, that they are not accepting NEW SOUND FILES OTHER THAN SONGS AND MUSIC my decision regarding non-exclusivity would be different. Like this I'm stranded (I think that the word) to a degree.
....

AND that's the main problem here! You nailed it!

Always go to the top...in your emails always cc new CEO - [email protected]
Reply will come quicker, for sure!  8)
« Last Edit: May 02, 2016, 06:17 by KnowYourOnions »

SquirrelPower

« Reply #164 on: May 02, 2016, 06:14 »
+1
Ok, Pond5 definitely don't accept any new sound effects, sound recordings and other audio related NON MUSIC stock materials. Here is the last idiotic letter from Pond5

---------------------------
Pond5
Hi Mirko,

Thank you very much for contacting us with your inquiry. I have forwarded your inquiry to our Audio lead, and this is their feedback:

While we understand your frustration, after speaking with the team - including our Senior Audio Manager - we've reviewed and stand by our decision. At this time we have over 550,000 items in the SFX collection.

Were always upgrading quality, filling gaps, and entering new markets. There are many opportunities to provide content that will compliment our existing collection. Among other things, were working on a new artists newsletter where well be communicating needs on a regular basis. Please dont be discouraged and good luck.

If you need anything else from us let us know. Thanks for your patience. This was a tough one.

----------------------------

So, they are not opened to any new SFX submissions but they say that " are many opportunities to provide content that will compliment their existing collection. Among other things, were working on a new artists newsletter where well be communicating needs on a regular basis"... I'm definitely going to Envato with my sounds. And they are "working on a new artist newsletter"??? Working? You need a team of 20 people and six months timeframe to work on a newsletter to communicate needs? As far as I'm concerned Pond5's only need is a slap in the face. I know it sounds like Im insulted and hurt (and I am to a point) but this is 90% money related! I gave up my exclusivity (again) with Pond5 in mind as a second/first earning agency for my audio library. If they WROTE ANYWHERE on their submission page, first page, newsletter etc, that they are not accepting NEW SOUND FILES OTHER THAN SONGS AND MUSIC my decision regarding non-exclusivity would be different. Like this I'm stranded (I think that the word) to a degree.

You can submit files but 99% would be rejected. Now, I'm not talking about one kind of audio files, I'm talking about everything - War, fighting, breaking, racing, woods, nature, birds, ocean, beach, walking, running, shooting a gun, cannon, automatic rifle, jumping into water, underwater diving, snorkeling, whales, snakes, bears, lions, hyenas, chickens, pigs, cows, turtledoves, cats, dogs, tennis, football, basketball, crowds, applauses, indoors, ambiance, traffic, car crashes, car skids, indoors car sounds, cheering, objects.........

This is just from the top of my mind and maybe some 5% of files that I have and that they rejected in the first 2400 batch of files. It's not like "oh, if I send variety maybe something will pass". It wont pass.

I'm taking my business elsewhere. Again, I just saw what videohive did to uploading process. It's gonna be a flood but let it. Setting your own prices, auto watermarking, preview files... they will probably do the same with audio. Anyways, there are 5 agencies to submit to other than Pond. Going to work.

Cheers people!

I feel the same way but with video and photos now that Pond 5 has a near 100% rejection rate, upset yes, hurt yest, and angry but this is a business and business is about making money and switching to another site is a ton of work and time and then more time until revenue starts coming in if at all, it takes time for stuff to be indexed by search engines and for buyers to find it so right now for those selling on pond 5 they are incurring a major business disruption.  Sales have stopped and now the door is basically closed to new uploads.

« Reply #165 on: May 02, 2016, 06:31 »
0
It all sounds very crazy, only 550 000 files and they are basically closing the collection?

So they dont want stock audio,stock video,stock photos and need months to prepare a newsletter, to explain to their suppliers what they want us to produce?

Why not close the upload queue completly until they figure out their needs?

That would be better instead of wasting our time uploading material they dont want.

SquirrelPower

« Reply #166 on: May 02, 2016, 06:56 »
+2
It all sounds very crazy, only 550 000 files and they are basically closing the collection?

So they dont want stock audio,stock video,stock photos and need months to prepare a newsletter, to explain to their suppliers what they want us to produce?

Why not close the upload queue completly until they figure out their needs?

That would be better instead of wasting our time uploading material they dont want.

Unless you are filming goofy hipsters who can't dance trying to dance while wearing large goofy glasses the collection appears to be closed.

Once again their inability to communicate and write a simple email has led to a lot of people being screwed up and losing a lot of their income, sure it's their house, their game but it would have nice if the new ceo's and management or the team would have sent out an email blast or posted a general notice on their website explaining the changes that are coming, give us 30 days warning or something.  That would have been a decent thing to do.  They are either too arrogant or maybe too clueless to actually write something.

Believe me I am just furious about this, it's not that pond 5 fell on hard times and went under, some new ceo comes in whos claim to fame is he worked at Grubhub and he probably doesn't even know what stock photos and video are and is making changes to fit what he thinks is "cool".   They will have a bankruptcy on their hands by the end of the summer at this rate and keep in mind to add to their problems the summer sales slump is coming.

And some here complained about how things used to be under the old management, in one month under these new guys pond 5 is done.  Didn't take them long to destroy a company. Wonder why that ceo isn't still at Grubhub.

« Reply #167 on: May 02, 2016, 07:44 »
+2
I noticed when my video sales at P5 stopped, SS sales went up. My guess is most of their video customers went to SS. Not sure about Fotolia, I don't upload there.

Btw I'm not as pessimistic as SquirrelPower, I think they go bankrupt in January after the Christmas dip hits P5.
Unless the exodus of all customers comes first  8)

Anyway it's no use uploading, even if it gets accepted there will be nobody left to buy.

SquirrelPower

« Reply #168 on: May 02, 2016, 08:02 »
+2
I noticed when my video sales at P5 stopped, SS sales went up. My guess is most of their video customers went to SS. Not sure about Fotolia, I don't upload there.

Btw I'm not as pessimistic as SquirrelPower, I think they go bankrupt in January after the Christmas dip hits P5.
Unless the exodus of all customers comes first  8)

Anyway it's no use uploading, even if it gets accepted there will be nobody left to buy.

If your sales and others sales have stopped already then that means the exodus of customers has already begun.  Maybe of not bankruptcy or closing they will sell the company, I think acquisition or merger is what they are hoping for or even planning now.  The investors put in $60 million, they have now realized the previous management team wasn't generating a hope in hell of making that money back plus profit and installed a new management team, this new team changed direction and others have reported major increases in sales at SS and Videoblocks as well so I think the buyers started leaving awhile ago.

Almost no one is buying video or photos there anymore now let alone next January.  If not bankruptcy I would say a merger or acquisition by August. 

I wonder how much of that $60 million is even left.  The previous management team might have made mistakes but these new ones are something else and have no clue and want to make the site a boutique art house, I say you make more money by trying to be everything to all people, get all the buyers you can not just one segment of the market.

Sad to see the best and most artist friendly and revenue producing site go, I know that know your onions will disagree with me on that one but for some of us Pond 5 was #1 for a long time and the others not so good.  Bad news that's for sure.

« Reply #169 on: May 02, 2016, 08:14 »
0
I noticed when my video sales at P5 stopped, SS sales went up. My guess is most of their video customers went to SS. Not sure about Fotolia, I don't upload there.

Btw I'm not as pessimistic as SquirrelPower, I think they go bankrupt in January after the Christmas dip hits P5.
Unless the exodus of all customers comes first  8)

Anyway it's no use uploading, even if it gets accepted there will be nobody left to buy.


If your sales and others sales have stopped already then that means the exodus of customers has already begun.  Maybe of not bankruptcy or closing they will sell the company, I think acquisition or merger is what they are hoping for or even planning now.  The investors put in $60 million, they have now realized the previous management team wasn't generating a hope in hell of making that money back plus profit and installed a new management team, this new team changed direction and others have reported major increases in sales at SS and Videoblocks as well so I think the buyers started leaving awhile ago.

Almost no one is buying video or photos there anymore now let alone next January.  If not bankruptcy I would say a merger or acquisition by August. 

I wonder how much of that $60 million is even left.  The previous management team might have made mistakes but these new ones are something else and have no clue and want to make the site a boutique art house, I say you make more money by trying to be everything to all people, get all the buyers you can not just one segment of the market.

Sad to see the best and most artist friendly and revenue producing site go, I know that know your onions will disagree with me on that one but for some of us Pond 5 was #1 for a long time and the others not so good.  Bad news that's for sure.


Well, watch out who you blame for what....old management is still there!
 
Ex CEO is now Executive Chairman Pond5

New CEO got Grubhub to the IPO, so I guess that was his main reference for this new role.

Forbes said on ex CEO - "Bennett helped launch the business after toiling as an editor and odd-jobbing in the video world."
http://www.forbes.com/sites/dadehayes/2015/01/22/pond5-mines-remix-economy-adding-public-domain-footage-to-its-growing-marketplace/#1272a59d1d19 
« Last Edit: May 02, 2016, 08:41 by KnowYourOnions »

« Reply #170 on: May 02, 2016, 10:42 »
+2
I noticed when my video sales at P5 stopped, SS sales went up. My guess is most of their video customers went to SS. Not sure about Fotolia, I don't upload there.

Btw I'm not as pessimistic as SquirrelPower, I think they go bankrupt in January after the Christmas dip hits P5.
Unless the exodus of all customers comes first  8)

Anyway it's no use uploading, even if it gets accepted there will be nobody left to buy.

If your sales and others sales have stopped already then that means the exodus of customers has already begun.  Maybe of not bankruptcy or closing they will sell the company, I think acquisition or merger is what they are hoping for or even planning now.  The investors put in $60 million, they have now realized the previous management team wasn't generating a hope in hell of making that money back plus profit and installed a new management team, this new team changed direction and others have reported major increases in sales at SS and Videoblocks as well so I think the buyers started leaving awhile ago.

Almost no one is buying video or photos there anymore now let alone next January.  If not bankruptcy I would say a merger or acquisition by August. 

I wonder how much of that $60 million is even left.  The previous management team might have made mistakes but these new ones are something else and have no clue and want to make the site a boutique art house, I say you make more money by trying to be everything to all people, get all the buyers you can not just one segment of the market.

Sad to see the best and most artist friendly and revenue producing site go, I know that know your onions will disagree with me on that one but for some of us Pond 5 was #1 for a long time and the others not so good.  Bad news that's for sure.
I heard some people still report sales, a few customers are still there. The question is more how fast before all of them are gone and once a customer is gone, they will be gone forever.

I think they got the new CEO to aim for IPO or to sell it. But at this rate only a fool would want to buy or merge with P5.
With 60 million they can operate for some time. In a couple of months we will probably get a notice they will be lowering commissions. Then they hope their sales will go up for the Holiday season, only to find out their customers and contributors all took off and that's when they will file for bankruptcy.
If I were working for P5, I would start looking for a new job.


« Reply #171 on: May 02, 2016, 12:51 »
+4
Hello everyone

On this subject, I would say the following. I am one of the founding contributors of this site, always I liked to take good care that treats me until we all have our limits of patience. I'm not very active on forum due to other obligations in my life, but lately I see that the work acceptance of change has changed dramatically. To say, with much "pedantry" by some curators.

I have Photos/Footage to be accepted for more than a month, and earlier before the last review was the same thing, too long.

I wonder if the P5 want to continue with contributors, or only served them to reach the level it reached and now discards them silently?

Last revision was 36 videos for review, 6 were accepted and 30 rejected for the reason that there were many within the same theme, not by me, by others.

This is a subjective decision, and in my gallery are not certainly more than two images of the same subject and photographed environment at the same time.

As time goes by, other stock sites have accepted me dozens and dozens of images, including those that the P5 rejected.

Monthly reviews are completely out of common sense and respect for those who feed this type of industry, and this site.

That for me has been one of the best to interact, is at full speed to become one of the worst, and in consequence have difficulty feeling the mood to continue ...

All need all, I just want to make this clear

Regards
« Last Edit: May 02, 2016, 21:59 by CircleOfConfusion »

« Reply #172 on: May 02, 2016, 15:54 »
+2
I posted my views on this site and on the Pond 5 forum and sure enough I had some little pr*ck calling me a crabby old man for not being hip enough. This guy was kneeling on my chest pretty much and ranting about how we should embrace new technology and pretty much frothing at the mouth. These angry hipsters ranting about cinematic story-telling and who can't tell the difference between the film biz and television are pretty scary. Their usual defence is to rant about how video on the interweb is the thing now and how it needs to be flashy and attention grabbing. Well that pretty much describes present-day television. When I want to watch an old programme from years ago I tend to go to Youtube. Oh the humanity of it.....It turns out that my hipster friend has nearly 50 years' experience in the business, but expresses himself like a not-very-nice teenager. Tragic.

The arrogance over 1080i expressed by Pond 5 a year ago as though it was a matter of fashion was annoying. They STILL haven't put up a sign saying what they don't want it any more and you won't see any warning that they don't want old-school stock shots, you know, of things and places, the kind of thing you could drop into a production that wouldn't be bloody annoying to watch. My little sh*tster friend on Pond 5 thinks that all establishing shots will be done with a drone in the future, unlikely as you won't be able to fly drones at will in public for much longer for fear of killing somebody or bringing down a 747.

The other source of annoyance is that Pond 5 will never ever take on board anything you say. The fact that somebody as ignorant and obtuse as Lawrence still has a job there just about says everything about the company. The public face of Pond 5 would be better suited to working in the civil service.

It is interesting that sales at Pond 5 seem to have slumped. Maybe potential customers just wanted to leaf through a infinite number of clips of the Taj Mahal until they found the one they wanted.

The bottom line is that Pond 5 needs its contributors and pretending that they are Getty Images is actually going to shrink their business because that's a much smaller market.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2016, 11:47 by abcdstockshots »

« Reply #173 on: May 02, 2016, 16:34 »
0
There is no reason why his artsy shots and your stock content cant coexist on an agency.

But maybe he really is an example of the newthink of pond5, who knows.




« Reply #174 on: May 02, 2016, 16:59 »
+2
Maybe you are right. When I was discussing 1080i on this forum a year ago, one person decided to scream about it and rant at me. His suggestion was at the time that I throw a perfectly good camera which would have cost about $6K when new into the bin and buy a progressive camera on a whim. It was much cheaper to use the fluid motion timewarp effect in Avid to make perfectly nice prog clips. It takes about 60 minutes to process 60 seconds of footage but you can leave a batch going over-night.
« Last Edit: May 02, 2016, 17:07 by abcdstockshots »


 

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