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Author Topic: Best stock agency to sell high quality videos??  (Read 9010 times)

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Tyson Anderson

  • www.openrangestudios.com
« on: September 14, 2016, 16:10 »
0
I'm looking for suggestions about the best site to sell high quality videos.  I'm currently filming with a Panasonic GH4 and a Phantom 3 Professional, which are great tools for microstock, but I'll soon be upgrading to much higher quality equipment and I just can't see myself throwing those clips in with the rest of my microstock portfolio.  My plan is to get a R3D Raven with a Movi and an Inspire 1 Raw.  I would prefer to go exclusive with those clips and sell them at a higher price point than my other clips.  Does anyone have any suggestions or experience in this area?  Maybe sell them for around $400 each on Pond5?


« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2016, 16:19 »
0
Sounds like you want to go more into the RM / RR market. RR Getty contract springs to mind, although you will need to be series exclusive. If the content is good enough they have the selling power to make it worth while.
« Last Edit: September 14, 2016, 16:43 by Cider Apple »

« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2016, 16:23 »
0
Holy Cow! Where . are u getting you're hands on all that weed? Is it legal? I'd be worried the police would be knocking at my door :)

Tyson Anderson

  • www.openrangestudios.com
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2016, 16:27 »
0
Hmmm... am I able to sell just those clips exclusive on Getty and still have the rest of my portfolio spread across the other agencies?  Do you have experience with exclusive RM clips there?  and if so, do you believe that would bring in more money than selling at a high price point on Pond5?

Tyson Anderson

  • www.openrangestudios.com
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2016, 16:31 »
0
Haha, I live in Washington State where it is legal.  When I first started selling micro stock over a year ago I had an opportunity to shoot photos at a grow house for medical marijuana dispensaries.  My focus is on video, but I can't lie, those pics sell well.  I don't actually even smoke weed anymore.  I kinda wish I could add links to my video portfolios and not photos.

« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2016, 16:37 »
0
Yes RM / RR and RF are 2 completely different contracts. RR on Getty is only series exclusive so if you've filmed a penguin doing a backflip on a diving board, then all of the clips from the same shoot need to be exclusive.

Is it worth while... well that's the million dollar question. To go RR the content needs to be great, not only in technique but also the subject matter. Is it unique? It's got to be something special that not many production houses can buy else where. That's why they are paying way more money for it.

I maybe wrong but I'm pretty sure Getty has the biggest RM / RR library.
« Last Edit: September 14, 2016, 16:42 by Cider Apple »

Tyson Anderson

  • www.openrangestudios.com
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2016, 16:43 »
0
Thanks for the detailed response, I truly appreciate that info.  I'm currently building my portfolio of vids on Getty but I'll look into the exclusive contracts.

« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2016, 16:45 »
0
I still get these mixed up. RM (Rights Managed) is for stills and RR (Rights Ready) is for video.

Good luck with it! Sounds like you're investing heavy!

« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2016, 21:19 »
0
I'm looking for suggestions about the best site to sell high quality videos.  I'm currently filming with a Panasonic GH4 and a Phantom 3 Professional, which are great tools for microstock, but I'll soon be upgrading to much higher quality equipment and I just can't see myself throwing those clips in with the rest of my microstock portfolio.  My plan is to get a R3D Raven with a Movi and an Inspire 1 Raw.  I would prefer to go exclusive with those clips and sell them at a higher price point than my other clips.  Does anyone have any suggestions or experience in this area?  Maybe sell them for around $400 each on Pond5?

I'm not sure how hard it is to get in, but Film Supply (https://www.filmsupply.com) is well worth a look at.

« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2016, 03:54 »
+5
Investing a lot of money in to heavy machinery while you don't even try doing unique footage with what you already have? Isn't that a bit naive?

Sorry, don't get me wrong, but with your video portfolio you have online, I doubt you'll get in to RM. You'll do even worse with exclusive on Getty/iStock.

Just a hint... it's not the equipment that does valuable footage, but the person behind it. And judging on what you already have, it would be more suitable to invest in high quality sets and make great footage with equipment you have, sell it on two or three RF agencies and enjoy the income.

Sorry if we destroyed your plans. It's still your decision on what you want to do.

alno

« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2016, 04:43 »
+6
Investing a lot of money in to heavy machinery while you don't even try doing unique footage with what you already have? Isn't that a bit naive?

Sorry, don't get me wrong, but with your video portfolio you have online, I doubt you'll get in to RM. You'll do even worse with exclusive on Getty/iStock.

Just a hint... it's not the equipment that does valuable footage, but the person behind it. And judging on what you already have, it would be more suitable to invest in high quality sets and make great footage with equipment you have, sell it on two or three RF agencies and enjoy the income.

Sorry if we destroyed your plans. It's still your decision on what you want to do.

I agree. My best investment so far wasn't some camera, slider or lighting kit. It is a small water tank for aquatic videos. It has brought me several dozens of its price :) Not to mention every exclusivity is a sort of a deal you cannot control except you just quit it. It's OK while it's working but some day new management comes and ruin all your exclusive sales with new search algorithm or some other "exciting" idea.

« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2016, 10:10 »
0

 Not to mention every exclusivity is a sort of a deal you cannot control except you just quit it. It's OK while it's working but some day new management comes and ruin all your exclusive sales with new search algorithm or some other "exciting" idea.

I think we've all learned to dread those "exciting news" emails.   Shudder!

« Reply #12 on: September 15, 2016, 11:12 »
+2
Your desire to improve your work means you are heading in the right direction. 

The GH4 is a fine camera but, at this point, you've only attempted the lower limits of its potential.

As others advise, focus on concept development, directing actors, budgeting for locations, staging, blocking, prop integration, etc.

In my experience (others may argue with me on this), cameras / gear like you describe (RED, etc) require a bit more "care-and-feeding" on set than your GH4.  This slows the shoot down, which is problematic when working with actors or quickly changing lighting conditions, etc.

The primary benefit of a camera like the Red Raven is its dynamic range -- maybe 15 stops or so.  If you plan to do most of your shooting outside where lighting conditions can be harsh and are mostly out of your control (beach, landscapes, etc) then maybe it's the right camera for you to buy now.

Best of luck,

Mark



Tyson Anderson

  • www.openrangestudios.com
« Reply #13 on: September 15, 2016, 17:39 »
0
Well I appreciate everyones advice and constructive criticism.  Upgrading my equipment is for my freelance work just as much as it is for stock.  I was just trying to figure out options for the stock footage shot with it.  As far as making due with what I have... I've found the gh4 very limiting with low light and no 4k slow motion.  The Phantom 3 Professional shoots only decent video and less quality photos.  I'm new to this industry, but figuring things out pretty fast based on reading other peoples experiences.  I believe to keep growing and taking things to a higher level, more professional equipment is needed.  In some ways, a R3D Raven and Inspire 1 Raw are still kinda lower end equipment compared to what a lot of stuff is shot with these days.  Thanks again to everyone involved in this discussion, I always like bouncing ideas off other creative people.

« Reply #14 on: September 15, 2016, 17:58 »
+2
Lots of people are still buying the GH4 for stock video, so it must be useful.  I think the others are saying you need to stray from your wife, kid and your back and legs, to try some more commercial work to see if you can pull it off, before you make a cash outlay.

« Reply #15 on: September 15, 2016, 18:05 »
+2
If you have the cash, go for it. Not everyone is struggling to pay rent with stock earnings.

No doubt the Red is a better camera than the GH4 and I agree the Phantom 3 can be frustrating to work with sometimes (not flying, but the image quality).

It's not always about "but is it worth it for stock?"... If you can afford it, why not get the best stuff? It's fun.

« Reply #16 on: September 15, 2016, 20:16 »
+1
There's quite a few people using high end equipment like Reds cameras, Phantom slow motion cameras or even large Octo-copter drones to create regular RF stock footage. It's not the equipment that's going to create higher end footage, it's your creativity and what you do with the equipment you have. If you went to buy some new equipment, that's cool, but I would not expect it to drastically change the quality of your work.

The best thing for most people to increase the quality of their footage would be better lighting.


« Reply #17 on: September 16, 2016, 03:28 »
+1
If you are upgrading for commissioned work outside stock, then of course go for it and enjoy!
Regarding stock, here is my 2c:
- The GH4 is a perfect camera for stock video, really no need of any upgrade, unless you are doing loads of very slow motion or night shoots in very low light
- OTOH, I have the Phantom 4 and I find it fantastic for flying capability, stability and intelligent modes. Regarding the video capability it is very, very basic and extremely limiting even for stock video. Total lack of information in the shadow area, forget about shooting at dusk or against the sun; anything slightly underexposed is lost forever.
I also am fighting a huge tendency of moir which ruins a good deal of clips.
If my sales of aerial footage will be encouraging I will upgrade the bird (not much choice, only the Inspire 1 available ATM) and get a flying license

gyllens

« Reply #18 on: September 17, 2016, 02:05 »
0
We have our own production comp for commercial directing video and stills and we use lots of Arri cams and stuff but only for commercial productions. When I'm out and about shooting video I always love the GH4 and the canon 80D ( not 4K). These two little cameras are just great for video and more then enough for the stock industry.

Only advice is. Try and graduate from AF and get used to manual focus and focus pulling thats the pro way.
« Last Edit: September 17, 2016, 02:19 by gyllens »


 

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