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Microstock Footage Forum => General - Stock Video => Topic started by: gondolin on March 02, 2015, 11:00

Title: Video on istock - question
Post by: gondolin on March 02, 2015, 11:00
I want to enter into video production, so I've been thinking about becoming exclusive videographer on istock/getty. Can anyone post here their experiences with video on istock? I'm mostly interested hearing the stories from the people that are currently exclusive videographers on istock.
The other option for me is selling through Shutterstock & Pond5. Thanks.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: kunilanskap on March 02, 2015, 11:13
Istock has ridiculous commission for video.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: jjneff on March 02, 2015, 11:51
iStock has good commission for video exclusive! I have been exclusive since 2006 and my average sale income is $50.00 per sale no matter the size. On Getty it is closer to $70.00 per sale. Exclusive works for me.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: gondolin on March 02, 2015, 14:23
50-70$? That sounds great. Thanks. I do wonder, what's more frequent - getty or istock sales?
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: PeterChigmaroff on March 02, 2015, 14:29
iStock has good commission for video exclusive! I have been exclusive since 2006 and my average sale income is $50.00 per sale no matter the size. On Getty it is closer to $70.00 per sale. Exclusive works for me.


I was going to mentions this as I read your comments on iStock as well but this says it better than I can; It is or it isn't?
http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/how-are-your-istock-sales/msg410100/ (http://www.microstockgroup.com/istockphoto-com/how-are-your-istock-sales/msg410100/)
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: PhotoLA on March 02, 2015, 15:49
You don't need to be exclusive to contribute videos to iStock. It seems better to contribute to several stock sites and see how it goes before deciding to be exclusive.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: KB on March 02, 2015, 17:16
You don't need to be exclusive to contribute videos to iStock.
No, you don't. But anyone who isn't exclusive and contributes videos to iStock really needs to <fill in your favorite slur here>.

$6-$8 commission for an HD video (for most independents)? It's shameful.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: gondolin on March 02, 2015, 17:32
Well, I guess jjneff wouldn't stay exclusive for 8 years if he was unsatisfied, would he? Everyone have ups and downs, projections should be made every 3 months and such.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: Noedelhap on March 02, 2015, 19:31
Now is the worst time to enter istock as a video contributor. Last September they slashed video commissions for non-exclusives with their ridiculous credit pricing. I wouldn't bother going exclusive either, since iStock/Getty seems like a sinking ship.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: PeterChigmaroff on March 02, 2015, 20:06
Well, I guess jjneff wouldn't stay exclusive for 8 years if he was unsatisfied, would he? Everyone have ups and downs, projections should be made every 3 months and such.
I'll bring it forward from another thread. I'm guessing he's not too happy but doesn't know what to do.

September Sales 
"Down a lot from last year but up from August. Time will tell with these changes"
October Sales 
"This is a bad trend! For me average nothing amazing nothing awful. For the amount of content I have produced this year I am not happy with sales."
November Sales 
"Very bad month on the video side! photo was average and the month as a whole was well below 2013 which was a horrible year for me."
December sales
"A normally low Dec. asu usual, I need Getty sales to draw my final conclusion now. iStock alone was a low average."

And January 2015 Sales
"Nothing to really say on the video side, very average and low. Most troubling is 7 days with zero sales. Here is hoping Getty is better but not holding my breath."
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: jjneff on March 02, 2015, 21:09
I certainly have had my ups and downs, questions and frustrations. iStock/Getty is not a bed of roses but the exclusive commission is fair. That being said I am in a position where I can not afford to drop my exclusive status. I am not unhappy with the video team at iStock/Getty they are great. I do see some light at the end of the tunnel and am hoping for the best. Spreading out may be best for others that is for sure, but for me it dose not work. I do like focusing on one site and spending more time shooting and creating. I say whatever path you choose work hard at it and you will reap some rewards. I still make a full-time income. Getty sales are more up and down, some months I earn thousands from Getty and others hundreds.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: dingles on March 02, 2015, 21:26
I do well as a video exclusive on iStock, although the royalties vary a lot for me $8-100+. Lately thing have been solid and video carries the bulk of my earnings there.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: sharpshot on March 03, 2015, 04:49
I would be very concerned about the Getty/istock financial problems.  How are they going to get the money they need to keep going?  Seems likely to me that they will have to cut exclusive commissions, as what other options do they have?  So I would be more inclined to go with Pond5 and all the other non-exclusive sites.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: gondolin on March 03, 2015, 05:24
Thanks guys!

I wouldn't be concerned over getty's financial situation. They are one of the biggest stock agencies and their earnings is several times bigger than other competitors. They have images of everyone and are literally everywhere. If could ever fall, the whole market would notice it big time. We're all small fish in a big pond anyway. It's the same as being concerned about the US having the absolute highest debt of all countries.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: dingles on March 03, 2015, 14:04
I would be very concerned about the Getty/istock financial problems.  How are they going to get the money they need to keep going?  Seems likely to me that they will have to cut exclusive commissions, as what other options do they have?  So I would be more inclined to go with Pond5 and all the other non-exclusive sites.

If they do, then exclusives have the option to bail
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: PeterChigmaroff on March 03, 2015, 14:51
Thanks guys!

I wouldn't be concerned over getty's financial situation. They are one of the biggest stock agencies and their earnings is several times bigger than other competitors. They have images of everyone and are literally everywhere. If could ever fall, the whole market would notice it big time. We're all small fish in a big pond anyway. It's the same as being concerned about the US having the absolute highest debt of all countries.
There are many many companies, some long gone, some on their way, which had, verbatim, statements made about them.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: asiseeit on March 03, 2015, 16:39
I believe the top 4 video sellers are Istock, getty images, shutterstock, and pond5. Exclusivity with IStock gets you into 2 of these markets. Going non-exclusive gets you into 3, but one with a reduced royalty rate. I was non-exc for about 9 months and have been exc for the last 8 months or so. I prefer exc at this point, but each has it's advantages.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: ammit on May 20, 2015, 23:28
Man, for nonexclusive istock really sucks, 28c for stills and 6$ for footages .... pulling out more than 2k+ footages and 3k+ images. I've seen a lot of changes since 2008 but this is too much, so BYE BYE ISTOCK!
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: Holmes on May 21, 2015, 02:11
stock still insists on having all video files in PHOTOjpeg codec which adds artifacts and makes files massive. DSLRs shoot H.264 Mp4 which is fine and with great quality and file size.

typical getty.

that is why I will not submit videos to IS
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: dingles on May 21, 2015, 06:35
You understand that h264 MP4 is compressed...ideal as a final shareable video format, but not as ideal for video production.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: jjneff on May 21, 2015, 06:39
Sales good for me at iStock but I am Exclusive.
Title: Re: Video on istock - question
Post by: Holmes on May 21, 2015, 11:52
You understand that h264 MP4 is compressed...ideal as a final shareable video format, but not as ideal for video production.

yes i know that
but it is native from video DSLRs and best quality direct from camera. converting to photpjpeg degrades the file and adds unnecessary size. do a test on a nice gradated blue sky if you have a full frame DSLR for video. had this debate on a few video sites and the traditional guys take your point of view until they actually test it. photojpeg sucks.