Author Topic: Vector Vetta rebellion (Read 44030 times)

aeonf · « **Reply #25 on:** March 22, 2011, 16:54 »

Quote from: nico_blue on March 22, 2011, 16:15

We were promised something big and special when vetta was taken away from us back in september, but this is definitely not we bargained for. It is especially insulting to video contributors where in one scenario a regular sale earns more for the artist than the equivalent vetta sale, or in another scenario where the artist gets $3 more and istock gets $50 dollars more per sale. In our case with vectors the examples aren't as flagrant, however they still exist... for example for any contributor gold and above a 25 or 30 credit file nets almost the same or more than a vetta 40 credit file.

What this all boils down to is this - istock is proposing a 25-33% cut in royalties to vector and video artists and this is our way of saying no thanks.

I don't think this is intended for "normal" users like yourself. one must really have a low IQ to opt-in such a program.
I think its a way to pump up prices for contributors of the getty family, like the deal they have with contributor which all of there files are "agency collection"

VB inc · « **Reply #26 on:** March 22, 2011, 18:10 »

Quote from: aeonf on March 22, 2011, 16:54

Quote from: nico_blue on March 22, 2011, 16:15
...
What this all boils down to is this - istock is proposing a 25-33% cut in royalties to vector and video artists and this is our way of saying no thanks.

I don't think this is intended for "normal" users like yourself. one must really have a low IQ to opt-in such a program.
I think its a way to pump up prices for contributors of the getty family, like the deal they have with contributor which all of there files are "agency collection"

I am afraid that a lot of talented new vector contributors will be on board this since they just dont have the experience of tracking successful files and equating the loss of downloads the higher the price of a file is. I know i was a bit clueless about microstock for the first couple of years.

Starbucks · « **Reply #27 on:** March 22, 2011, 19:32 »

The only way to effectively reach all of the vector exclusives is to go through and privately site mail all of them about it. Daunting task, but i'm sure it would help considerably.

jsmithzz · « **Reply #28 on:** March 22, 2011, 23:52 »

Quote from: Starbucks on March 22, 2011, 19:32

The only way to effectively reach all of the vector exclusives is to go through and privately site mail all of them about it. Daunting task, but i'm sure it would help considerably.

I would agree given that many don't even bother reading anything in the forums. I meet up with a few other iStock artists from time to time and two of them weren't even aware that editorial had rolled out until 2 weeks after the fact, and I sent them a link to the thread.

Risamay · « **Reply #29 on:** March 23, 2011, 21:21 »

Quote from: FreeTransform on March 21, 2011, 12:23

In case you missed it,

nico_blue leading the charge for a video-style mass opt-out of Vetta:

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=314922&page=1

I had missed this. Thank you for posting, and best of luck with the standoff.

It's too bad that it's so dangerous for badges to speak up - if it weren't I'm sure you'd have many more on board publicly. I won't name names, but at least one badge was canned for speaking out (so no wonder they're so quiet) and it's my understanding that others can't even express their opinions freely in the Inspector forum without threats of being de-badges if they don't pipe down.

So anywho, thank goodness for the vocal Black Diamonds and Diamonds with clout - but no badge - who can still express their opinion, concern, disappointment, etc. You guys are making all the difference (or attempting to) and we thank you!

As much as this is "their" company, this is our company and our images that have made this a multiple-million dollar cash cow of a business.

caspixel · « **Reply #30 on:** March 23, 2011, 21:46 »

Quote from: Risamay on March 23, 2011, 21:21

It's too bad that it's so dangerous for badges to speak up - if it weren't I'm sure you'd have many more on board publicly. I won't name names, but at least one badge was canned for speaking out (so no wonder they're so quiet) and it's my understanding that others can't even express their opinions freely in the Inspector forum without threats of being de-badges if they don't pipe down.

Which is why you know when Kelvin and Dawn say they can be critical and are still voicing their opinions, you know it is so much BS.

FreeTransform · « **Reply #31 on:** March 23, 2011, 22:40 »

Quote from: Risamay on March 23, 2011, 21:21

It's too bad that it's so dangerous for badges to speak up

It occurred to me that there are no "vector admins" who concentrate solely on vectors. Bortonia's portfolio is 12% photos. Colonel's is 19%. One third of Diane555's portfolio is photo and video. Chemc's is over 75% photos.

And what about the inspectors? PinkTag has twice as many photos as vectors. mrroboto's portfolio contains 27 vectors, the most recent of which was uploaded in 2007. samposnick's portfolio of 122 is all vectors (woot!) o-che has mostly vectors, but her photos are mostly Vetta. I can't think of/don't know of any other vector inspectors.

I understand that to be an admin or good inspector you don't necessarily have to be a prolific illustrator, but can you imagine some of the big-name photo admins/inspectors having that many vectors in their portfolios? Neither can I.

This makes me wonder if they are fully invested in the future of vector at iS.

Zephyr · « **Reply #32 on:** March 23, 2011, 23:24 »

Here are some inspectors that are mainly vectors:

Jayesh, Borisz, vectorbomb, blindspot

However, I would imagine Istock would want inspectors that are good at both so that can inspect both.

@FreeTransform - Were you ever an inspector? You contribute a lot with the tutorials and are in the Illustrator Wow Books so I figured they would have scooped you up pretty quick. (Also, thanks for using my golfer in your silhouette tutorial.

FreeTransform · « **Reply #33 on:** March 23, 2011, 23:43 »

Quote from: retrorocket on March 23, 2011, 23:24

Here are some inspectors that are mainly vectors:

Jayesh, Borisz, vectorbomb, blindspot

However, I would imagine Istock would want inspectors that are good at both so that can inspect both.

@FreeTransform - Were you ever an inspector? You contribute a lot with the tutorials and are in the Illustrator Wow Books so I figured they would have scooped you up pretty quick. (Also, thanks for using my golfer in your silhouette tutorial.

Oops - forgot about those guys! And I've actually met two of them!

Actually, I didn't know vectorbomb was an inspector. Do they not announce these things?

Nope, I have never inspected. I don't think people trade off between media, though.

jamirae · « **Reply #34 on:** March 24, 2011, 00:18 »

As i understand it an inspector is hired to inspect in only one type of media. So just because they have multiple media types a vector inspector will only inspect vectors and not photos.

Zephyr · « **Reply #35 on:** March 24, 2011, 00:36 »

^ Ok, I would imagine that it is also harder than people might think. And, in the current situation, a source of internal conflict. Your employer vs. contributors who care if their share is cut.

Speaking of the current situation, some of the video contributors had a call with HQ yesterday and have not reported back. Anyone know anything?

Are Nico, Sodafish, 4 x 6, and others going to also have a meeting with HQ? Things seem to have gone a little silent today. ( err , yesterday for me)

Risamay · « **Reply #36 on:** March 24, 2011, 15:48 »

Quote from: FreeTransform on March 23, 2011, 23:43

I didn't know vectorbomb was an inspector. Do they not announce these things?

Not lately it seems, or not for a long while. No.

Chris3fer · « **Reply #37 on:** March 25, 2011, 14:33 »

Nico_Blue just did a list of all opt-outters. Pretty cool. hope it continues to grow.

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=314922&page=1

edited because I just noticed the list is on page 1 too.

Risamay · « **Reply #38 on:** March 28, 2011, 14:31 »

Quote from: SuperRufus on March 25, 2011, 14:33

Nico_Blue just did a list of all opt-outters. Pretty cool. hope it continues to grow.

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=314922&page=1

edited because I just noticed the list is on page 1 too.

Awesome!

Zephyr · « **Reply #39 on:** March 29, 2011, 00:43 »

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=314922&page=7#post6191662

Update from Bortonia.

Chico · « **Reply #40 on:** March 29, 2011, 06:54 »

Quote from: retrorocket on March 29, 2011, 00:43

http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=314922&page=7#post6191662

Update from Bortonia.

But she ran away from the subject "royalties rate cut"...

gostwyck · « **Reply #41 on:** March 29, 2011, 07:33 »

Quote from: Chico on March 29, 2011, 06:54

Update from Bortonia.

But she ran away from the subject "royalties rate cut"...
[/quote]

Yes, she was just 'clarifying' a few side issues and/or attempting to obfuscate the main issue.

I don't think Istock are minded to back down on the reduced commission issue though. If they did so there's a real danger that similar protest action could be launched against other commission rates or other issues. A lot of contributors have many reasons to be unhappy with Istock's actions over the last few months. Illustrators in particular.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #42 on:** March 29, 2011, 14:02 »

I don't think they will be inclined to back down either, but they'll have a hard time launching Vetta for video or illustration with so much of their top tier of content opted out (the video folks got all or alll but one of the diamonds, I think).

Perhaps they'll get lucky and find a few very talented and productive newbies to fill the store shelves of Vetta/Video/Vector? If not, this spring will turn into this year and it'll end up like logos - on some back burner somewhere.

nruboc · « **Reply #43 on:** March 29, 2011, 14:17 »

But guys... we now have official word that this collection will be "super awesome", isn't that enough to get people submitting again

ShadySue · « **Reply #44 on:** March 29, 2011, 14:41 »

Quote from: jsnover on March 29, 2011, 14:02

Perhaps they'll get lucky and find a few very talented and productive newbies to fill the store shelves of Vetta/Video/Vector? If not, this spring will turn into this year and it'll end up like logos - on some back burner somewhere.

I suppose they could just co-opt suppliers like they did with agency. They can bend the rules as much as they like.

But well done to all those Vector and Video non-Vettists.

VB inc · « **Reply #45 on:** March 29, 2011, 15:23 »

I feel genuinely bad for the people working at istock. Its pretty clear that they really have no say in what their company does when it comes down to maximizing profits at all costs.

nico_blue · « **Reply #46 on:** March 29, 2011, 16:57 »

Hopefully if istock finds that the vetta vector and video store shelves are empty they will reconsider... or they will let it shrivel up in the corner somewhere. Either way we dont lose anything.

gostwyck · « **Reply #47 on:** March 29, 2011, 17:09 »

Great work Nico, stick to your guns.

It did of course take Istock months to 'reconsider' their original commission rates for the PP. They only did so because they couldn't attract enough content. Unfortunately they're still not offering enough to attract most serious contributors. Istock & Getty are simply too greedy for their own good.

nico_blue · « **Reply #48 on:** April 03, 2011, 00:41 »

Looks like we'll get a vector conference call

aeonf · « **Reply #49 on:** April 03, 2011, 03:35 »

^^^ What's the purpose? No %% upgrade is expected, so my bet is they are just going to try and sweet talk you into joining the program.
My second bet is that they will partially succeed, promising you extra revenue from Getty transfers, extra vetta marketing and what not.
I wish I am wrong though...

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Author Topic: Vector Vetta rebellion (Read 44030 times)

aeonf

VB inc

Starbucks

jsmithzz

Risamay

caspixel

FreeTransform

Zephyr

FreeTransform

jamirae

Zephyr

Risamay

Chris3fer

Risamay

Zephyr

Chico

gostwyck

Jo Ann Snover

nruboc

ShadySue

VB inc

nico_blue

gostwyck

nico_blue

aeonf

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