Author Topic: How are your footage sales at SS (Read 9314 times)

Phadrea · « **on:** February 07, 2015, 08:11 »

I am curious to know if anyone has success with footage at SS. I have recently started to submit so am a bit of a rookie when regarding video. I have produced around 103 files and so far had sales I can count on one hand. Fair enough, I don't much with that number but another contributor has had more sales with just 38 and to be honest, I have as much variety but no food shots which perhaps is a good thing to shoot.I know some of the footage is hand held but I did use steady shot thinking it would be ok.

Here is my port so far. http://www.shutterstock.com/video/gallery/Marbury-272143/

I am learning all the time and hopefully improving along the way. I am shooting with a Sony RX10 in AVCHD, rendering a Quicktime .mov file H264. I have used a trial of PP and currently using Magix 2015 (which seems to crash all the time) so undecided on final software choice so far. That being said, I just want to keep it simple for now and edit the basics like contrast, saturation as my knowledge of anything deeper is off my radar for now at least.

cobalt · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2015, 08:58 »

Video is often half my monthly income on SS. But because they are much larger sales from 6-22 dollars plus extended or special licenses if you don't get many in a month returns are low.

I have around 300 videos and have sales every month. People sell better than sunsets.

Asthebelltolls · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2015, 09:41 »

Herg....I look at your portfolio and see comparisons with my own. We both have a broad range of subjects. Most of your clips are well framed but, like mine, are static.

I've achieved "volume" with SS (about 500 clips) and now I want to incorporate more movement within each clip. 2-3 second establishing shot followed by a smooth pan/tilt/dolly movement. I think "movement", when done well, separates the "interesting" from the "ordinary". Your train shots are interesting because there's so much going on in the frame or the locust fighting over a blade of grass.....lovely! A slight pan to follow the action rather than a wider static shot.

I'm thinking of getting a slider to incorporate a smooth, * shot with my compositions. SS is quickly building up its volume. The competition is growing and the only thing to keep sales flowing are improved - professional techniques included with your shots.

Are you submitting to Pond5 as well? IMO your clips, in general, should do well. My experience has been to avoid under-valuing the clips thinking cheaper attracts more sales. Buyers with P5 associate price with quality - that's been my experience.

KB · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2015, 11:21 »

I'm not one of those videographers who are footage pros like jjneff, but I have been submitting footage since mid-2009. This is the kind of portfolio that would have done very well back then, but (with apologies in advance to cobalt, who seems to feel differently) competition these days is fierce in these areas of simple shots of relatively common locations and items.

I'm actually quite surprised that some of these were accepted on SS, as they used to be extremely strict when it came to camera movement -- locked down, or smooth only. Obvious handheld shots were strictly forbidden (in the past I've had some panning shots done on a tripod that were rejected for not being smooth enough). Perhaps they've eased up some. I agree with the advice to add some (smooth) movement. Get a good panning head (a good one), or any of a number of other pieces of equipment that can add movement to a shot.

But the biggest help would be to find other subjects, because even with added movement, in my opinion, you won't be getting many sales from now on with most of the subjects in your port.

Rinderart · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2015, 12:33 »

Paid for all My equipment and I got a lot of stuff, Sliders and all the stuff.Wireless mics,Follow focus,Ext Monitors, Going forward I will be concentrating much More on Video than still. because I live and work in Hollywood, I also own a separate business that does video of possible Locations for Production Companies that for 75 years have relied on Stills. They send me out all Over the Place from Private Homes to schoolyards. Takes about 3 hours per and the pay is terrific. I do Pretty simple stock footage, Senior Homeless, Fancy Gardens with sliders,Travel Locations. and the most successful is Photography tutorials to sell On skillfeed. I use My pardner dave On camera. Done very well with those. A tip for ya regarding Panning with a fluid head for smoothness. A rubber band pulled to rotate the head once you have tested the tension..Smooth as Milk. I also video all My workshops. Been doing those for 7 years. Biggest regret is Not listening to friends begging me to get in at the beginning. kept saying Ya, Ya..Tomorrow. well, 5 Years of tomorrow was a complete waste of time. Dumb Mistake.

Keep it simple. They got enough Of star trails and timelapse citys in traffic and clouds.. Think stock, Not vimeo. Just Like stills, But they move.

gbalex · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2015, 12:35 »

Lets also ruin the video market by exaggerating how much we make and teaching new contributors how to produce or copy our work.

Rinderart · « **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2015, 12:54 »

I agree, But after spending nearly 10 Years on the critique forum. 90% will give up has been My experience. those that want it and do the work will do well. Or, well enough to make it work for them.

Mantis · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2015, 13:17 »

Anyone have a recommendation of sliders and pan heads? Funny, I have been thinking along these lines for awhile. I get 2-6 video dl's a month on SS but I only have 400 vides, a mix of common stuff and animations. I'm really enjoying how to use generators and combining multiple parts into a video file. Forces me to do a lot of Google learning on Final Cut Pro X.

Rinderart · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2015, 14:48 »

I use a "Glidetrack" slider. and for a head davis and sanford F18. Inexpensive head but strong and heavy and smooth.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/336011-REG/Davis_Sanford_FM18_FM18_Fluid_Head.html

Mantis · « **Reply #9 on:** February 07, 2015, 17:00 »

Quote from: Rinderart on February 07, 2015, 14:48

I use a "Glidetrack" slider. and for a head davis and sanford F18. Inexpensive head but strong and heavy and smooth.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/336011-REG/Davis_Sanford_FM18_FM18_Fluid_Head.html

So on that head you pan manually, correct? I have a Bescor battery operated pan head but it's too fast on its slowest setting. and I often get jitters in my clips. I try to shoot at 60 SS at 30FPS whenever possible.

Rinderart · « **Reply #10 on:** February 07, 2015, 17:09 »

correct and Like said use a rubberband to make it smooth. if ya get that One I recommend getting a few extra QR Plates. I lose them.

Mantis · « **Reply #11 on:** February 07, 2015, 20:28 »

Quote from: Rinderart on February 07, 2015, 17:09

correct and Like said use a rubberband to make it smooth. if ya get that One I recommend getting a few extra QR Plates. I lose them.

How does the rubber band thing work? It seems that as it loses its elasticity the motion would slow during the pan.

Rinderart · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2015, 02:19 »

A large rubber band. wrap it around the handle of the head, then your finger. It takes a little practice, then slowly pull to Pan. very smooth, Much better than doing it by hand. Very Old trick. adjust tension on the fluid head.I do this on my slider also.
http://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1025065-stock-footage-homeless-senior-man-in-an-alley.html?src=gallery/Uz7MkwqcYMaZ6myj6goObQ:1:1/3p

KnowYourOnions · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2015, 03:52 »

Quote from: Asthebelltolls on February 07, 2015, 09:41

Are you submitting to Pond5 as well? IMO your clips, in general, should do well. My experience has been to avoid under-valuing the clips thinking cheaper attracts more sales. Buyers with P5 associate price with quality - that's been my experience.

Nowadays due to ongoing Public Domain free giveaway project buyers can hardly find anything on Pond5, regardless of pricing.

One of the footage veteran SevArt says:
SevArt 30 Jan 2015 12:35
"The result with blank search box my first clip (sold 76 times) is in the 1587th place.
What can I add more? after I sold thousands of clips on P5.
What is the result of P5 changes?
For the first time EVER (in years), SS take the 1st place in number of sales per month THIS MONTH!!! with only 28% clips compared with P5.
I never believed but this month happened."

More on the issue here:
https://www.pond5.com/community?forum=629&thread=39986639&lp=1

Phadrea · « **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2015, 05:16 »

Quote from: KB on February 07, 2015, 11:21

But the biggest help would be to find other subjects, because even with added movement, in my opinion, you won't be getting many sales from now on with most of the subjects in your port.

I have always been led to believe with stock footage that any camera movement was to be avoided. I think a lot of my footage to be fair has content that is quite niche. Most contributors are from the US and couldn't get access to some of the subjects I have covered.

ruxpriencdiam · « **Reply #15 on:** February 08, 2015, 08:55 »

I get a negative for a post similar to the one above from gbalex, so mine is deleted.

Mantis · « **Reply #16 on:** February 08, 2015, 09:42 »

Quote from: Rinderart on February 08, 2015, 02:19

A large rubber band. wrap it around the handle of the head, then your finger. It takes a little practice, then slowly pull to Pan. very smooth, Much better than doing it by hand. Very Old trick. adjust tension on the fluid head.I do this on my slider also.
http://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1025065-stock-footage-homeless-senior-man-in-an-alley.html?src=gallery/Uz7MkwqcYMaZ6myj6goObQ:1:1/3p

Thanks, Lauren. Pretty cool.

KB · « **Reply #17 on:** February 08, 2015, 11:15 »

Quote from: Herg on February 08, 2015, 05:16

Quote from: KB on February 07, 2015, 11:21
But the biggest help would be to find other subjects, because even with added movement, in my opinion, you won't be getting many sales from now on with most of the subjects in your port.

I have always been led to believe with stock footage that any camera movement was to be avoided. I think a lot of my footage to be fair has content that is quite niche. Most contributors are from the US and couldn't get access to some of the subjects I have covered.

You are absolutely right; stock footage that is supposed to be locked down should definitely not have any camera movement at all. That is why I said I was surprised to see a few locked down clips in your portfolio that were obviously handheld (i.e., there is visible camera movement). Clearly SS thinks that small amount of movement is acceptable. But when I wrote about "added movement", I was talking about panning, tracking, etc, which are obviously fine (desirable) for stock.

And definitely you do have clips in your port that are not generic or common, and those stand a much better chance of being found and sold (assuming there is a demand for the subject). You should certainly concentrate on those, and stay away from the generic shots that everyone else can (and does) shoot.

Rinderart · « **Reply #18 on:** February 08, 2015, 21:31 »

Quote from: Mantis on February 08, 2015, 09:42

Quote from: Rinderart on February 08, 2015, 02:19
A large rubber band. wrap it around the handle of the head, then your finger. It takes a little practice, then slowly pull to Pan. very smooth, Much better than doing it by hand. Very Old trick. adjust tension on the fluid head.I do this on my slider also.
http://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1025065-stock-footage-homeless-senior-man-in-an-alley.html?src=gallery/Uz7MkwqcYMaZ6myj6goObQ:1:1/3p

Thanks, Lauren. Pretty cool.

Your very welcome. Also, Never had a problem sharing Ideas , tips or tricks and I Like competition. Someone gets good. Im all for it.

Phadrea · « **Reply #19 on:** February 09, 2015, 03:51 »

Quote from: Rinderart on February 08, 2015, 21:31

Quote from: Mantis on February 08, 2015, 09:42
Quote from: Rinderart on February 08, 2015, 02:19
A large rubber band. wrap it around the handle of the head, then your finger. It takes a little practice, then slowly pull to Pan. very smooth, Much better than doing it by hand. Very Old trick. adjust tension on the fluid head.I do this on my slider also.
http://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1025065-stock-footage-homeless-senior-man-in-an-alley.html?src=gallery/Uz7MkwqcYMaZ6myj6goObQ:1:1/3p

Thanks, Lauren. Pretty cool.

Your very welcome. Also, Never had a problem sharing Ideas , tips or tricks and I Like competition. Someone gets good. Im all for it.

That is magnanimous of you Lauren. Much appreciated. There seems to be many facets of your talent which I admire. Thanks for sharing. My main income is from music/sounds but if I can get more into footage, trying to avoid the over saturated cliches it would be nice.

Has anyone experienced a few rapid cuts/fades telling a story making sales ?

jjneff · « **Reply #20 on:** February 09, 2015, 13:10 »

I wouldn't call myself a footage pro but thanks :-) If you want to make money with footage you need to have people shots. People are what sell and that is where the money is. Find locations that others don't have and consider your end market. Handheld work is more acceptable now but it has to be good work not sloppy. What sells in photo sells in video to a large degree. Most of all have fun, keep learning, take risks and keep at it!

Freedom · « **Reply #21 on:** February 09, 2015, 16:20 »

I understand each port is different. Just wonder how big a port should be in general, in order to get some regular sales in a given month. At present, my port is just a bit over 200. I will increase the size to 300-400 by the end of the month. Just did not upload to SS much in the past.

Phadrea · « **Reply #22 on:** February 10, 2015, 04:50 »

I am going to concentrate on footage now as sales at SS are so dire it is no longer sustainable to spend time shooting stills. Footage brings in more money.

It has been suggested that people sell well with footage. What if you can't get model releases. Crowds etc ? Will editorial still sell ?

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Author Topic: How are your footage sales at SS (Read 9314 times)

Phadrea

cobalt

Asthebelltolls

KB

Rinderart

gbalex

Rinderart

Mantis

Rinderart

Mantis

Rinderart

Mantis

Rinderart

KnowYourOnions

Phadrea

ruxpriencdiam

Mantis

KB

Rinderart

Phadrea

jjneff

Freedom

Phadrea

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