DaVinci for Mac, game changer or game over?

[M Most]

People in third world countries are picking up these cutting edge easy to use tools and telling their own stories. How many of the Movies in this year's Oscars were shot in America?

Very few.
Question #2: How many were shot on digital formats?
Same answer.

I get your point, and I don't necessarily disagree with it, but using the Oscars is not a great way of proving it.

[shashbugu]

Very few.
Question #2: How many were shot on digital formats?
Same answer.

I get your point, and I don't necessarily disagree with it, but using the Oscars is not a great way of proving it.

Take a look at the list of all the films in the oscars not just the best picture nominees.

[M Most]

Take a look at the list of all the films in the oscars not just the best picture nominees.

I just did. And except for documentaries and animation, the only one I see that was not shot on film is "El Secreto de Sus Ojos." I'm not trying to prove anything here, and I'm almost sorry I said it, but it does relate to what you said.

If anything, I think last year's Oscar nominations had a larger number of digitally shot entries than this year's did. Once again, that doesn't really mean anything in the scheme of things. But it probably does mean that those who are already talking about film's death in feature production as if its already happened aren't really paying attention. Or don't want to.

[Chris Parker]

film's death is well underway. it will be a good 10 years until it's done (maximum), but it is underway.

[Paul Buhl]

If "secret knowledge" protects your livelihood, the Prometheus of technology will inevitably steal your fire and give it to everyone.

I don't think this is a relevant or useful way to describe what's known as the unquantifiable human phenomenon called "TALENT". The same set of tools produce dramatically different results in different hands. Not to mention, "SKILL" is the result of a talented person's years of experience. The idea that technology alone can replace the artistic human contribution is an oxymoron, one is not the same as the other. Presets can work in a pinch for someone who doesn't have a lot of experience or creative talent, but what a depressing picture of this amazing industry that we are all trying to push forward that is.

[shashbugu]

I don't think this is a relevant or useful way to describe what's known as the unquantifiable human phenomenon called "TALENT". The same set of tools produce dramatically different results in different hands. Not to mention, "SKILL" is the result of a talented person's years of experience. The idea that technology alone can replace the artistic human contribution is an oxymoron, one is not the same as the other. Presets can work in a pinch for someone who doesn't have a lot of experience or creative talent, but what a depressing picture of this amazing industry that we are all trying to push forward that is.

Very good point. But in the world of film and video post production, the tools are continuously evolving based on the needs of a few very skilled individuals. There are very few institutions in the world teaching students about these tools, mainly because the tools are very expensive. Developing and releasing more affordable, more intuitive and innovative products will ensure a who new generation of users further increasing the talent pool.
Great Talent is recognizable, it should have nothing to do with the price of a product. The more the user base the more the talented individuals get their hands on tools. We do need the preset wanting individuals to pay for the R&D of products. Talent will always stand out. I would rather see talented individuals make more money than spend their earnings on Ultra expensive tools.
There are so many post facilities with very talented individuals, but millions of dollars invested into equipment closing down every time new cheaper technology is used by the competition.

If "secret knowledge" protects your livelihood, the Prometheus of technology will inevitably steal your fire and give it to everyone.

@ Paul, Jeff makes a good point here. You can not equate good talent with guarding secret knowledge. Secret knowledge is having business smarts, I see nothing wrong with that, except that talented individuals will come up with alternative methods to do whatever secretive tool set one has

[Paul Buhl]

The "Secret Knowledge" thing is a little too conspiratorial for me. I think it's more accurate to talk about the high-end scene vs the emerging pro-sumer scene. Personally I think the pro-sumer scene is very exciting right now and I'm thrilled be a part of it, but I also understand some of the exclusive strengths of the high-end. Anyone can break into the high-end if they are determined to, it's not a secret, it's just harder to break in, takes longer, and the path is often filled with undesirable assistant work. You have to really ask yourself where you WANT to be. I know PLENTY of talent who are working in high-end post houses, making great money, but don't love what they do and would rather be working on indie features, but can't give up the money that comes with commercial advertising work. I came into this business with a die-hard focus on feature editing and avoided the commercial post house scene intentionally. Now my feature projects are onlining in those same post houses, but it took eight years to get there. For me it's far more important to decide where you want to be and love what you do, and use BOTH the pro-sumer and high-end to achieve it, than it is to worry about which one is holier than the other.

[shashbugu]

The "Secret Knowledge" thing is a little too conspiratorial for me. I think it's more accurate to talk about the high-end scene vs the emerging pro-sumer scene. Personally I think the pro-sumer scene is very exciting right now and I'm thrilled be a part of it, but I also understand some of the exclusive strengths of the high-end. Anyone can break into the high-end if they are determined to, it's not a secret, it's just harder to break in, takes longer, and the path is often filled with undesirable assistant work. You have to really ask yourself where you WANT to be. I know PLENTY of talent who are working in high-end post houses, making great money, but don't love what they do and would rather be working on indie features, but can't give up the money that comes with commercial advertising work. I came into this business with a die-hard focus on feature editing and avoided the commercial post house scene intentionally. Now my feature projects are on-lining in those same post houses, but it took eight years to get there. For me it's far more important to decide where you want to be and love what you do, and use BOTH the pro-sumer and high-end to achieve it, than it is to worry about which one is holier than the other.

Exactly, I agree with you. As long as visual effects keep improving with new higher than super HD acquisition formats continue to evolve formats eg 10k 3D stereoscopic, etc the line will always be drawn. But if software and hardware manufacturers keep up competitively at this pace the technological lines will be blurred and pure raw talent will really shine.

[Lucas Wilson]

The "Secret Knowledge" thing is a little too conspiratorial for me. I think it's more accurate to talk about the high-end scene vs the emerging pro-sumer scene. Personally I think the pro-sumer scene is very exciting right now and I'm thrilled be a part of it, but I also understand some of the exclusive strengths of the high-end. Anyone can break into the high-end if they are determined to, it's not a secret, it's just harder to break in, takes longer, and the path is often filled with undesirable assistant work. You have to really ask yourself where you WANT to be. I know PLENTY of talent who are working in high-end post houses, making great money, but don't love what they do and would rather be working on indie features, but can't give up the money that comes with commercial advertising work. I came into this business with a die-hard focus on feature editing and avoided the commercial post house scene intentionally. Now my feature projects are onlining in those same post houses, but it took eight years to get there. For me it's far more important to decide where you want to be and love what you do, and use BOTH the pro-sumer and high-end to achieve it, than it is to worry about which one is holier than the other.

Nicely said, Paul.

For years, I was a high-end online editor at the shops in LA. I was working on some of the biggest shows on the major networks, getting good work... and I was pretty miserable. I had a young family, and more often than not, I'd have to call my wife on short notice and say, "won't be home until... much much later." Every once in awhile, that's fine. At least twice a week for more than a year... not so much.

One particularly bad night after a psycho producer on a big show had just kept most of the online staff of a big post house working until 3AM on something that really REALLY did not matter just because her ego needed its power fix, a switch flipped in my head. I realized that I was at the top of my game in the Online Editorial field... and it was never going to get any better than this.

Started looking for a gig with a manufacturer the next day, and have never looked back. I'm happier, my family is happier, and I still get to do creative stuff with cool people.

It really is a question of stepping back and deciding where you want to be. Those are not easy decisions...

Best,

Lucas

[Andrae Palmer]

Nicely said, Paul.

For years, I was a high-end online editor at the shops in LA. I was working on some of the biggest shows on the major networks, getting good work... and I was pretty miserable. I had a young family, and more often than not, I'd have to call my wife on short notice and say, "won't be home until... much much later." Every once in awhile, that's fine. At least twice a week for more than a year... not so much.

One particularly bad night after a psycho producer on a big show had just kept most of the online staff of a big post house working until 3AM on something that really REALLY did not matter just because her ego needed its power fix, a switch flipped in my head. I realized that I was at the top of my game in the Online Editorial field... and it was never going to get any better than this.

Started looking for a gig with a manufacturer the next day, and have never looked back. I'm happier, my family is happier, and I still get to do creative stuff with cool people.

It really is a question of stepping back and deciding where you want to be. Those are not easy decisions...

Best,

Lucas

Great post Lucas... Thanks!