The Offset Podcast EP066: Reverse Engineering In The Age Of A.I.

Recently, news came out about a group that had reversed engineered applications in the Adobe Creative Suite and from other developers like Autodesk & Microsoft.  While there have been countless 'inspired by', open source and derivative efforts for this kind of thing in the past, this news was notable for how accurate the efforts are to the original pieces of software.In this episode of The Offset Podcast, we're digging into this legal and ethical enigma and discussing things like:Compiling and decompilingWhat decompiling provides and doesn't provideThe difference between 'inspired by' and outright copyingHigh-level overview of possible legal & ethical ramificationsThe moral & business arguments against using 'copied' software as professionalEnd user impact as this practice potentially becomes more common placeAnd more!If you enjoy the topics and discussion of The Offset Podcast you can join in the conversation with our new Discord communityCheck out offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes. You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook - just search for The Offset Podcast.Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcastSee you again in about two weeks for a new episode

In this episode of The Offset Podcast, we're once again joined by L.A. based colorist and facility owner Nick Hasson.  If you haven't checked out Part 1 of our chat with Nick be sure to do so as it details Nick's climb through the facility ranks in L.A. In this episode, we get a little more big picture with Nick and explore the state of affairs of color, finishing and post production in 2026.  Specific topics include:Is the facility life right for everyone?Having the stomach for freelance lifeVibe coding, gear and technologyThe perceptual impact of commercial spaceL.A. as the canary in the coal mineA.I. and its impact on postThe right things to focus on for young coloristsAnd more!If you enjoy the topics and discussion of The Offset Podcast you can join in the conversation with our new Discord communityCheck out offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes. You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook - just search for The Offset Podcast.Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcastSee you again in about two weeks for a new episode

In this episode of The Offset Podcast we're joined by friend, amazing colorist, and all around great human Nick Hasson.We've been wanting to have Nick on for a long time and we're excited to finally get the opportunity.  Nick has spent the past 25 years at some of the biggest postproduction & color companies in the world including ILM, Technicolor, RIOT, Company3, Light Iron, Modern VideoFilm, and Harbor Picture Company.  He recently opened his own studio in Burbank, CA called THE ENDIn this first part of a two part series with Nick we talk about his background, what larges facilities taught him and more.Specific topics include:Joining ILM & launching a professional careerMoving to L.A. and joining RIOT & Company3Developing 'soft skills' while at TechnicolorCamaraderie & the early days of D.I. at Light IronThe pandemic and launching a freelance careerAnd more!If you enjoy the topics and discussion of The Offset Podcast you can join in the conversation with our new Discord communityCheck out offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes. You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook - just search for The Offset Podcast.Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcastSee you again in about two weeks for a new episode

In this episode of The Offset Podcast we're discussing how to determine your rate(s) and bid on a project.  Pricing, discounts, and proposals are challenging for many people - and lets face it - these topics while are important, are decidedly not the fun part of running a postproduction business.In this show, we'll explore how we go about thinking about setting rates, building proposals, handling discounts and more.  Some of the specific topics we discuss include:How your market, experience, overhead and perceptual goals all influence determining ratesPicking a rate type - hourly, day or flatThe importance of scoping to flat rates + having 'special' rates for evening and weekend workBuilding a rate cardBuilding a project order/proposal & handling discountsConsistency in pricingIf you enjoy the topics and discussion of The Offset Podcast you can join in the conversation with our new Discord communityCheck out offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes. You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook - just search for The Offset Podcast.Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes. If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcastSee you again in about two weeks for a new episode

In this episode we're discussing a question we got from viewer/listener Matt S. who in part wrote:'I’d love to hear your thoughts on working with GFX and VFX through color. I run a motion design studio in Denver and we are often delivering GFX to DI houses. We’ve gotten surprised a few times seeing how our material gets laid into a show, and sometimes heavily graded'Thanks Matt for writing in!  It's a deep topic, but in this episode we do our best to explore it.  Some of the specifics we discuss include:Understanding GFX vs VFX and why they're sometimes used interchangeablyThe importance of communication in a GFX/VFX pipelineWorking with GFX in a color pipelineContext & keeping GFX updated with the gradeWorking with VFX in a color pipelineThe benefit of working with mattes from VFXColor management and how it impacts GFX/VFX workflowsHDR and its impact on the pipeline If you enjoy the topics and discussion of The Offset Podcast you can join in the conversation with our new Discord communityCheck out offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes. You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook - just search for The Offset Podcast.Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.  If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcastSee you again in about two weeks for a new episode

In this episode of The Offset Podcast we’re discussing online communities and their value.  Way back when, it used to be ‘community’ was those you worked with and people in your local/regional geographic area. At the birth of the modern internet, community took on a different form that has progressed greatly over the past 30 or so years.  Some of the specifics we explore this episode include:The early days of online communitiesOnline forums and the power of search & moderationThe rise of OEM communities, private training websites and the modern YouTuberEvaluating an online communityIntroducing The Offset Podcast Discord communityAs mentioned in the episode, if you enjoy the topics and discussion of The Offset Podcast you can join in the conversation with our new Discord community Check out offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes. You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook - just search for The Offset Podcast.Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.  If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcastSee you again in about two weeks for a new episode

It’s our 60th episode!  Thanks to our amazing audience for keeping the show going over the past 3 years.  Huge thanks to our sponsors @flanderscientific, @conform.tools.  Thanks to our editor Stella that cut so many of these episodes.  We have 100 episodes in our sights.  Thank you - Robbie & Joey———In this installment of The Offset Podcast we’re addressing a message we got on Instagram from 16-Year old budding colorist Mehdi who asks:‘(I) would love to know if you guys could talk more about getting into the color industry, breaking through, any advice for young colorists trying to make it’First, congrats Mehdi for being so motivated at such a young age - and thanks listening to the show. We’ve covered this topic in various ways over the years, but in this episode we thought we’d take a look at some of the personal characteristics and attitudes that working in post requires.  Specific topics covered include:Overview of desirable personal characteristicsBeing a sponge, self-motivated, and a team playerOwnership & not making excusesKnowledge & demonstration of learningAttitude & professionalism And more!Check out offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes. You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook - just search for The Offset Podcast.Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.  If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcastSee you again in about two weeks for a new episode

In this installment of The Offset Podcast we're discussing quality control or QC for short.  If you've worked in production & post for long enough, you've probably encountered QC challenges and QC reports.  While passing QC can sometimes be challenging - understanding what it is, how it works, and how (at least most of the time) that its not personal attack can go a long way to treating QC as just like any part of a project pipeline.  Some of the specifics we'll explore in this episode include:When & where does QC happen?Understanding QC specs & why they're sometimes challengingThe importance of communication in the QC processWhat are the goals of QCHow is QC performed?Internal QC & client trustQC severity flags & understanding 'inherent to source'Check out offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes. You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook - just search for The Offset Podcast.Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.  If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

In this episode we're revisiting our very first episode from all the way back in early 2024 - Client Communication.  In the past two years a lot as changed, and in service based industry like postproduction revisiting your approaches every once and while is a useful exercise. While we hit on some familiar themes, there's lots of new topics and viewpoints discussed in this episode.  Some of the specifics discussed in this episode include:How post is still (and will always be) a people/communication businessThe good & bad of video conferencingAsynchronous text communicationReview commentsSynchronous text communicationThe role of no communicationCheck out offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes. You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook - just search for The Offset Podcast. Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.  If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcast

Recently we've been thinking a lot about how quickly time seems to go by and nothing demonstrates this more than how our kids have gone from being to toddlers to graduating high school and moving on to their next stage in life.  While there isn't anything novel about this transition, it got us thinking about the unique challenges of being a parent who's also a post production professional. In this episode of The Offset Podcast we're exploring this topic in detail.  Some specifics include:Time management & being presentHow the work around the work is a big parenting challengeParenting when your partner isn't in the post businessGiving a peak behind the curtain to your familyIs post a good career path for kids?How knowledge won in post applies to other careers & industriesCheck out offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes. You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook - just search for The Offset Podcast.  Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you found it and be sure to check out our growing library of episodes.  If you like the podcast it'd mean the world to us if you'd consider supporting the show by buying us a cup of virtual coffee -https://buymeacoffee.com/theoffsetpodcastSee you in about two weeks for a new episode.