The Offset Podcast EP063: Pricing & Bidding A Job

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.

In this installment of The Offset Podcast we’re discussing why there’s been an obsession with film print emulation over the past few years and if we’re ever going to move on from the FPE mania that has been gripping the color world recently.The 2020s at least in most western media, could easily be defined as the FPE era. One only has to look to the plethora of FPE tools available and to their screens to see that FPE is everywhere.  But is that a good thing?  What constitutes good FPE and poorly executed FPE? Will we ever move past the obsession with the film print look?Specifics covered in this episode include:What's good vs poorly executed FPE?How the goal posts for FPE keep movingWhat about HDR in an FPE world?Remastering of film orginated projectsWhy developers are choosing FPE for productsEnd user fatigue & is FPE popular everywhere?Check out offsetpodcast.com for our entire library of episodes. You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook - just search for The Offset Podcast.  You can also watch this episode on YouTubeBe 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

There’s a term that’s been on our minds a lot recently - refactoring.It's a computer programing that essentially refers to the idea of restructuring, and optimizing source code to improve the efficiency of software while persevering the intent and overall functionality.In this episode of The Offset Podcast, we want to extend that idea to postproduction businesses - most of which (ours included) could use some streamlining, added efficiency, automation, and in general, improvement on all things related to the business.    Specific topics covered include:Refactoring pre-sales & sales Improving the onboarding processGaining efficiencies in technical and operations workflowBringing the refactoring concept to creative approachUnderstanding the idea of taking a step backwards to take two steps forwardAnd 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.  You can also watch this episode on YouTubeBe 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.

In this Episode, we're wrapping up NAB 2026 with some first hand experience from Joey - who, as he's done for almost a decade, was the lead Resolve demo artist at the Blackmagic Design booth. In addition to Joey's NAB experience, we'll discuss the state of affairs with trade shows like NAB and then explore some of our favorite things centered around DaVinci Resolve 21.  Specific topics include:The state of NABJoey's experience at the Blackmagic BoothThe new photo page in Resolve 21Other great new Resolve 21 featuresThe new trim pass workflowLayers!Other cool stuff - Luminary, Gaia Autocal Reporting, Adobe Color modeCheck 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.