Posted by Bill Fright on 05/07/07 13:04

Scott en Aztlán wrote:
> On Mon, 07 May 2007 02:30:59 +0100, Martin Heffels
> <goofie@flikken.net> wrote:
>
>> On 6 May 2007 03:15:12 -0700, yarock@aol.com wrote:
>>
>>> <Here's what happened.
>> It's not as bad as it seems. Most current editing software can handle mixed
>> resolutions. Since you go back to SD your project will be set-up for SD
>> anyway. You can capture both of the clips and drop them on the timeline.
>> The only worry you have is that you have to crop the 4:3 material to 16:9
>> in order to make it look correct again (else the bride will look fat, and
>> she will kill you ;-) ). No need to say anything to the client.
>
> It sounds like the client specifically asked the OP to shoot in HD and
> archive the tapes - presumably the client will want a HD version of
> this video at some point, otherwise why would he be so specific in his
> instructions? Presumably the client is being charged more for shooting
> in HD vs. shooting in SD, and is probably paying extra for the
> archiving as well.
>
> The ethical thing to do is to come clean now. Tell the client the
> truth - the SD DVD will probably be just fine, but any HD version is
> going to be seriously compromised. If the client is paying extra for
> the HD, he should at the very least get a refund for that portion of
> the price and be charged only the SD rate.

I'm glad someone wrote about coming clean with the client. You
absolutely should do that. If you made it clear to the camera operator
to shoot in hd and he shot sd he should surrender his day rate which you
can give back to the client. It makes absolutely no difference if he had
an earlier shoot or not. Even further the camera op should have
suggested this on his own to show that he (or she) takes his business
seriously. Mistakes like these are simply not permitted in broadcast. To
me I'd say he (or she) was sleeping during the shoot if the format error
was not noticed until a break conversation. I hate knowing cam ops are
essentially sleeping while looking through a view finder.

Next, I'd tell the client that the project essentially turned into a sd
4:3 program. Discount as much as you need to to keep these people from
taking you to court - because they will win there.

good luck
bill

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