A colleague often tells me that it is always the simple things that catch you out and I can think of many such examples but the latest one had me deeply embarrassed.

A spin-off service from my more regular video production services and one that I have provided for many years, is recovering video imagery from CCTV systems. Many older systems used hardware boxes that multiplexed the signals and recorded onto VHS tape, albeit 24 hours from 1-16+cameras on a 3hour tape. Modern systems are computer based and the multiplexing is software based producing a computer file. Single camera systems usually use standard file formats but more complicated multi-camera sytems require a dedicated player to unravel the multi-camera streams from the often bespoke file. The actual content is varied coming from cameras on buses and coaches, shops, factories, driveways, car parks, the list is endless and needless to say the variety of incidents captured varies from tragic incidents to blatant thievery.  

One of my clients provides investigation solutions to the insurance and legal professions. They often bring CCTV footage of  a variety of incidents. I had a call from the boss who needed a job done very urgently. He had a file of an incident that no one could view. We arranged he would drop it by that evening. I would have a quick look and then get something ready for the following morning so that all parties could view said footage.

Client and memory stick containing the file arrived and within a few minutes we had ascertained it was yet another file format I had not come across before. Not surprising as there are more flavours of CCTV file formats than flavours in an Italian ice cream parlour. A quick search on the Internet and all became clear. Very quickly I had located a player that would handle the file and the client went off to enjoy the rest of the evening. I set about  installing the required software, reviewing the file and than encoding to a suitable format. Big shock as the software indicated the encoding would take a staggering 8 hours to encode 30 mins of multi camera view. I sent a quick text to the client to say all was well and I would be in touch the following morning and left the computer to crunch away all night.

Early the following morning, I came into the studio and was delighted that I had a file simultaneously showing 6 cameras for 30 mins in real time. So far so good. I then decided it might be advantageous for both my client and his to put the file online so I uploaded it on a private link, tested it and really felt on a roll…and it wasn’t even 7.30 a.m..

I just needed to text the link to my client. I had been a Blackberry user for 5 days 14 hours and 7 minutes (not that I’m counting) First text got sent after 3 words, the second halfway through typing the link, the third success…er no… typo in the url…4th text was finally correct. Alas the client who was trying to enjoy his cornflakes had his phone vibrating around the table with my truncated texts.

Two days on I can smile at the irony that I was able to look after more complicated tasks, yet a simple task that most six year olds would be able to do blindfold was too much for me. Alas getting my head (and fingers) around a Blackberry is a skill that I still have to do more work on.

I gave an “insight” talk last week at the Brentwood FSB networking meeting. The idea of these 10 minute spots is to give more details of your business.  Rather than tell of the advantage of video as a communication medium, particularly on websites or do the hard sell on cine film and video transfers to DVD, I chose to rattle through a few of the more bizarre jobs that I have done, along with some of the things that have happened over the past 25+ years.

The tone was set with an opening line “I haven’t had a proper job for the past 25 years, I do Video Production”. Needless to say there was a (hopefully) humorous take on some of these events. The feedback has been incredibly positive and several people have commented on how in a light hearted and subtle way I had demonstrated  just what a varied experience I have.

When my son was in sixth form he worked at a photographic retailer at the Lakeside Shopping Centre. In the back of the shop was a sign (away from the customers gaze) which read something along the lines of “You have bought the latest camera, with a selection of lenses, the latest flash gun, a versatile tripod, a large gadget bag packed with accessories, a pile of books and magazines but the one thing you haven’t got and we cannot sell you is EXPERIENCE.

I never cease to be amazed on trade forums the questions from people about to undertake work, for which they are clearly way out of their depth but it has never occurred to them to bring in experience to assist. Over the years I have worked and learnt from many people in the industry, directors, producers, choreographers, event managers, specialists in telecine, filming in industrial environments, multi camera and outside broadcast, jib operators, lighting, sound, advanced post-production, animators, graphic artists etc etc. All specialists in their own fields, all people who I have learnt from and bring on board as required. Likewise many event managers bring me into their crews as the video specialist for conferences, seminars etc.

To me experience comes in various flavours but of the most paramount importance is knowing limitations, knowing when to bring specialists on board and knowing which ones to use.

So whilst the old adage that you cannot buy experience is true in one respect, you most certainly can choose to use a company that has the experience to undertake work of many types, successfully.

I am always available to discuss any job large or small. If you have any questions give me a call.

It wasn’t my intention to write about this subject but in the last week I have seen two customers with contrasting stories.

Customer 1 had their cine films put onto video tape 6 years ago but then threw the films away. They got their tape out to play for a family reunion and when they rewound it a large section was badly damaged. I was able to salvage some of the tape but the only 3 minutes of their wedding from 1970 was gone.

Customer 2 had actually put her Video tapes onto DVD a few years ago (albeit onto RW discs that would not play on some players) but two of the discs of the children as toddlers had been scratched beyond repair. She had however, had the good sense to store the tapes away safely and brought them along, together with some SD cards and I was able to copy them to DVD (properly).

If you have video tapes or cine films you want transferred to DVD, of course I can do these for you but whether I do or if you have already had them done or will do them in he future, PLEASE  keep your tapes and films, safe, cool and most definitely DRY. So no sheds or cold damp garages.

Your memories are important. Cherish them and take good care of them. One final thing, if you are thinking of having your Cine Films or Video Tapes put onto DVD, mention “sawyablog” and you will get a 10% discount.

It seems only proper that the inaugural blog should make mention of the journey of getting the new website up and running. Having encountered false starts, broken promises, over inflated quotes and uninspiring examples, I was feeling generally disillusioned with the whole process. A graphic designer with whom I regularly work on projects for a major client but who did not do web design was also unable to offer any credible recommendations. My dated website was designed around the dawn of dial-up and would not have been out of place on the Antiques Roadshow and then in a moment of inspiration I contacted Andy Harvey of HDA http://www.webandinkdesign.co.uk. We had previously worked together on projects which he had created animation for and when the email reply was a positive “yes”, the clouds of gloom lifted.

Within 48 hours Andy produced initial concepts, that everyone I showed them to agreed were superb and then over the next few weeks the core was created. We then honed and tuned and tweaked…I say “we”, meaning I bombarded him with emails and HE made the changes.

Ironically once the project was well under way, I met two other very talented designers at FSB meetings, namely Louise Ince of Dotty Hippo Design and Graham Conway of Design London both of whom also do amazing creative work. However Andy’s patience seemed to know no boundaries and the feedback on his work has been very positive.

I often work on projects with clients who know exactly where they want to be, when they arrive there and I did have mega guilt feelings that I fell into this category but they soon passed!

A large stroke of luck during the design process was attending a Business Link Seminar given by Nigel Temple @nigeltemple from Marketing Compass http://www.marketingcompass.co.uk  Nigel a web and SEO Guru (and some) is an empowering speaker, charismatic, amusing and just so knowledgeable. I subsequently attended two more sessions with him and have learnt an immense amount, most of which I still have to put into practice.

So this first blog is simply a BIG thank you to Andy and Nigel.