Desktop Video Studio Bible : Producing Video, DVD, and Websites for Profit [Paperback]

George Avgerakis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071406123 | ISBN-13: 978-0071406123 | Publication Date: September 26, 2002 | Edition: 1

A detailed roadmap to setting up and operating your own desktop video studio, covering both the powerful new tools and radical new business models created by digital technology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Excerpts from review by Steve Vandergriff

…The book begins with a history of e-Media and concludes with a chapter on crew management and collections. Along the way there are chapters that cover getting your first job, starting your own business, finding and retaining clients, bidding on work and managing legal issues.

The book reads like a historical account of the author’s life in the media production business – something that can be a good thing. Let's face it, we all need mentors who have paid the price and are willing to share their experiences to steer us around the same pitfalls that once devoured them. Each chapter is written in meticulous detail, sometimes to a fault, recounting the author’s lucky breaks, smooth moves, and yes, even his failures. I for one appreciate the simple, honest approach taken in the Desktop Video Studio Bible; I like the fact that Mr. Avgerakis is willing to mix in some painful memories and miscalculations along with his successes and noteworthy achievements. Overall I'd have to say that the book has great balance in this regard.

From a practical business sense, there is a wealth of information in this book; since creative media delivery so often involves unforeseen intangibles, a project can quickly turn from black to red. This book invests a great deal of print real estate in teaching the reader how to outwit the client by exercising business savvy and financial acumen. This is generally helpful information, since most of us are creative types who like to spend our time producing, rather than counting beans and reviewing contract terms and conditions.

Indeed the book gobbles up a lot of ground, providing lengthy opinions on how to build a demo reel, how to dress for interviews and presentations, what to say, what not to say, and so on. While it's true that much of this is common sense, I've learned that common sense can be a rare commodity at times… (Creative Cow )

From the Back Cover

YOUR OWN PRODUCTION BUSINESS – SUDDENLY AFFORDABLE

Today’s video production tools have radically democratized the industry. Just ten years ago, a few major facilities dominated the media production scene. If you wanted to design print, produce video, create CD-ROMs, or design websites, you had to spend millions in education, equipment and software. Now, thousands of small shops serve companies from major TV networks to corporate communications departments, advertising agencies to home consumers, and everything in between. And there’s plenty of business for even more shops! If owning and operating your own desktop studio intrigues you, Desktop Video Studio Bible gives you an explicit start-to-success roadmap! And it doesn’t cost a fortune!

There’s no other book that offers you comprehensive guidance on all aspects of setting up and running your own desktop video business. Expert George Avgerakis—who runs a successful multimedia studio in New York City, as well as writes and speaks professionally on the subject—generously shares his insider’s edge and years of experience in this complete guide to getting up and running with your own one-person video production shop.

THE ONLY BOOK YOU NEED TO SET UP AND OPERATE YOUR OWN DESKTOP VIDEO STUDIO
* Includes essential information for starting a business designing print, producing video, creating CD-ROMs and DVDs, and designing websites – the full multimedia spectrum
* Tells you how to find clients and what to say to close a deal
* Explains what tools you need and how you can grow your facility in small affordable stages
* Gives you selection criteria to make sure you get what you need, at the right price
* Profiles and fully explains how digital media interrelate
* Tells you where the business is and how to get it (with a focus of media outlets)
* Shows you how to make your first portfolio or show reel.
* Clarifies details with over 50 diagrams and illustrations
* Gives you essential information on contracts and budgets

You can make it in desktop production! It’s all here in this book. It’s all possible — and a six figure income too. This book tells you how.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 413 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics; 1 edition (September 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071406123
• ISBN-13: 978-0071406123
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #397,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enter the Renaissance Producer, December 2, 2002

By 

David Hon (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desktop Video Studio Bible : Producing Video, DVD, and Websites for Profit (Paperback)

If you do any kind of creative work, you will instantly realize that Desktop Video Studio Bible is about more than desktop production tools. It does make its central case better than any other current book: that the creative professional is now empowered with numerous inexpensive ways to compete in the world of print, video, CD-ROM, DVD and web site productions. That all of these products may be cut from one fabric is an exciting concept, and a new one. That many of the specialized tasks involved in such production can now be done by one person should be an eye-opener to many. It is the first purpose of George Avgerakis' book, and rates my 5 stars for bringing this Renaissance Person approach to a field that has been highly segmented in the past. He does a great service in all technical portions of this book by explaining key factors in desktop technologies, and presents enduring methods and concepts that can "ride" these several evolving technologies.

But occasionally a book rates more than five stars for achieving its purpose. Occasionally a book, while doing its main task admirably, tackles a much larger universe:It helps make sense of human beings and their dealings. What the real Renaissance Producers do, according to Avgerakis, is learn to create market outreach, sell themselves, make estimates, collect bills, write contracts, keep a good reputation, and in general fight the good fight that is the true subtext of all creative work. I have been in similar enterprises, and some not so similar, and this second aspect of the book is what truly sets it apart. The principles he sets forth for finding work, for managing client relationships, and for running a business as life and life as a business, give this book its larger -- and timeless -- dimension. What is ever so clear is that Avgerakis has been there, done that, in what should be called the Great American Adventure.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great advice for media pros and beginners, August 24, 2003

By 

Paul Willis (Altadena, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desktop Video Studio Bible : Producing Video, DVD, and Websites for Profit (Paperback)

Even though I have over 16 years experience in the video industry, this book has given me the tools, advice and motivation that I'll need to finally realize my dream of owning my own media creation business.

Not only is the book extremely informative, it has a very readable and enjoyable writing style that made me feel as if the author were speaking directly to me. If you have even the slightest interest in getting involved in digital video production and/or web production, you need this book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Check your experience at the cover, November 11, 2002

By 

James MacFadden B&H Photo-Video, Inc. (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desktop Video Studio Bible : Producing Video, DVD, and Websites for Profit (Paperback)

Desktop Video Studio Bible should be re-titled The Complete Idiots Guide to starting out in video production and taking it to the limit!

George Avergakis has achieved what many have previously tried, but failed. George has created a technological how-to guide that reads as if you were sitting down and shooting the breeze with a good friend over a cup of joe. Well, a couple cups anyway (after all the book is 386 pages excluding the Epilogue and Index).

I have personally been in the video production business for 15 years. As a seasoned professional, I thought I had seen it all, done it all. Well, I must admit, my copy of Desktop Video Studio Bible is already dog-eared, highlighted and given a prominent home right next to my computer monitor (for quick and easy access).

One of my many responsibilities at B&H Photo-Video includes managing our booths for the many different video trade shows that we participate in every year. Many of the trade show attendees that I meet rely on my experience to help them solve some of their every day studio problems. Well, George has opened a whole new door for me to access with exciting ideas and solutions. My hat is off to you George on a job well done and for helping to make my job that much easier.

James MacFadden
Trade Show Coordinator/Technical Writer
B&H Photo-Video, Inc.