The Computer Geek's Corner

"Today’s column will discuss how to prepare for a demo reel edit session. This will get computer geek/techy (and can be very confusing), so bear with me. I know, all you care about is how good you look in the beach shot where the sun hits your eyes perfectly, but…

"For every job you book, you should ask for a copy for your demo reel. “Copy, credit and meals” is standard for any credible SAG-AFTRA job. I have it written into my contract as a condition of employment, so there is no question. If Production balks at this request, you should seriously consider if it is worth your time and/or a credible project.

"After you have done your job (acting), ask Production when is a good time to call about getting your copy (payment) — a week, a month, three months? You want to hit that sweet spot where the editor has just finished and starts to output the different versions (Web, DVD, cinema). If you wait several months after he has finished, they may have already archived the MASTER copy and cleared off their hard drives, so it would be a huge pain in the butt to make a dub (for FREE!?!) for the actor.

"Ask for a copy of the MASTER (written into your contract) — the version with biggest color space/the largest frame size. Most editors work on digital/computer files, so you could bring your hard drive and they will copy it over for you. Sometimes they will give you all your shots, even the ones they didn’t use (for whatever reason).

"Often times, production will try to give you a compressed DVD/mpeg2 of the finished project. Again, ask if you could have a copy of the MASTER at the largest file size. By the time your image is compressed into a DVD/mpeg2, a LOT of valuable data has been thrown away (to get the file size small enough to play on crappy $30 DVD players).

"For optimum use, ask them to burn it onto DATA DVDs (contains 4.7GB or 8.5GB of data), not a compressed DVD/mpeg2. This DATA DVD will also serve as your backup when (NOT IF) your hard drive fails. Or they could give you a tape.

"If it is not possible to get a copy of the MASTER DVD on DATA DVD, you can accept a compressed DVD/mpeg2 version, but your editor will need special software to expand the file back out to a format your video editing software can use. This is similar to ripping an audio CD, but in reverse.

"After you have booked a few different projects, you will need to watch them and pick out your best scenes. Write down when you want that chunk to start and stop according to the time on the DVD player. This is your “In” and “Out” points for that scene. Give this paper to your editor.

"From past Computer Geek columns, you should already have on your computer your headshots (at 300DPI) and resumé. Burn those onto a CD, along with a Word doc that has basic info like your name, contact info, agent info and website/social media addresses. Also bring in any artwork (TV show opening graphic, photos from the set, film poster, yada) from the projects you’ve worked on.

"This will make your edit session go faster, and faster = cheaper = less chance for errors. If all your info is typed into a Word doc, the editor can copy and paste it versus trying to read your handwriting.

"Your editor will MASTER to whatever file format/codec makes the most sense according to your source material. Most editors strive for 1920x1080 frame size, 24 frames per second in a QuickTime movie (.mov), but your source material will dictate that. It may make more sense to master to Standard DV format of 720x480 frame size and 29.97 frames per second.

"From your MASTER, your editor will make the various compressed versions for your various outlets: YouTube, iPhone, etc. They each have different requirements. Tell the editor what sites you are posting to and he will compress that for you.

"You should buy an external hard drive that is dedicated solely for your ACTING career. Load all your video files and photos onto it. It is another form of backup for your precious performances. You will want to get one that has same ports as your computer (e.g., Firewire, USB, etc.). You can bring that to the editor and he can copy over what he needs to his drives. Prices are constantly falling, but you should be able to get 1TB for under $100.

"So, that’s it. I know this was kind of computer geek/tech-heavy info, but today’s actor MUST be computer-savvy. Even if you can’t afford a computer, most libraries have free computers you can sign up for free to use. The world has gone digital, my friend — that includes the acting world. Don’t get left behind.

"The next Computer Geek column will discuss smartphones/tablets and why they are so VITAL to today’s working actor. We will look at their various uses, apps, and how to get your photos, reels and email onto it.

"P.S.: If you are computer-savvy, we always need members to help other SAG-AFTRA Nevada Branch brothers and sisters that are not technically inclined. If you’d like to help, contact President Barbara Grant at nevadapresident@sagaftra.org or Local Executive Director Steve Clinton at steven.clinton@sagaftra.org to volunteer."

“The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us.” — Morpheus, THE MATRIX.

This item was originally featured in the October 2012 local newsletter.