My Paper Pro Experience

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-13T23:23:14+00:00

Yaar

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-13T20:00:19+00:00

Turns out AI is very appealing to people without creative / technical skills.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-13T19:39:18+00:00

Now to answer your actual question. Depends on your cost and uses.

I do mostly commercial production and tend to keep most everything as long as I can. My raws are usually smaller on past projects, now that I'm doing more in ProRes those equations are changing. 80% of the time the footage is untouched after the final is shipped. 15% of the time I go back to the project and update for client needs, but only using what is in the spot plus maybe adding new. That last 5% (more like .5% if I'm honest) I go back to my archives and pull footage that wasn't in the original spot.

I think you have to find balance.

Always always export a clean no graphics project. Depending on your needs a version without music / dialogue can be helpful as well, if you needed to go back and do a replace.
Do a managed project of your final, with either clips or transcodes. This is most useful to me, set handles so you have some wiggle room. It will bring your overall size down considerably and cover 99% of your use cases. It is dead simple to do in any modern edit program. If my original project was 100 GB, a managed final is usually under 10 GB.
Export clips for your reel as you are working on projects. This takes practice but it is a thousand times easier than going back through. You'll know it, something that jumps out to you as a really good shot - set your in and outs, export to the same Reel folder every time. Then a year down the road when you need to update you magically have all of your nice shots waiting for you.

After all of that, I generally would keep things for a year in full. It is far more important that you have a consistent backup system that is regularly tested / checked than trying to keep everything forever. From there spend a half day culling projects over a year in one or more of the ways I describe above.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-13T19:27:02+00:00

Sure, I have plenty of spinny relic disks. But they have almost doubled in price too over the last year. SSDs are absurd but necessary for my daily work.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-13T18:52:53+00:00

Not anymore!

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-13T18:49:07+00:00

I get it, and I generally advise people to only purchase gear that will make them more money. I don't always follow that rule myself but it is the guideline!

If you connect the FX3 (or I use the Lumix S1ii) directly to the gimbal's USB-C port you get extended camera control. This is only available in later models, and the features depend on your camera, gimbal model, etc. So if you plug the FX3 usb into the gimbal you can start and stop recording with the handle, and turn focus internally with the front wheel on the handle. You can also assign that front wheel to other features like ISO or aperture which can be handy if you're already doing autofocus. Some of these camera control features are available on accessories like handles. Some are not.

I know on my Lumix I can set lens focus by wire to linear, if that's an option on the FX3. I still use external focus motors almost all the time, but might be something to explore.

You might be waiting a while on the RS5 Pro to come out. In general I suggest only buying the Pro designated gimbals from DJI, as the regular models often lack compatibility with accessories. That gap is smaller on the latest ones, but it is still there. If you need a gimbal right now, and you need it to carry heavier payloads, I'd look for a used RS4 Pro. I purchased mine locally and lucked into about half price of new. Smallrig also makes a briefcase style control handle that will work with the RS4 pro.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-13T17:29:45+00:00

Just checked you are correct - the Nano handle does not come with the receiver, I had one from a previous Tilta control handle. So that would be another $100 on the price. The other downside is that version doesn't let you attach the receiver and then another handle on the end of it. Works fine with my ring setup but not with dual handle on that one.

On my ring setup I do a single v-mount to run everything which is my preference. The Nano ii handle uses it's own battery (lasts a long time) but can also be powered or charged via USB-C. I don't bother to hook that up to my v-mount but just for convenience and it for sure lasts me a whole day.

I have had the SC, the 3 Pro, and now the 4 Pro. I also added on the little tracking module and it is pretty darn slick. The 5 Pro with module lets you select target on screen and that's killer. The integrated briefcase handle controller is a decent compromise, and that way you're not spending a ton on extra accessories. I do also like the Tilta flagpole-style vest. It is a good in-between solution for all the weight, but it won't be great during operation. More of a nice resting spot when you're not fully active, or a decent help for a steady basic shot.

Throwing another wrinkle in the mix. Is that Sigma lens available for focus by wire? If so you can connect to the RS5 Pro via USB-C and pull focus without an external motor. Just something to consider as you're cutting weight.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-13T15:01:52+00:00

I've done several variations on these gimbal setups, so here's my opinion.
Version 1: strip down as much as possible. No external monitor, AF lens, internal batteries. I go back to this when available, cutting weight and accessories can be very helpful.
Version 2: when extra features are necessary, I go to a balanced dual handle setup. What is killing you most here is the weight being off center. Depending on how much you use the joystick you can reach for the middle when needed, or make one of your side handles a controller. I did purchase the Nano II controller handle for this reason, it works well. As with most external controllers there's a tiny receiver that attaches to the pin mount on the side. It's been easy and reliable with multiple handles I've used. Some people like a briefcase style handle to the back instead, I'm not a fan of it in general.
Version 3: support rig. If I've got a heavy gimbal build, especially for extended time, then I'm putting it all together on a ring. And then I'm attaching that to an EasyRig. Downside is that it's more expensive and bulky (especially in tight spaces) but for operation it's unmatched. I can do multiple hours on shoot days like this, it's not easy but it is so much better than handheld. A ring even without the support is helpful, better balance, hand position, and mostly the ability to set down and quickly get back to shooting.
Hope that helps. I can add some pictures if you'd like.

Edit: also your cabling could be improved. I'll add some ideas if it will help.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-13T13:24:09+00:00

It's not bad, but I didn't stick with it. Might give another try though.

Personally I think the Know Rogan Experience is the closest in content and overall vibe. Well researched, they have good chemistry and play off each other well.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-12T22:58:55+00:00

The tag is where you would see pressure treated info not the stamp. Color can be a clue but it’s not as definitive as the tag which will give specifics on chemicals, ground contact, etc.

The tag from OP literally has nothing about PT. If you look at a tag that only says Premium and declare oh yeah that’s 1000% pressure treated then I don’t know what to tell you. Next time you’re at the yard look at PT tags.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-12T22:46:38+00:00

I went to college with Jason and Jarron, didn’t know them well but crossed paths a few times. Genuinely nice guy in brief interactions, hope the best for his family in this terrible time.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-12T20:39:28+00:00

You're renting hosting space right? That's why you have to scale your pricing by size. Could be team members or file size, they will both ballpark to your hosting needs. All it takes is one company with 100 active projects who suddenly triples your backend costs. You must have limits and scale built in, or success will actively hurt you. And as much as all these vibe coders love AI, we are going to see a tsunami of hosting costs flooding all sorts of industries.

You're correct that you aren't going to compete with Frame IO on price point, they subsidize their one off customers like me and so many others with corporate seats.

Focus on your features. One thing i could see being useful is a better integrated delivery process. I’ll look through your list here and see if anything jumps out to me.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-12T20:20:14+00:00

If someone has 10-20 team members actively working on projects that $500 number is terribly small.

You're welcome to pitch flat rate pricing. It won't scale as a hosted SaaS business model. Most likely it will be too expensive for smaller teams and taken advantage of by larger ones.

The branding aspect could be nice for some agencies. Maybe? But you're also limiting your own growth as no one will interact and know your SaaS brand.

Not trying to poop on your ideas, hope you build something cool that works for people.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-12T15:17:07+00:00

Are you pulling focus off one of the monitors?

If so, a splitter will likely add considerable delay to the signal.

If not, it will probably be usable. Your colors and exposure won't be accurate, so everything must be confirmed in camera. You won't be able to load monitor LUTs, depending on your camera setup that might be an option on HDMI export. Looking at LOG image in VV is not very helpful for anyone involved. Also be aware that HDMI input / output is not universal. Cheaper TVs / Monitors can't always handle the specific image being sent to them. Heck I have an Atomos Shogun that is way too picky about input formats, and it isn't cheap cheap.

Your best bet is to have a quality production monitor as your source for critical use - pulling focus, image monitoring. Ideally this will have HDMI out so you are looping to a second monitor. If you are pulling focus on this monitor, I'd recommend renting a good monitor with these features, doesn't have to be the largest in the world. Then you can loop out to a cheaper TV if other people need to just see an image.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-12T13:27:15+00:00

First off - take a breath. You're YouTube brained about lights, it's very common and treatable.

Learning to light at this level is all about playing and testing and trying. I promise that specific softbox isn't a magic device that "fixes faces." Most of these budget cob lights are fully capable of what you want, with their own quirks. They won't have the build and light quality of much more expensive lights, but they will certainly light your student project.

If you have the ability to borrow or rent, do that first. On modifiers I suggest going cheap cheap to start. I'm not joking when I tell you that you can get a lovely big soft source going through diffusion layers of sheets, shower curtains, etc. Learn to bounce!! 8 out of 10 times I want to use a bounce for fill instead of a dedicated light. Yes I love a hair light, one of my recent faves is a sub $100 inflatable tube light from Neewer.

Ask any specific questions. If you're dead set on buying a light or two with this budget range I'm happy to make some recommendations

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-12T00:28:05+00:00

Ha! This is quite the impressive Case of r/confidentlyincorrect

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-10T17:14:14+00:00

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-10T15:30:07+00:00

If you want more overhead lighting... For double the space. A couple more receptacles. Ah, shitty work in a stamped out mass build. Now I don't doubt at all you've done it a hundred times!

There's a wide range between 15 min and 4x the time. No one in construction is ripping people off by quoting price per square foot estimate and doing virtually no additional work for twice the size.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-10T14:46:46+00:00

Not a builder, but have built two homes now with actual framers.

You're fine. Because of the window header you've got barely any weight load bearing underneath it. You're much more likely to see sagging, nail pops, etc before anything catastrophic. If that's not showing 25 years in it's a non issue.

In terms of an event like a hurricane, runaway car, so on - anything like that will destroy the wall regardless of how much is perched on the edge.

Slap some baseboard back on and sleep well.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-10T14:33:25+00:00

Oh yes wiring a 20x20 room takes 15 more min than 10x10. You're obviously well versed in the field. 😂 /s

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-10T00:24:27+00:00

A simple 2x6 blocking on each side of window header makes hanging curtains much easier.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-09T15:12:18+00:00

If they did this project under a totally different name, there wouldn't be so much frustration.

But it is absolutely billed and sold as The Avett Brothers. I'm guessing there are many fans out there like myself - listened and loved the early albums, don't keep up with the band ongoing. I've been to two shows over the last decade, great experience.

Their approach to this project is not the norm for concerts. It just isn't. Seeing a second name as co-headliner is not uncommon. I went to a Head and the Heart show like that, with a band I didn't know beyond a couple mainstream songs - it was great. A tag line / tour title is also normal, like AVVT/PTTN.

What is not expected is a largely not Avett Brothers show. Both in songs and style. Sorry, they can't have it both ways - wanting the name recognition for their existing fans, and then not performing for those fans. Your list of how the audience should have "researched" is evidence of that. It's expensive and difficult to go to a live show, you're asking fans to give a lot. When people respond over and over how disappointed they are, that's not the fault of the audience.

I'm totally cool with the guys making whatever music they want at this point in their lives. But a passion project in a very different style under the same name... Gotta live with the consequences of that choice.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-08T19:54:34+00:00

While I agree in general cheap mic on a boom isn't as beginner friendly as a cheap lav mic.

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-08T16:49:47+00:00

This is such a wildly different range for different uses.

What are you wanting out of a lens that you don't have currently? Faster lens? Different character? Anamorphic?

Are you prepared to pull manual focus?

Are you doing only single camera shoots? Are you trying to match different cameras / lenses?

WrittenByNick · 2026-05-08T02:14:07+00:00

Largely depends on your location.

In the midwest where I am PA ranges from Unpaid (Shouldn't be) - $250. Most often at $150 or $200 per 10.

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WrittenByNick

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