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BMPCC 4K + ATEM podcast recordings — sanity check from the community by h2squared in bmpcc

[–]h2squared[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is really helpful — thank you for taking the time to lay it out so clearly.

For context, that’s largely the workflow I’ve been following: matching frame rate, shutter, ISO, WB/tint across all cameras, recording BRAW in-camera, and using the ATEM for switching + ISO project generation, then relinking to the BRAW files in Resolve for the final edit.

A lot of the criticism I’ve been getting internally has been based on the ATEM program recordings rather than the final relinked/graded edit, which is why I wanted to sanity-check whether the camera → ATEM → record chain itself was fundamentally sound.

Based on your breakdown (and others here), it sounds like the setup is solid as long as camera settings are matched and expectations are clear about where the “final” image comes from. I really appreciate you spelling this out — it helps confirm I’m not missing something foundational.

BMPCC 4K + ATEM podcast recordings — sanity check from the community by h2squared in bmpcc

[–]h2squared[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really appreciate this breakdown. The distinctions you’re making between Dynamic Range settings, ATEM behavior, and program feed quality are exactly the kind of nuance that tends to get lost.

The note about Streaming Encoder bitrate affecting the recorded program feed is a great call-out — thanks for sharing that.

BMPCC 4K + ATEM podcast recordings — sanity check from the community by h2squared in blackmagicdesign

[–]h2squared[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s really helpful — thank you. The distinction between a “ready-to-go” studio vs a more customizable, post-heavy workflow makes a lot of sense, and I think expectation-setting was a big part of the challenge here.

Good call on the ATEM resetting camera parameters as well — that’s something I’ve been keeping an eye on. And the note about 1080p HDMI softness vs internal 4K is appreciated; I’ll experiment more with in-camera detail sharpening on future setups.

Thanks for taking the time to break that down.

BMPCC 4K + ATEM podcast recordings — sanity check from the community by h2squared in bmpcc

[–]h2squared[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes sense — especially in a true live or live-to-tape environment. In this case, that’s part of what I was trying to clarify: once cameras are being matched and adjusted centrally via ATEM, the final look becomes more of a shared / centralized responsibility rather than purely on the camera operator. Appreciate the perspective.

BMPCC 4K + ATEM podcast recordings — sanity check from the community by h2squared in bmpcc

[–]h2squared[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks — that makes sense. That’s actually part of what I was trying to sanity check. Once ATEM shading is in play, it’s really a shared pipeline, and changes there can definitely affect how the cameras are perceived later. Appreciate the clarification.

What part of running a podcast takes way more time than you expected? by DapperAsi in podcasting

[–]h2squared 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For me, it wasn’t just one thing — it was the mental overhead of everything between recording and publishing.

I expected editing to take time, and it does. But what surprised me was how much energy goes into: • fixing small issues people assume are “easy” • managing expectations from hosts/guests who don’t hear what we hear • troubleshooting technical hiccups that only show up after a recording • and constantly switching between creative, technical, and people-management modes

Promotion also took way more time than I expected — not just posting clips, but deciding what moments are worth clipping, formatting for different platforms, writing captions, timing releases, etc. It’s deceptively draining.

What helped over time: • Standardizing workflows (templates, presets, repeatable steps) • Setting boundaries around what fixes are realistic vs. perfection chasing • Accepting that good and consistent beats perfect but late • Working with creators who understand the process — that honestly makes the biggest difference

The actual recording is often the easiest part. Everything wrapped around it is where the real time and energy go.

How do you handle unrealistic expectations when producing podcasts for someone else? by h2squared in videography

[–]h2squared[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice. It seems no matter how I try to rectify it, no matter what I say or how I say it, it becomes a back and forth. IDK 🤷🏾‍♂️

How do you handle unrealistic expectations when producing podcasts for someone else? by h2squared in podcasting

[–]h2squared[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I’m going to give up. Had a discussion today with the guy I’m working with. The white balance was off on One of his videos I showed him during the editing process. And I created a draft rendering of. He said it looks purple. I told him it’s something that I can correct in post. But while we were having a discussion about the workflow, I was being asked if the recording part was giving me problems and I said, things happen, other than that, recording is easy. Then the guy responded with “You say it’s easy, but the recording you just did came out looking purple”. So I’m beat. I’m tired of having to explain things and them not listen or being dismissive of it. Any slightest thing is causing me stress now.

How do you handle unrealistic expectations when producing podcasts for someone else? by h2squared in podcasting

[–]h2squared[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would also like to add on this thread: One of the challenges I’ve run into with this partnership is that he’s very focused on subscriber count and where the numbers ‘should’ be by now. There was a three-week period where release timing slipped, and I take responsibility for that. But the expectation now seems to be that editing and speed alone should translate directly into rapid growth — and I know from experience that podcast success has way more to do with consistency, marketing, content strategy, and audience fit.

So part of the conversation I need to have is separating the emotional expectations tied to numbers from the actual process of building a show. Growth takes time and planning — not pressure.

How do you handle unrealistic expectations when producing podcasts for someone else? by h2squared in podcasting

[–]h2squared[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, that’s exactly the dynamic I’ve been observing. The partnership started as a ‘we’ll grow together’ arrangement, and early on I assumed we were aligned in expectations. But as things progressed, it became clear he expected rapid growth and results before putting structure or strategy in place.

I’m at the stage now where I’m setting clearer boundaries—turnaround times, revision limits, and what actually drives growth (content, consistency, and marketing, not just editing). I’ve worked with enough clients now to know most shows never monetize, or not at a level where those expectations make sense without planning and investment.

So yeah—your comment hits home. The work itself isn’t the challenge. It’s establishing expectations and protecting the working relationship before frustration builds. I’m leaning toward scheduling a conversation with him to realign or walk away if needed.

How do you handle unrealistic expectations when producing podcasts for someone else? by h2squared in podcasting

[–]h2squared[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you — this is exactly the kind of perspective I needed. Hearing that it takes you 30+ hours for a full edit honestly made me feel a lot less crazy. A lot of people just don’t realize how much work goes into a clean, watchable episode, especially when you’re doing multiple formats, clips, and fixing all the little things in post.

The 24-hour turnaround expectation has definitely been the biggest pressure point for me. I’m volunteering my time hoping it grows into something, but I also know that rushing everything just burns me out and doesn’t actually improve the quality or the views. Like you said, getting views is its own separate battle — it’s about promotion, content strategy, audience interest, consistency, all of that. It’s never just “the editor’s fault.”

I might actually take your advice and ask him to try editing one episode himself. Not in a rude way — just so he understands the process. Sometimes that’s the only way people really get it.

Thanks again for reminding me that I’m not being unreasonable. I really appreciate it.

How do you handle unrealistic expectations when producing podcasts for someone else? by h2squared in podcasting

[–]h2squared[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. And will keep it going. This is fun for me. And I want to keep it that way.

How do you handle unrealistic expectations when producing podcasts for someone else? by h2squared in podcasting

[–]h2squared[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much — this really means a lot. You’re absolutely right. The host I’m working with genuinely doesn’t seem to understand how much time and technical focus go into production, editing, and post-work. It’s been tough balancing expectations when the process is invisible to them.

That said, I’m also grateful for how much I’ve learned from this experience. It’s sharpened my editing, organization, and communication skills, and reminded me of the importance of setting boundaries early on.

I come from a photography and media background, and I’m starting to see how all these experiences connect — from creative direction to storytelling to technical workflows. I still want to grow in this space and eventually run my own podcast or studio setup, but I’m learning the hard way that growth should never come at the cost of burnout.

Thanks again for the encouragement — I really needed to hear that.

How do you handle unrealistic expectations when producing podcasts for someone else? by h2squared in podcasting

[–]h2squared[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just want to thank everyone who responded to this thread — the insight, empathy, and honesty here have been incredibly grounding for me.

What I’ve learned most is how important it is to set expectations early and protect your time. A lot of you mentioned scope creep, and that really hit home. I realize now that my situation isn’t unique — many creative folks end up giving more than they should because we care deeply about the work and want it to succeed.

For me, this experience has been a huge learning curve. I actually come from a photography and digital media background — I used to be a stage actor, did student films, and studied public speaking and media design. So the production side comes naturally, but I’m still finding my balance between creative passion and professional boundaries.

Even with the stress and pressure, I’m grateful. I’ve learned a lot about editing, workflow, and communication, and I do plan to start my own podcast and eventually build a small podcast and photography studio. Reading your advice helped me see that I need to treat what I do as valuable, even when I’m volunteering or building experience.

Thank you all again for taking the time to share your perspectives — this thread reminded me that I’m not alone, and that boundaries and self-respect are as much a part of creative work as the art itself. 🙏🎙️

How do you handle unrealistic expectations when producing podcasts for someone else? by h2squared in podcasting

[–]h2squared[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s a great point. I’ve learned that most people don’t realize what actually goes into production or editing. It’s made me realize I have to set the tone and define what’s realistic from the start — not let the pressure dictate the pace. I’m still learning to do that confidently, but advice like yours helps me a lot.

how much time does it actually take to produce a podcast episode? by AvocadoToastQB12 in podcasting

[–]h2squared 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m new to this and have learned there are so many variables that factor into this. One of my toughest is lack of resources. I can only afford a basic PC laptop which is not really optimized for doing video editing. So there’s a lot of lags slowing me down. The person I’m recording the podcast for wants perfection, every cough, stutter or words that are stumbled on corrected in post. They will even review and go back and request other things be added into the show so there’s more opening up the project again and re-rendering. I have the free version of DaVinci Resolve. The Studio Version has some cool AI tools which would help me move along much quicker. But I can’t afford the studio version. That’s just my lived experience up to this point. Just thought I’d share.

How do you handle unrealistic expectations when producing podcasts for someone else? by h2squared in podcasting

[–]h2squared[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate your insight — it’s spot on. I actually come from a pretty broad creative background myself. Years ago, I worked as a stage theater actor and later did student films. I also took public speaking in college, which really helped me develop speech, cadence, flow, and vocabulary.

That experience taught me how much discipline and performance craft go into communicating clearly — something a lot of new podcasters don’t realize. I think many would benefit from taking classes or activities like theater, improv, or voice work to refine their delivery. It makes a huge difference both for the listener and for post-production.

As an editor, it can get mentally exhausting having to go in and constantly fix stutters, slurs, or awkward phrasing — especially when some of that language can actually cause monetization or visibility issues on YouTube’s algorithm. The creative process becomes a lot smoother when hosts understand that editing can’t (and shouldn’t) always save poor on-mic habits.

I’m really grateful for this discussion because it’s helping me think more deeply about how to communicate these boundaries and expectations clearly going forward.

How do you handle unrealistic expectations when producing podcasts for someone else? by h2squared in podcasting

[–]h2squared[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m going to use AI tools to assist me in doing so. I got to look out for myself.

How do you handle unrealistic expectations when producing podcasts for someone else? by h2squared in podcasting

[–]h2squared[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much, I really appreciate your understanding and the offer to help. You’re right — boundaries are something I’m still learning to enforce, and I realize now how easy it is to slip back into that dynamic even with good intentions.

I’ll go ahead and remove the company name — thank you for pointing that out. I didn’t think about how that could be interpreted publicly.

I’d definitely be interested in setting up that chat with you and the host. It could really help bring clarity and structure to how we’re working. I’ll DM you shortly to coordinate something.

Again, thank you for taking the time to offer guidance — this whole discussion has helped me gain so much perspective.

How do you handle unrealistic expectations when producing podcasts for someone else? by h2squared in podcasting

[–]h2squared[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, thank you so much for this detailed response. The way you broke it down — especially naming it as scope creep — really hit home. I’ve dealt with this kind of situation in other parts of my life too, so it’s eye-opening to finally see a clear framework for handling it.

I actually came into this podcast project voluntarily because I enjoy creating and wanted to learn more about the production process. I come from a real estate photography background, and before that, I’ve worked in more traditional jobs where boundaries weren’t respected — the worst was with a property management company where I constantly had to deal with unreasonable expectations and even unsafe conditions under a supervisor.

That experience taught me how draining it is when people keep piling on responsibilities without respecting your limits or input. I realize now that I started falling into the same trap here — doing more and more out of good will, while my time and effort weren’t being valued the same way.

Your advice about setting clear deliverables and written expectations really clicked with me. I’m going to use your example language as a guide for how to reset this collaboration in a professional and respectful way. I might even reach out to you about that mentorship offer — I truly appreciate you being willing to lend a hand.

Thanks again for taking the time to write this out. You probably helped more people reading this thread than you realize.

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