Articles Tagged with: blog

Voluntary Parting–What It Is and Why You Need to Know About It

Here at Cut ‘N’ Run Studios, we like to focus on our craft–creating and producing wonderful content for the world to enjoy. However, sometimes we come across some important issues that need addressed that aren’t as glamorous as the latest gear and cool techniques.

We had recently discovered an exclusion in our insurance policy that is called “voluntary parting“. While doing other research and contacting local production companies and rental houses, they reported back to us that their policies also include voluntary parting. So, what is it and what makes it post-worthy?
 
It is a clause or exclusion in most insurance policies, not just for production, that does not insure the damage or theft of the policy holder’s property. How it works is similar to how it is titled: you voluntarily part ways with your equipment, property, or even money in some instances. For example, a genuine-sounding person calls your studio and says they have a project coming up and need to rent equipment. You discuss details over the phone, schedule the meeting, and they even pay you. The day comes that they pick up their rented equipment and you send them on their way with your gear.
 
Time passes and something is missing from this transaction. Your gear. The customer never returned the gear or called to talk about anything. Sure, they paid some rental fees, but your rental prices are nowhere near the same cost as the actual items themselves. They pulled a fast one and stole your crucial money-making equipment.
 
Of course you don’t need to panic because you have insurance, right? Well, that’s the theory. You call your insurance company and they explain that you aren’t covered due to the voluntary parting exclusion in your policy. You then argue that you didn’t voluntarily ask them to borrow your equipment with no intention of returning it–that’s theft! They say that you should have done more research into your client and that even though you got duped, you aren’t covered.
 
Voluntary parting applies to monetary transactions, too. There have been a few articles posted throughout the internet with examples on times companies have gotten tricked by people with no help from their insurance companies due to the same exclusion in their policies.
 
This is one way insurance companies try to protect themselves from fraud. They think that it might be too easy, citing the previous scenario as an example, for someone to “rent” their equipment to a friend, claim it as stolen, reap the benefits of insurance, only to have the friend return everything and you now have double what you started with.
 
Similarly, that scenario is an increasing problem in the corporate business world. They call it “social engineering fraud”. In this case, someone poses as a trusted and reputable source within your own company or as a business partner requests money or goods only to prove that the transaction was fraudulent. This is also a form of voluntary parting due to that person sending money away willingly, rather than forcefully.
 
Since this is a growing problem with an increasing number of claims, insurance companies are slowly beginning to offer protection against social engineering fraud, but it is very limited. We take our business very seriously and believe this is an inexcusable clause to be held by any insurance company or policy. We are advocating for the awareness of this insurance exclusion and making a change so we can be protected from scams, theft, and other fraudulence. Be share to spread the word and let this issue gain traction and attention from the masses.

Quick Thoughts On the New Canon EOS R System

As you may have heard, Canon just recently released its newest line of mirrorless camera systems known as the EOS R. I wanted to list my initial thoughts on the release and what it means for professionals and enthusiasts everywhere.

First off, if you are unfamiliar with the differences between a DSLR and a mirrorless camera, do some research to find out the key differences. They do not have a physical mirror that blocks the sensor from recording information until you press the shutter release button as you do in traditional DSLR systems. I won’t get into the details in this post but I encourage you to check them out to see what kind of system works best for your needs.

Within the past ten plus years, the most major players in the photography world have been Canon and Nikon and just recently Sony stepped up their game with their various “a” series mirrorless cameras. It is no secret that Sony got a lot of things right with their cameras which have caused long-time users of Nikon, Canon, and other companies to jump ship and switch to Sony. Both Canon and Nikon didn’t have a whole lot to offer in the means of mirrorless systems, especially not at a comparable level to what Sony could offer. Naturally, they had to do something or else they were going to fall behind–fast. 

Nikon and Canon both released new mirrorless systems which are now capable of competing with what Sony has been doing for years. Since we primarily shoot with Canon cameras in house and rent higher-end cameras with the EF mount, I will be discussing my thoughts on Canon’s EOS R system. With it being so new and unavailable to most of the public right now, it is hard to really say how it performs using a hands-on test. On paper, however, it appears that there is a lot to love.

For starters, let’s just talk about the price. The body alone is listed at $2,299 USD. Compared to another one of Canon’s recent and great cameras, the 5D Mark IV, it’s nearly a thousand dollars less. That’s also less than one some of Sony’s flagship cameras such as the Alpha a7R III ($2,998) and also their a9 (+$4,000). They all share similarities but again, not to deviate far from the subject, I want to focus on Canon here. 

 Boasting a 30.3MP sensor, the EOS R is small and mighty. One huge feature is that it is full-frame where one of Canon’s predecessor mirrorless cameras, the EOS M, has a cropped sensor. The sensor technology is more advanced too, giving more processing speed and power, allowing for more burst photos without reaching the buffer. Another huge improvement over its predecessors is that it shoots at a 4K resolution at various frame rates between 23.98 to 29.97 fps, and can also shoot up to 120 fps but at a 720p resolution. Similar to the 

Video shooters can rejoice that it now offers internal stabilization, something that Sony’s cameras have been doing for quite some time already. Additional features that look good on paper is that it now supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and has a ton (5655 to be exact) of autofocus points. Covering 88% of the viewing area, you will be hard pressed to miss focus very much. I like that it has a flip out screen which has been seen on other models like the 80D. That helps with shooting above or below your head and also for recording yourself if you do podcasts or the like. It also shoots stills faster than some of its DSLR brothers and sisters, shooting at 8 fps. The 5D Mark IV, for example, shoots slightly slower at 7 fps. Also similar to the 5D IV, you can record video in the C-Log color space for more dynamic range and color grading versatility. 

What might sell people on staying with Canon instead of switching to Nikon or Sony could very well lie in one factor: their lenses. Canon has long been the king of glass and although the new system has a new mount (RF instead of EF), they include optional adapters so you can use your fabled lenses on your new body. They are, of course, still going to create high-quality glass with the native RF mount, but at least with the adapters you won’t need to completely overhaul your gear to compensate. Another thing I like about the mounts (three announced at this time) is that it gives additional features and functionality to the body which otherwise wouldn’t be possible. For example, one of their mounts includes slots for filters such as neutral density.

As with just about everything in life, there are some things not to love about this new camera, but the list is rather small for me at this time. First of all, there is only one slot for a memory card where the 5D series offer two. However, it supports UHS-II SDXC cards with extremely high read/write speeds. The only tradeoff here is if you need more storage and don’t have time to swap out cards but rather change which card, that is already inserted, you want to record to. In most cases, this will not be an issue, but there’s always a first for everything. Also, according to other sources online, the lenses are huge in comparison to the body. This might not be so bad if you enjoy having that weight in your hands but it just might look a little silly.

It’s a good thing Canon is trying to compete with Sony and also that Nikon is doing the same. One of the biggest criticisms I’ve heard about Canon and Nikon is that they haven’t really done anything too revolutionary in a long time. They also weren’t doing much to compete with Sony and if that trend continued, I would see no reason to continue shooting on anything but Sony since they were making so many technical advancements so quickly. For now, I am just excited to see some real-world use with the new EOS R system and am looking forward to Canon’s future.

What to Look for In Commercial Video Services

Commercial Video Services
 
Cut ‘N’ Run Studios knows what is and is not important, entertaining, and necessary in a commercial video production. Our expert team of professionals are here to help you identify your video plan and begin making it a reality. We work with you to implement each detail of your video’s process from start to finish for the finest results.
 
Clearly Identified Audience & Script
 
If you do not know who your commercial video is to be created for, it will be difficult to begin its development. When creating your video script or commercial video plan, every single detail is planned and accounted for. Instilling a clear idea of who the video is aimed toward, or who the message of your video is for, is imperative to gaining views and traction from your intended audience.
 
Special Effects and Close-Ups
 
When it comes to producing compelling commercial videos, special effects are not always the best way to go. Often times, special effects can mute or distract from the main points and message of your video. Making use of certain techniques rather than adding effects can save time, money, and make for better results later. Shooting several close-ups, for example, can be more compelling on certain screens and are less expensive and time-consuming.
 

Keep Your Customers Coming Back

Video Production Services that Will Keep them Coming Back!
 
There are several key factors to consider with video production services for keeping your customers coming back. Quality, professional video productions are about more than the service and the customer; they are about the video experience as a whole. At Cut ’N’ Run Productions, we are dedicated to our services, as well as our customers, to make way for the best video production results in and around the Pittsburgh area.
 
Know All Aspects of Your Video Services
 
Your customers most likely do not know as much about video production as you do. This means they will probably ask several questions, making it imperative for you to fully know all aspects of your services. From service capabilities and creative solutions, to tasks of the impossible, your customer can not begin to fully understand all terms and aspects of the video production at hand unless you do.
 
Consider the Customer’s Perspective
 
This may sound easy and obvious, but the customer’s full point of view can unintentionally be neglected. Considering the customer’s perspective surpasses the basics of simple customer service. Taking the customer fully into account involves cost calculations from both parties, the customer’s skill level of video production as well as your own, trust within the professional relationship, and more. If you and your customer are not in congruence with one another, miscommunications can occur and result in the lack of a repeat client.
 
Affordability is important for both you and your customer to understand. Knowing the service prices in respect to the available project budget will provide a clear idea of what the customer can expect in their price range. Cost ranges are also great segues into project upgrades and advancements if the customer is seeking a higher-quality video production. Also, when it comes to explaining the cost-to-quality ratio, knowing your customer’s technology skill level is imperative to knowing how to talk to them and what to explain. For instance, does the customer understand the process at all levels, or only a few parts of what go into the video production in Pittsburgh? These inquiries will help you to build a professional relationship with your client, which will help you to also build trust. That developed trust will keep your customers coming back.
 
At Cut ’N’ Run Productions, we have everything you need to understand and create your next video project successfully. From convenience and affordability, to professional results and reliability, you can count on Cut ’N’ Run to get the job done. Call (412) 343-3600 now for more information on our Pittsburgh video production services or stop in for a visit at 1532 Beechview Ave!

Strategic Video Production

Video Production
 
It is important to have a video production strategy for the message that you are aiming to get across in your video. From appealing to all audience types, to remaining organized and focused without being bland, a production strategy will help you meet all of your goals  with positive results, in an organized manner. Overall, strategic video production keeps you organized along the way of creating favorable videography. At Cut ’N’ Run Productions, we.
 
Attracting Various Audiences’ Appeal
 
With so much information being created and consumed daily, videos area great way to reach audiences of all types. Not everyone favors written information outlets, so often times audiences are increasingly attracted to information produced by videography means. Videos capture various senses, such both seeing and hearing the information at hand, which help aid in the attraction and retention of the information being expelled.
 
Let Your Video Share Itself
 
Once your video is successfully completed and uploaded, it can begin being promoted. And with so many social media outlets and other online sources alone, your video is able to easily be shared with only a few simple clicks. Once your video gets out there and begins to accumulate views, the information will seem to begin to share itself.
 
Video Production Increases Search Results
 
Since videos are easily able to be shared, they an act as an extra advertising outlet. When your information is searched, having a video to go along with it will produce more results for searchers. For instance, when someone types your business into a search engine it is best to have more than only your website or contact information pop up. By having a website and written articles, as well as video production associations, you can significantly increase your search results and overall effectiveness of the information you are putting out.
 
Contact us at Cut ’N’ Run Studios today by calling (412) 343-3600 or visiting us at our convenient location on Beechview Avenue in Pittsburgh to schedule an appointment or to find out more information. No matter your video production goals or the set strategy behind them, our reliable and professional videography and photography services are here to ease the process and increase their effectiveness.

Video Shoot Preparation

Video Shoot Preparation
 
Knowing what to and not to do before a photo or video shoot is imperative for successful results. From keeping everyone who is involved fully informed, to fulfilling shoot goals and purposes, success all starts with proper preparation. For readying properly for your next shoot, follow these few tips from our professionals at Cut ‘N’ Run Studios on necessary steps for proper preparation.
 
Make a Check List
 
Keep everyone informed and ready. From your shoot producer, to your stylist, everyone involved needs to remain informed at all times. Whether any alterations or rescheduling are major or minor, everyone should be informed. This will keep all on the same track, which will also keep things in order as the shoot proceeds.
 
Be Theme & Clothing Conscious
 
Whether your everyday clothing look is put together based on fashionista critiques or whatever is clean and pulled out first from the hamper, being clothing conscious for your shoot is important. The clothing worn in your shoot should help emphasize the idea or theme you are attempting to get across. Your clothing should also compliment captured surroundings. If your background is red for instance, do not wear the color unless you are trying to blend in.
 
Consider Your Health
 
Celebrate after the shoot. Unless the theme of your shoot is post-party hangover, prepare yourself health wise beforehand. The day before your shoot, getting enough rest, a good workout, and proper nourishment and hydration will go far in feeling fresh and ready to go for the big day. This, again, goes for everyone involved no matter the size of their part.
 
Rehearse
 
Perfect practice makes perfect. Rehearsing scenes, poses, et cetera well before the day of the shoot is imperative for an easy flow during it. Whether rehearsing for you means practicing expressions in the mirror or running times lines, do whatever it takes to remain in control during the real shoot.
 
At Cut ‘N’ Run Studios we provide all of your multi-media needs, from the preparation and planning stage, to fantastic end results. Whether seeking photo, video production or Pittsburgh party services, no matter what your multi-media needs you can trust in Cut ‘N’ Run Studios to get it done right. Contact us today for more information!

Why You Need Corporate Video Production Strategies

Corporate Video Production Strategies
 
Spreading your business’ message in multiple ways will increase your chances of having your message noticed. Implementing a corporate video production strategy, for instance, is one of the best ways to reach the most people with only one source. There are many various purposes supporting the creation of corporate videos, but there are three main reasons which clearly depict stark benefits.
 
Each of Your Consumers Prefer Receiving Information in Various Ways
 
When it comes to informing your clients and customers about your business or other corporate video topics, no one form of representation will work for everyone. Yet, videographic forms of information appeal to many different audiences. For instance, educating your audience through corporate videos can be done using methods which appeal to all types of learners. This not only increases the types of customers reviewing the video, but also increases the number of customers understanding the information, as well.
 
Videos are Greatly Beneficial to Your Corporation’s Search Engine Results
 
Not only can corporate videos help you to get your message across and understood, business videos will also increase your corporation’s traceability on search engines. Google, for example, incorporates videos into their search results, as well as standard links. Therefore, not only will your business’ website, articles, and other informative links load, full corporate business videos will load in search results, as well.
 
Corporate Videos Offer an Ease of Sharing Your Business Information
 
One of the best things about videos, especially corporate business videos is their shareability. Videos can be embedded into business blogs and other web pages, as well as shared through Facebook and other social media at the click of button. This allows for the video to be promotional as well as informative and entertaining.
 
No matter the message of your business, a corporate video strategy is one of the best ways to get that message across to your consumers. Contact our expert team at Cut ‘N’ Run Studios of Pittsburgh for information on making good use of a corporate video for your business. We will meet all of your corporate video production needs from start to finish.
 
 

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