With the new year just beginning, I'm excited to see how the stock (footage) market trends!
This month's Q&A is all about collaboration on BlackBox.global.
I use BlackBox to upload my stock footage that my partner Gabri and I film together and I also offer metadata curation to a select few long-term collaborators.
You have several options to pick from!
Join or check out my recommended curator list.
Participate in the BlackBox Facebook Group.
Ask people for recommendations.
Bring someone you already know onto BlackBox.
Use the BlackBox Marketplace tab.
Do you want regular check-ins with progress updates or do you prefer to do your part of the project with as little chatting as possible?
Do you want to collaborate on a rolling basis or do you prefer to work batch by batch with a check-in before each new batch?
It's always frustrating when someone agrees to collaborate and then doesn't hold up their end of the deal. Here's what I recommend doing:
I vote yes every time!
If you notice a flaw in the handling of the camera, an editing mistake, or something incorrect or not optimal in the metadata, it's in both of your best interest to say something so you can submit the best work possible. You're putting time and energy into this and holding high standards will serve you well in the long run.
Whether you're a shooter, an editor, a metadata curator, or a hybrid artist, I encourage you to have a firm understanding of all areas of production. That will help you identify flaws and help you appreciate solid work when you see it.
If there's a sudden camera shake at the end of a clip, I'll send it back to the clip owner and ask them to trim it. If I see warp, I'll send it back and ask if it's salvageable. If it's a clip that I don't see much sales potential in, I'll send it back tactfully noting why and I'll also mention that they're free to assign it to another curator if they wish.
Those are my main tips about collaboration on BlackBox that I'm asked most frequently!
I'll teach you all the best practices you need to know to write professional titles and keywords for Shutterstock, Adobe, and Pond5. As a bonus, you'll get my second course with my personal brainstorming methods included for FREE!
These are the topics I'll cover:
- How do I find a collaborator?
- How do I build an ideal partnership?
- Collaborator went MIA?
- Should I point out mistakes?
Here we go!
FINDING A COLLABORATOR: How do I find a quality collaborator to team up with?
Join or check out my recommended curator list.
Every Monday, I post an updated list of curators I recommend in the BlackBox Facebook Group.
These are people who have taken my keywording best practices course and have uploaded a metadata reel in the projects section that follows best practices.
Here are two examples I've made:
If you're looking for a curator, feel free to reach out to anybody on the list with a work sample that stands out to you! I always recommend you start the conversation off by showing examples of your own work. Begin with a small test batch and see if the relationship might work well for both of you.
If you're a curator looking for clip owners, I'm more than happy to recommend you on the weekly post after you take my course and upload a metadata reel in the projects section that follows best practices! There are instructions in the course on how to do this.
There are already 70+ projects that I've given detailed feedback on from artists just like you. Feel free to look through their work and my comments before creating your own metadata reel.
Create a new post with your clip reel, editing reel, or metadata reel to tell people what kind of work you do.
Browse the existing posts to see if there's anybody you'd like to reach out to.
The best way to build trust early on is to share your work samples. If you reach out to someone with a private message, I'd include a sample in that very first message. If someone else can vouch for your work ethic and reliability, that's also very helpful.
Ask people for recommendations.
You'll often find that grateful collaborators are more than happy to recommend their favorite curators and shooters.
Bring someone you already know onto BlackBox.
If you have a friend or family member who might be interested in building a portfolio with you, then bring them on and share some training resources with them!
Use the BlackBox Marketplace tab.
BlackBox has a feature where clip owners can advertise their content, what they'd like done by a curator, and the percentage they offer. Curators who are interested can request to work with them or contact them for more details.
I don't personally have experience using this feature, so I can't tell you how effective it is.
BUILDING AN IDEAL PARTNERSHIP: How do I establish a long-term partnership with someone?
Define what you're expecting out of the relationship and communicate that clearly in your initial messages. Find a partner who wants to work the same way you do.
Do you want someone to brainstorm ideas with or do you prefer to do that by yourself?
Do you want regular check-ins with progress updates or do you prefer to do your part of the project with as little chatting as possible?
Do you want to collaborate on a rolling basis or do you prefer to work batch by batch with a check-in before each new batch?
Are you going to be available for messaging and information requests, or do you need a partner who can handle their end while you go off the grid?
Start by sharing how you'd like to go about the project. If your potential collaborator thinks your style can work for them, then begin with a small test batch to see how the other person's communication and work style works for you. If something about it feels off, you can always turn down further collaboration and instead reach out to a new person until you find a partnership that feels more fulfilling.
COLLABORATOR MIA - My collaborator stopped responding to messages... What should I do?
If the clip owner goes radio silent and you've already finished editing/writing metadata on a batch of clips, email BlackBox support - members@blackbox.global. Explain the situation and they'll help you find a solution.
If your curator is taking a long time, don't hesitate to message them. You can ask how the progress is going, ask if they need any additional information, etc.
If your curator is taking a long time, don't hesitate to message them. You can ask how the progress is going, ask if they need any additional information, etc.
If your curator isn't responding to messages, then the next step is to email members@blackbox.global for support.
You CAN delete the clips and reupload them to assign to a new curator, but I recommend writing to BlackBox support before doing something drastic.
You CAN delete the clips and reupload them to assign to a new curator, but I recommend writing to BlackBox support before doing something drastic.
ISSUE WITH COLLABORATOR'S WORK - I've found a mistake in my partner's work or it's not optimized... Should I say something?
If you notice a flaw in the handling of the camera, an editing mistake, or something incorrect or not optimal in the metadata, it's in both of your best interest to say something so you can submit the best work possible. You're putting time and energy into this and holding high standards will serve you well in the long run.
Whether you're a shooter, an editor, a metadata curator, or a hybrid artist, I encourage you to have a firm understanding of all areas of production. That will help you identify flaws and help you appreciate solid work when you see it.
If there's a sudden camera shake at the end of a clip, I'll send it back to the clip owner and ask them to trim it. If I see warp, I'll send it back and ask if it's salvageable. If it's a clip that I don't see much sales potential in, I'll send it back tactfully noting why and I'll also mention that they're free to assign it to another curator if they wish.
Those are my main tips about collaboration on BlackBox that I'm asked most frequently!
Feel free to comment or shoot me an email if you have a question I didn't cover.
If you're looking to level up your metadata or even just develop a better understanding of how it works, check out my online course How to Write Killer Keywords for your Stock Footage on Udemy.
I'll teach you all the best practices you need to know to write professional titles and keywords for Shutterstock, Adobe, and Pond5. As a bonus, you'll get my second course with my personal brainstorming methods included for FREE!
I hope 2020 is treating you well!
Best of luck in all your collaborations!
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