Going to DVexpo Wednesday
December 4th, 2007

I'm going to the DV expo show Wednesday to look at some new gear. I have my eye on a few things and maybe I can sneak some stuff out the back door.

While on the subject, Video Copilot is thinking about putting on a booth at NAB next year. What do you guys think about that? Anyone here planning on going?

Andrew Kramer
POSTED:
18 years ago
80 Comments
18 years ago
dude! i enjoy nab! i will like to meet you there and buy some of your products! can you signed them! manny! chicago
planB Multimedia Group
18 years ago
Well, Andrew, did you end up buying something at DV Expo?
A fellow gearslut likes to know

About NAB, well, having visited since the first edition, I still prefer AES, mainly because I am a well... errr... associate of AES LOL...
But not biased... nooooo...
NAB and AES are great for networking and talking shop, but in my experience, to make a profit out of sales is hard.
So, I'd rather see it as a medium term investment, the PR is great. Also, it pays big time to have some of the larger video-podcasters, like e.g. PixelCorps and MacBreak or dl.TV doing a feature of your stand including an interview and live tutorial. This kind of promotion will bring back revenue big time. Again, personal experience.

Whatever you decide... Have a great time there...

AND

Come on, tell us what you bought at DV Expo already!!!

Cheers
Arthur
eduardo
18 years ago
i am going to the nab next year hopefully you put a booth up
18 years ago
I would not reccomend setting up at NAB. I have a good freind who has a sizeable rental business and he tried a few tradeshows and got $0 return. His bussiness (just like yours) is based on word of mouth so I would suggest saving your funds for other things.

Just like many of your customers, I am an advocate of your business and prices. I tell everyone I know to buy your products. Thats the best kind of exposure you can get.

IMHO
Dany
18 years ago
I've been going to NAB for 9 years. I'll gladly stop by your booth if you're there. Bring a lot of DVDs.

Don't forget the key to success: Booth Babes!!!
McLovin
18 years ago
To comment further on all those posting about VC's products being seen
in various media...

As I and the rest of you are unsure if the media we see from time to time is using VC products, There is one thing I am absolute sure of..

And that is that VC is inspiring many media Producers / Broadcasters with there Awesome talent and products, This I am absolutely sure of!

With that said, if they did not use a VC Product(s) for there media, then they surely use it for inspiration.

Keep it up VC, you seem to be a "Driving" force this year!
18 years ago
I would love to go to NAB, but travelling from England could be a bit of a pain. Also, in college today there was a poster with some ink splats on it, which I'm almost sure were from your Riot Gear Collection. Even Universities in England are using your stuff! Keep it up.
Bye Tom
18 years ago
Well, I live in Sweden, but I sure think it??´s a good idea. You should have some TVs showing some of your products trailers, ??´cuase I think they??´ve helped you alot to sell on this website and I??´m sure they??´ll do that there too.
Bye Tom
18 years ago
Well, I live in Sweden, but I sure think it??´s a good idea. You should have some TVs showing some of your products trailers, ??´cuase I think they??´ve helped you alot to sell on this website and I??´m sure they??´ll do that there too.
18 years ago
Hi Kramer, I have a broadcast video company in Brasil, and i`m planing to go NAB next year, it will be a pleasure to meet you guys over there...

Nice Job.
18 years ago
I don't know,

Although it's a great place to market you products, I feel that it's increasingly getting to be a little too - uh - I don't know,...

I'll put it this way - I've been an attender of NAB for 6 years now and although it is a great place for consumers, industry professionals, content producers, etc., to connect, I also feel that a lot of the attenders are not really there to buy, they're just there to gawk at all the "neato" new stuff.

I also have to look at it this way - The money for the booth has to come from somewhere, and that "somewhere" is current VCP customers.

I'll obviously respect your decision either way, I just wanted to give an alternative look at what the obvious majority of VCP fans have to say.

Then again, It would be cool to meet you guys.
18 years ago
Do the booth. Good publicity and just cool to have at NAB.
Eliot
18 years ago
Yeah put the booth on! You guys will be surprised at how popular you'll be! I would come if I actually lived in the US but meh, what can you do!?!? Good work with everything guys and when is the Twitch preset coming out, cos i'm looking forward to that!!!
Freakshow
18 years ago
If you sold T-shirts anything like the coolness your DVD cover art. I would be the first to buy.

Bring it!!!!!
halcaraz
18 years ago
thats a good news... i have been in NAB for 10 years... it will be awesome to met you there... for now, ADOBE stand its one of the best... but i think VCP will be now the best...
18 years ago
great idea man.. i think you can make lots from it if you do it right.
G Mims
18 years ago
OK Andrew! The pressure is on, now you need to give us an update on the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly at DV Expo!
uta
18 years ago
I wanna go and see you guys for autograph if you have a booth there. It would be so cool but I am in Hong Kong. So bad that i cannot make it. But 100% support you guys!
Alan
18 years ago
I'll probably fly over from the UK special if you all promise to dress up like Indy at the show!
Timon
18 years ago
Hey andrew, how was it?
18 years ago
hey guys

Im trying to get a little forum up and running for all us VCP fans

http://www.two-penguins.com/forum/index.php

Let me know if someone is interested!

msn: motski @ privat.dk
mail: morten @ two-penguins.com
McLovin
18 years ago
I have worked a few booths in my day, and all I can say is ....
Sell, Sell, Sell!

It works if you have a flashy banner or some Fancy HD Display Screen(s)

I say go for it AK, you may or may not break even..But it will be fun and
another Adventure worth doing.

I wish I could attend, but never the less
Good Luck, and Keep it Real

Cheers
bart
18 years ago
I always try to make at least one day at NAB. Andrew, I'd love to meet you and Sam just to hang out (and maybe buy you a steak at Outback).

By the way, for those just interested in the exhibits, you can usually find free exhibit passes from some tradeoutfit on the web, so you just need to get there and find a crash pad.

bart
Dustin James
18 years ago
@ Andrew

Ignore me?
Winston64
18 years ago
Can't think of a better person to have at NAB.
I can't understand why Adobe isn't kissing your ass and giving you a ton of freebies (maybe they are just to get you to do a presentation at their booth.
Honestly, you should have your own booth. You'd make a killing and you'd probably steal everyone away from the Adobe booth.
ARSH
18 years ago
sir i make promo for my company am from pakistan my name is arsh
like u make evolution promo i try make like urs but am not jenius like u if i upload it in youtube can u chick it ? and told me hows my work with ur best products
tnx so much i wait for ur replay sir
18 years ago
VideoCopilot Boys,

NAB is an interesting event. If you've done the math and you're confident you can make a return on your investment, it would be great to see you there. On a selfish note, that means potentially 1,000's of new people will know what we know (Your products are amazing) and increase the competition. I think doing some live interactive tutorials with your products would add some pizzazz to your presentation. Think large screen and of course 'Sam' as your talent.
Denis
18 years ago
Andrew,
It would be interested in hearing what other programs you use (other than AE). Do you use any other tracking or compositing programs? I'm going to DV Expo today as well and wanted to take a look at Mocha-AE.

Thanks for the tutorials and I look forward to the DVD.
Golnaz
18 years ago
WOW... Great news.. I'm attending from Iran, Excited to meet with you guys...
daha
18 years ago
yesterday a little site on the web.
today the gratest site on the web.
tomorrow VCP at the NAB.
the day after tomorrow Andrew as the president of the United States.
VCP's new world order...

(all rights reserved )

you're doing well guys!
18 years ago
Besides, for once I want to be the guy that ignores you. HA!
18 years ago
It's seems like a pretty easy choice for us, I'm sure we can make it profitable. The trick is finding the time to get everything together. Remember we have to spend a little money for right-offs too or else the government will come to you house and eat your food.
Dustin James
18 years ago
I think I might agree with Tom... although the experience for you would be awesome....

Unless you are going to be noticed more by the higher up companies.. that might be worth the money.
Gabriel P.
18 years ago
I think attending at NAB would be a really great idea non the less. I think the more you promote your work, the better the chances you'll let the world know about VCP!

So far, i've been spreading the word out to my friends and co-workers about VCP and they love your work. Keep it up and hope to see you sometime in the future.
Tyler
18 years ago
Great idea! You're going to be there right? I also like the t-shirt idea, sell them on your website to.
JD
18 years ago
I'll be there working with Zaxwerks again. If you do set up a booth, make sure you get plenty of "booth babes" to help out
Tim C.
18 years ago
Alot of people would visit just to see your booth, and like one of the posts for many it would worth the ticket price just to shake your hand.
Flim By Tim Productions.
18 years ago
I dont know if im going insane but i think they use ur earth zoom effect near the end of this trailer http://youtube.com/watch?v=4Gs-FmsD42w&feature=related
James Cawley
18 years ago
Yup I'll be at NAB this next year, you should for sure get a booth!
Eduardo Torres
18 years ago
Andrew,
for sure you will hit a great show with realtime compositing in front of the people, not a tutorial. The thing is that Adobe will benefits the most because practically you will be promoting their product, unless you do some kind of "quick compositing for busy artist" that will move people to acquire your-product-to-be-release with tutorials you just demostrated to them.
Guy
18 years ago
I agree with Lynton, who needs pro after effects skills when you can woo girls with a VCP shirt
Juan Gotti
18 years ago
Can I stay with you guys? because Im really far away and would be great to save on Hotel

P.S.: I have experience in cleaning floors and moving equipment hehehe
TV
18 years ago
I live in Vegas so I guess I'm biased, but I think you guys should go! It would be great to see you guys. I would definitely buy something from your booth.
MR Q
18 years ago
I'll see you there! We can sneak something out together.
Lynton Brown
18 years ago
Andrew you should start selling VIDEOCOPILOT t-shirts. I reckon you would sell heaps and also you should sign autograph copies of your products at NAB.
bwoogie
18 years ago
Sounds great, Andrew! Sneak me out a nice HD camera please
18 years ago
man if im only in US one this is I WILL GO but hell im livin in JAPAN!!!!
18 years ago
Easy Aharon eeeeeasy. Hey I asked for one of your DVDs for xmas this year. Internet killed the Video Star. I really excited to get it.
18 years ago
I'll probably be there working for one company or another. If you get yourself a booth in or near the plug-in pavilion (where all of the After Effects related companies tend to hang out) I might even be able to throw spitballs at you from my demo booth.

My aim is pretty bad, so I apologize to the rest of the VCP crowd if I hit any of you.
18 years ago
My coworker Chad and I were both throwing the idea of going to NAB this year, it'd be a huge incentive if you were there!
Kim A. Strandli
18 years ago
Man.... If I had lived in USA, I would love to come! But I live in Norway.. So its a little bit hard, but if Sam start selling autographs already now, you could give me the income, so I have enough money to travel ... no.. I will not bring any monkeys...

Anyways, good luck with this, would love to see you guys in person, not just as a voice-over or a pretty face without anything to say, though that works fine too!
18 years ago
I would love to come and support your stall at the NAB, but unfortunately i live in the UK. I went to the MacLive Expo this year in london and that was amazing to see all their equipment. Im sure these expoditions will be fab!!

Have a great time and make sure you tell us all how it was!
Scott
18 years ago
I won't go unless I can score an autograph from the team. lol
18 years ago
I usually make it to NAB for at least one day. Maybe you could split a booth or call the Product Manager for After Effects and see if you could get an area of the Adobe booth.
c
Tom
18 years ago
I live in Las Vegas and with Avid and Apple departing from NAB...even I dont think I will attend the South Hall festivities. Since it is reported both companies will have a presence, just not at NAB...I will probably just attend the suite demos.
If it were my call, Id say save your hard earned money. You have such a strong presence on the Web (with tutorials and products), Im not sure it would be worth the added expenditure.
Dean Doll
18 years ago
We're likely going to NAB to check out the new XDCAM HD 422 camera system, which will be an upgrade to our existing SD XDCAM system. If there is a video copilot booth, I'll definitely be there, although I've purchased all but two of your DVDs.
Mark
18 years ago
The booth at NAB sounds great! I am only an hour away on a plane, but 8 driving!!I would still go, that just sounds too good to miss.
G Mims
18 years ago
To be honest, I probably wouldn't make the show. I'd love to meet you guys, but this is mostly a hobby for me. My real job would take quite some manipulation to get those days of. If I could I would. For you guys I guess it's more of decision of what would be the purpose to go, and what markets/opportunities will it open up for you. I would imagine the cost would be quite significant to justify. Wish you the best as long as you keep producing great products for the rest of us creative nuts!

Hey Andrew, some of the SFX in Apple's new iPod/uTunes commercial by Queen sure looks familiar! Take a look!

http://www.apple.com/itunes/ads/maryj/

You never know where your products or your creative ideas may show up!

Thanks for all you do for the little guys my friend!
18 years ago
Andrew this is great news. I was actually wondering if you were going to be appearing/speaking anywhere in the future. I dont know what NAB is but Ive been to SIGGRAPH in Boston and I really wanted to attend ADAPT in Montreal but couldnt get off of work. Anyways great news! Check your tutorial suggestion page i have a cool request. Not sure if it's doable though. Thanks for the great stuff guys!

Bones
18 years ago
crap, guess that means i have to go to nab, too.

i say do it up large. more exposure and direct sales surely make it worth your while.

you should have a contest where we design your booth. winner gets a free sam action figure.
18 years ago
I would def go for NAB! It's one thing to have an online following of amateur and semi-pro filmmakers, but doing NAB could really launch your business! That said, I really wish I could go... but I'm scheduled for some film shoots during NAB-season. Goodluck anyway!
JustAmit
18 years ago
AHHHH!!!!! i would love to com and see all the stuff they have (and you)... I just live to far away.... : ( .... still do the booth, im sure it will be a big hit and have fun
Drobins
18 years ago
I've always wanted to go to NAB, but could never get my work to cover part of the bill. Maybe i can convince them this year. Would be great, especially if there is some VCP swag to pick up.
Jeffrey
18 years ago
Getting a booth would be awesome, i just hope i can make it out there.
Miquel
18 years ago
I think the idea is awesome, I wont make it to NAB, but in my opinion if yourself do tutorials with your products in your booth, a lot of people would stop by, watch and see how helpfull they are.

I think is a great idea, and that you could make a potencial audience (buyers) of it, if once you make it to the IBC, man sure I will stop by.

A lot of success!

Miquel
18 years ago
if you need a sales man or a host for videocopilot let me knoe.I wanna go
Daniel
18 years ago
Well.. it will cost you a lot of money, and it seems you're doing pretty well by yourself. I mean, i see all the immediate responses you get from people the minute you publish a tutorial so i guess you have a big crowd already (for a good reason also, your tutorials are awesome!!), and you probably know how much sales and rss subscribers you've already got. The internet is a great marketing platform as you know. Now, take in account that after effects users are much more rare than "simple" editors and videographers. I mean by that is that the market is much more limited. However, it might be also be a good idea. You might still lurk in the fresh AE users and pore users who haven't heard about VCP.
Jacob Dyer
18 years ago
Awesome idea of NAB, but I would much prefer you to put the money required for NAB into creating fantastical products, like you still do. And besides, unless NAB is National Australian Brodcasters, I won't make it!
Alex T
18 years ago
Take a camera with you and film some stuff and put it up online I would have come if I didn't lived in Sweden XD
knakrz
18 years ago
NAB in Australia is a bank! National Australia Bank... I vote NO! lol

good luck with your tradeshowness VCP, but be prepared for dumber questions than those that can appear on your blog...
christian
18 years ago
Hi andrew. NAB is a great idea! Me and my wife was in Vegas in 2005 for our honeymoon (and Hollywood) If you are serious about it then I will persuade my wife to go to vegas again! (a great excuse to visit the USA again) Will you keep us up to date on this one? Im in the uk and need to start saving now lol! Many thanks!
Suvir
18 years ago
Of course VCP must be there...
Paul M
18 years ago
kramer.

You're known to many as the Godfather of after effects. Anyone who's edited on it has at some point or another come across your work through either creative cow or video copilot.
Personally if I saw you guys at the NAB it would be mega! I reckon you could get some great partnerships from it. Go for it i say.. you just don't know who your going to meet there.
Brock Smith
18 years ago
Sup Kramer,

yeah i would likely go. I'm moving to LA january 12th so i plan on going to all sorts of these events that I wasn't able to go to before (living in Kentucky 21 years of my life). I'd love to meet you guys. Ticket prices alone would be worth a handshake. I would gladly pick up Riot Gear 2 there as well. And Twitch anyone?

Appreciate your tutorials and keep up the great work guys!
James Price
18 years ago
I think you guys having presence at NAB would be a much needed confidence boost to artists who use AE increasingly more these days...having your products exposed more in the marketplace can only be a good thing.

I'm probably like a lot of people who follow your site, wish you and your team all the best with getting out there.

So perhaps if that means you have less time in doing your free tutorials...we should all understand!

Sam should also charge 3 bits for photographs.
18 years ago
tell me when and where it is and I'll be there. I'd love to meet you guys!
18 years ago
Abe, yeah I heard about all that. I figure if Sam is selling autographs for 2 bits. We can easily make back the cost of the booth.

Seriously though, for us, it is an easier decision because we can likely make our money back at the show with direct sales and they have a place called the plug-in pavilion that isn't as expensive as the main floor area.

The trick will be getting the booth and some cool stuff prepared for the show so we don't look like fools. If we can find enough free time to be prepared, we will likely do it. I'll know for sure in early January.
James Price
18 years ago
I tell you man...get some T-shirts ready now to sell at your booth!

$ $ $ KACHING! $ $ $
Abe
18 years ago
Wow NAB 2008, you must be doing well. I hear Avid and creative cow have boycotted it just to serve the customers better "Avid is basically saying that they will take their story directly to their customers and saving $2 million does a great job in giving them the money to send a lot of storytellers to the kinds of users to whom the Avid story and product-line is of great interest. They are also making a move that gives them a way to move outside the calendar that controls so many companies today.
I may go if I have the time and my Bro lives in Vegas so I can save on hotel rates. I would love to see the VCP booth also!
James Price
18 years ago
Yes...Take a big bag and sneak some goodies out!

Thats cool about getting a booth at NAB...I would definatly go to that if I was not a couple thousand miles away (hmmm......If I start walking now)

It would be awsome if you could do a mini review of what you may have your eye on at the Expo show and let your rookie co-pilots know what you may be looking forward to or recomend some future releases/ AE developments for cats like me who cannot make many shows...you could call it "Kramers choice"

Ha Ha...take care guys...you is rockin as always!

JP