My wife and I are moving our studios from our cramped home offices into our master bedroom. Why use all that wonderful space for sleeping when it can be a fabulous editing suite? Cables are everywhere, computers and monitors are in a jumbled pile, and I'm taking a rest. So here are my ramblings:

I'm posting this thread in this subforum because I believe this is the appropriate place to kick it around. After reading and re-reading an interesting thread discussion about the AG-HVX200 at http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=44371, something keep bugging me all day long.

What bugged me? No, it had nothing to do about the technical aspects of the discussion; it was not about the issue of whether DV is on its way out (it is not when you consider that DV is an acronym that encompasses all of digital video). The thing that kept bugging me was the issue of what should low-end, affordable, professional equipment be called.

Most people call this type of equipment prosumer. This elevates the high-end consumer to the ranks of a wanna-be, semi-professional, entry-level individual. Not too flattering. To the career professional, this type of equipment can often be viewed as substandard or, at least, equipment-not-to-be-seen-with-but-love-to-use-anyway.

But what really matters about a piece of DV equipment is the quality and functionality of the design. Does it offer the professional the features, the dependability, and the necessary output options?

Cost should not be the deciding issue in determining whether a piece of DV equipment is consumer-level or professional. Functionality should be the major determining factor. After all, when the day is done, if I can get almost as good of quality from a $7k machine as a $30k machine, it does not matter if (and I repeat , if) the quality is sufficient for the project.

So, what should we call that grey area of high-end consumer, entry-level professional equipment?

Here are some ideas mentioned in that post:

Maybe they could all be lumped together and called something like Affordable HD, or HD for the Masses--oops, nope, 2-pop has that one. Somebody needs to come up with a word better than "prosumer," which is really a disgusting non-word.

How about Cheapro? Or, AffordablePro. Or, BargainPro? Or, Blue Light Special Pro?


Whereas Guy's ability to successfully make a living coming up with brand names is in question, his spirit and humor are appreciated :)

Of course we don't, and the equipment manufacturers don't, want their product lines to be associated with cheap quality. Cheap price is one thing, but cheap quality is entirely something else.

So I propose the following replacement to the antiquated, misinformed moniker of prosumer--micropro.

Micropro connotes two images. First, the small production house just getting started and not able to afford the bloated-priced "high-end" equipment. This term would be similar in usage to microbrewery. A home grown, but very serious small business owner. It is from these micropros that the next big production houses will come from.

Second, micropro relates directly to the size of the equipment. It is professional equipment downsized into a highly flexible, portable package. By branding it this way, those professionals that have a hard time justifying buying the type of wonderful equipment that you and I buy will finally be liberated to dive into the world of low-weight acquisition equipment.

(Hum? Low-weight acquisition equipment isn't a bad brand-level name either.)

But, the most important issue to resolve is, What features and standards must a piece of equipment have to be labeled micropro? That may be the discussion that will be the hardest to resolve.

What are your thoughts?

I'm done and I'm sure you're glad.

I like it.

:up:

Micropro is an >excellent< term; proves once again that the best solutions are often the most direct and insightful in their simplicity.

And yes, I think I qualify as a *micropro*



:D

Jeff,

you hit the nail on the head with a sledgehammer about prosumer! I love it, I think i'm going to start using that term when i describe my company and equipment.

quick trademark that name so you and your wife can retire early to that beach and earn your 10% :-P

~Mike

How about semi-pro? Maybe small business owner.

Mike:

Of course late last night I checked Network Solutions to see if the various micropro domain name derivations were available. But alas, micropro.com, .net, .org, etcetera are already registered--about 2 years ago. They appear to be unrelated to our purposes.

Trademark, huh? Sure. I could see the day when all the hardware and software vendors put the MicroPro trademark on their equipment--and pay a small fee each time. Uh, yeah, right. ;P

But then again...If a couple of people want to go in on the trademark of MicroPro, I'm willing to share the glory. Boy it sure doesn't take much to give me glory, does it.

Bob:

Semi-pro could work as well. Only, semi often connotes a "halfway there" mentality. So, how about this hierarchy:

Professional
MicroPro
Semi-pro
Consumer
luddite (a.k.a. nosumer)

More suggestions and discussion are welcomed

microlud?



;D

I think the term "Indy" has cachet for what you're addressing. There's the 'independent' filmmaker and videographer. The guy who has to wear a lot of hats and damn near (but not quite) go it alone.

IndyPro

... just a thought.

"IndyPro"

We named the dog Indy.....
- as quoted from Sean Connery in IJ & TLC

I like Indypro better than micropro. Micropro sounds so... un-masculine ;D

Richard,

Indypro could work, though in some circles the "Indy" filmmaker is considered too 'out there' for traditional corporate work. not trying to knock indys, but public perception is a hard thing to shake....sort of how in most places volunteer firefighters are equated to drunken hicks driving large trucks.

hmmmm, so since i am a volunteer fireman, and and independant production person, does that make me an 'drunken hick who's vision is too out there?" :-P

~Mike

Well, there are some interesting suggestions here. Are any of them useful?

Barry-

I like microlud as the last class before luddite. Is a microlud someone who refuses to use PC's, someone who uses the bare essential technology, or a small luddite? ;)

Richard-

IndyPro is good. Could it be a subcategory of MicroPro to address the concerns of Mike, (a.k.a. "the hick fireman" :D)?

George-

At least I didn't suggest metropro! But let's also remember that we're not looking for a term that appeals only to the male professionals. We need a strong yet gender neutral name that gives us that truly-deserved professional cachet.

So far, though, IndyPro has more backers.

IndyPro makes sense to video/film people, but think most people are going to think you're into car racing or something.

Personally, my vote is for semi-pro. The equipment is designed for consumers, and has some features used by professionals, thus semi-pro. Might as well call it what it is.

I think you're definitely on the right track, but haven't quite hit the nail on the head yet. But the whole process might make an interesting documentary, this quest for "The end of the prosumer".

Wouldn't "MicroPro" conjure images of someone with a tiny cam? They say size doesn't matter, but a huge lens gets their attention every time ;)

Micro does conjure up 'small'..... uh, not that I have issues with that or anything. But hey, my xl2 with Mattebox, dual batts and fu-1000 viewfinder is practically a shoulder brick.

Semipro is good... though that conjures up sports images as well. SemiPro ball player...

Which I guess, is why they aren't called "MicroPro ball players..."

How about "video production equipment" as that is what it is!

Now you're just talkin' crazy. Must be the heat.

Jeff, I think you said it best with this statement:

"Cost should not be the deciding issue in determining whether a piece of DV equipment is consumer-level or professional. Functionality should be the major determining factor. After all, when the day is done, if I can get almost as good of quality from a $7k machine as a $30k machine, it does not matter if (and I repeat , if) the quality is sufficient for the project."

Not one of my clients, broadcast or corporate, has questioned the quality of my gear when I arrive. Your work and how you carry yourself will overshadow any doubts. If they like what they see with your work, then they automatically trust your gear. Of course, this does not apply to projects that specify a certain format for whatever reason. I have had a few people actually say, "that's DV?", because they were impressed.

Why do you think that DV is so prominently used in network shows now. It's because they finally came to their senses and realize that the quality holds up well enough to air it and most importantly, it is much cheaper to produce with. Broadcast networks were the last one's that you would have thought would accept this format and a few still don't. I guess the most important thing is to know your gear's limitations and not overstate its abilities. I think one of the most commonly overused terms in this industry to try to sound important is the word DIGITAL.

Well, some of you have weighed in with your reasons to can the term MicroPro for a replacement to the term prosumer. Some of you even took offense at the word MicroPro, apparently because it made you feel inadequate. Well I'm not a psychologist and I don't want to have a discussion about lens size ;) so I'll put this thread back on track by revisiting the initial challenge.

... what should low-end, affordable, professional equipment be called?

I would like to expand this challenge by reforming it into two questions based on the real-world observation that in our realm, the term prosumer is currently used in two general ways--to refer to a person or business, or to refer to a class of technology (hardware and software).

To better understand the issues we're debating in this thread, here is an appropriate definition of the word prosumer:

... a purchaser of technical equipment who wants to obtain goods of a better quality than consumer items, but can't afford professional items (older terms for goods of this intermediate quality are semi-professional and industrial quality). Here, the word is a blend of professional and consumer. Prosumers of this sort are famed for their enthusiasm for new products and their tolerance of flaws and, from the marketing point of view, have much in common with early adopters. This usage is common among those selling video equipment, digital cameras, and similar goods. Some manufacturers treat the SOHO (Small Office, Home Office) market as being much the same thing.

So, I believe there are truly two questions to discuss:

1. What should a person or business who produces professional-quality products but uses low-end, affordable equipment be called?

2. What should low-end, affordable, professional equipment be called?


The obvious answer to both questions is, you call them professional!

However, as you and I know, there is a very palpable chasm between those of us who use low-cost technology and those who use high-cost technology. Unfortunately, the term prosumer has become firmly ensconced in the vernacular of our industry to refer to the former set of people.

But, as we can see in the definition above, a prosumer is a semi-professional. They are people who may want to make a career in the film and video industry someday, or are simply content dabbling in the craft. Either way, these people have developed a skill set above the average consumer but do not produce professional-quality products.

However, as stated above, some manufacturers treat SOHO users as prosumers by default. This means that those of us who have small businesses (possibly based out of our homes) are still considered prosumers even though we make a career out of our film and video projects, even though the quality of our projects is very high.

So, if those of us who own small production houses are producing projects with exceptional production values, what differentiates us from the "big boys"? I think there are two factors: a.) the size of our business, and b.) the type of equipment we use.

So the two challenges remain:

1. What term should be used instead of prosumer to describe those of us who produce professional products but have small studios and/or use low-weight, low-cost acquisition equipment?

2. What minimum features and standards are required to elevate a piece of equipment or software above the level of prosumer?

(Many of us know from experience that there is exceptional "prosumer" equipment out there that truly needs to be relabeled to give us the boost in credibility that we deserve.)


Someday, the chasm will be filled, and all of us in the industry will be called professionals no matter the size of our studios or the size of our lenses :) The only factor that will differentiate a semi-pro from a pro is the quality of his or her work. Until that day, let's create a moniker that aptly describes our position in this industry and the equipment we use.

I still believe MicroPro is the term we should use. However, some of you may have better descriptors.

With all of this in mind, I resubmit this modified hierarchy and ask for feedback and suggestions.

Professional
MicroPro (small business and/or small equipment but both professional quality)
Prosumer ( a.k.a semi-pro)
Consumer
Huh?

Just a thought. You Americans are pretty famous amongst us Brits for wanting to label everything. There isn't actually a need to define a term! <sigh>

Would you believe that Steadicam are trying to patent the term 'iso-elastic' something which existed long before Steadicam ever existed. Its a standard engineering term!

No, no. You US guys are going to have to put a stop to this. Curb your urges! Nothing needs to be labelled. If you label somethign nobody will be satisfied.

Its video equipment. That is all. Some video equipment is better than others. Lets just leave it at that.

Simon-

I like the simplicity--and your honest assessment of us neurotic Americans :) But, it is what it is and labels are big here--for better or for worse!

Someday, it won't be an issue and that is the purpose of this exercise--to force the issue so that people will see how ridiculous all of this is and just start calling all of us who produce high-quality products professionals.

Our video equipment, on the other hand, is labeled by the manufacturers as prosumer versus professional. We want our tinycams to be recognized as great pieces of equipment--well, maybe not as great as your XDCAM!

But until that day in history arrives, we want our labels!!!

Perhaps the word "expert" would work. An expert may or may not be paid, but theoretically would have good experience with their equipment.

Also, since consumer equipment tends to be marked by it's simplicity, while professional equipment tends to be marked by it's more complex options - finding a word that's a balance between simplicity and complexity might do the trick.

All tongue in cheek of course.

In other words, "simplexity."

Hey, I'm a video simplexitist!


Then again.... ;D

I can't recall any manufacturer using the term "prosumer", so it must be us users that coined the term.

"professional" One who does work for pay.
"amateur" One who works for free.

Who said anything about quality (or lack therof)?

"professional" One who does work for pay.
"amateur" One who works for free.

Does that make the conjuntion: professmateur?

"professional" One who does work for pay.
"amateur" One who works for free.

Who said anything about quality (or lack therof)?

In other words, professional quality would not mean much since it could be poor quality or high quality.

Does getting paid for something truly make you a professional?

"Does getting paid for something truly make you a professional?"

Yes. If that is how you make a living, you are a pro. If you do not make a living from it, you are an amateur or hobbyist.

Keith, good point.

Okay, so let's stop using the word prosumer and ask all vendors who do so (when the opportunity presents itself) to do the same. Only then, will the negative connotations associated with the word "prosumer" gradually be a thing of the past.

Tiny cameras can still produce professional results. It all depends on the scope of the project and the clients' needs. For those of us that make a living doing this stuff, yes, we are professionals and our ability to make a living will be directly proportional to our ability to create high-quality products.

I declare the end to the era of the prosumer! Go forth and be professionals (that is, if you get paid).

Please do the best work you possibly can. Your reputation as a small studio can have an influence on the reputations of the rest of us small-studio owners. Being a professional is in your attitude, great client service, and quality of your finished deliverables.

The size of your company or your equipment does not matter--all though Keith seems to have issues with small equipment ;). Don't let the "big guys" tell you otherwise. And, if you are one of the big firms with the big, expensive equipment, help us tiny professionals out by referring to us as professionals.

We're all in the same boat trying to make a living doing what we love. Now, that is great, isn't it!

I think the true meaning of prosumer is far less negative than you might think.The GL1 I use, is far from the quality of a pro's $15,000 cam, as is the rest of my equipment. It is the same as the equipment that any family guy or hobbyist might use. What seperates me from the family guy or hobbyist, is that I use my equipment to make money... just not much.

The other thing that seperates us, is the amount of time I have spent learning my craft. Anybody with a camera and a new PC or Mac, already has the ability to do what we do. However, they probably don't have a clue what the difference between Pal and NTSC is, data rates, compression, or any of the hundreds of details pro's deal with on a daily basis.

That is where you should draw the line between Pro, and Prosumer.

And I really don't have any issues with size... My GL is just the right size for me, and I haven't had any complaints about how I use it ;)