Software Vault: The Gold Collection/Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO/cdr11/shbjv1.zip/VIDEO.DOC

Text File | 1993-06-13 | 36KB | 701 lines

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****** SMALL & HOME BUSINESS JOURNAL ON-DISK -- VOL I NO I ******
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       COPYRIGHT 1993     PAT FLANAGAN PUBLISHING & DESIGN
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$$ INSIDE YOUR VIDEOCAMERA!!

By Pat Flanagan

When you bought your videocamera, you probably did it for the same
reasons most people did -- for family vacations, to tape the kids,
to keep your memories alive.  But, if you own a videocamera, you own
one of the most powerful money-making tools around.  You may not
realize it, but there are tons of opportunities around you just
waiting to be exploited by you and your videocamera.  In this article,
the best of these opportunities will be examined in detail, so you
can jump in and start using your videocamera to mine these profits!

But what if you don't have a videocamera?  Or what if your video-
camera isn't "professional" enough?  I'll also examine these
"problems," which really aren't problems at all.  You don't have
to go out and spend a bucket-load of money if you're in either of
these situations.  There are simple solutions so you can get in on
the action, too!

Now, I'm not just talking about taping your second cousin's wedding,
or anything like that.  Wedding and event videos will be included in
this article, but they're just the tip of the iceberg.  In fact, you
may want to skip doing those.  You can have a good weekend business
with them if you're good, but the competition may be a bit high.
Also, your video skills need to be top-notch if you want to succeed
in wedding videos.  The best videocamera opportunities in this article
are the ones that require little photography skill at all!  But, I'll
start with wedding and event videos, to get them out of the way.


  WEDDINGS

There is a huge potential market for wedding videos.  Just look in
your local paper any summer week and see how many weddings there
were.  Since almost every household in the country has a VCR, you
can bet that almost every wedding has a video.  Keep in mind, though,
that there is also big competition in this field.  If you want to
make it, you'll have be sure of two things:  that you have the skills
necessary, and that you can offer more than the other video-ers in
your area.

There's more to taping a wedding than just setting up a camera and
turning it on.  If you're married and had a video taken at your wed-
ding, I'm sure you'll agree.  You, the photographer, can expect to be
dropped into an environment of potential conflict.  Last minute spats
between the bride and groom, conflicts between family members, still
photographers, all can be a source of headaches for you.

The best way to prevent problems is to set up a meeting with the
bride, groom, close family members, and, if possible, any other
photographers that will be at the service/reception.  This way, you
can find out EXACTLY what the family wants, any special shots they
will want, any unusual parts to the ceremony that they may want on
tape, how many people will be involved, and other issues.  Keep in
mind, the family will be paying you, so they will probably want to
TELL you what you can or can't do.  If what they want is reasonable,
don't fight it.  That makes your job easier.  But, if what they want
is unreasonable, by honest with them, but, by all means, be tactful.

If you can meet with the other photographer(s), discuss where they
need to be to get their best shots, so you and your camera won't be
in the way.  Also, this will help you with your planning so they won't
be in your video, and you won't show up in the photos.  This brings up
the subject of planning.

Planning is all important when it comes to wedding videos.  You will
be producing something that the couple will want to view over and
over, that their family and friends will be seeing.  It's your best
advertisement.  So, you will want it to be the best it can be.  If you
know what the ceremony will be like ahead of time, and what special
shots the couple and family will want, you've got the ball in your
court.  Be sure to attend the rehearsal, so you can set your equipment
up and plan your camera angles.  Since you've planned your work, all
you have to do is work your plan.

Here's an idea of the equipment a well-stocked wedding videographer
should have or have access to:

  -  At least two VHS camcorders with high-quality low-light functions

  -  At least one VHS VCR for editing and dubbing

  -  At least one free-standing light for each camera

  -  A tripod for each camera, preferably ones with a large range
     of heights

  -  At least twelve hours of batteries for each camera

  -  The best quality wireless microphone you can afford (one for
     each camera)

  -  All necessary cables, with spares

  -  Extra tapes, the best quality available.

Don't let this list scare you off.  If you don't own all this, you
don't have to rush out and empty your bank account.  You can either
rent what you need, or barter your services with someone who has the
equipment.  Then, pick up the stuff you need piece by piece.  Also,
keep your eyes open for good quality used equipment.

Other equipment you may want to consider would include a good video
editor deck, for putting your finished product together; a film-to-
tape camera attachment (can be used to create a montage of scenes
from old home movies of the couple when they were kids - a great
service to offer and a unique marketing point to offer!); and a
graphics/title generator.

So, you may have wondered, why would you need more than one camera?
If you have two cameras set up, you:

  -  can have different angles of the action, instead of the standard
     wedding video, which has a half-hour of a still camera; and

  -  you're covered if one of the cameras messes up or lighting is bad.

Make sure your videos are special, different from the run-of-the-mill
wedding videos.  Try to get a camera aimed toward the faces of the
couple, so you can capture them during the vows, and at other points.
This will also provide close-up footage to edit in at slow points.
Try to have a camera at the end of the aisle, so you can catch the
exit of the bride and groom.  This camera could also be used to show
the bride from the back, entering the ceremony, an angle that you
rarely see in a wedding video.  If possible, get or draw up a floor
plan of the location of the ceremony.  It will help you plan your
camera placement and shots.

Position your microphones where they'll do the most good.  If
possible, get either the bride or the groom to wear one, and get the
minister or celebrant to wear one.  This way, you'll have crisp, clear
sound.  Just remember to warn the bride and groom not to whisper
anything they wouldn't want the microphone to pick up!  (You can
always edit out any unwanted sound.)

Other places you may want a camera would be (with the couple in the
12 o'clock position):  10:00 or 2:00.  Use these camera to get views
of the crowd, the parents of the couple (edit a shot of them in during
the vows - catch the emotions of the ceremony), and the entrance of
the attendants.  If the ceremony is a specialized ethnic ceremony
(becoming more popular, especially with Black Americans) or unusual,
you should look for points of interest to capture on tape which will
show the special meanings and emotions of the ceremony.  If the couple
and family can watch your tape and feel the same emotions they had
during the actual ceremony, your tape is a winner!

Technical skills are important, but they can be learned.  The most
crucial skills are smooth panning and zooming.  Before you ever do
your first wedding, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!  The worst
wedding video is the most common:  one stationary camera, no zooms,
never moving.  People look around when they're at a wedding, and so
should the camera, within reason.  Practice slow, smooth pans that
keep the subject in the frame of the camera.  Practice smooth zooms
that aren't jerky, and aren't too close or too far from the subject.

You've probably figured that you'll need a helper for the actual
taping.  Unless the only camera that will pan and zoom is the one
you're operating, and the others are stationary, you'll need someone.
Be sure your helper is well-trained, with skills up to par with
yourself.  Ideas:  a friend who also has a videocamera (here's a way
to save on equipment costs); a college or high-school kid with video
experience (they're becoming more common, as more and more schools add
video classes to their curriculum); or a free-lancer (possibly a crew
member from the public access channel at your cable station).

At the reception, it's important to get the "traditional" events:  the
garter/bouquet toss, cutting the cake, toasts, etc.  Use the same
guidelines as before:  keep in mind what's important to have in the
frame, and try to tape it smoothly.  A good idea may be to talk to
the relatives of the couple and see if some of them would want to say
a few words about the couple on tape (try to do this early in the
reception, before a lot of drinks have been served!).

If your videos are special and well-produced, you should be able to
charge fees that are toward the top range in your area.  Premium
wedding videographers in large areas should be able to get $750 to
$1000 for a wedding.  Discretely call other videographers in your
area to get an idea of what the range is.  Also, customize your
prices depending upon what services the family wants.  If they
don't need three cameras and extensive editing, charge them less.

Marketing ideas:

  -  Scan your newspaper for engagement announcements.  Then, use
     your computer's word processor to print out personalized letters
     detailing your services.  Use your library's city directory to
     find the addresses you need.  Send the letters and a brochure
     to the lucky couples.

  -  Set up a referral network with florists, formalwear shops,
     printers, and other wedding-related retailers in your area.  You
     could offer them a set commission fee each time a referral leads
     to a taping job.

  -  Find a wedding photographer in your area who doesn't currently
     offer video.  Set up a deal where your photo and video services
     could be offered as a package.

  -  Make sure you have a booth at local bridal shows.  These are
     attended by people who will be marrying soon, qualified prospects
     for your services.  Have plenty of your brochures and marketing
     materials handy, so you don't run out.  A good idea is to have
     one of your best videos playing on a monitor at the show (get
     permission from the couple on tape first -- maybe offer them a
     discount in exchange for letting you use their tape for marketing
     purposes).

  -  Advertise in your newspaper's wedding supplement.  Most news-
     papers publish at least one a year.

If your taping was simple, with only one camera, you may be able to
deliver the tape to the couple at the end of the wedding.  If more
extensive editing needs to be done, make sure you give the couple a
realistic date when they can expect the tape.  Don't give them a time
that will leave you rushed.  If you don't have your own editing
equipment, check ahead with your local cable station.  Many times,
they have facilities for their public access station which can be
rented.  Many also offer short courses in video editing which are
worth checking into.

A few final words:

  -  Try to be discrete when taping.  No one likes tripping over a
     bunch of cords and being distracted during the ceremony by
     someone running from camera to camera and moving lighting
     around.  You want people to remember the wedding, not you.

  -  Don't take advantage of the free food/drinks at the reception,
     unless invited to by the couple.  If invited to, eat small and
     late.  You're working, remember.  This will allow the optimum
     time for taping, and you won't be remembered as a freeloader.

  -  If the couple is not satisfied with their tape, don't take it
     personally.  Offer a deep discount and write it off to
     experience.  Look at it this way, at least you got good practice
     and were paid for it!

  -  Emphasize to your prospective customers in your brochures that
     your services and fees are customizable.  A lot of people can
     only afford a few hundred dollars for a good video.  Scale back
     on the complexity of the video, but still give them a high-
     quality product.  They may be your best referral source.

  -  Keep tabs on your competition.  If one starts offering a special
     feature, try to offer the same.  Always try to think of new,
     creative services you can offer, so you lead the pack.

Weddings can be a lot of work.  They can also be a lot of fun.  You
are in the position of being able to give the couple and family a
permanent record of one of the most special days of their lives.
Help make it one to remember for them and you can be on your way
to success!


  SPECIAL EVENT VIDEOS

Special event videos are much simpler and a lot less worry than wedding
videos.  In many cases, you'll only need one camera, one microphone,
and little or no editing.  You'll charge less, of course, but your
profit margin will be higher.  You can market this service to any
professional person or group -- attorneys, salespeople, financial
advisors, professional speakers -- anyone who must give a talk,
presentation or lecture before a group of people.  Workshops, meetings,
conferences, reunions, all are potential jobs for you.

As with weddings, meet beforehand with the person or persons you will
be taping, both to get their permission to tape them, if necessary, and
to get a feel for what they specifically want on tape.  If all they
want is a tape of their speech, then all you'll need is one camera (two
if you want a spare in case of problems), one microphone and a tripod.
Set your equipment up well ahead of time, to allow for testing.  Be
sure to have the subject of the tape do a test of part of their speech,
so you can be sure the microphone is set right.  It's important to have
clear sound for event taping.

For panel discussions, meetings and other group events, you'll want to
have a camera pointed at every person, or possibly at every two people,
as well as one at the whole group.  Make sure every person can be picked
up by your microphones.  When you edit the tapes together, try to have
the speaking person on screen as they speak, unless that would mean too
many rapid changes, which can be disorienting to the viewer.  If taping
an interview, the subject of the interview is more important than the
interviewer.  While it's good to cut in a reaction shot of the inter-
viewer from time to time, keep the focus of your tape on the person
being interviewed.

Unless you need to use multiple cameras and heavy editing, you should
charge less for event taping than you would for wedding taping.  There
are a few reasons for this.  First, you will spend far less time on an
event tape.  Second, you have a higher potential for return business.
If you do a good job, you have a good chance of being called in again
for the next meeting or conference.  Finally, there is always the
possibility of selling copies of the tape to targeted customers.  This
can either be done for the subject of the tape, with you getting a cut,
or the subject can pay you a license fee for each that he or she sells.

An up-and-coming event to tape is the high school or college class
reunion.  Offer your services to tape the reunion as a keepsake for
those who attended, or those who couldn't attend.  If you price your
service right, you may be able to work a deal where each attendee
would get a copy of the tape as part of their registration fee, with
a cut going to you.  You'll make less for each tape, but you'll be
make up on quantity.  You should be able to make $10 to $15 per tape
just for copying the master onto a blank.  Set up your VCRs, start the
copying, and grab a good book.  Sounds like easy money to me!  If you
tape a reunion, try to get a class list so you can send a personalized
letter and brochure to those who didn't attend.  They are a good market
for copies of the tape.  You will need to work out details with the
planning committee of the reunion, as they will probably want a cut
of the profits, which is fair.  But, you are entitled to the lion's
share, since you did the work.

When taping a reunion, make sure to get a good group shot of the
attendees, possibly panning across the group for clear face shots.
Be sure to tape any and all speeches, important class members like
the valedictorian, class leaders, sports figures, and any class
member(s) who have become local or national celebrities.  Be sure to
get plenty of candid material, too, which can be edited in.  You'll
want to make sure your skills are good when holding the camera for
an event like this.

Other events you may want to consider would be family events, like
birthdays, bar/bat mitzvahs, holiday get-togethers, as well as
business and school parties, award ceremonies, etc.  You'll get these
jobs primarily from referrals, which means your marketing expenses
for these occasional events will be little or none.

Scan your newspaper periodically for local publicity events like hot
air balloon races, boat races or shows, trade shows, scouting events,
or other events that appeal to a specialized crowd.  Get permission
to tape these events, then work out one of these deals:

  -  Sell the tape to the sponsor of the event;

  -  Keep the rights to the tape and give the sponsor a royalty fee
     for each tape sold.

Also, you could tape a group of similar events and edit them together
into a compilation tape that could be sold to targeted customers.
There are many potential profit areas in event taping, if you keep your
eyes open!


  INVENTORY TAPING

This is, in my opinion, the business to get into with your videocamera.
You only need one camera, decent video skills, little expenses and
supplies, and, if done right, very low marketing expenses.  Besides
your videocamera, you'll need an instant camera and an engraving tool,
which together should be able to be found for under $100.

Here's the business in a nutshell:  You videotape household and business
inventory and valuables for insurance purposes.  Then, if a robbery
occurs, the owner has a video documentation of the missing valuables for
law enforcement and insurance agents.  Your primary prospects for this
service will be upper-income families and businesses that specialize in
high-ticket items or have a high investment in equipment.

The first step you should take to run a property inventory taping
service is to meet with your area law enforcement agencies to find
out what regulations, if any, they have.  Remember, you will be going
into other people's houses and will have full knowledge of their
valuables.  If you have endorsement from the law, your customers can
feel comfortable that you won't use this knowledge for the wrong
purposes.  The person you want to meet with would be the one in charge
of neighborhood watches or community services.  Normally, police
agencies are enthusiastic supporters of services like this, as it makes
their job easier.  Others to meet with include insurance agents, private
detectives, fire officials and attorneys.  Not only will you gain
valuable information from them, you will be building up a network for
referrals.  Be sure to keep a good record of who you meet with so you
can send them business cards, brochures and periodic reminders of your
services.

While meeting with insurance agents, take care of your insurance
requirements.  You should carry liability insurance, and you should
also get bonded.  The extra expense is worth it, as it will both help
to get business and will protect you and your customer.

Your service will be ripe for publicity, so prepare a good press
release.  You should be able to find a good book or two on publicity
releases at your library.  Get these releases to every daily and
weekly newspaper in your area, as well as local business magazines and
television stations.  When your service gets written up in the papers,
keep a clipping of each article to use in your marketing materials.
Send a copy to all the insurance agents, attorneys, private detectives
and law enforcement agencies in your area.  You WILL get referrals
from this!

Another idea for publicity is to set up a booth at local home and garden
shows, preferably in the home protection areas (alarms, etc.).  This
will establish your name in the minds of consumers.  If you don't mind
public speaking, offer to give a short seminar on home inventory
protection and how your service can help prevent theft.  You can
prepare one presentation that can be given numerous times at different
community-related functions and locations, such as country clubs.

Now for the meat of the service.  When you set up an appointment with
a customer, make sure they know you will be charging by the hour, so
it will be to their advantage to have things such as jewelry, china
or antiques laid out and ready to be taped.  Take your videocamera with
extra tape and batteries, an instant camera with plenty of film, your
engraver, forms for listing valuables, and a three-ring binder for the
forms.

When taping valuables, be sure to get a clear picture of them, including
any distinguishing characteristics.  Be sure to fill out your forms
completely, listing special features or characteristics, such as type
and weight of gems, etc.  Jewelry is probably best photographed with
your instant camera, as is any small valuables.  Large antiques and
other primary household items are easily videoed.  Be sure to get any
brand names and model numbers clearly taped.

After taping the individual items, walk through the house.  Be sure to
get any computer and video equipment, phones, Tvs, art and other items
that would be tempting to thieves.  Engrave the client's social security
or driver's license number on the back or bottom of items that won't be
damaged by doing so.  Record all this on the forms, including the
location of the engraving and all serial numbers.  If the home is
burglarized and police recover the stolen goods, this will help the
client get his or her valuables back quickly and easily.

Don't forget to tape the outside of the house, including patios,
walkways and landscaping.  This can help the client establish value
in case of vandalism.

In businesses, videotape the office equipment, as well as the offices
themselves, inside and out.  In specialized businesses, be sure to tape
any special equipment.

A good idea is to provide window stickers for your clients that tell
potential thieves that items in the house have been marked and recorded.
These stickers can be purchased or printed.  Your local law enforcement
agencies may even be able to provide these to you at a low cost.

When through taping, give the tape a quick run-through to be sure
everything's ok, then give it to your client, along with the binder.
Encourage them to store these in a safe deposit box, in case of fire.

How much should you charge?  A typical mid-sized to large home should
take two hours, at most, to tape, if the owner has prepared everything
ahead of time.  You can charge anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour,
depending upon what your local market will bear, with $75 per hour a
good figure to start with.  You should be able to see how this business
can add up!

In your marketing materials, stress the fact this your charge is a small
price to pay, considering it is a crime deterrent and will result in
far less stress and time on the customer's part if a mishap does occur.
You can feel good that you are providing a service which will help
people in bad times.  Remember to be professional while in the client's
home, don't make any comments which could be construed in bad ways, and
be assuring about the safety and reliability of yourself and your
service.  You can start this part-time and easily move it into
full-time, as referrals start rolling in.


  CABLE TV ADVERTISING

If you have cable, you've no doubt seen local advertising on most of
the channels.  There are three ways a local business could produce a
commercial.  One, they could do it themselves (and we all know what
that looks like); two, they could have the local cable business do it
for them (which can also look quite amateurish); or they can have an
outside individual do the production.  This is where you come in.

If your video skills are top-notch, you can produce excellent
commercials for local businesses at agreeable prices.  If you have
marketing skills, so much the better, but it's not an absolute
requirement.  As long as you can clearly answer the "4 W" questions
(who, what, where and why), your commercial will be good.

The only drawback to this business is that you should use 3/4 inch
broadcast format video, which is incompatible with a home videocamera.
A camera for this type of videotape usually costs around $3000, less
if it's used.  There is a way around this expense, though.

Most cable stations have what is called a "public access" channel.
This channel is designed so that individuals and groups from the
community can produce their own shows, to be aired on the channel.
Contact your local cable company and find out if they have such a
channel.  You should be able to rent time on their equipment.  This
is a real boon when it comes to editing a tape, as they will have the
equipment necessary to make your tape look professional.  They usually
offer short courses on using the equipment, too.

Market your services directly to the small businesses in your area.
Good prospects are auto dealerships, restaurants, retailers such as
video, book, and computer dealers, and, in election years, local
political candidates (hope they get elected -- you can expect a return
customer!).  Your quality production, coupled with a reasonable price,
should entice prospects to become customers.

Most commercials will be either thirty-seconds or one minute, and will
be shot on location at the customer's facilities.  If they provide the
copy for the commercial, you only have to direct the commercial.  Run
through the script with whomever will be reading it, to make sure that
it will fit the time without sounding rushed.  You want to aim for a
relaxed, natural sound (unless, of course, you're working with your
local crazy car dealer, in which case they may want an auctioneer
sound!).  Above all, make sure the script tells WHO the advertiser is,
WHAT they do, WHERE they are, and WHY people should give them their
business.  This is what the customer needs to hear.

Also, make sure your customer is happy with the result.  After shooting
the video, edit it (you should be able to ask someone at the cable
company to help you), then review it with your customer.  As long as
you've presented the advertiser in a good light, you'll be in good shape.

The first few times you produce a commercial, you may feel like you're
flying by the seat of your pants.  Just relax, use good common sense,
and always remember that the job of the commercial is to convince the
skeptical customer to spend his or her hard earned money with your
client.

You should expect to spend a few hours during the shoot, to get enough
takes for editing.  Get four or five good takes.  That way, any bad
parts that you find when reviewing your taping can be replaced with a
good take.

A thirty- to sixty-second commercial should be able to be shot and
edited in one day.  The first one or two may take a bit longer, but
that's okay.  It's better to take your time when learning the ropes,
rather than rush through and end up with substandard results.  Because
your overhead will be low (if renting equipment, instead of purchasing),
you should be able to undercut your competition.  In a decent size city,
you can expect to charge between $500 and $1,000.  Longer commercials
are more negotiable, depending upon whether or not you will be asked to
write the script.  The half-hour long "infomercials" have become a
bonanza for many advertisers, and they are a goal you can work up to,
as your skills grow.

Watch commercials and listen to them.  Keep mental notes about how
the advertiser is presented, what message the commercial gives, and
if you feel the commercial is successful.  Incorporate the best elements
of the commercials you see into your own shoots!


  OTHER IDEAS

 - VIDEO YEARBOOKS

These are growing in popularity.  They usually consist of short scenes
of important high school events, such as sports, clubs, candid "people
scenes," still photo montages, and other memorable items for the
students.  A well-edited hour-long video should be able to be sold
for $15 to $30, depending upon the editing complexity of the video and
the size of the school.  The larger the school, the more you can expect
to sell.

You should first contact the school administration with this idea.  Put
together a good presentation for them, explaining your services and how
your video yearbook will work with the regular yearbook as an added
remembrance.  A good idea is to offer to donate a portion, $2 for
example, per tape sold to a school fund or student-supported charity.
After the administration, you will probably need to speak to the school
board, principals, and school yearbook sponsors.  This work will be
worth it, though.

Try to include in your tape, from time to time, current events or
subjects which will remind the viewers about what was going on at the
time they were in school.  One caution, though.  Be careful about
including copyrighted items, such as popular songs, in your tape.  You
will need to get permission from the copyright holders or risk legal
action.

The best way to sell your tape is to obtain permission to distribute
a flyer to the students in the school at the same time as the regular
yearbook information is distributed.  Then, follow up later in the
year, giving those who haven't ordered yet another opportunity.
Finally, give another chance at the end of the school year.

From time to time, go to the school and shoot material.  Get sporting
events, clubs, quiz bowl tournaments, science fairs, special events,
pep rallies, ordinary day-to-day video, and, of course, graduation.
If you're ambitious, do a video yearbook for each class!  That way,
students can end their high school years with a four-video set,
documenting that time of their lives from start to finish!


 - DUBBING AND DUPLICATING

Here's an easy service to offer.  With a film-to-video transfer device,
commonly available for under $100, and a movie projector, you can put
customer's old home movies on video tape.  There are a few different
types of transfer devices available.  The best place to check would
be your local quality camera shop.

You should be able to charge around $20 per hour of film for this
service.  A good idea is to add background music to the home movies.
Copyright-free music is widely available on CD.  Check advertising and
marketing magazines such as Advertising Age for ads.

You can also offer a duplicating service for customer's home videos,
so they can give relatives (or America's Funniest Home Videos) a copy.
You can usually charge a flat fee for this service, depending upon the
length of the tape.  Editing together still photos is also a good
service to offer, particularly to people who travel frequently.



There are many other areas just starting to be tapped -- video resumes,
video postcards, even video wills.  If you come up with a good original
idea, research the market for it.  If you find a reasonable amount of
people will be interested in your new service, you may just have a
winner on your hands!


**********************************************************************
*                                                                    *
* ABOUT THE AUTHOR                                                   *
*                                                                    *
* Pat Flanagan is the owner of Pat Flanagan Publishing & Design, and *
* the editor/publisher of Small & Home Business Journal On-Disk.  He *
* is also the author of the forthcoming book "Recycled               *
* Entertainment -- Profits From Used Compact Disks, Video Games And  *
* Computer Software," currently being written and set to be          *
* published in early 1994.                                           *
*                                                                    *
**********************************************************************


  RESOURCES
  ---------

Video Businesses
----------------

CINETEL MARKETING, 11252 Midland Blvd., Suite #114, St. Louis, MO  63114
  Offers high-quality equipment and training for film-to-video transfer
  and professional editing.


CREATIVE AMUSEMENT SYSTEMS, INC., 156 Fifth Avenue, Suite 323, New York,
 NY  10010
  Offers a video/computer portrait system to produce t-shirts, calendars,
  posters, etc.


EDIT POINT VIDEO FRANCHISES, INC., 3713 Brewerton Rd., North Syracuse, NY
13212
  Video production, editing, duplication franchise, with training included.


INTERNATIONAL VIDEOGRAM DISTRIBUTORS, 3539 S. Spencer St., Las Vegas,
 NV  89109
  Distributorship that allows camcorder owners to earn money by taking
  15-minute videotapes of individuals and families creating a greeting
  or message to be sent to friends and relatives.


PROVIDEO PRODUCTIONS, 8040 E. Morgan Tr., #8, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
  Video production services franchise.


VIDEO DATA SERVICES, 30 Grove St., Pittsford, NY  14534.
  Videography and desktop video franchise.  Provides all the training
  and know-how to run a profitable video business.


VIDEO EXPRESSIONS, 2691 Richter Ave., Suite 114, Irvine, CA  92714
  Distributors of the "Star Video" booth, a self-contained self-service
  short video production booth to be placed in shopping malls and other
  high traffic areas.  Produces wide variety of video greeting cards.


VIDEOGENICS, 51145 Washington, New Baltimore, MI  48047
  Franchise offering seven-day training and equipment for professional
  quality video production.  Many packages available, with different
  equipment and price ranges offered.


Books and Reports
-----------------

HOW TO MAKE MONEY WITH YOUR VIDEOCAMERA: OPPORTUNITIES AND STRATEGIES
 FOR BUILDING A PROFITABLE BUSINESS, Ted Schwarz.  Prentice-Hall, One
 Gulf & Western Plaza, New York, NY  10023;  $9.95.


HOW TO START AND OPERATE A VIDEOTAPE RENTAL STORE, E. A. Morgan Publish-
 ing Co., P.O. Box 1375, Huntington, NY  11743;  $6.00.


HOW TO START AND OPERATE YOUR OWN VIDEOTAPING SERVICE, plus THE LEGAL-
 ITIES AND TAX ADVANTAGES IN A HOME BUSINESS, E. A. Morgan Publishing,
 see above;  $6.00 for both reports.


HOW TO START YOUR OWN VIDEOTAPING SERVICE by Robert L. Perry and Income
 Opportunities editors.  Income Opportunities Manuals, P.O. Box 40,
 Vernon, NJ  07462;  $55.90