Bound hands and a head that hurts...

Hawk Teflon

Hawk Teflon

Veteran
Where to begin where to begin...

Before I ask my question, I need to give you a little feedback on the situation:

I started working at a non-profit organization in May of last year. I was hired on a videographer/editor for the World Missions department. I was given a Macbook Pro running Final Cut Studio on OS 10.4. Cool deal. This was a computer the last guy used out on the missions field, so it's been through the ringer. It still works great, though. Kudos to mac for their construction.

However, the IT department in the building does not support mac. They won't do it. That's not new information, as they never have. One of the odd things, however, is that 3 out of the 5 people in IT ... are networked on a mac. I don't get it either.

After I've been told time and again that I'm not allowed on the internet (due to no filtering on the mac since it isn't supported, and we work in a church environment), I was suddenly told yesterday that I HAVE been allowed on the wireless, even though I was just given the key yesterday. I'm still, however, not allowed on the network. I thought it'd be the other way around. Not being on the network means that I have to copy every picture, file, video clip, etc from the network to a thumb drive. Every time. My last project had over 150 files that I had to transfer. That's fine when I can know ahead of time which files will be needed/used. That will never happen, as director need different things added all the time. That's fine. So, on average, I transfer files about 4 times a day. Gets old.

Here's where my problem really lies: The other video editor here (the one for the whole building, I'm just one for a singular department) uses Final Cut Studio 2. Everything in his office is mac. I've been feeling like this whole time I've been here that my hands have been tied while working on a mac, because I can't get ANY access to anything. Software updates? Good luck! It's all been a pain in the butt that apparently stems deeper to personal issues between departments or something. I don't know. Seems petty, but "whatever."

MY question is this: Should I make the switch over to a PC and start working with Adobe Primiere ... Primer... I can't even spell it. OR, since the other guy is set on Final Cut, should I stay in FCP so we can send files back and forth in case something goes wrong with one of them? I have exteremly little experience in Adobe Prem (not to mention, it was 7.0 when I was using it), but I use After Effects instead of Motion. It's all been just one big headache. I'm so tired of this, and I know what I think should be done about the whole thing, but that won't happen. So, either I deal with this same old stuff (the hassles, the "passing the buck", my hands being tied, etc), or I learn a whole new system that no one else I know uses. I wouldn't be able to ask someone a "quick question" like I can now.

Sorry this is long. If you read this all, thank you. I kept out as many trivial details as possible, for space sake.
 
(1) The capability to support Macs exists on-site (see the IT guys who *obviously* can offer said support, since *they* are on Macs).

(2) Macs are clearly mission-critical, since the senior-most editor on-site is Mac-based, just as you are.

(3) Your workflow is severely impaired by the lack of Mac connectivity, which means additional time to complete the work, which means that you are entitled to additional pay, since it's purely an arbitrary company decision that makes the extra work-time necessary.

(4) Your employer has so little trust in you and such low regard for your professionalism, that he refuses to rely upon you to avoid inappropriate web sites while at work? Well, trust cuts both ways. Personally, I'd be looking for a new position, right now.

Seriously, someone who deliberately makes your work this much more difficult, does not deserve your services.
 
Sorry, I also need to clarify something else. This building has many different departments. I work in World Missions. There is a Church Education, Evangelism USA, General Superintendant, etc. This is the National Headquarters of this church denomination. My employer (World Missions), is backing me up completely. It's the IT department that's stirring the water for us (it seems).

Also, the 3 working on macs in the IT department are the 3 of the 5 that do NOT work on computers. The 3 on macs are the (1) main videographer/editor for the entire building (2) Head of communications (3) His administrative assistant. The two that actually work on computers/the server, etc will have nothing to do with macs.

The main video guy on site is networked in, but I think he was grandfathered in before they made any sort of no macs policy. That's the best I can get from it.
 
The additional information does not alter the fact that your employer is deliberately impeding your work by refusing to support your hardware.

There's no excuse for that.

The appropriate fixes (so far as I can see) are:

(1) They quit their sniveling and do what's necessary to support your present hardware/software fit

(2) They pay you for your additional time required to compensate for the lack of proper technical support

(3) They furnish the PC-based hardware and software required to integrate you into the present network, *and* pay you for the training time required for you to get up-to-speed on the new tools

Really, this 'grandfathered in' business is for sh*t. Either they want you to perform the work, or they don't; it's that simple and efforts to complicate matters should not be tolerated, least of all by you.
 
(1) Won't happen. I guarantee. The buck will get passed again, and again all the way up to the board that meets once or twice a year.

(2) Their seniority will bypass any of that happening.

(3) Again, I wish. My department is willing to cover the cost of the PC switch, but the question at hand is 'is it worth it?'
 
I think you should get busy finding a new job with sane, practical people who will support your work rather than impede it.

But you probably figured that, already.
 
Yeah I'm with Karl on this one, if they can't afford/aren't willing to make the necessary infrastructure happen for you (especially when its easy to do) I'd run like heck. Sounds like there are more problems as to how this is all run than just this.

However - if you're determined to stay I'd just go with the PC if they'll cover the cost. I've edited in Premiere since 6.5 and since CS2 its been fantastic to use. Luckily I wasnt doing much with it before CS2. CS3 is even better and from what I understand CS4 moreso. I'm not going to say its better than FCP or a mac, but Premiere has always done everything I've needed it to do and if you are using AE at all, you'll appreciate the linking between the two a great deal. And if you are shooting P2 you'll really like the native support. Good stuff.

How often do you really collaborate or trade files with the other Mac guy? If its rare to never I wouldnt worry about it really. Not worth having a safety net if it hinders your work this much IMO. Just tell him he needs to switch to Premiere too :)
 
Jeff Anderson said:
How often do you really collaborate or trade files with the other Mac guy? If its rare to never I wouldnt worry about it really. Not worth having a safety net if it hinders your work this much IMO. Just tell him he needs to switch to Premiere too :)
Click to expand...

Before October, never.

Since then, anywhere from 2 to 4 times a month.
 
Oh... are you trading actual project files or just footage? If its just footage I say make the switch. Project files... then yeah you kinda have your hands tied. Personally I'd quit and make sure and name the IT department and the lack of balls in management to tell them how they are going to work as your reason for leaving. I've watched too many IT guys just make up rules like "we arent supporting Macs, or we can only stream video at 100kbps" when its just based on what they want to do. Perhaps they need to be reminded who employs them... I do find it humorous that even IT guys that work for religious entities still think they are God.

Its either that or have them buy you some nice shoes to increase the speed of your "sneaker network".
 
Jeff Anderson said:
I do find it humorous that even IT guys that work for religious entities still think they are God.
Click to expand...

Ha ha!!!

Yeah, it's project files. Though, I've been on FCS1, and he's been on 2 until today, but that's another story entirely. So, until now, I could only send files there and change them in his studio.

Not only do we limit pretty big on streaming, but our videos on our web page, made entirely by the other video guy and myself, have to be in WMV. Yeah, I'm serious. FCP, exporting to highly compressed WMV. Killer!
 
ha I think I've work with the same IT guy! Was limited to 100-115 kbps (wmv of course!) but it needed to be HD by one guy and his colleague limited me to 50mb no matter what. Not sure how the actual size of the file factored in there since it was streaming and these videos ranged from 10-30 minutes. Basically it boiled down to they had nothing better to do than pretend they were video editors and knew what they were talking about. Finally just sent them all HD quicktimes and told em to transcode to whatever they felt like would work best. This was accompanied by a note to their boss about the discount they are receiving because I'm not having to do as much work because the output requested by their IT department was ridiculous and borderline impossible. To my surprise after that I got reasonable guidelines to work with. Forget what they were but it was up there with Vimeo and stuff. Sometimes IT needs to be slapped around a bit. There are a few good IT guys out there though that are actually open minded and know their stuff... Then there was the guy that wanted 1920x1080 but not HD... He was special...
 
Nice. I need to try something along those lines. I'm very non-confrontational, though. Maybe I should post in the Marketplace: "WTB: 1 set of balls"
 
You don't have to be confrontational.

But you might want to consider standing up for yourself. It's unlikely that anyone else will.



If I am not for myself, then who will be for me?

- Rabbi Hillel, Pirkei Avot.
 
Find unemployed IT guys that know Mac, and will work cheap. Then forward their Resumes and applications for them.
 
This just in, I'm online, updated and running smooth. Rumor has been passed to me that in a decision from the head of the building (basically our President), we should be supporting mac's completely within a month or two.

So, to all, thank you for your advice, wisdom, and humor. Looks like the good guys won on this one.

Lastly, after watching a lot of The Office, I think that Dwight represents the IT department the best.
 
Dwight could quite easily work in many IT departments, yes :) Glad they're going to get it working for you though. Always good when your employers actually make your job reasonably easy.
 
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