RC>I would suggest getting in touch with Armatos, located in Queens, NY (they
RC>list it as being in Glendale, NY).  I don't have the number off hand, but
RC>you can find it in any professional video or Toaster magazine, or simply
RC>call information.
JF>Havn't been able to find their # if you can find it I would
appreciate it.
RC>Where are you from?  Have you been doing acquisition for profit
for very long?  Is the business in high demand?  Tell me a bit about
your end of the industry.  Although I do not fly (or even know a
pilot, for that matter), I have always been interested in this end of
the business, mainly for artistic reasons. . .   Actually, one idea
(or suggestion) I would have for you is, consider the possibility of
compiling some of your most artist stuff into a video library which
others can use in their productions.  I think if you look into it,
you will find that there is a HUGE demand for stock footage of this
nature. . .
JF> I am in the sunny south in Eufaula, Alabama.  I am a retired USAF
fighter pilot who developed an interest in aerial videography while
stationed at Edwards AFB.  We had to fly with a photographer in the back
seat of an F4 or F16 and have them shoot thru the canopy.  I felt that a
pod with a remote controlled camera would have allowed for better
photo/video.  We never got such a system, so when I retired, I invented
one.  Having spent the past three years perfecting the system, I have
only recently begun to get work with it.
    Having only recently gone into business with it, the only work so
far has been for forestry and a couple of news items for a television
station.  As word is starting to get out about my capability, I am
getting more calls, but not to the extent that I can give you a
breakdown of the actual demand.  Besides, this area is almost
totally forestry oriented so that is my primary source of work at the
moment.
    Pine trees are the largest money crop in the south, far surpassing
cotton.  The main area of concern in this area, is the Southern Pine
Beetle which is threatening the entire ecosystem of the southern pine
forests.  The only reliable way to find the infested areas is by
aerial inspection.  The tops of the trees begin to change color and
this can only be seen from the air, and with the eye, only after an
infestation has become serious.  With my system, I can videotape tracts
of pine timber, then false color the tape through my computer and ALL
areas of infestation show on the tape. This is proving to be a valuable
tool for the forestry people. This is my primary source of work and I am
developing a niche market in this area.
    Could you expand on where the demand for stock footage is. I am
amassing a lot of footage but do not know where to even start trying
to find other markets.  I guess that is why I joined this conference
- hoping to meet others who could help.
RC>In terms of editing technique, I can help you.  Simply drop me mail, 
ither
RC>on this echo, or if you have access to E-Mail (Internet) my address is:
   Sorry to take up so much space, but I couldn't explain what I do any
more briefly.  As I said in my earlier post, I need information on
editing techniques and equipment other than the ads in the various
magazines.  If you would post me your mail address, I could send
you a short tape of some of the kinds of footage I can shoot.  As
you will notice, I have very little editing capability so feel
free to critique and offer suggestions.  Not being sure of how in
depth I need to get, makes determining what kind of editing equipment I
need more difficult.  I believe that an editing capability would
increase the potential market size for the tape I get. I'm just not sure
what I need or how to find out except by asking through this conference.
Thank You for your time and assistance. Jim
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