Little bit of background. I’ve worked in facilities in London for the best part of 20 years. Over the last 6-8 years I’ve primarily been working on scripted episodics with a few features thrown in for good measure. All the type of work I do is from an online editors level, from general clean up, screen comps up to single layer green screen and masses of beauty fixes. So I wouldn’t say I’m pushing flame anywhere near what it can do but still producing some nice stuff.
The company I worked for was meant to be sold but the people coming in decided against it at the last minute and pulled their offer so it went in to insolvency. That part is worth mentioning as we all got done over on wages etc.
I’ve gone out and contacted everyone I can think of and I’ve got a few pencils that should see in the end of the year…hopefully!
I’m now moving on to the next part and trying to figure out what machine I need to get moving forward. I’ve only ever worked at facilities and with that comes the help of engineers setting up the Linux boxes so naturally I have no idea and would prefer the ease of going Mac! I’ve read through a lot of the previous chats on here and the levels of equipment that’s getting used varies hugely. I’m trying to figure out if I can get away with using a MacBook Pro m5 Pro with 64gb ram (or the Mac mini version, same spec) with external tb5 storage is possible or if I need to look at spending more? Ideally I’d prefer not to as the last month we all got screwed in wages and any redundancy! I read in one thread that @Jonhollis got on well with a Mac mini before upgrading to a Mac Studio but in the same thread @finnjaeger said his artists were really struggling with it.
Can anyone see any issues that’ll arise from this spec noting the level of work that I tend to do. My long term goal is to get back into a staff role but at the moment I’m pitching myself out to the same role but as a freelancer (working in facilities on their kit) and also vfx overflow work (at home on my kit) which will be to a similar level and type of work.
But one consideration: Purchasing a system has to be done really with a 2-4 year window in mind before you replace it. As hard as it is short-term, buy what will be good for a while.
If cash constrained, take a look at refurbished Macs from Apple. A Mac Studio one generation back may be better than a brand-new Mac Mini and might be comparable in price. I know people who had really good luck with refurbished units, and some that this is all they ever bought.
Hi Rob. sorry to hear of your company problems. I wouldn’t go Mac mini. it does run but slow. I would get an ultra studio (2 chip thing) makes all the difference and make sure you have at least 128GB ram. I have the Mac 3 ultra and the m5 ultra studios. the m5 is blindingly fast but the m3 ultra is pretty darn good too. the ultra bit makes all the difference though. good luck with everything.
I would vouch for an M2 Ultra with 192GB. I have it as a freelancer maching in our studio and for the type of work you define @Robg, I think it’a good match. Considering a startup freelancer business, it could be a viable option.
As I tend to post in these types of threads: I’ve been running an M1 Max laptop with 64 gigs of ram for the last four years and it has been a fine experience. I think any medium to high tier mac of the last five years will be plenty to get up and running. If you’re busy enough you’ll have both money and a better sense of what more you might need, and if it’s slow you didn’t break the bank.
Hi Rob, one question you need to ask, is whether you’ll be freelancing using other companies kit. After I got shafted at peerless, then the mill going under I went freelance, but only ever remoted in to clients flames, so contrary to what Jon said, I bought a refurb mac mini which works fine for remote work, especially if money is tight as macs ain’t cheap! Especially if you need to factor in storage, etc, could run to £10,000s.
That can come later if needed.
are you going to be conforming/delivering entire episodes or features? I would think you would need a massive amount of high-end storage and a powerful computer to handle that. If you’re just doing shot work, then a mid-tier Mac would be fine. Also - are you sure you actually need your own workstation? It’s possible that the freelance work you’ll be doing is remotely connecting to a flame at your client’s facility. It would be a shame to spend a lot on your own workstation and primarily just use it to run PCOIP.
HI Rob,
I was sad to hear about your companys closure, I have been in your position in the past. I think that in the current UK freelance flame market most of the time you will be asked to work on clients own systems. It would probably be better as @paul_round said to wait until you actually need your own system, but do the homework as to what your might need just in case.
Really appreciate everyone’s response to this, it’s been honestly great to hear all the options on the table and also to hear what specs people are happy to work on and feel happy with
I think that because it’s still so early and that the options haven’t fully materialised yet that it’s probably best to hold fire for the moment to asses what’s coming.
Probably for the foreseeable it’s best to do what a couple have recommended and just be setup for remote but also having something to take in with me for when I need a machine in a facility with me. Then when the work comes to be a “bedroom bandit” to spend the cash at that stage rather than having a Mac Studio to do emails on!
The part that no one’s mentioned, though, is having access to a license. One of the worst things you can do for your career is tie your ability to use your tool of choice with your bookings.
Anecdotally, I can very much tell when I hire flame freelancers, if they have their own kit or not. There is a distinct divide between those that do and those that don’t, and those that are taking on new features, working in new ways, etc.