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Flair License Expired Mid-Shoot — Emergency Recovery Options

Summary

If the Flair license expires during an active shoot, saving job files is blocked — and export/import also require a valid license. The fastest path to recovery is to email the system code to simon@cameracontrol.com or call +1 310 403 4278 (Simon Wakley, US-based MRMC representative), who can generate an emergency license code within hours. As an immediate on-set workaround, use Temp Save / Temp Open to continue working without a license — the saved files can be renamed in File Manager afterward. The standard license request via Help → License → Request License also works but depends on Gordon Eschke's availability. Peter Constan-Tatos notes that Flair shows a warning several days before license expiry — rig checks before a shoot should always include checking the license expiry date.

Symptoms

  • Flair refuses to save files and prompts for a new license key.
  • "License expired" dialog appears mid-shoot when attempting to save a job.
  • File save, export, and import are all blocked.
  • Normal support channels are unavailable (MRMC office closed, time zone difference).
  • Changing the system clock back did not resolve the issue after restarting Flair.

Community Guidance

[RESOLVED] Contact Simon Wakley Directly for Emergency License

2021-02-02 — Simon Wakley / James Lee

Simon Wakley (MRMC, California) can issue emergency license codes outside UK office hours. He monitors the license request queue and can respond within 1–2 hours during US daytime hours.

  • Email: simon@cameracontrol.com (include your system code from Help → License)
  • Phone: +1 310 403 4278

Simon Wakley: "Call me. 310 403 4278. Or better get email me the system code. simon@cameracontrol.com"

confidence_score: 0.95

[RESOLVED] Use Temp Save / Temp Open as an Immediate Workaround

2021-02-02 — Timothy Heys Cerchio

While waiting for the license, use Temp Save and Temp Open to preserve work. Flair allows temporary saves without a full license. Temp-saved files can be renamed in File Manager after the license is restored.

Timothy Heys Cerchio: "Also Temp Save/Temp Open will work! And then you can rename the file in File Manager."

confidence_score: 0.95

[RESOLVED] Launch Flair as Administrator Before Applying a New License Key

2021-10-05 — Dig / Timothy Heys Cerchio / Sebastian Opitz

When applying a new license key that arrives while Flair is running, Flair must have been launched as Administrator — otherwise the license cannot be written and a full reboot is required after the key arrives.

Before the license arrives: right-click the Flair shortcut or executable → Run as Administrator. Do this before starting the session if there is any chance the license may expire or a new key may be applied during the day.

Dig: "Don't forget to 'Run as Administrator' or you'll need to reboot Flair when the license arrives from Gordon." Timothy Heys Cerchio: "Right click on the exe file or desktop icon and make the choice."

confidence_score: 0.93

[INFORMATIONAL] License Expiry Warnings — Add to Pre-Shoot Checklist

2021-02-02 — Peter Constan-Tatos

Flair shows a warning dialog several days before the license expiry date. This warning is easy to dismiss and forget. Add license expiry date to the standard pre-shoot gear check to avoid the on-set situation entirely.

Peter Constan-Tatos: "You should get a warning a few days prior to expiry to renew license. Gear check is important guys."

confidence_score: 0.95

[RESOLVED] Standard License Renewal — Help → License → Request License

2021-02-02 / 2021-10-05 — Gordon Eschke / Simon Wakley

For standard (non-emergency) renewal: open Flair, go to Help → License → Request License. This generates a system code that is emailed automatically to MRMC. Gordon Eschke or Simon Wakley will respond with a new key, typically within a few hours during business hours. After any Flair upgrade, a new license must be requested even if the previous license has not expired (the system code changes with each installation).

confidence_score: 0.97

WhatsApp Excerpts

[2/2/2021, 11:59:11 am] ~ James Lee: Hi folks. On set and can't save files in Flair as it's asking us to provide a new license key. Does anyone know have contact info for 24hr support to have this solved? A bit urgent.
[2/2/2021, 12:02:29 pm] ~ Steve: Can you export the move then reimport it later?
[2/2/2021, 12:02:54 pm] ~ Julian Hermannsen: Export import requires license
[2/2/2021, 12:15:52 pm] ~ Stafford (Staff) Wheaton: Changing the system date used to work, give it a try probably still does...
[2/2/2021, 12:24:07 pm] ~ James Lee: Changing system clock doesn't seem to work. I think maybe we need to restart the machine for the new day to apply, which is the issue because we lose the work done so far
[2/2/2021, 1:31:36 pm] ~ Simon Wakley: Call me. 310 403 4278. Or better get email me the system code. Simon@cameracontrol.com
[2/2/2021, 1:41:23 pm] ~ James Lee: Hey Simon. Email sent.
[2/2/2021, 3:34:16 pm] ~ Peter Constan-Tatos: You should get a warning a few days prior to expiry to renew license. Gear check is important guys.
[2/2/2021, 4:44:47 pm] Timothy Heys Cerchio: Also Temp Save/Temp Open will work! And then you can rename the file in File Manager.
[2/2/2021, 5:02:24 pm] ~ James Lee: Thanks gents. Sorted.

[5/10/2021, 4:34:50 pm] ~ Sebastian Opitz: Hi guys, I just woke up my Bolt first time after a few months and my software license seriously expired just yesterday. Sent an email request from within Flair and also a Whatsapp message to Gordon. Anyone else I could contact to get a new activation key asap?
[5/10/2021, 4:56:26 pm] ~ Simon Wakley: I see it now. Ok. Gordon will probably respond in a couple of hours. Is that ok?
[5/10/2021, 4:56:57 pm] ~ Sebastian Opitz: Yes I'll work with temp saves for now. Thanks Simon
[5/10/2021, 5:01:20 pm] ~ Dig: Hi Sebastian… don't forget to "Run as Administrator" or you'll need to reboot Flair when the license arrives from Gordon..
[5/10/2021, 5:03:16 pm] Timothy Heys Cerchio: Right click on the exe file or desktop icon and make the choice.
[5/10/2021, 5:14:10 pm] Gordon Eschke: Hi Seb, I have just sent your license
[5/10/2021, 5:21:43 pm] ~ Sebastian Opitz: Sorted thanks everyone

Official Documentation

MRMC Contact / Support