pricing for music video

[Cheesesailor77]

I got my dvx last month, I've shot 1 stupid thing but it looked pretty cool. I'm shooting a short next month, and then sever music videos just of my band in the next few months

If Im satisfied then, I'd like to pursue shooting some videos profesionally.

Anyone here tell me what kinda of pricing is usual for this kind of thing? And maybe some costs im not thinking about?

THANK YOU! ;D

[natob2]

An entire book could be written on this subject.

I recommend you check out some producing books at Borders and/or Barnes and Noble that have example budgets in them. And if you can, try to find an example of a budget that was created for a music video by a professional producer...either online or through a friend (or maybe one of these books contains an example).

To answer your question directly. You really can't. There are many inputs required to determine what you will ultimately charge. It ultimately comes down to assessing the job and using a good estimation procedure.

Some of my own, quick advice...
A lot of new producers (I was one) don't factor in certain administrative costs, shipping, delivery and messengers, editorial supllies, expendilbles etc etc. Just anticipiate all these expenses. They are all billable to the client.

It is good to itemize your budget, and keep it highly organized and be prepared to explain every expense.

I recommend listing the materials you need from the client to do your job, be it photographs, computer discs, whatever...its part of your contract with the client that they provide you with these materials.

Also insert a clause in your budget about revisions. Clients will kill you in this area if you are not prepared to handle revisions so you don't work more hours than you are being paid for. Many clients are quick to offer revisions, but when they find out they have to pay for them they aren't so keen on it.

Lastly, I highly recommend you find a lawyer or experienced producer to guide you through this process. If you create a solid estimate and budgeting procedure, you will find yourself being profitable in a service industry that is sometimes difficult to make a profit in.

Good luck.

[Cheesesailor77]

wow

thanks, everything u said is valid and I'll have to look into that stuff before i do anything.

Can anyone hear offer me a budget from their videos? I know a lot of ppl have done them.

[RomanJaquez]

In addition to what Natob2 have said... is always good to know what your service is worth to the client... and obviously how much are they willing to spend.

Although we all know we should not to work without contract, from personal experience I tell you DO NOT WORK WITHOUT A CONTRACT… things will most likely go wrong even when you have thoroughly prepared for them. If the works you are going to do are for friends and you are aware that won’t get paid much, and the “professional business handling” process shouldn’t matter, I would recommend to treat each of your work as if they are. Is a Great learning source to put this into practice besides reading books and listening to people like me pretending to know what he is saying.

[RomanJaquez]

Is this what you are looking for?

http://www.thefaro.com/trivideo.html

Pricing can be very subjective depending on many elements of pre, production, and post; equipment owned, crew # (experienced personnel), traveling cost,… and the list just goes on.

[Beat Takeshi]

those prices on that site seem really cheap, especially the post work. If you figure $50 x 8 hours thats $400 a day and thats including sound/DP guy, steadi cam if needed, and no set up time charge. If someone wanted to just rent the camera from a rental place it would be around $300-400 a day alone. A DP can average $800 - 2500 a day alone with no camera. I wouldnt want to touch any post work work for under $100 at the least.
So say you do a 2 day shoot at the $50 per hour. Thats $800. You edit for 3 days not having any titles or graphics @ $25 thats $600. You hand them a SVHS @ $15 you only made a total of $1415.
I would say you just under charged big time and your going to hate doing this type of work. I have a few friends that charge the same type of prices because they are afraid to ask for what they want. I even break down a price for them and they still chicken out and charge ridicules(sp?) prices and cry about it every time.
I would start out with a figure that I am comfortable with and try to break it down to justify the cost to start off with. To get an idea for equipment, search rental places for the same stuff you have and use those prices as a starting point. All the DPs i know that have thier own equipment have there own mini rental companies on paper for their equipment so they can use it for tax write offs and to work in the rental prices on the bill for the job. Post i think is the trickest charge. No one wants to pay the price and its the hardest thing to do for a single person. So if you have to take a hit on the post, fluff up something else to make up for it.
My 2 beans...

[Cheesesailor77]

great stuff guys, this is exactly what i wanted to know.

I actually thought the site looked a little expensive. I mean, i guess its because im only thinking about starting with local kids and stuff. I just want to get to that point where Im being paid (even if its close to nothing) for doing my art. Im hoping that those first few local vids do well enough that I'll feel confident in approaching higher profile clients where i will need to eventually charge more

Please chime in if you guys have ANY more info ;D

[Cheesesailor77]

anyone have a budget I can look at? or just any more info?

[nullphonic]

DO NOT WORK WITHOUT A CONTRACT

Not to beat a dead horse but this can't be said enough. Even if it's your best friend, if you want to stay friends, get paper with them. It's not being impersonal, it's business and it protects everyone involved.

I've literally seen DOZENS of (sometimes very long) relationships ruined over "hand shake" deals.

(I’m currently involved peripherally with a group of about 7 “long time” friends that are in a nasty litigation that everyone admits could have been solved with paper of the bat)