(Newbie) What's a Good price for Film & DP

[eppdidit]

I've been strictly a video guy my entire life, but I am currently looking to move into "Film World" (where the big boys play). Anyhow, I met with a film guy out of Cincy who said I can get him along with his 35mm package (not exactly sure what all comes with the package) for approximately $1700 a day. His day rate is $500 (I've seen his reel and he is pretty good).

I will also be paying for film stock and all the processing fee.

I would appreciate if someone could tell me if this is a reasonable deal and what can I expect to pay for all the "extras" (film stock, telecine, etc.).

Last question: Can I get the footage dumped to a Beta tape to do my editing in Final Cut Pro?

thanks for all advice in advance,
Epp
www.eppicfilms.com

[vegasdigitalfilms]

i am curious to know what make his 35mm camera is.

After talking to him and seeing his reel, is he worth $1700.00 to you? if he is, then pay him $1700.00 a day. if not, negotiate (without trying to lowball him). if he doesn't bend, then start looking elsewhere. At 1700.00 per day, his reel should be GREAT, not pretty good.

Did you feel good about him? Will he do what you want, or try to shoot your movie his way? Call other directors he's worked for and ask how he was to work with.

Does the $1700.00 include a "team" (Camera op, AC, 2nd AC) or will he be working alone? if he brings a team, will you have to pay these guys? Usually the DP will pay his team out of his daily rate.

35mm film is very, very expensive. Raw cost alone for a 90 min feature can run $50.000 or more depending on your shoot ratio (takes per scene). Processing can be another $20-30,000 or more. Telecine will be another several thousands of dollars.

if i were you, i would look into shooting Super16. Half the cost of 35mm and almost as pretty.

Yes, you can transfer to any format you like as long as your editing system supports it.

Jeff

[avr]

Hi I´m a beginner but I think that shoot in Super 16 is the best way and you don´t spend a lot of money and the transfer to 35 mm. with 2K makes a excelents results.

Good luck

[Scott_Spears]

Hmmm, a lot depends on what this DP can bring to the table. A full Arri 535 or BL 4 package can run around $2500-3000/week in LA. (I know there's a lot more competition here, so expect to pay 20% more outside of LA) So the $1700/day is a little steep. $500 for day rate is a good starter rate for a commercial and maybe a short, but for a indie feature that's a bit high. This guy could be great and all the experience and gear could be well worth it, but for low budget the price is steep unless you start talking about a budget over $1 mil.

I just shot a Super-16 feature in Ohio for a lot less than that, but I was also a writer on it. Speaking of Super-16, it's a great format for indies. Almost twice to film for a 1/3 less price.

Scott

[Nate Weaver]

$1700/day for a D.P. and reasonably modern 35 package is NOT too much.

You'll spend about $1000/day on a 35 package (35-3, 435, BL4 w/video, primes, zoom), and then another $700/day for a D.P. who knows what he's doing.

Yes, I'm sure this is not the rate you'd be looking for if you're trying to put together a small film, but most paying work for a working D.P. in Cincy is going to be 1-2 day commercial shoots, so full day rates are in effect.

[soeborg]

Sorry for this noobish question.. but what is a DP? Ive been doing some searches on google and just cant figure it out.. Director of Photography? i just dont know and its really starting to bother me :crybaby:

[Barry_Green]

Correct. DP = Director of Photography.