What to charge a band for live recording

[Billy Pilgrim]

I've been appraoched by a band for my first paying gig. Before this I've only done video/audio recordings for my own band and a freind's band, so I'm not really sure what a reasonable price to ask is. This might not get a straight answer, or any at all, but I know some other members here have done similar jobs. I'd like to know what you (those who have done this kind of work) would/have before charged, and what's reasonable. It'll probably be with three or four cameras and a live sound recording.

[Mark Harris]

I do a lot of live performances and typically I charge $200 for one cam shoot and $300 for a two cam shoot. It's low, but in my experience, bands and the like have little money to spend on such things, so I have been trying to price it right to get the gigs. I always encourage two cams too, so that you get a much more professional product in the end, with cut-aways and such. Also, the wide serves as a backup in case you mess up the camera moves.

I then charge editing and DVD authoring separately. If it's someone I know and like, I make up a flat fee, but otherwise go with a $50/hr rate.

I have no idea if any of this is standard, but it's what I've been trying to do to balance between worth the time and something they are willinig to cough up.

[Billy Pilgrim]

Thanks, Mark.

[SilverWolf]

I charge 75 p/h with a 2 hour minimun for shooting.