I hate asking these questions but, how much would you charge?

Jay Rodriguez

Jay Rodriguez

Coffee Member
I've been contacted by someone to do a music video for them. I don't know them so it's not a favor.

Two locations, minimal set up, not much being demanded of me.

So, what should I charge for this? I'm going to do everything on set (with one crew mem.) and edit this video. I wouldn't do it for anything less then 2k, is that fair? Too much? Too little?

Thanks :)


EDIT: Also, this is an indie artist contacting me and not a record label.
 
the most basic way to figure this out is to decide what one day of work (say 10 hours) is worth to you. then multiply that by how many days it will take to do the work. keep in mind a day or two to address notes. a music video i would imagine will be 3 to 5 minutes.

2 days to shoot
3 to 5 days offline edit
2 days for addressing client notes
1 day to mix, online and output

so pick a daily rate (I would charge $600/day, but you have to decide that for yourself) and cover yourself for expenses -- equipment rental, and the cost of using your camera equipment and edit bay.

i just did a low budget children's music video for lion's gate and the total budget landed somewhere around $7000.
 
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I would ask for $2750.

$1250 up front and the remainder upon delivery.

That seems to balance the equation.

You get paid for your work and they get the peace of mind of paying upon final delivery.

After the shoot, if you show them some raw footage, you will both have a solid place to work from.

Have they seen your work before?
 
cygnet74 said:
the most basic way to figure this out is to decide what one day of work (say 10 hours) is worth to you. then multiply that by how many days it will take to do the work. keep in mind a day or two to address notes. a music video i would imagine will be 3 to 5 minutes.

2 days to shoot
3 to 5 days offline edit
2 days for addressing client notes
1 day to mix, online and output

so pick a daily rate (I would charge $600/day, but you have to decide that for yourself) and cover yourself for expenses -- equipment rental, and the cost of using your camera equipment and edit bay.

i just did a low budget children's music video for lion's gate and the total budget landed somewhere around $7000.
Click to expand...

Lion's Gate.

They've gots some Ca$h!!!!
 
coffee ask them if they have a budget. that is usually a good place to start. you may tell them that you would charge 2k and find that they have 5k ( or $500) to spend.
 
ESTEBEVERDE said:
Lion's Gate.

They've gots some Ca$h!!!!
Click to expand...
actually i had to cut my producer/editor rate, my bay rate, my media storage rate, blah blah blah, just because i wanted to add Lion's Gate to my list of clients on my companies reel and info packet. it was the first gig i'd done with them.
 
KOVAROVA said:
coffee ask them if they have a budget. that is usually a good place to start. you may tell them that you would charge 2k and find that they have 5k ( or $500) to spend.
Click to expand...
Outstanding Kovarova. Finding out the budget first is the best way. Plus you get the added bonus on finding out whether they are serious about the project or if it's just "wishfull thinking".

Also, get yourself some set pricing. For isntance:

$$$ - Camera operator (per operator)
$$$ - Camera and sticks (per camera)
$$$ - lighting
$$$ - audio
$$$ - per hour to edit
$$$ - setup and breakdown
$$$$ - studio rental
etc...

That constitutes your set pricing that you build your estimate off of. Then it all comes down to - Time/Resources/Money
If the client doesn't have much money then devote less time and resources. Also create a cutoff as to what you're willing to work for and what you'd pass by. With your parameters listed (ie 2 locations, 1 crew, 1 camera, 1 operator, lighting, audio, edit) I would estimate around $3600 (if you own the equipment, adjust as necessary if you're renting equipment).

If the budget only allowed $2000 then you'd have to cut back somewhere.
 
cygnet74 said:
actually i had to cut my producer/editor rate, my bay rate, my media storage rate, blah blah blah, just because i wanted to add Lion's Gate to my list of clients on my companies reel and info packet. it was the first gig i'd done with them.
Click to expand...

Good Move!!!!
 
2k Sterling...like you said it's a favour.

cygnet - 2 days for addressing client notes + when their moms seen it two weeks later and she wants to add a baby still.

Client notes make me shiver, worse than spammail or Titanic.
 
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