One man band prices...

Green Hornet

Green Hornet

Veteran
What would you guys charge for a full day shoot using the HVX200, and a basic light kit and mics?


I was just refered to a gig that may be a nice gig.
Not sure why they won't let me use more than 1 assistant.

I don't have further details, but from what I gather, they want sort of a talk show format covering multiple angles that will be shot with one camera and then later edited. I will not be involved with the editing.

I never done the one man band thing where I also had to do lighting and sound with only one other person. I think the "one other person" stipulation has to do with their budget. It seems like a lot to do for only one guy, so I feel I should charge for that.

Usually I budget for 1 cheap assistant, or hire a more expensive assistant who has his own lights.
With the hvx200, I need my own assistant, and a lighting guy if they don't have their own crew.

What do you guys rent yourselves plus an assistant with you being in charge of EVERYTHING (lights/sound/video) ?
 
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I'd go at least $500.

It depends on your experience and whether or not other gigs can come from this. Offering competetive rates is always good, especially if you're just starting out. See if you can find out how much they may be willing to pay without looking like you don't know what to charge.
 
if i was doing that shoot, especially in that it's talk show style, i'd put the extra guy in charge of sound. i'd slap head phones on him and tell him to close his eyes, shut up, and listen for audio issues like radio interference, peaking, loose connectors, anything. that way you can worry about the other stuff.
 
Here, here on the audio suggestion. Many a time has a good gig gone bad due to slack audio.
 
How much to charge?

How much to charge?

$500 sounds too low since you're offering video and audio and all equipment and crew.

You need at least 2 people. 1 exclusively for audio and 1 to assist you with lights and camera. Remember, besides setting up the lights, you have to worry about setting the camera AND downloading the footage from the P2 cards.

I'd charge at least $1,000 - $1,500. Don't sell yourself short. This all also depends on if you own your own equipment and how much you're going to pay your assistants.
 
$500 is the absolute minimum. I will work for that amount, but only for people who give me work regularly and freguently. If this is a single gig, I agree with menchifus --- 1-1.5k.
 
The AVERAGE rate for a 2 -person crew w/ camera,sticks,mics and a light kit is aprox $ 1300.00- $1600.00, depending on your location. Closer to the coasts, higher prices, in the midwest, perhaps slightly lower.
Sounds like your going to have your hands full.. I'd ask for $ 1500.00 as well.

I wanted to add..Don't forget to hit up your client for expendables as well as mileage... Will they bring tape stock, will they bring P2 cards(hey, it's a new world)
be prepared to offload your cards to their laptop, or yours..??
Good Luck
 
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Don't give your work away! -- Once you're committed to the job, you have to deliver. What if the day before your camera goes bad, and you have to rent?
And it costs you $400. You're working for $ 100.00.
A full day rate should be around 1000-1200 dollars for a 10 hour day, and 50 or so bucks an hour after that.
That way you don' t have to nick and dime your client for parking and car mileage, etc.
 
Easiest way to calculate

Easiest way to calculate

Here's the easiest way to calculate how much you should charge:

1. How much will you pay yourself and your assistants?

2. How much would you rent your equipment for?

3. Add any expenses, such as gas, expendables, and other equipment you have to rent, etc.

4. Add a contingency of a couple hundred bucks for unforeseen events.

Add them all up and charge the client. You can declare the maximum number of hours and charge extra per hour over the max or you can charge an all-inclusive price - no matter how long the shoot takes.

Hope that helps.
 
Thanks everyone.
I was looking in the $1,500 range due to the need to bring my lights and sound to go with the video. My biggest concern was that they limit me to using only 1 assistant. If I just did the video, I'd want 1 assistant to pass the cards to.
 
Green Hornet said:
Thanks everyone.
I was looking in the $1,500 range due to the need to bring my lights and sound to go with the video. My biggest concern was that they limit me to using only 1 assistant. If I just did the video, I'd want 1 assistant to pass the cards to.
Click to expand...

I was going to say no LESS than $1500.00

Stick to your guns!

The HVX is a HD camera!

Your time is worth it.
 
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