Competitive Professional Freelance "HD" Day RATE?

Great dialogue here amongst a variety of markets and production philosophies.

First point, charging extra for various tools for the production. This does allow for a competitive rate going in, but I think clients might feel they are getting non-stop add-on charges this way.
My "high" rate includes everything I own. If they need a jib, hey, it takes time to set-up and tear down. Same with Dollies etc. I'll give them a studio full of lights and decades of lighting experience if they allow me the time, or I can do a 0-1-2-3 light quick set if that's what their budget is.
If it's a bigger production I do charge extra for each grip after my first included one. But this is to save the client time for multiple set-ups and locations.

As for full and 1/2 day rates, (I get asked a lot). I try and stay per hour only. This avoids debating how much for another shot, two or three and resulting in me or the client feeling ripped off.

The MAIN thing is to AVOID being an advocacy to your client. If you take a gig for a price, stay with it and learn.
I've seen many people take on a music video for a price, get taken advantage of and then try and salvage some profit. It never ends well and your cheap work for future income is forever lost.

Be honest and tell your client what you need. The better ones will respect that, (usually). :)
Great perspectives here!!!
 
Lenilenapi said:
For SD I charge the going rate for a DVX100a figuring its my problem that I paid more for the camera.
Click to expand...

Not for me. The increase in quality from DV to DVCPRO 50 justifies a different rate. I'd charge a 100A rate if I was shooting with the tape side of the HVX-200A, but not with DVCPRO 50/ P2. DV SD is not DVCPRO 50 SD, so why charge the same ? That seems like your short changing yourself.

Regarding Granny Mae and her time capsule, she's on her own. That's not my realm. As for adjusting for the different types of work- I don't , unless it's for doc work or not for profits.

Just to clarify- I've been doing this for a while, so I'm not looking for general business or pricing practices, but rather to hear others rationales used to calculate fees for the HVX in terms of ROI, and value to the client. (For broadcast and high end corporate work)

Other thoughts ?
 
First of all my SD rates are lower than HD because of the work flow involved and I sure we all agree on that FACT. $5000/Prosumer or what ever you want to call the HVX in my book it's a GREAT camera thats competing with the 2/3 chip cameras and changing the way indie shooter make films! Sceptics said the same thing regarding digital audio -vs- analog or two inch -vs- computer recording. Better yet, Media 100qx -vs- Final Cut Pro or Film -vs- HD. Some times size/money doesn't really matter!

So far we all seem to agree on rates ranging between ($500-$900) daily (one camera gig) except for Ted's $250 hourly rate. Keeping in mind it's the shooter not the camera or just simply the indian and not the arrow! I also, understand but dont agree with the school of thought regarding taking a gig(s) for a lower rate(s) with hopes of landing a better paying gig(s) with that same client in the near future. If you're content with that type of risk then by all means take it.

In closing thanks TedRR, you've given me something to think about. $250 per hour would be great on certain gigs! Damn you TedRR :-)
 
I think apart from the gear provided one of the biggest considerations is expertise!
If you are a "new" shooter then you wont be stepping in to do a high end job and charging $250 an hour for you and your camera. However there are many Pro's around that have been shooting on Digi-beta, beta sp etc. that are getting in to the HD market with the HVX. Being able to now offer HD to their clients, that are used to paying a decent rate, makes it more attractive for the client and usually they dont mind paying a bit more.
 
Disclaimer: Don't get me wrong.
I have taken lower rates then $250.00 per hour. I'm not trying to sound "special". :)

I am currently doing a gig for a Hospital at $175 per hour, but they supply the second grip and it's guaranteed 8 hours even if we cut off at 6-7 hours. AND it's 3-5 times a month. On something like that I'll whore myself out! :thumbup:

There are many variables in life. But I won't pack up my gear or set up my studio for less then 2 hours - $500.00. So far it's worked really well. I might work less then some of my competitors, but I bet I'm making more and have "some" time for office work, and browsing a couple forums! :)

P.S. And I give my customers the BEST customer service in our market, hands down. I'm not the best Shooter or Editor in the world, but my clients almost always come back. That's what it's about.
 
Last edited:
My rate is for my 15 years of Professional experience and my base rate is the same if Im shooting Varicam, DigiBeta, Beta, or the clients home movie camera, of course I choose to adjust it to certain situations. A good place to start is to set your rate. Just because you are shooting with a ProSumer camera doesn't make you any less Professional, Im not gonna discount myself because Im not shooting with a 2/3 camera. I shoot all formats and the HVX is just one of my tools and while I love the camera and the things it can do, it just is not a 2/3" full sized camera, and there is Nothing Wrong With That. It is a SD Camera until you slip in a P2 card, or attach to a Firestore or Laptop to it, so it goes out as a SD palmcamera rate. The difference in shooting HD is the P2/Firestore/Laptop which is the opprtunity to add the amount for dealing with HD and the workflow challenges. (I have had clients with their own P2 and then there is some room to wiggle).
Regardless of your rate in your region, dont sell your talents short, and for those who are just starting dont inflate yourself to the clients. Make sure they are comforatable with your "real" skill level and have real expectations. I cant tell you how many times Ive been called in for cleanup after the client went cheap? with some college kid who was in over his head. <just a little advice>
 
SAADIQ said:
Guys,

I'd like your thoughts regarding competitive day rate pricing. I currently own two (2) HVX's with one (1) FS-100, one (1) Redrock M2, 2x 4gig P2 cards and 2x 8gig P2 cards. But, I'd like to be competitive and semi-negotiable in my market (Atlanta, GA/South East US) regarding my day rates.

Keeping in mind that most local (Atlanta to Miami) gigs have problems paying $500.00 daily because of the so called videographer that price out at $200.00 daily using lesser gear such as XL1's & ZU1's.

My current "HD" day rate is $700.00 per camera and project (i.e. music video) rates start @ $5,500.00. Do you think my rates are two high for this market? :dankk2:
Click to expand...

It's all about location. Atlanta to Orlando... you are charging a little too much to be "competative". I've been in Orlando for 6 years now, and it's rough here.

If you were to go to , say, New York, Los Angeles, Miami or Vancouver (BC), you would be very competative at that price, and could probably get away with charging more.
 
I charge $1000 a day (without Audio Tech) whether I am using my Sony D600 (betaSP) or HVX 200 (SD or HD).

The fact is that the majority of my costs are not in the cameras but in all the lighting, grip and support gear. A full crew is $1500 a day.

If I am using an F900 or Varicam it is anywhere between $2200 and $2500 per day. I normally will not book a half day. If I do it is at 70% of a full day.
 
Some great points here... and the last couple sharring the same philosophy that I have adopted... and I think that the industry is taking atleast down here.. also in Orlando. I charge my rate regardless of the format I'm shooting.. and then I add on the camera rate and supportive stuff as a package depending upon what camera and such that the client wants. It's a flexible one depending upon the client but ultimately I have to feel like I'm not getting worked... Working for Peanuts means they will get monkey work and no one likes that.


Also you see major projects and major productions with big crews shooting on multiple HVXs down here and their budgets are the same.. salaries the same... end product is comperable to most eyeballs.... and the DPs and crew are all making phat money. The concept of consumer camera doesn't come up as the quality of the image is so impressive and comperable. I've sat my camera and monitor side by side with the sony cinealta and the varicam.. and sure there is a difference on a scope and in a few details.. but is it worth the many times over its cost? Obviously not to a lot of production companies that are shooting down here with the HVX on big projects that would have had a big boy camera the year before.


Yes... ya can't rent out the HVX for 1500 a day by itself as you'd need to with the big boys.. but thankfully that's not necessary. However, there are clients willing to pay that and beyond when you show them the goods....


This small camera looks pretty damn big when it's hooked up to a nice monitor and people can see what they are getting... It's a great avenue for all independent crews to be able to deliver superior quality at a fraction of the price point.. I'm sure owner operators of the big boys however are feeling the pinch.. I mean they must as I'm on some of these shoots.. and have a friend who's on a lot of them.. and they are being replaced by a camera that's 70 percent as good.. and 1/30th of the cost and weight...


I would say one last thing... It has meant the end of the "bro deal" as it's called. The cheap easy and pocket change gig.. Can't stomach that anymore...
 
Any Tips for getting into this line of work?

I have shot a few weddings and other Event video and its way too much editing time for soo little money.

I just picked up a Steadicam so I will start getting my chops with it.

I just filmed a commercial for my Martial arts school, he got a killer deal, but I was trying to help him out as well as get something for my demo reel. If anyone is interested I can post the link to it.

Ben
 
When I said my SD rate for the HVX was lower, I actually meant my rate when it is shooting miniDV tape is lower, then I price it like a DVX100.
DVCPro50 would be the same as the HD rate.
 
In Europe the HVX seems to rent for around 200$ no cards, no nothing...
The average ENG freelancer will get between 260$ and 320$ per day...
I don´t think you´ll get much jobs with a HVX for ENG purposes, at least where I`m living...
For commercial and corporate work anything goes of course, depending on the client...
sometimes I think ebay has created a "bargain-atmosphere" that has been passed over to the whole working market... everybody negotiates, everybody thinks they can get it cheaper elsewhere...
 
Off course you can't compare Ted's rates with the rest posted here. He offers a fully equiped studio.
Anyway, I normally charge 400€ a day with my DVX100 and a basic 3-piece lightkit. I know guys that go cheaper but I also know what I deliver. Charging any higher would be rediculous because you can get a good cameraman with a DigiBeta for 500€ a day in Belgium. This rate is for my on projects. For production houses it's usually a little less, because I work fequently for them. Like in a few weeks I'll be doing camera for a program on national tv. In this case that means 40 to 45 days of work in two months time. No equipment, just me. At 250€ a day I got a decent price, meaning I can earn a decent living. And it's the first time I can do something like this, so I'm willing to invest a little to ad this to my resume. I'm only 25 years old, I still gotta learn some stuff before I charge big rates. And even then, like mentioned before, more then 350€ a day for camera operating is pretty though over here.
But wathver you set your price at; it should be in accordance with the sevice you provide and the fact that you should make a decent living. No point in doing this if you can't make more money then by working in some company. Unless it's the only way to get gigs; but then you chose the wrong bussiness I'm afraid...
 
Hey Oliver,

good luck for your job...hope everything will work fine!
I think also if the dayly rate isnt as a high as in the states, you can be happy with what you got....at least for the beginning..over here in germany, specially berlin-its a hard market and a lot of negotiating..but i am not willing to get payd like a lousy bastard with a minidv..so we have to charge what we have to charge..!
 
if anyone is interested in my martial arts commercial, you can view it at www.dvmon.com its fairly big at 27MB, but its full size h264, might take a little bit to download.

Ben
 
hvx_germanboy said:
Hey Oliver,

good luck for your job...hope everything will work fine!
I think also if the dayly rate isnt as a high as in the states, you can be happy with what you got....at least for the beginning..over here in germany, specially berlin-its a hard market and a lot of negotiating..but i am not willing to get payd like a lousy bastard with a minidv..so we have to charge what we have to charge..!
Click to expand...

Hell yeah!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top