Negotiating my cut of the deal.

Transmission2

Transmission2

Active member
Im working with a band right now to shoot, edit, and direct a feature length documentary. The project is two-teared with the first part taking place in January. Im documenting the band as they go into the studio to record an album. There will be other aspects to the doc besides the actual music, and when its finished It will be released with the album as an extra when you buy it. Because they're not actually selling the movie I won't be taking any type of percentage from the album sales, nor do I really think that is fair. Instead they will pay me a flat rate for the all the work I do on this part of the doc.

The second part of the project will have me continuing the documentary on the road with the band. Once I've gathered all my footage over a year and a half span, I will combine it with the stuff previously shot in the studio and create a full feature length documentary.

Now here comes the question...how should I be paid for the second part? The first portion I will have recieved a salary but for the rest of it I'm wondering if I should negotiate some sort of percentage of the profits made. The profits would come from a possible distribution deal, as well as, dvd sales.

I honestly have no idea what kind of numbers Im after or deserve. I will be shooting and editing and basically doing everything from start to completion to get this film made. The only thing I didn't do is pay for the gear. The band has purchsed all the gear and are independantly financing the film so they will have complete ownership.

Should I defer payment in the form of a salary when Im working on the doc and ask for a percentage of the profits? Does anyone have any idea what that number should be? What if the band insists they pay me a wage instead of profit sharing? What do filmmakers generally make in these types of deals?? If anyone has had any experience in this type of project and could advise me on the business side of things - I would surely appreciate it.

thanks in advance :)
 
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It all depends on whom is producing what, and what rights belong to whom. Who is financing the documentary?...And to a point how famous the band is. Also who had the idea for the whole thing. Did you come to the band with the idea, or did the band came to you? If the idea was theirs and they are producing the whole thing, then you are pretty much on salary and have no rights over the movie. If the Doc became successfull, you might get some residuals, but that's about it. If the Doc idea was yours, then your piece of the pie should be greater. Need more infos...
 
Hm,
if the Band can pay you a fixum for so many days of shooting, I can only guess they are quite big already...?
I mean we´re talking about recording their studio sessions and be with them when on tour, let´s say 25 days altogether at a discounted dayrate of 300 bucks because of so many days, plus ten days of editing all the material - this baby should start at 10K going up...
Just if you have to make a living out of it of course, paying rent, ensurence, cloth, food aso and not still living at your parents place...
So if the band can cash out this for an add-on to their CD, I would try to get some percentage deal for the whole project since it is one job...
Maybe do a mixture like 10K flat for the production itself and sth like 0,5% when sales of the CD/DVD combo go over 50,000 pieces, cause you should take enough pride in your work and artistery to point out that the extra value of the bundled doc will without doubt promote the CD´s sales...
Just my 2c.
 
I agree with spartacus, youre work and performance is critical to success.

What I want to know - no names required - how big is this band? What is your level in the industry?
 
Without naming names, the band has had a steady growth over the last six years. This will be their fourth album and they have toured the world and appeared on all the big late night talk shows and the White Stripes even covered one of their songs. Not everyone knows who they are, but they sell out all their shows and their record sales grow with every record. Rolling stone magazine named their last album one of the top 50 records of the year. Hope that gives some sort of an idea of their stature.

As for me, this will be my biggest project to date. I've produced other smaller documentary projects and edited on a few. I'm mostly into music videos but have been working in tv and film for the last five years.

It should also be noted that Im really good friends with the band members and Im not looking to get rich off of this. But I do want a fair rate for the work I produce.

I think Im fine to take a flat rate for the first part of the project and if they sell the movie on iTunes, I'll be negotiating a percentage of the profits. Im mostly concerned with what percentage I should take from the feature length movie and its dvd sales. I really have no idea what to shoot for.

thanks for listening.
 
Working with friends can be real fun!
Just remember: if they´re making money with it, so should you.
But real friends are always willing to share their wealth or whatever they have, so their won´t be a problem I guess.
As for the percentage for your work: depends on how much records they sell/sold.
Good luck for the job!
 
SomewhereinLA: To answer some of your questions.

The band is fully financing the film. I guess the idea was mutual. We had discussed doing another "making of" video after the last one was finished, but they have really pushed the project forward and want to make it happen. I insisted that the project include a tour aspect and they agreed. They also have a lot of input on how this one is being presented ie: the art direction. I, of course, collaborate with ideas but i guess if it came down to it, this is more their project than mine. I'm going to make it happen for them but this was not my sole idea. We are working together on this, on all aspects of the film, and they are my friends so it's more like a team project.
 
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