Pricing For Music Video

Robbie Comeau

Robbie Comeau

Como's back. back again
Hey guys, did a quick search, but there wasn't much, and its kinda something thats personal preference.

I shot a music video a while ago as most of you know, for my friend. I did it for free, since it was my first.
http://www.blip.tv/file/278290?file...kaDiceProducedThisSongIFilmedEdittedIt640.mov

NOW, I know a guy who is about 30, and he would like me to film a video for him. He is going far, and he is gonig to get this video aired on Much Music (like an MTV)...

I have a DVX100B, Manfrotto 501 fluid head with the 055 legs, a rode ntg2 and a boom pole (not that these are in need for the video, but just letting you know of what experience i have in the video field) and that's it. The video will be all outside.

After seeing that Rap Music Video (the link at the top), and other videos at
www.robbiecomeau.blip.tv

What would you think a reasonable price is? I am shooting it, directing it, and editting it, and Im hoping Hunter007 will help with the direction as well. I would Pay him.

I was thinking about 250-300 bucks?

Thanks guys!
 
I think it would depend on a number of factors, though knowing that you're just starting out - you're probably in good shape if you're getting paid at all.

BUT - some things to think about are:

1) Has this guy given you any indication as to what kind of budget he might have to work with? If not - you may want to ask him.

2) How many locations are you talking about?

3) How long will it take you to shoot? Are we talking about 1 full day of shooting, or would this be done over a few days.

4) How long is the postproduction going to take you? Is this going to be a simple edit, or is it going to involve alot of post effects/color work as well?


Given your experience up to this point, obviously you can't charge him a huge amount.
But I think 250 to 300 is way too low, especially if you plan on hiring someone to help you with the video.

Then again, in the end - if it gives you something else to show people, and you aren't losing money on it - then theres no reason not to go ahead and do it.

Sorry this isn't more of a clear cut answer - but like you said, it's really a matter of personal preference. What's it worth it to you to do the video?

Just keep in mind that whatever you charge him - odds are he'll never be willing to pay you much more than that in the future.
 
Thanks Luis, Its going to be a one day shoot in the fall. Most likely.

I am gonig to try and do a good edit. Im going to give the video some nice colors, with some cool effects (brightness and blur will be used also for some neat stuff)

im going to spend over 10 hours in post. I did about 8 on that rap video.

We might d a couple locations, and im not sure about the budget thing.

I messaged him yesterday actually about it, and i saw him today, and he wants to have a meeting, which is a good thing. Becasue in the message, i went over pricing, and how he wants the video done.

Thanks again Luis
 
No problem -

Well- knowing you're going to spend one full day shooting, and at least one full day editing (lets go ahead assume two days, since you said 10 hours and if you're anything like you you always underestimate how long something is going to take you)...
So we're talking about 3 full days of work.

The easiest way to figure this out, so that you can feel good about what you're doing is - How much do you want to be paid per day? What do you think you're worth right now?

From what you're saying (if you charge between 250-300) then you're making roughly 100 a day. Of course, thats assuming you don't pay for anything else.

I would figure out how much you want to make from this - figure out what everything else is going to cost you (including paying a crew member, food, equipment rental, etc) and then you've got your total that you need to charge.

Not exactly the way budgets are normally put together I think - but thats what I used to do when I was starting out.

Also, make sure you talk to him about what you're going to deliver at the end of the job. As soon as people start paying you - they may expect you to take care of everything. If he's going to send this video off to different networks, he'll probably be sending them BetaSP copies. Those can easily run you anywhere from 25-40 dollars a piece depending on where you are. That can add up quickly, especially if you only got paid a couple of hundred.

Just make sure he's clear and you're clear on what you are doing for the money he's paying - if he wants you to deliver Beta SP copies that he can then just send off - then call up a dub house in your area, price it out, and add that into your costs.

Good luck.
 
If this is going to be used for broadcast, might want to consider what it will take to make this happen. Will you need lights, dolly, crane, etc?

Is this just a straight forward shoot the band video, or does it have a story line?

Also remember that there are broadcast standards that you might have to meet in post. Will this add more time to your post?

Take all of that into account when you figure time and cost.
 
Is it being shot locally or away? If its away, then make sure you include your travel and expenses in his budget. His budget should cover the cost to make the video including flying you and your gear/crew to whereever the shoot is, put you up in a hotel and feed you and perhaps rent you a truck for your gear...

Always have a pre production meeting well in advance to sort this stuff out and PLEASE TAKE NOTES!!! LOL! Go over the concept of the video, locations, wardrobe....will you need a makeup artist? Would you need a small crew? These are questions to ask your self.

For $250-300 he is getting what he is paying for in my opinion. For that, he would be lucky if I set up 1 light! For that amount I will show up with me and my camera...He is going to have to dig deeper in his pocket. You have to keep in mind the amount of time you are going to shoot the video and then add on the amount of time you spend on editing and making the dvd or dubs of the master.

I would start off around $1,200 but since you don't have much experience as you stated then I may drop it down to about $1,000 but not much lower than that!
 
I am doing a music video in the next 2 weeks, i am doing it for free because i like the song, but she was quoted 3000euros for a something that wouldn't look lost on MTV or something. Thats in Romania too, so its pretty steep.
 
Como: If you're looking for the exposure and have good hope for the video, you can consider doing it for free, or at least just ask enough to cover the expenses on your end.

Asking a very little amount($300 as you have suggested) for no good reason gives off the impression that your work if of little value. You'll be better off doing it for free because "you like the project" and ask for industry rates for the projects that you pick up in the future bcause of the good response from this one.

I rencently directed, shot, and edited a video at no cost for a buddy of mine who owns an up and comin' record label... www.bhangrachick.com

Of course, since I was doing it for free, I was demanding as hell on the set and his people were fetching me stuff left and right. :)
 
Yeah, at this point, dooing it for free (expenses paid) is a much much better option than actually charging for the production.

Your "payment" will be the experience.

- Mikko
 
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