Jersey State Police Officers run. How much?

Richard J. Johnson

Richard J. Johnson

Joystick Member
My sister is a New Jersey State Trooper and they do a slain officers run from New Jersey to Washington DC. The Run takes 3 days and They want it Documented and Made into a DVD to share with other Police departments around the country. Basically it is a documentary involving speaking to the victims of slain officers and shots of their memorial in DC. They also said I have full access to the helicopter for some of the bridge shots they want. To do this right It will take 6 to 10 months to gather all of the info (family interviews, news clips, newspaper clippings etc.) and to shoot all of the footage. Is $6000.00 a fair price? or is it too much or too little? I have no idea what to charge for this. It is going to be a lot of work and I will be running 3 cameras during the run. (there is no way I'm shooting in a Helicopter, I will hire someone to do that)
 
$6000, or materials only, might appeal to me in the situation. It'd depend on A) If they were easy to work with B) Would promote your work on the project for you C) Something you'd like on your credits that could help get work from 'sympathetic' clients.
 
I would have total creative control. Basically the DVD is an advertisement to get other police departements from around the country to join the run. I just told my sister that it would be cool to make it more of a documentary and sell the idea that way. They would be very easy to work with. My sister holds some kind of rank there. They only have a few things they want me to do and the rest is up to me. I would be running a small crew.
 
metro2307 said:
At least you won't have permit or access problems....
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Zero. in all 3 states. I am having a roundtable with them at the end of the month to discuss specifics. I will try to get 10 grand out of them and do some hiring. especially for the heli shots. I hate helicopters.
 
I live in Northern NJ and would be happy to shoot in the Helicopter!!! Seriously, if you're looking for someone e-mail me at: jscapozzi at aol dot com

Thanks.

-James
 
I'm in Nj also. Have a cousin in the troopers and a friend who has
done the DC memorial run many times.
I would be happy to help you shoot.
 
LiquidLogic said:
I live in Northern NJ and would be happy to shoot in the Helicopter!!! Seriously, if you're looking for someone e-mail me at: jscapozzi at aol dot com

Thanks.

-James
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As long as you know what you're doing and can get some good shots. PM me with your info and when the time comes I will hit you up. It is a go by the way.
 
filthrich said:
My sister is a New Jersey State Trooper and they do a slain officers run from New Jersey to Washington DC. The Run takes 3 days and They want it Documented and Made into a DVD to share with other Police departments around the country. Basically it is a documentary involving speaking to the victims of slain officers and shots of their memorial in DC. They also said I have full access to the helicopter for some of the bridge shots they want. To do this right It will take 6 to 10 months to gather all of the info (family interviews, news clips, newspaper clippings etc.) and to shoot all of the footage. Is $6000.00 a fair price? or is it too much or too little? I have no idea what to charge for this. It is going to be a lot of work and I will be running 3 cameras during the run. (there is no way I'm shooting in a Helicopter, I will hire someone to do that)
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Hello Filthrich,

I just want to introduce myself. I am a TV host/producer in my local town for many years in NJ. I have covered numerous events such as yours but they are predominantly one day shoots. My last promotional interview was the Police Unity Tour and D.A.R.E. events.

First, I commend you for taking on a wonderful project with this event! I am an avid runner and do register for selected running events I am passionate about; this certainly sounds like one of them. Afterall, who can't relate to all the hard work and loss that comes with their profession in the police force? My heart always go out to the families and children that must go on because the officers took the time to protect us.

Now, $6k for 3 full days of shooting? How many hours for each day do you intend to devote for those days? I know a wedding videographer and he would charge $5k for a full day of documenting so for 3 full days, G-d bless you for your passion! Take care in who you hire and always insist on their references for this very special shoot!

Also, insist on an itinerary for those days! You need to know who are expected to show for this event. Get a hold of all the dignitaries (I have always seen the local Mayor, town council members, Directors/Supervisors of the Police Dept there and maybe a senator) who will show, entertainment and then while there, get those human interest interviews before during and after.

Lastly, do you intend on having a host for this documentary? This is always recommended because it gives the story focus, passion, and respect to those who you are personally interviewing. One good host makes a difference with human interest stories because you need to expose and maintain the emotion of this event without the emotion taking over so those who have nothing to do with the police force will respect and register for subsequent years.

Good luck with this very special project! Police Officers are generally wonderful when I do a coverage about events they are hosting and they will allow you all the time you need to make a GREAT impression to their profession.

"Everyone has a story
Host with passion
like their proud families
will be saving it for keepsake
for many precious years!"

-Sue
 
HostFocus said:
Hello Filthrich,

I just want to introduce myself. I am a TV host/producer in my local town for many years in NJ. I have covered numerous events such as yours but they are predominantly one day shoots. My last promotional interview was the Police Unity Tour and D.A.R.E. events.

First, I commend you for taking on a wonderful project with this event! I am an avid runner and do register for selected running events I am passionate about; this certainly sounds like one of them. Afterall, who can't relate to all the hard work and loss that comes with their profession in the police force? My heart always go out to the families and children that must go on because the officers took the time to protect us.

Now, $6k for 3 full days of shooting? How many hours for each day do you intend to devote for those days? I know a wedding videographer and he would charge $5k for a full day of documenting so for 3 full days, G-d bless you for your passion! Take care in who you hire and always insist on their references for this very special shoot!

Also, insist on an itinerary for those days! You need to know who are expected to show for this event. Get a hold of all the dignitaries (I have always seen the local Mayor, town council members, Directors/Supervisors of the Police Dept there and maybe a senator) who will show, entertainment and then while there, get those human interest interviews before during and after.

Lastly, do you intend on having a host for this documentary? This is always recommended because it gives the story focus, passion, and respect to those who you are personally interviewing. One good host makes a difference with human interest stories because you need to expose and maintain the emotion of this event without the emotion taking over so those who have nothing to do with the police force will respect and register for subsequent years.

Good luck with this very special project! Police Officers are generally wonderful when I do a coverage about events they are hosting and they will allow you all the time you need to make a GREAT impression to their profession.

"Everyone has a story
Host with passion
like their proud families
will be saving it for keepsake
for many precious years!"

-Sue
Click to expand...

Actually I have to double the budget to 12k to do it right. I want everyone to get paid and I want to hire the best possible people I can for the money. I could get my cousin and them to run cameras but I will be stuck with crap. I want this to perfect.
great post thank you!
 
Yeah, I hear ya on the "crap" part! It sounds like a very LONG 3 days but also very exciting too! I'm always tired after a full day of shooting/interviewing so I can't imagine 3 days worth! But you are doing a good thing and it's good that you are asking for more to do the work. I've done many pro bono shows, promotional interviews and there comes a time I had to say, "I need to eat and pay the bills too!" I currently won't do anymore events unless I'm paid or I happen to be participating in the event also (I have two to do in early Sept). With the economy the way it is, I know that if non profit organization want promoting of their events, they do receive grants and funding in various sources to be able to allow it in their budget to pay for their awareness. Like I said, I need to eat more than peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and ramen noodles too... Break a leg, hun! I think you will do just FINE! Police events are fun, btw.

"Everyone has a story
Host with passion
like their proud families
will be saving it for keepsake
for many precious years!"

-Sue
 
yoo, i have never shot from a helicopter, but i'd love to. If you need a extra shooter for the helicopter let me know. I'm in Philly!
 
oh also, dont forgot little things like music. I did a doc a while back (when i was really just learning how to run a biz) and totally forgot to put music into the budget. I had to track down musicians willing to donate music, which worked really well in the end, but added a extra day or two on the post end.
 
watson said:
oh also, dont forgot little things like music. I did a doc a while back (when i was really just learning how to run a biz) and totally forgot to put music into the budget. I had to track down musicians willing to donate music, which worked really well in the end, but added a extra day or two on the post end.
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I have a recording studio and have been producing music for more than 10 years. I will just do that.
 
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