30 second commercial spot

A

airforceguy

Active member
I recently shot my first commercial for a clinic. It was a very basic shoot, one day of shooting at 3 different locations. Editing was basic as well, all of 8-10 hours (lower thirds, flashing 1-800 number, and some moving text, ect). And it took that long to edit because they could not make up their mind what they wanted and made several changes. It should have taken me 4-5 hours.

With that said, I shot it, editing it, used my DVX, my lighting, grip, and sound kit. I am in Salt Lake City and charged $850. Is that too low, too high, or spot on? Keep in mind this was a very basic shoot (a car accident, a talking head with text on the screen, and some physical therapy footage.

I am asking because I have been asked to shoot a similar one for a law firm.
 
I'd say $850 would only cover the shoot. Double it to include the edit. Kinda of a flip answer since I really don't know all the work that went into it, but $850 flat sounds too cheap. Either way, your Client is getting a great deal.
 
I agree. It was a last minute request and I took it for the experience which was great. . I was kind of thinking more on the lines of $1200-$1500, something like this:

350 myself for a 1 Day rate
150 camera package (my DVX 100B and Tripod)
200 light, grip, & sound package (my Lowel light kit, my grip kit, my boompole, shotgun & lav mic)
200-300 grip, gaffer, boom operator (my 22 year old son/one man crew)
25 per hour for editing (because I'm not very fast and new to FCP)

Is this in the ball park?
 
Sad to say, $850 sounds about right for a local spot. (based on the fact that there will always be someone that can undercut you) The client usually gets a "great deal" but they don't know it.

See if you can get those #'s that you mentioned on the next gig.
 
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