Bids to Ad Agencies....Help
- Thread starter Shinobi
- Start date
cyclone
Well-known member
JonathanLB
Carbonite Member
Weird...
I'd just be like here's the budget, that's what it's going to cost.
I'd just be like here's the budget, that's what it's going to cost.
JonathanLB
Carbonite Member
Cyclone, can you expand on that advice any? I mean, take myself, I have a small one-man production company now, like so many people I suppose, and am looking to get into commercial work. I have done corporate and industrial work for pay. But now I'm thinking of creating some spec ads to show off my abilities and creativity, got a few in mind now, so what is my best option here? I was thinking that either I would have to send my reel to a larger, existing production company that has various connections (if they have numerous connections, I can do quite a bit of work, from music videos to corporate to commercials), or would I send to an ad agency? I always assumed that the protocol was Ad Agency selects Production Company, which selects a director. Unless the Ad Agency knows they want X Hot Shot Director, they call the production company where the director is signed, and the production company essentially acts as agent / facilitator / home base for the director. Is that wrong? I know it works about like that with music videos, only Record Label Video Commissioner to Production Company to Director.
I could probably handle a lot of lower budget work because I own so much of my own equipment, but I am not sure the best way to proceed here. I assume I should go about building my commercial reel before I approach anyone, as my current work isn't necessarily relevant to that field (I'm not sure that showing commercial clients music videos makes much sense, really, unless I had done some pretty major music videos). Let me know if you have any other advice, I'd be interested in hearing it.
The other option I have considered is building up my reel a bit stronger, then hiring a part-time sales person, say $1,500 per month for a few days per week, plus 5% commission on projects found, and trying to run clients directly through my own production company. So in other words, it's kind of a crossroads between selling myself to a larger production company as a director, or running my own production company and trying to compete, or perhaps I can somewhat do both (i.e. work for a larger production company when they pass me projects, but on the side find clients myself that go directly through my production company). I am just not really sure what might be the most effective way to proceed. I'm confident in my ability to do professional work and the connections I have with good crew members, the equipment I have, etc. But as for actually finding work actively, that's the part I'm struggling with, like what might be the most effective route.
I could probably handle a lot of lower budget work because I own so much of my own equipment, but I am not sure the best way to proceed here. I assume I should go about building my commercial reel before I approach anyone, as my current work isn't necessarily relevant to that field (I'm not sure that showing commercial clients music videos makes much sense, really, unless I had done some pretty major music videos). Let me know if you have any other advice, I'd be interested in hearing it.
The other option I have considered is building up my reel a bit stronger, then hiring a part-time sales person, say $1,500 per month for a few days per week, plus 5% commission on projects found, and trying to run clients directly through my own production company. So in other words, it's kind of a crossroads between selling myself to a larger production company as a director, or running my own production company and trying to compete, or perhaps I can somewhat do both (i.e. work for a larger production company when they pass me projects, but on the side find clients myself that go directly through my production company). I am just not really sure what might be the most effective way to proceed. I'm confident in my ability to do professional work and the connections I have with good crew members, the equipment I have, etc. But as for actually finding work actively, that's the part I'm struggling with, like what might be the most effective route.
cyclone
Well-known member
Spec reels are a great way to get your foot in the door. Many directors start that way. It can be sent to either the agency producer or an existing production company. Your protocol is exactly correct.
Finding a sales agent (called reps) is a great way to start, if you can find one that has an entry into the agency with a larger roster. Often, after showin the latest work of their star directors, reps will say, "Oh, you should take a quick look at this guy. I just signed him and he's really got potential."
Again, it depends on the size of the agency. Same local agencies might take a phone call or a letter of introduction. Major agencies (with major national accounts) are usually required to multiple bid the storyboards that they have previously sold to their Clients. It's easier to get in as a Production Company/Director, as opposed to people who say, "I've got a great idea for a commercial." The agency will never take the script submission as it threatens what they do; but they are always looking for the best person/company to shoot it. You may even be asked to do a "courtesy bid" for them at first to help sell in another company. Sounds weird, but it's still a great way to get your foot in the door.
Finding a sales agent (called reps) is a great way to start, if you can find one that has an entry into the agency with a larger roster. Often, after showin the latest work of their star directors, reps will say, "Oh, you should take a quick look at this guy. I just signed him and he's really got potential."
Again, it depends on the size of the agency. Same local agencies might take a phone call or a letter of introduction. Major agencies (with major national accounts) are usually required to multiple bid the storyboards that they have previously sold to their Clients. It's easier to get in as a Production Company/Director, as opposed to people who say, "I've got a great idea for a commercial." The agency will never take the script submission as it threatens what they do; but they are always looking for the best person/company to shoot it. You may even be asked to do a "courtesy bid" for them at first to help sell in another company. Sounds weird, but it's still a great way to get your foot in the door.
If it's anything over $10,000 use an AICP form. If it's a simple low budget shoot just break down your equipment and labor. Complexity of your production bid usually centers around the budget. If your a shooter with your own equipment just spec it out giving each major piece of gear a line item w/ day rate attached. Don't assume anything. If it's a package deal, spell out what that includes. And be sure to pad yourself somewhere. Clients subsequently request things you might not have bid out originally.
Shinobi
Active member
Thanks for your input guys.
We got the bids in and they said we were very competitive to the other bids. He did say most companies use "bidding software" to send in their bids.
This has some links to some software.....(under Bid Form). Anyone have experience with any of this software?
http://www.aicp.com/doingbusiness/index.html
P.S. Oh the "AICP Production Estimate form" on the link above is not the "AICP Form" you were referring to is it? Seemed like overkill.
We got the bids in and they said we were very competitive to the other bids. He did say most companies use "bidding software" to send in their bids.
This has some links to some software.....(under Bid Form). Anyone have experience with any of this software?
http://www.aicp.com/doingbusiness/index.html
P.S. Oh the "AICP Production Estimate form" on the link above is not the "AICP Form" you were referring to is it? Seemed like overkill.
Some of the AICP bid forms run on excel others are standalone apps. The standalone ones really ease the process of actualizing a job.
The bid estimate form on their website is not the not one I was refering to, but if you
if you think that document is detailed, wait to you see an entire AICP production estimate. So yes an AICP form is usually overkill for anything under 10k.
The bid estimate form on their website is not the not one I was refering to, but if you
if you think that document is detailed, wait to you see an entire AICP production estimate. So yes an AICP form is usually overkill for anything under 10k.