Bigger budget music video than I'm used to. Don't have a clue what to do?

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dtjohns1

Well-known member
Yesterday I completed a deal for music video that has a budget of $10,000. This is drastically different from I'm used to i.e. 1000-1500 guerilla videos. I know I probably need to hire a crew and stuff but I have no idea where to start. What is the normal procedure to hiring a crew? I was looking for a lighting crew in charlotte, nc but I can't find anthing.
 
I would hope that you had a concept before you settled on a budget. Sit down and start figuring out the logistics of you are going to do everything and how much all that will cost.
 
Yeah I did. The concept I have could be done on a much smaller budget but since the money is there I would like to explore more options with it. My biggest thing is making sure the lighting is right. How do you go about finding and hiring a lighting crew?
 
Well, what you need is an experienced production manager in the town you're working in. They will handle all those things. I know we've got several members out in the Charlotte area; I think Erik Olson is out there, you might try dropping him a line and see if he's interested or has suggestions for you.
 
Any equipment rental places near you? They may have good contacts for experienced lighting crews.

There's always craigslist...
 
Yes, get an experienced producer to handle all this stuff for you....now you just direct...for the most part.
 
I know that you are used to those no budget videos but trust me $10k only goes so far... If it's a performance video than you can do some cool stuff... Hire a lighting truck, with some crew and a decent camera, but if it's performance e and story video (meaning you will probably need 2 days to shoot) then the $5k/each shooting day will melt away really soon.

If i were you i would avoid the mistake of "let's try to make it big" and then not walking away with any money (...as i tried to do on my first $10k music video). Take $3-4k of the budget as your fee. Give $1k to your editor and $1k to you DP and another $1k to your producers... That will leave you with preciously little (about $3-4k for actual production).
 
10K is not that much. It will go fast especially if you get excited to use it up. Could not agree more with Patryk_Rebisz. Great advice!
 
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