Blank check

Hans Moleman

Hans Moleman

Carbonite Member
So here's the sitiation;

My highschool is in bed with this company called Jostens. they make class rings, graduation gowns, etc. Big comapany i guess.

They introduce me to a jostens rep who wants a video made. I'm a DVXuser. no problem.

So i kick out this three minute spot, as per their requirements. They love it.

Now they say, "we have to compenstae you somehow. This looks like it took weeks to make! (took 3 days, editting included) What can we do for you?"

So tell me. Big company writes me a blank check. What do I say?
 
IMHO i would charge them atleast $500+. heck shoot for higher if you want; the worst thing the rep can say is "no". :)
 
probably should. they chose just some kid and were suprised when i gave em my card. i'll see what I can jimmy out of em, offset the cost of the HVX comin in.
 
my advice is to do a few things. first call around your area to other production companies and ask what the approx cost of a corporate video is per "finished minute" tell them you are doing research for a client.then do the math on your project.
be honest with yourself and figure how much time you put into it as well as what your kit rental would be.. in other words if you rented your DVX 100 and gear what would that cost and your edit suite and then your hourly wage. and then a fair markup.
talk to your client and tell them you are working out your costs, but would like to know how you might provide more service to them down the road before you present them with a bill.
build business and take care of your client, there are lots of people out there looking for gigs with nice stable clients who pay well .and gigs like that pay for your dream gear and projetcs and for some of us the rent and food.
just my 2 cents.
oh yeh and the next time you do a job, you should deal with the fees up front...safer and less guess work.
 
Last edited:
my school was a jostens school too. I'm pretty sure theyve made some of the superbowl rings in the past. You could probably charge them alot.
 
...and make sure you break it down in an invoice:


Camera Rental @ $200 per day x 3 days = $600

Editing @ $20 per hour x 20 hrs = $400

Gaffer Tape @ $67.98 per roll x 5 rolls = $339.90

Sky Hook @ $3.98 x 1 Hook = $3.98

Tape Stock, etc.



Then make it magically add up to around $2k :beer:
 
did they say "what can we do for you" or "how much do you want" if they already have your video they may be thinking something more like a free ring or a few free whatevers for you and friends.... but definitely ask for money! research and come prepared!
 
I believe Jostens is a Minnesota-based company, so they have control over just about all the high schools in this area. They've got deep pockets. Ask for a lot.:beer:
 
One thing to take into consideration as whos gear did you use. If it was all yours, then sweet you can charge full bore. But if you used your schools camera, and edit gear things could get a bit sticky if you charge full price. This is something youy will be much better off for in the long run. Talk it through with whomever from your school who got you in contact with them in the first place. Full price on this level, for time put in would be between 2000-5000. Or are they giving you a thankyou bonus? Once again comunication on what they are looking at would be best. They might be thinking 500-1000, as a job well done bonus. Tell them what it is worth in the real world, and go from there.
Good to see more folks from the hood here.
 
Tell them real world it would cost X, but as you are a student and they are a first time client you where thinking about something like Y (less than X).

Always shoot a little high, and once you say your price, let them answer. During negotiations, once either party sets their terms the first party (them or you) to speak 'looses', always.

If you say "$4k" and during the slience you say "ok, $3k then" you have lost. But if you let them answer "hmm $4k, we where hoping for a little less" then you have allready won, then you just need to justify to them - or then you can lower your rate, but just a little (at a time).

Also make sure you leave yourself open to raise your rate in the future if need be for possibel other gigs. Don't let them expect you to always be "cheap" labor.

- Mikko
 
I wouldn't charge them based on how much money they have, I would charge them based on what's fair.

I'm sure a company as big as that has done video work in the past and knows what a fair price is. If you charge them a lot based on the fact that they have deep pockets, they might pay it but never ask you to do anything again. But if you treat them well and charge them a fair market-based price, then they would be more likely to come back to you...
 
I am charging about $115 AUD per minute... now that works at around $80USD per minute, which turns in around $2400. Very rarely do I charge itemised like camera hire etc, unless I know from the start I will require something additional that costs $$ then I will discuss that as a seperate expense. I usually state my price of 10000 yen (115 AUD) per minute for corporate like this.

Now advertising is a different scenario. For example I am working on a 30 second spot right now that obviously is not going to be charged at a per minute rate.
 
The later posts in this thread are on the money. Forget that it's Jostens. Calculate your physical costs, what it would have cost to rent the package you utilized plus brokering fee, overhead (limited, naturally) and submit an "estimate", not an invoice. Let them know that this would represent your charges if it had been billed as a regular piece of business.

Just because they're a national company does not mean that they should be taken advantage of. You find yourself in a unique situation and opportunity to grow a relationship in a good direction.

Don't do it for free, but definitely show them that you are a trustworthy, young businessman who wants to move the relationship forward. You're not getting into the business to "take the money and run".

Good luck and let us know how it develops. As an aside, I would be glad to help you prepare the estimate if it'll help.

e
 
I'd like to see the spot too, before giving any advice. Because maybe the guy was just being nice with his "took weeks to make" comment and he's expecting babysitting rates. Or maybe the video is really good and is worth professional rates.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top