Charging for Computer/Harddrive runtime

[aaron.willman]

Hello.

I just got done editing a fine cut (not "final..." there are still some changes to be made) of a one hour and thirty-five minute motion picture, and we're rendering and compressing to different formats. The audio designer is getting a low-res DVD version for spec, and i'm rendering out that demo copy right now.

should i charge my producer/director the time it takes for my computer to render and then compress and output this movie? i am tying up my external drives and the computer it's self to make his film.... i think i should... is that unethical, or is this common practice?

 

[HorseFilms]

That's common practice. It's time you could be spending working for another client and you should charge accordingly.

 

[Sad Max]

Ideally render time should be accounted for, in your agreed bid.