Cinematographer rates?

M

Mickey Munday

Well-known member
when raising money for a film with a production budget of about $1.5 million for a 3 week shoot, how much should you expect to budget for a working DP with experience shooting film and possibly film credits already?

I've got a couple of books with some standard rates ($10k-$15k), but i'd like to know how realistic this is especially since the DP is one of the most important crew members.
 
It depends on many factors and a real answer is not quite possible....

If the show is union there will be a minimum and etc, which the DP gets paid, anything higher is based on many criteria.

In addition or otherwise, the DP will be paid based on many things.

The DP's experience, talent, demand and agent will have much to do with the amount. The budget of the film will also have much to do with the payment. For instance I heard the DP from the film "Defiance" took many pay and equipment restrictions because of the circumstances of the film. He was still willing to do the film because he really believed in it. I think i read that somewhere.

I know of a DP who shot one of the nominated films this year (for best picture) and he was paid something over 10k a day. Can't remember what exactly...

The answer is there is no answer. But I can tell you this... I'll do it for less!

Best. :beer:
 
I'm hoping to shoot a feature with my favorite DP, but he's already done probably about 5 features, he'll do more in the next few years no doubt, so I'm not sure what kind of a deal I might be able to arrange with him. I would definitely prefer to shoot with a DP I am comfortable with, and who is very good, however. It being such an important position.
 
I think a 1.5mil budget should give nothing less then 900 dollar day rates for the DP. That is union minimum wage for day rates. Even if he is not union that is still the going rate.
 
One of the features scheduled for this summer is for a producer I worked with last year on a project where he was one of the actors we hired. Its a three weeker. The deal is 1,200 a day plus points. (I always chuckle over points because the chances of ever seeing a nickel on that is zero.) Its lower than normal but it keeps the schedule full!
 
The weekly rate in LA for a union DP is between $3350 and $3600. A non-union rate is whatever you can agree on. Now, if you have a very accomplished DP, you may expect to pay more. On a three week shoot for a union DP $10,000-$12,000 sounds about right.
 
There is no such thing as a RATE. It depends on your budget. If you're making a movie for 50 thousand then the DP may get 150 a day. If you're making a movie for 1 Million, he may get 1500 a day. The alternative is to contact the cinematographer's union in Los Angeles and ask them for official rates. Don't forget these official rates apply to big features so don't start budgeting a low budget movie with a hight budget rate. Try to negotiate a flat rate for the entire production payable in various installments. Always plan for the possibility you may have to fire your DP. Be careful not to be totally dependent on his crew or on his equipement because if he goes, he will take all his babies with him. I always try to isolate each person on the crew to make sure they don't take the house down when they leave.
 
1% of the budget......
15,000$ is great.

though 10K would probably be ok. three weeks is a TIGHT shooting schedule for film... and a feature at that.... gotta take that into account... Its more work, longer hours, more stress....

I personally would be very happy with 12K for three weeks...., anything below 9K is asking alot... because dont forget there's gotta be at least a couple weeks of pre production/ Post Production CC sessions etc.... that the DOP needs to be involved in..... so youre spreading the pay over almost 4-5 weeks of involvement
 
i don't suppose there is a popular website for Dp's or other types of crew members where you can see demo reels, crew resumes, etc....something besides typing random low budget films in imdb and going from there?
 
go to all the DOP's websites and watch reels. Contact them... often we are willing to negotiate rates....
 
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