day rate in L.A.

[mojovideo]

Hey All-
I recently relocated from Phoenix to L.A. I have my first freelance gig. However, I dont know what the standard day rate in L.A. is. I know, it varies upon experience. I have 7 years experience as an AVID Editor for broadcast news in Phoenix. I have been shooting on my DVX 100 for 3 years. Can anyone please tell me what their day rate is for shooting (including their gear & without) and their day rate as an editor (with your own system & without). Any constructive advice appreciated.
Thanks
Brian

 

[SomewhereinLA]

As far as Avid's rate, it 's experience, of course but also talent (a good reel), and if you rent your own system what kind of system is it and what kind of decks you have (digibeta, beta sp, etc...). I am not sure what's the broadcast news rate are, but for a music video/ commercial / film trailors editor the rate will start at $600+/day for an experience editor. An "A" chair editor can make up to 60% of the editing budget.

 

[dougspice]

Totally depends on the market you're doing. Feature films, trailers, commercials are all going to vary a lot from broadcast news, which I unfortunately know nothing about.

I charge anywhere from $450 to $800 per day for the work I do, plus equipment, for commercial clients. I'll sometimes do significantly less for an indie film that I like or a concept that's good for my reel. I know some people say to have one number that is your rate no matter what and don't change it, but that hasn't been my experience of what works. Then again, I do a wide variety of work. No editing, some shooting, more directing, motion graphics, and VFX.

It depends on who you are and what you can swing. A statement like "7 years experience" really doesn't mean much. It's all about the reel.