Day Rates

S

siubddudeinfl

New member
Hey,

I'm rather new to the EFP field. I've been in the studio for 10 plus years, but have been doing more EFP for about 6 months.

I have been using basic gear supplied by a production company and earning 250.00 per day.

I need to get my own gear (or at least rent gear) so as to present myself as a serious EFP Specialist. There are some gigs I think I miss because the gear is not PRO...it's more semi pro...sennheiser lavs and PSC DV Pro Mix mixer. I get good audio, but it's not pro. and not my gear.

I have received quotes for renting a full audio package for 250.00 per day or 500 per week. (mixer, 2 lectro lavs, boom with mic and zepplin, and a bag)

Here is my question:

What is the average day rate for EFP in Florida? If a sound guy comes to the table with his own gear, what can he expect for a day rate?

250 for the rental and 250 for the "labor" obviously is 500 per day...is that reasonable?

any thoughts and advice would be totally appreciated.

Thanks!!
 
A Question

A Question

I'm wondering if my question is vauge?

Over 50 views and no responses?

Have I limited myself by asking specifically for Florida?

What about day rates pertaining to the same scenario above for say California, New York, or Chicago?

Anybody have a "round a bout" idea?

Thanks.
 
I think the issue here is more one of ethics. If we tell you what we think you should charge, it's price fixing.

Charge what you think you're worth, but be careful not to go extreme in either direction. If you low-ball your market, you'll draw lots of ire from other sound pros (or chance not getting work as rock-bottom day rates can often indicate desperation for work, which can give an appearance of inexperience). On the other hand, if you price yourself out of the market, you won't get work.

You should break your day rate down two ways: your labor with their gear, and your labor with your gear. If they hire you without your gear, there's an understanding that they are providing the gear, whether they have some of their own or they have to rent. Either way, the rental cost isn't something you have to factor in.

My day rate increase if I come with my gear is not huge, but my rental rate for my sound package without me operating it is higher than said day-rate increase. Part of the day rate issue is making sure I have the cash flow to maintain my own audio package, and if I am out with my own equipment, I know that I'm going to take very good care of it, and I know the risks to the gear with me using it.

But if I rent the gear out to another sound person, I don't know what the risks are or in what condition the equipment will return (rental gear gets beat down very fast). So I have to compensate and make sure that I can pay at least most of the deductible on insurance if the gear is lost, stolen, or destroyed.

Sorry I can't give you a specific dollar amount, but I hope this helps you make an informed calculation. If you really want to get into this full-time, start working to upgrade your own system bit by bit. Sell off old gear and use that money to buy new, but do that piece by piece. I'd start with the mixer. And do you have a shotgun with fishpole?
 
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