Do you charge for travel days?

steadicamsteel said:
I'm away to jump off a cliff...........who's with me?
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Sarcasm aside, I must once again respectfully disagree.

Everyone is free to charge whatever they like, but it still has to be based on what the market
will bare. To ignore what your colleagues are charging because one simply doesn't want to be
a lemming is not good advice. Especially for people just starting out.

Of course, once someone has established themselves and has a reputation and the talent to
back it up, they can charge what they want. Most of us out there however, are still
competing for work in a tightening marketplace and our prices need to be competitive.

I respect that you're able to stand by your rates and have clients that are willing to pay them.
I hope to be in that position myself one day.

Peter
 
It's self perpetuating. As soon as one person agrees to a half day rate, it's assumed everyone has too. What I'm saying is, you know your worth on any given day, so stick by that. Don't have others dictate to you what you should be going out for. If you feel comfortable about going out for a half day rate thats fine, but try putting your rates up after you've done that a couple of times, forget it. Clients will find another monkey who will travel for a half day.

I don't get where your coming from at all, whatsoever.

You don't have to be 'established' to demand a full day rate. You just have to know your own self worth. Yes, I've missed out on some spectacular shoots and locations because I don't travel for a half day, but ask yourself this.......someone further up the chain is making money from me, so why should I take the hit? I can guarantee the production won't be charging the end client a half day, so why should you be penalised for it?

I don't know of any other industry that agrees to a half day travel rate. I'm sure others will highlight some on this thread but there are 101 other industries that don't agree to or sign-up to those terms so why should you?

So, again, I'm away to jump..........who's with me?
 
Me Myself & I said:
I need to move :)
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Nah, you don't need to move. If I were getting my day rate, EVERY DAY, then I would advise you to move. :)

I just quoted a client for flying me to Italy and shooting for a full day. Now I can't survive by just charging them for the one day rate when in reality, getting there and back and preparing for the shoot will be several days. I quoted them the half day rate while traveling plus all the travel expenses. And you know what, if it were my company, I would find a video person out there with good qualifications and just pay them the one full day rate. They would come out much better...I quoted the job but have no expectations of getting it. If I do great, if not? I don't much like traveling anyway. :)
 
Here's another follow up question for the ol' timers:

If client pays for all travel, expenses, etc. for a $1000 a day shoot, but travel involves flying out early in the morning, say like 6:00am, then flying back late that night, say at 10:00pm, and wants to pay for a 10 hour day (ie- $1000).

Keep in mind the realities of crewing companies and the added costs of airfare and luggage... Do you eat the OT?
 
thisiswells said:
Here's another follow up question for the ol' timers:

If client pays for all travel, expenses, etc. for a $1000 a day shoot, but travel involves flying out early in the morning, say like 6:00am, then flying back late that night, say at 10:00pm, and wants to pay for a 10 hour day (ie- $1000).

Keep in mind the realities of crewing companies and the added costs of airfare and luggage... Do you eat the OT?
Click to expand...

Depends on the client. If it's a regular client, I'd consider cutting some slack as long as the understanding was that this was not normal but on this occassion we'd let it slide.

If it's someone I've never worked for....erm.....NO, why would I?

and as far as the 'ol' timers' quote. Your only as old as you feel and I'm feeling a 24 year old........
 
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