Do you guys charge your client upfront?

G

Glkramer

Member
I just bought a Nikon D90m with 18-105mm lens and a tripod. After years working on a production company as a writer and editor, i`m ready to make the next step and start my own business, covering events and making corporate/commercial videos.

Since i never worked as an account manager, i don`t know how to deal with clients (i just know how to find them). Is it ok to charge a 30, 40% fee before you even start to write a script?

I mean, should i have enough money before the first job to rent the rest of the equipment and pay two assistants?

Thank you for you attention!
 
I charge 50% down on all project work which is extremely common. Its the perfect client filter. For projects which are 30 days or less they get an invoice for the balance when the project is delivered and the terms are due upon receipt. 2% per month is charged on any balance over thirty days. For projects which are longer than 30 days, a further 25% is billed and due at the midpoint. Then once again an invoice for the balance is issued with project delivery and again terms are due upon receipt with the 2% per month charges on any balance over thirty days.

No exceptions.

I would very strongly suggest you research and produce a formal business plan.
 
On a similar path, what would you include in a production contract... scheduled delivery, payment amount and also payment due... would you also list things like the number of draft edits,dvd copies etc etc

cheers
 
finchy said:
On a similar path, what would you include in a production contract... scheduled delivery, payment amount and also payment due... would you also list things like the number of draft edits,dvd copies etc etc

cheers
Click to expand...

Since every project is always different, all details regarding deliverables, dates, changes, what constitutes a change, payment terms, and other items relating to the project are all itemized clause by clause.
 
So after my initial contract of the agreed payments, content etc...i would write up some sub-documents that include things like dvd duplication, number of draft edits and the rate for extra editing hours etc...
 
I usually do 1/3 up front, 1/3 due on rough cut and 1/3 on final cut.

Sometimes we'll need more than 1/3 up front to get through production, but that guideline works most of the time.
 
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