Getting Your Day Rate Payment

D

DP StrangeLove

Well-known member
I have just been hired for a single full day shoot with a new client. They have offered an amount pretty close to my regular day rate, and so far seem to be happy with the budget I sent them.

They aren't based locally, and I have never worked with them before, and don't know much more about them. So I just want to protect myself. I am going to ask for the equipment rental upfront, around $600, but how about my day rate? Is it common to ask for your payment to be received before you start shooting? How do others ask this? What should I say exactly? Am I being to cautious?

Thanks,
Ben
 
DP StrangeLove said:
I have just been hired for a single full day shoot with a new client. They have offered an amount pretty close to my regular day rate, and so far seem to be happy with the budget I sent them.

They aren't based locally, and I have never worked with them before, and don't know much more about them. So I just want to protect myself. I am going to ask for the equipment rental upfront, around $600, but how about my day rate? Is it common to ask for your payment to be received before you start shooting? How do others ask this? What should I say exactly? Am I being to cautious?

Thanks,
Ben
Click to expand...

I normally ask 50% of total project on the day i shoot followed with signed contract that says balance must be paid as i deliver final product. If they refuse to provide the deposit on the day of my shoot then i hold the footage taped which stalls productions and i'm not held liable for any delay in production.

No need for you to do the talking.. let your contact do the talking. You can always answer any questions later and at their request. Any changes to the contract (as you clarify) write it down before you both sign it so there is no confusion later on about what was said/clarified.
 
The thing is, they are not based locally, so I'll feel more comfortable in receiving full payment by the day of the shoot. Is it common to ask for half before the shoot, and the last half the day of the shoot? There is no final product as I am just shooting for the day.
Once I am done shooting, I will be handing them over my tapes, so I have know way of knowing if they will be honoring the agreement. And a single day rate is not enough to go to court over.
Would you by any chance have a sample contract, the one you use for clients, that you could send me? A template I could work off of?
Thanks
Ben
 
DP StrangeLove said:
The thing is, they are not based locally, so I'll feel more comfortable in receiving full payment by the day of the shoot. Is it common to ask for half before the shoot, and the last half the day of the shoot? There is no final product as I am just shooting for the day.
Once I am done shooting, I will be handing them over my tapes, so I have know way of knowing if they will be honoring the agreement. And a single day rate is not enough to go to court over.
Would you by any chance have a sample contract, the one you use for clients, that you could send me? A template I could work off of?
Thanks
Ben
Click to expand...


Since this is a shoot only with no edits i would ask for payment in full before you start the shoot. You could still send them a contract to state this so they know in advance to get with their a/p folks to have a check in your hands as you arrive and even prior to setting p your equipment. These are your terms. You dont let the client dictate your terms. If they have a problem with this then its probably not worth your time. There are a lot of factors as well not mentioned in here such do you need this gig, etc? for the most part if this was me i would stick with my gut about the client and follow my .02 advise. Ask for the money up front or let them know that you you will not shoot video without a check. The fact that you prepared yourself for the shoot and showed up will tell them that your not stiffing them if they think this for some strange reason. You show up, now they have to follow the signed contract or you don't shoot. this is what i would do.
good luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top