Hmmm... what to do, what to do... advice, please?

ryan brown

ryan brown

lOwEr CaSe Member
OK, I've been doing mostly event work (full time) and I recently started my own production company. We really haven't gotten any work to speak of yet, as I'm still full time with another company, and my crew are always off working as grips, audio techs, PA's., etc on feature's.

That's beside the point. The company is just set up, and I'll take it more seriously down the line.

Anyway, I sent off a reel to what seems to be a "startup" independent music magazine, and got a call back. The more I looked into it, I'm not sure how legit the magazine is, but he says he wants me to direct music vids on a freelance basis.

From their website, they say they work with bands and labels, but it also says get a "professional music video for $2499". Yeah, I know. Seems like these are basically no budget video's he's talking about.

He want's to know my rates. This is where I'm struggling.

Normally, I'd say I don't leave the house for under $300 (Like I said, I do events, so $300/day rate isn't bad).

On the other hand, I've been doing Music Video's on the side for FREE in my spare time. To be able to do them for really any money would be nice, and I'd have access to more bands and, hopefully, labels.

This magazine obviously doesn't have much of anything for video budget, as they're selling them for $2500, but I'd still like the job just for the experience, and who knows where it could lead.

What do I tell him?

p.s. I gotta get back to him TOMORROW with some sort of an answer, so any and all advice is welcome.
 
I'd tell him $300 a day and see what he comes back with - he may go for it. Thats a pretty reasonable rate if not on the low side to me.
 
So you'd be shooting and editing for $300 flat rate? I really guess it depends on the video, but most music videos that I shoot usually take about 25-50hrs in the editing room, so if you think it's worth it to work for under minimum wage then go for it. But let me guess they want to use your equipment as well? So basically you will end up working for about $8 hr and they get your thousands of dollars of equipment for free?
Here is what I say, do one, since you've beend doing them for free, do a great job, and see how things work out. It never hurts to test the water a little bit.
 
$300/day would be a low day-rate in NY. I would actually quote him $400/day, and let him come back with $350 or $300, and then he feels like he got a great deal because he talked you down, even though you were prepared to take $300... BUT, that should be just for shooting. I would not shoot AND edit for $300 -- that is really low-balling it. For the edit, I would either charge an hourly rate or charge a flat fee BUT base your flat fee on a realistic estimate of the number of hours it will take you and the hourly rate you need to make. And if you charge a flat fee, be diligent about managing your time so that you stay within your estimated hours. That said, hopefully someone else can weigh in on what is a fair hourly rate for editing.

You are correct, since you are just starting out, to think about how this gig could lead to other opportunities, and yes, sometimes you lower your rate in anticipation of future returns on your investment in building the relationship. But it sounds like you are not sure how legit this company is, so I would not lower it too much in the event that nothing else materializes from this gig.

Hope this helps.
 
Argggg. Thanks for the replies.

Yeah... I'm not sure what to do with this one. I can make a LOT more money in a day with my event work than I think this guy can pay me, but I don't want to do event work anymore. I want to start making money in music vids.

Hell, I've been doing them for free in my spare time, so any money is better than what I've been seeing. I'm just going to call him back and see what we can work out. If he's got a decent budget for video's, I'll want to see some money. If he doesn't, I'll shoot one for next to nothing and feel out the company and it's people.

Sound good?

I don't like to fuk around and play the negotiation thing. I'll show hime what I can do (once), then I'll tell him how much money I want for it.

-brown
 
You can also put the ball back in his court -- ask him what range he typically pays people in. Then offer to do the first on the low end to show him what your capable of. But be up front that if he's satisfied with your work -- and you're satisfied with how he conducts business -- that you'll revist your rates for anything that follows.

I'd also ask him to send you a few samples of the best work he's getting currently. That will give you a reality check on how you stand up.
 
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