Eric Coughlin
Veteran
In the example I gave of me getting $3600 for myself, that would be with an Arri Amira with accessories ($1500), Canon cinema zoom lens ($400), lighting kit ($550 (3 Astras, Gemini, LED Fresnels)), audio ($150), OConnor 1030D tripod ($200), Labor Rate ($800). The Amira, 30-105, OConnor 1030, 3 Astras, Gemini, and LED Fresnels, rent for $3,502.00 on Lensrentals, and that's before you add in accessories for the Amira, audio, and grip gear, batteries for the LEDs, which would put you above $3600 and that's without labor rate. Now realistically, most shoots that can afford an Arri can also afford a crew on top of that, so aren't going to ask for a one-man-band Arri setup. I was just giving an example of how you can use higher end equipment to up-sell your rates instead of hiring crew.
A more realistic scenario may be upcharging your client for a C300 Mark II over a C100 instead of hiring crew. At this point I'm not getting hired with the Arri much, perhaps full rate once a month, and then occasional narrative films at discount rates or for free if it's a passion project. Most of my jobs now are C300 Mark II. I've stopped quoting C100 jobs, though I still own three of them which I'll keep for multi-cam shoots, when I'm double booked, or when I want a smaller camera. I need to work on marketing the Amira more. It took a good year or two after purchasing my first C300 Mark II for me to change my client base from C100 to C300 Mark II jobs and rates, so now I need to work on moving up again. Suggestions on where to find that client base are welcome.
A common setup I've been getting booked a lot with lately is this C300 Mark II setup; C300 Mark II ($500), light kit ($350 (3 Astras, LED Fresnels)), audio ($150), L-series lenses ($200), labor rate ($700): $1900
Sometimes they'll want a second C300 Mark II for another $500. I'll get a rental on the two Canon Cinema zooms with the C300s perhaps a once a month and another time a month with the Amira at $800 per day.
I know some video guys who don't know audio, so they'll quote say $1900 for an interview shoot, but then have to pay an audio guy $650, so their profits are considerably diminished. It seems so simple to me, just buy one or two nice mics, put it on a boom pole directly above the person out of frame, set audio levels so they don't peak, and you're set. I don't get how some professional video guys can't feel comfortable doing such simple audio. Again, for more complex needs hire an audio guy, but sit down interviews in controlled spaces is about as simple as it gets.
There's plenty of public restrooms all over the place. Typically gas stations, fast food, restaurants, rest stops. I generally sleep at rest stops, travel stations (such as Pilot, Love's, etc.), or Walmart, where there are almost always other people sleeping in their cars, such that I find it pretty safe since there's almost always other people nearby to help or call for help should there be an issue.
For showers, Pilot Travel Centers offer showers for about $8-$10, and pretty much any gym will let you use their showers with a day pass (around $10-$15), plus you can then workout too if you're so inclined. If you have a year round gym membership to one of the big chains, you can sometimes go to the different locations for no extra charge.
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