How much to charge for Production per Hour?

G

Gang_Green

Active member
A client wants a quote from me based on limited critera.

He can only tell me 10 interviews with paid actors in 10 locations, which will take about 50 hours of shooting time.

Editing for a 5 minute DVD handout will take about 25 hours.

So how much would you charge?
 
PS: They are coming to me cause Im asumed to be cheaper then a big production companie as I am only a 2 person videography buisness.
 
I'd refuse to give a flat rate unless you think you'll miss out on the opportunity.
I'd offer a hourly shooting rate and editing rate. That gives your client the incentive to make things 'move".
Don"t sell yourself short just because you are a "small" company.
 
I agree don't sell yourself short. Make sure to charge/include in your bid for set up and travel to all those locations. I give clients a flat rate. but I set the numbers of hours for each segment of the project, ie. I'll shoot for 50 hours but if goes over it is X number of dollars per hour. Do that for editing too. That way the client knows how much it will cost up front and he/she will know your boundries.
wish you the best
 
I was going to suggest a day rate too. That keeps it pretty simple. You could try and estimate your time to do all those interviews based on a day rate or half-day rate and come up with a figure. Maybe come down to a nice round number if you feel comfortable with it.

As for editing I generally charge an hourly rate. It's difficult to estimate how long editing will take no matter how small or large the project may be. But you can still try once your sure of exactly what the finished product is supposed to look like.

A day rate in my area for a good DV camera (like the DVX or XL2) with lighting and mics could run anywhere from $400 to $700 per day. Thats not a lot to ask for your time AND your equipment.
 
Just another tool to help you out - Get Office Timer (It is free) http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/software/software.html (It works on both Mac & PC). Then keep a running log for each client of how much time you have spent in preproduction/production/postproduction. Then you can track how long the jobs are taking you, and you'll be able to better evaluate if you're charging an appropriate amount. It will also give you the ability to give a better projection the next time someone comes upto you and and asks you to do a job.
 
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