commercialguy
Member
Hey everyone, I've done mostly narrative work with a few shorts and a low budget feature. I've worked in all positions but mostly as a director with gear I've owned. Currently I don't own any gear so I'm starting with a disadvantage. I have a director reel right now, all narrative stuff.
I'm in Dallas and was wondering what's the best approach I can take to get things going where I can eventually start making some decent money at it? I was thinking about doing a few free music videos and commercials just to build up a commercial reel. Then start looking for paid clients via calling and e-mailing people directly.
I was thinking at the start, I could just hire a DP and audio guy, which is the best way to work anyways. And then over time, start buying gear up. And in some cases I could run my own gear to save on costs.
Some questions I had are:
1. How hard is it to get money up front?
Wasn't sure if companies or people would be hesitant on giving money to a freelance sort of stranger like that. I've heard of people taking half up front and half upon delivery.
2. I've had an offer to partner up with a commercial friend of mine, is that a good idea?
He's got over $10k in gear, has tons of reels and experience doing weddings, events, etc. He's very technical but not a sales guy. I'm very technical but also have very strong sales skills. Have had at least 3-4 sales jobs before. I'm hesitant because I'm wondering if the money is really there for it? If a wedding pays like $500 or whatever, splitting it may not be as lucrative unless we are getting the demand. Seems like most commercial guys go at it alone because they can make $500 themselves with no split each time. Worst case scenario, if you land a $10k gig, you could hire someone and pay them $500-$1k or whatever to work on it. Rather than splitting $5k with them as a partner. I guess my concern is maybe I can make more going out on my own.
3. I got an offer to freelance for another company who has work overflow, anything I need to know about dealing with this?
There are some businesses in the area who have more work than they can handle and have contacted me about possibly taking on some shooting gigs. I figured I could eventually contact all the companies in the area and offer myself out as a shooter/producer/editor/whatever for them. And could just rent the gear needed out of the budget I'm paid until I can buy my own. Seems like a decent way to start since they have the leads. My only concern is the issue of non-compete clauses if I shoot for someone and they later want to book me for something directly or something. Just seems like a grey area.
4. What are some of the best places to look for work?
I check craigslist some times and there is so much spam on there that you really have to dig to find anything. And the rates are usually very low, but I'd consider it just to get the experience and build my resume. Where is everyone going to find gigs?
5. Where is the money at? Commercials? Weddings? Music videos? Viral/web vids?
I notice some commercial businesses book like 1-2 commercials with a big client and they are opening their own office, buying red cameras and up and running. Am I realistic to even think this is possible or am I being naive?
6. What does it take to be on the level that you're opening your own office?
Just curious what it takes to get there.
7. What are your thoughts on music videos?
I currently have lined up 2 music videos that I'm going to shoot for free to get some under my belt. But I look on craigslist and I see people offering music video services for like $200-$350 and it seems hardly worth competing. It seems so saturated and watered down now. Even if I book a really big band, what could I expect to even make off that?
8. Why does everyone talk down on weddings?
Seems like everyone I know who does commercial work, makes the majority of their money with weddings. That's likely how they bought up most of their gear through funds that came in from weddings. But many seem to look down on doing them. Is there anything I need to watch out for if I decide to do weddings?
Thanks for any help with answering any of this.
rogar-BlackEye(DBG
I'm in Dallas and was wondering what's the best approach I can take to get things going where I can eventually start making some decent money at it? I was thinking about doing a few free music videos and commercials just to build up a commercial reel. Then start looking for paid clients via calling and e-mailing people directly.
I was thinking at the start, I could just hire a DP and audio guy, which is the best way to work anyways. And then over time, start buying gear up. And in some cases I could run my own gear to save on costs.
Some questions I had are:
1. How hard is it to get money up front?
Wasn't sure if companies or people would be hesitant on giving money to a freelance sort of stranger like that. I've heard of people taking half up front and half upon delivery.
2. I've had an offer to partner up with a commercial friend of mine, is that a good idea?
He's got over $10k in gear, has tons of reels and experience doing weddings, events, etc. He's very technical but not a sales guy. I'm very technical but also have very strong sales skills. Have had at least 3-4 sales jobs before. I'm hesitant because I'm wondering if the money is really there for it? If a wedding pays like $500 or whatever, splitting it may not be as lucrative unless we are getting the demand. Seems like most commercial guys go at it alone because they can make $500 themselves with no split each time. Worst case scenario, if you land a $10k gig, you could hire someone and pay them $500-$1k or whatever to work on it. Rather than splitting $5k with them as a partner. I guess my concern is maybe I can make more going out on my own.
3. I got an offer to freelance for another company who has work overflow, anything I need to know about dealing with this?
There are some businesses in the area who have more work than they can handle and have contacted me about possibly taking on some shooting gigs. I figured I could eventually contact all the companies in the area and offer myself out as a shooter/producer/editor/whatever for them. And could just rent the gear needed out of the budget I'm paid until I can buy my own. Seems like a decent way to start since they have the leads. My only concern is the issue of non-compete clauses if I shoot for someone and they later want to book me for something directly or something. Just seems like a grey area.
4. What are some of the best places to look for work?
I check craigslist some times and there is so much spam on there that you really have to dig to find anything. And the rates are usually very low, but I'd consider it just to get the experience and build my resume. Where is everyone going to find gigs?
5. Where is the money at? Commercials? Weddings? Music videos? Viral/web vids?
I notice some commercial businesses book like 1-2 commercials with a big client and they are opening their own office, buying red cameras and up and running. Am I realistic to even think this is possible or am I being naive?
6. What does it take to be on the level that you're opening your own office?
Just curious what it takes to get there.
7. What are your thoughts on music videos?
I currently have lined up 2 music videos that I'm going to shoot for free to get some under my belt. But I look on craigslist and I see people offering music video services for like $200-$350 and it seems hardly worth competing. It seems so saturated and watered down now. Even if I book a really big band, what could I expect to even make off that?
8. Why does everyone talk down on weddings?
Seems like everyone I know who does commercial work, makes the majority of their money with weddings. That's likely how they bought up most of their gear through funds that came in from weddings. But many seem to look down on doing them. Is there anything I need to watch out for if I decide to do weddings?
Thanks for any help with answering any of this.
rogar-BlackEye(DBG
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