moviemaker999
Well-known member
what do you do to make money through video and what steps did you take to get there?
making money
- Thread starter moviemaker999
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moviemaker999
Well-known member
sorry, if this is a stupid question, but can someone talk. I know that many people do weddings, films, etc.
dwnsthballer
Well-known member
I'll try to start it off.
Right now, I make money from doing music videos, commercials and promos, and small video projects for people. It's a consistent flow of money that adds up over time. I'm 22 and just graduated, so now I'm about to start going full time with video. I started with a small Canon ZR100 and built my way up to a DVX100B with mics, lights, and all sorts of fun gear. Most of it from saving up, but my dad pitched in on the camera when he saw how serious I was. When people see that you're serious about something, they'll be more than willing (sometimes) to give you a hand just because you're working so hard.
I freelance for CBS time to time. I worked on some 48 Hour shoots, and those web episodes of Jericho that people love so much (shot last seasons episodes 12-17). I got that gig from an internship I did with CBS for the last two summers. I don't work with them often, but when I do, they pay me quite nicely.
I shot my first wedding a few weeks ago, and while it was okay, it isn't something I want to get into (although you can make good money from it). I'm really trying to get out of event videography, although it does help pay bills time to time.
My next big venture will be some corporate videos to make money off of my comedy sketches. I've been doing them for about 3 years and built up a large audience of loyal fans, so now I'm going to try and sell our DVD and make some change off of that. I'm also trying to build a reliable crew so that we can start making some big projects and pitching to networks and stuff. I'm more interested in working in television than in film, although I don't mind doing film.
My money isn't as glorious as some who will post later, but I like to think I'm doing well for a 22 old minority. All it takes is ambition, discipline and a creative mind as well as a great personality and you can get very far.
Right now, I make money from doing music videos, commercials and promos, and small video projects for people. It's a consistent flow of money that adds up over time. I'm 22 and just graduated, so now I'm about to start going full time with video. I started with a small Canon ZR100 and built my way up to a DVX100B with mics, lights, and all sorts of fun gear. Most of it from saving up, but my dad pitched in on the camera when he saw how serious I was. When people see that you're serious about something, they'll be more than willing (sometimes) to give you a hand just because you're working so hard.
I freelance for CBS time to time. I worked on some 48 Hour shoots, and those web episodes of Jericho that people love so much (shot last seasons episodes 12-17). I got that gig from an internship I did with CBS for the last two summers. I don't work with them often, but when I do, they pay me quite nicely.
I shot my first wedding a few weeks ago, and while it was okay, it isn't something I want to get into (although you can make good money from it). I'm really trying to get out of event videography, although it does help pay bills time to time.
My next big venture will be some corporate videos to make money off of my comedy sketches. I've been doing them for about 3 years and built up a large audience of loyal fans, so now I'm going to try and sell our DVD and make some change off of that. I'm also trying to build a reliable crew so that we can start making some big projects and pitching to networks and stuff. I'm more interested in working in television than in film, although I don't mind doing film.
My money isn't as glorious as some who will post later, but I like to think I'm doing well for a 22 old minority. All it takes is ambition, discipline and a creative mind as well as a great personality and you can get very far.
lawriejaffa
Veteran
You shoot commercials on the dvx100b hehe- i think the UK must be a much harder market for commercials for sure then!
For me and i imagine this is the case usually -
First Rung
Videography (such as event captures of for example plush party events, corporate events, launches, gala's... wedding videos - do not underestimate how difficult those can be!)
Crappy Music Videos - for bands usually on myspace with half a schilling to put together. YOU WILL make more from event capture than this but if you can afford to do this and can still make some $$$ then this is much more enjoyable and creative!
Charities - Charities are big business sure - but many regional charities would love the odd web video or oddball project. NB. They will work you into the ground and the $$$ will be terrible.
Second Rung
Corporate Video - Working with private limited companies etc, usually contracts (did i say usually haha) - if these are local companies etc, prepare for these hardened Managing Directors to kick your ass into working for more than your getting paid. However, newstarts have to endure this. So you will make a 10minute video of a man planting kitchen tiles. Or an instructional guide on the installation of air conditioning units. The money is better here though - and its through SLICK corporate videos you start to get a heads up.
Promos - At this league only little companies are going to seriously consider a punk and his camera to make their advert however - its still all good for you $$$ (well possibly) but will be more useful to your showreel. So if that 2nd hand car dealer wants bits of video for his website then you can film it like a real car advert - and not only blow him away but add it to your showreel to blow away a better client.
Third Rung
Television - Now I don't mean getting your crappy short film on some local cable channel (even in the UK that is exhausting compared to how easy it is in the US!) However, a lot of local businesses in the USA can afford regional tv advertising (i think?) compared to the UK so this market may be more accessible earlier (but for less $$$). In anycase eventually you can find the most ambitious of the local companies (after doing a few corporates and your showreel looks great) then you can pitch for these projects (making your first 5 figure commissions etc)
Now land a few more and you can charge a much higher rate - and forget all the crap stuff you did before!!
However, all in all the most important thing is realising that you are not getting money for your skills with the camera. You are getting money for your skills at SELLING YOURSELF.
So you can't be dandy the cameraman and expect much love - you have to pitch for clients, introduce yourself to them, market yourself etc. You also have to be really sharp on the ideas for clients.
Because Clients always know what they 'need' but not what they 'want' - they can get as far as 'oh i need some kind of advert' and then your supposed to come up with the masterplan... If you can't think and talk fast like that in pitching sessions then you will always lose out to the lad with the gift of the gab
Good lucm mon amie.
For me and i imagine this is the case usually -
First Rung
Videography (such as event captures of for example plush party events, corporate events, launches, gala's... wedding videos - do not underestimate how difficult those can be!)
Crappy Music Videos - for bands usually on myspace with half a schilling to put together. YOU WILL make more from event capture than this but if you can afford to do this and can still make some $$$ then this is much more enjoyable and creative!
Charities - Charities are big business sure - but many regional charities would love the odd web video or oddball project. NB. They will work you into the ground and the $$$ will be terrible.
Second Rung
Corporate Video - Working with private limited companies etc, usually contracts (did i say usually haha) - if these are local companies etc, prepare for these hardened Managing Directors to kick your ass into working for more than your getting paid. However, newstarts have to endure this. So you will make a 10minute video of a man planting kitchen tiles. Or an instructional guide on the installation of air conditioning units. The money is better here though - and its through SLICK corporate videos you start to get a heads up.
Promos - At this league only little companies are going to seriously consider a punk and his camera to make their advert however - its still all good for you $$$ (well possibly) but will be more useful to your showreel. So if that 2nd hand car dealer wants bits of video for his website then you can film it like a real car advert - and not only blow him away but add it to your showreel to blow away a better client.
Third Rung
Television - Now I don't mean getting your crappy short film on some local cable channel (even in the UK that is exhausting compared to how easy it is in the US!) However, a lot of local businesses in the USA can afford regional tv advertising (i think?) compared to the UK so this market may be more accessible earlier (but for less $$$). In anycase eventually you can find the most ambitious of the local companies (after doing a few corporates and your showreel looks great) then you can pitch for these projects (making your first 5 figure commissions etc)
Now land a few more and you can charge a much higher rate - and forget all the crap stuff you did before!!
However, all in all the most important thing is realising that you are not getting money for your skills with the camera. You are getting money for your skills at SELLING YOURSELF.
So you can't be dandy the cameraman and expect much love - you have to pitch for clients, introduce yourself to them, market yourself etc. You also have to be really sharp on the ideas for clients.
Because Clients always know what they 'need' but not what they 'want' - they can get as far as 'oh i need some kind of advert' and then your supposed to come up with the masterplan... If you can't think and talk fast like that in pitching sessions then you will always lose out to the lad with the gift of the gab
Good lucm mon amie.