Music Video Pricings

creepyclownproduction's

creepyclownproduction's

Active member
Hi,

I've just been asked from a larger client to create a quote for a music video?

What types of things besides editing and shooting should I include?

Thanks
 
Are you handling strictly the technical needs, or are you also the producer/director? If so, you'll need to consider all the production needs not related to camera/editing: catering, transpo, permits, etc.
 
Costumes, set, casting, sound playback, script, storyboarding, post, effects, whether you need to get a license for the music or not, equipment rental, location fees, makeup, hair, props, and on and on...
 
There is no way to quote a music video in my opinion. I got asked that repeatedly because that's how I started out. It's like asking what a car costs. You can get a car for $200 or you can get one for $2 million, what do you want? You ask them what they have to spend and that's what you'll spend.
 
You can't create an estimate based on non existent specs. At the very least, they should provide examples of music videos that show a similar production value to what they want.

Really, they should just tell you what they want to spend and then you can factor in what and how you can provide production support.

.
 
Let me try to give you an example based on a contract I am trying to secure this week.

A return customer called and asked to do a music video, normally we base our prices depending on what they need but this time around they had a set budget of $XYZ.

I requested a meeting with the producers and in the meeting we went over the music, visuals, locations, props....etc

Out of this meeting I was able to determine we needed 3 days to shoot the video and about 60 hours in post.

I went back home and worked on the numbers and knowing what the budget was and what it would take to film it I was able to reverse engineer what I could provide for their budget and recommended small changes to their storyboards.

They are right now evaluating my recommendations and make a final determination soon.

DO's: Meet with your clients get much details as possible, make a checklist, take notes and go home to do your math. Dont feel pressured to accept the job in the meeting.

DONT's: Do not agree to flat price productions without getting all the data. 100K for production might sound like a fortune but if you have to spend 150K to get it done, you are in the hole.

Other Advice: If you are quoting line items but want to give a discount to get the job, clearly list your regular price's and add the discount on the bottom. That way if they return for more business you will have documentation to ask for your normal rates.

For example:
Camera crew $10
Equipment rental $20
post production $20.....etc

Total: $50
First time client discount: 10%
Final: $45
 
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