Production rates (do you include travel?)

M

mlh72

Carbonite Member
Hey all

I'm bidding on a project that requires about 6 hours drive time (round trip), hotel and two days of shooting time and that includes me and assistant. For jobs that you do based on hourly rates, do you use your normal hourly rate plus expenses (gas, hotel etc.) for travel in your bid or do you use a flat fee? What works best for you? If you do use an hourly rate, do you also include on top your assistant's rate too?

Thanks.
 
Well you can't be doing favors to the client by doing the job for less than it cost you. When you travel you can't do other jobs that could make you money so they are part of the bid.
 
For travel, I bill everything at cost. Additionally, I travel as cheaply as possible, because you don't want locals to be able to undercut you too badly. So if you can make it one night in the hotel (drive in early morning and leave after shoot day 2), that will help keep your costs down.

I'm not sure what you're asking about with your assistant's rate. If you're giving a quote, make it a line item budget and include your assistant's rate separately, as well as each travel expense.
 
We bill 1/2 day rate for travel. So essentially, 1/2 there, 1/2 day back.... whether flying or driving (for all the crew). We're tying up 2 billable days and only getting paid for one, however, it seems to ease our clients minds using a "trusted" crew rather than hiring an untested local one. These days 1/2 of something is better than all of nothing.
 
Also remember that travel and travel is not the same. Flight from NYC to LA is 6 hours, plus 2 hours to baord etc - makes it a 8 hour trip at least - hardly a half-day.
 
Patryk_Rebisz said:
Also remember that travel and travel is not the same. Flight from NYC to LA is 6 hours, plus 2 hours to baord etc - makes it a 8 hour trip at least - hardly a half-day.
Click to expand...
But on the other hand youre not really working that day. Your rate should in part reflect your skill and experience level. If none of thats being put into use on a given day, should you really charge a full day rate, even if the travel takes a full day?
 
It really depends on your negotiating skills. You are working as you are doing something that's related to the company's shoot - travel to the location. Just because you are not setting up the lights doesn't mean you are not working. It's up to the production to figure out the best way how to utilize you and if it's you sitting on the plane so be it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top