Eric Coughlin
Veteran
For those of you who do both corporate and narrative work, how do you quote rates for narrative films?
The problem I'm having is that someone comes to me asking for a quote for a narrative film, say a short film, 2-4 day shoot, or a feature film, 10-30 day shoot, and I'm just like, "My regular day rate with X gear is X amount per day." And then I never hear from them again. For corporate work that works fine, but I gather most low budget movies (and the big budget ones aren't calling me) don't have the budget to pay full corporate day rates for multi-day shoots. Even if I offered a three day rental week at full rate, it'd probably be above their budget.
So, the only time I ever seem to get hired for narrative work is when the producer actually tells me their budget before I quote them, and then with an idea of their budget in mind, I can figure out if I can quote a number that'd be worth it to me and affordable to them. But, a lot of times the conversations quickly go to, "What is your rate?"
The thing is, since narrative shoots are often multiple days in a row, you could charge significantly less per day, but still make as much or more than you'd typically make in say that 15 day period doing corporate videos (where you may only work five or six days in a 15 day period). It means a lot more work, but similar or better pay in that time period. But also, narrative work is often more fun than corporate, contributes better shots for reel material, and gives the opportunity for growth as a narrative DP if so desired. So, working more for a similar amount of paycheck isn't the worst.
I guess one option would be to simply figure out a lower rate narrative day rate and quote that, but then you'd risk underselling yourself should there be a bigger budget narrative film calling. Or, just hold firm and make them tell you their budget before you give them a quote. One issue I've had is that some producers are like, "We don't have a budget yet, we want to know your rate so we know what kind of budget we need to raise." Well, those clients typically aren't serious and never end up getting the shoot together. But others do have a budget, and just don't want to say it.
I'll do passion project narrative jobs for friends for free, sometimes under the condition that if I get offered a paid job on that day, then they'd need to resort to a backup. And, I produce my own narrative films which are self-funded. And then I do perhaps one or two paid narrative films per year. I like doing corporate work, and wouldn't say I'm desperate for more narrative work, but, I wouldn't mind if I got a bit more paid narrative gigs per year than what I'm currently at.
So, back to the original question, how do you quote rates for narrative films in relation to your rates for corporate work?
The problem I'm having is that someone comes to me asking for a quote for a narrative film, say a short film, 2-4 day shoot, or a feature film, 10-30 day shoot, and I'm just like, "My regular day rate with X gear is X amount per day." And then I never hear from them again. For corporate work that works fine, but I gather most low budget movies (and the big budget ones aren't calling me) don't have the budget to pay full corporate day rates for multi-day shoots. Even if I offered a three day rental week at full rate, it'd probably be above their budget.
So, the only time I ever seem to get hired for narrative work is when the producer actually tells me their budget before I quote them, and then with an idea of their budget in mind, I can figure out if I can quote a number that'd be worth it to me and affordable to them. But, a lot of times the conversations quickly go to, "What is your rate?"
The thing is, since narrative shoots are often multiple days in a row, you could charge significantly less per day, but still make as much or more than you'd typically make in say that 15 day period doing corporate videos (where you may only work five or six days in a 15 day period). It means a lot more work, but similar or better pay in that time period. But also, narrative work is often more fun than corporate, contributes better shots for reel material, and gives the opportunity for growth as a narrative DP if so desired. So, working more for a similar amount of paycheck isn't the worst.
I guess one option would be to simply figure out a lower rate narrative day rate and quote that, but then you'd risk underselling yourself should there be a bigger budget narrative film calling. Or, just hold firm and make them tell you their budget before you give them a quote. One issue I've had is that some producers are like, "We don't have a budget yet, we want to know your rate so we know what kind of budget we need to raise." Well, those clients typically aren't serious and never end up getting the shoot together. But others do have a budget, and just don't want to say it.
I'll do passion project narrative jobs for friends for free, sometimes under the condition that if I get offered a paid job on that day, then they'd need to resort to a backup. And, I produce my own narrative films which are self-funded. And then I do perhaps one or two paid narrative films per year. I like doing corporate work, and wouldn't say I'm desperate for more narrative work, but, I wouldn't mind if I got a bit more paid narrative gigs per year than what I'm currently at.
So, back to the original question, how do you quote rates for narrative films in relation to your rates for corporate work?
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