Rate Question

slimjimmed

slimjimmed

Well-known member
Potentially, I might be working on a documentary as the cinematographer (for mostly nature shots.) Operating on interviews will be primarily done by the director.

The director is a friend of mine and has asked me to give her my rates. This is causing me frustration since I have been running my own wedding video business for many years and have never had to come up with a rate for a job outside of my business.

She asked for a gold rate and then a silver rate(which would mean if they don't get the funding/grants that they have applied for).

I gotta be honest in that I don't even know where to begin. I looked around at some threads about rates but they are all over the place.

I would be using one of my own cameras(Canon XH-A1) to operate if I worked on this project.

I want to come up with something fair for everyone. I am passionate about the subject and want to do this right.

I am hoping somebody could offer me some advice on how to solve this?
 
Rule #1, NEVER sell yourself short. In doing so, you will do an injustice to all professional producers, editors, shooters, etc.

I'm sure there is plenty of serious producers in Portland. Call around to get their rates and charge accordingly.


You can search this forum:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/forumdisplay.php?f=18

and get lots of great ideas on pricing, contracts, and so on.

Try this resource, also:

http://freelanceswitch.com/rates/

I generally charge an hourly rate (with a 2 hour minimum) but have found that going with a day or half day rate works better.

In the market I work in, guys get from 60 to 150 per hour - camera, mics.
$35.00 for post.

I know some of you SOCAL guys are saying "That's too cheap" but I know it's what this market will bear.
I think $1500.00 per day (single camera, basic lighting, sound guy) is more like it but folks freak on that price.
Always have to walk that line between scaring the client away and being their hero. I like to try to be the hero. and...I like to pay the bills.

Ciao....Jeffro
 
I strongly advise against hourly rates for crew. Ideally there would only be full day rates because it's not likely that you can book anything else for the other "half". But, half day rates seem to be necessary. A standard day rate is typically for 8 or 10 hours. Sometimes people will work on a 12 hour day. If you decide to give a flat day rate, just make sure you know what is expected of you. Gear should also not be booked hourly - flat day rate only. You can negotiate and give a deal but don't get into an hourly situation. Rates vary immensely by location and who you're working with. I agree you should call around (locally) and see what the range is in your 'hood.
 
tumbleweed said:
I strongly advise against hourly rates for crew. Ideally there would only be full day rates because it's not likely that you can book anything else for the other "half". But, half day rates seem to be necessary. A standard day rate is typically for 8 or 10 hours. Sometimes people will work on a 12 hour day. If you decide to give a flat day rate, just make sure you know what is expected of you. Gear should also not be booked hourly - flat day rate only. You can negotiate and give a deal but don't get into an hourly situation. Rates vary immensely by location and who you're working with. I agree you should call around (locally) and see what the range is in your 'hood.
Click to expand...

Best advice I've heard.:thumbup:
 
I would forget about hourly and 1/2 day rates. Just give her a day rate you're comfortable with as your Gold rate and then you could always go with half of that for the silver rate as long as you get a piece of ownership in the documentary, say 10-15%.
 
If you offer a 1/2 day rate, charge 60-70% of your rate and not 50%. You still need to cover your operation costs like time, depreciation, rentals, and so on whether you go 4 or 10 hours. Explain how it is more cost effective to go a full day for everyone and will keep the overhead down. I sometimes use a business card analogy where an order from 500 to 1000 cards does not double in price. There are the initial set-up, operations and clean-up expenses that at constant in every job.

As for gold vs. silver, drop that language. These words are used for brides and their mothers. Establish a set percent range for family and friends (I call mine the "family and friends" discount) so it is upfront and easy to understand. Add this as a line item on the invoice underneath your full day rate pending grant funding. A friend would understand this.

Remember to get it in writing. That is a great way to keep a friend.

Good luck.
 
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