Rate?

B

boulder

Well-known member
I'm sorry I have been out of the loop too long to know what to charge for a project. I'm shooting and editing a video for a non profit, about 2 mins long I think. Talking head with cutting in shots the person is taking in Haiti. I will be shooting the interview with my 7D, light kit, lav mics, recorder. Have to rent everything but the 7D. Loaning them my HV-20 to shoot in Haiti and will be cutting in that footage.

I really have no idea what to charge so any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
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You know more than anyone else what you are worth. As far as the rental cost of the equipment goes, make sure to charge a fee for the work you had to do getting the equipment.
 
Boulder, this is a perennial challenge for everyone, and it's hard for anyone to offer solid and appropriate advice. The main variables are what geographical market you're in, your experience level, your desire to discount for any particular job, rental of the gear, and so forth. I've contracted talent in bigger coastal markets that range from $800 to $2500 per day for a cinematographer...even within one city, the variation can be vast. Heck, in rare cases it can be a good idea to charge nothing, as a strategy to build a reel or get back into the game...as long as it's you making that decision, not the client, and as long as you're not being forced to do a huge amount of spec work.

I'd strongly recommend calling around or networking in your local market to get some reference points. Even then, there's the idea of what price you can actually "sell": some clients can't afford you at "full pop" so one sometimes discounts just to get the work, which can be a good or bad decision based on many, many factors. if you want rental prices, check folks like Calumet and see what % of the gear cost they charge per day or week, then amortize your insurance costs (you DO have insurance for your gear, right?) and add to your rental rate(s).

No one's trying to be glib, it's just a constantly-asked question that's hard for someone else to give you an easy answer for!
 
Thank you, understood. Have very good rental all set but was more trying to get a ballpark figure. Just really have the 7D and tripod, no insurance on that yet. The HV-20 I figured I would just charge an extra $500 or something if it broke or was stolen during their travel.
 
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