Rates! What should I be asking for?

Unsomnambulist

Unsomnambulist

Active member
I've been asked to bid on shooting an event and editing it into a hot 2 minute package.
The client is top line - can't get much bigger.
I'm not out to bid too high since I've never directed or shot at this level, so I'm looking for any ideas, standard rates.

I want to bid enough to cover enough for two miniDV cam and ops, plus the edit. The shoot should take six hours.

Thoughts?
 
 
Thanks. Some of those threads assure me I'm not thinking of asking for too much.
I hate this part of the process.

I'm thinking of billing 4 - 500/ for the six hour shoot per camera, and then an additional $1k for the 2 minute edit. I'll also add costs of the transfer to DVD, which I'll need to research seperately.

This sound reasonable?
 
Without knowing anything about anything of your situation I think it's nearly impossible for anyone to give you specific advice.

Who is the client, where is this project going, what is the aquisition and delivery format, how many cameras, how much footage, what is the post workflow going to be like, are there many graphic/3d elements that need to be created in post, how much do you normally charge, what do other people in your area charge, what is the timeline/deadline on this project?

Without details like that, I can't tell you my opinion on whether or not you're asking for a reasonable amount.

4-500 for the six hour shoot per camera?
I don't know... is that covering the camera/operator and media costs?
Or do you mean just for the camera? And if so...what camera are we talking about?

Point is - rates differ according to a number of factors.
Any advice you get from the information you have given is probably just a shot in the dark.
 
ya....400-500/hour is kind of broad...we dont know what cam ur shooting...and if theres lots of cc to be done and vfx what other stuff....also who is the final product going to? CNN? Indy? Hollywood? lol...

theres a big difference between a camera and the CO of an ARRI 535 and a jvc gr250 LOL :D funny
 
Well after reading this forum and multiple post from other people and getting replies I came up with a rate that I can be satisfied with. What I would suggest is to first call around your local area to other production companies and get a price quote to find out how much they are charging in your area.
I charge $500 a day for filming (Excluding anything that must be rented or hiring extra people to help)
and $400 a day for editing.
Now of course this is a base rate and depending on the difficulty of the project and/or client it can go up or down.Someone on this forum (I can't remember who) told me to look at your project and estimate one 8 hour day for every finished minute and after doing my first paid project I would have to agree %100 with that statement. It's always better to finish the project ahead of schedule then you have to get more time or spend 18hrs a day editing so you don't look unprofessional. There is a post about this subject that I believe Jarred or John talked about underpricing your work and how it's not a good idea. At the moment I don't do this work to feed my family , but I know that if I did I would be pissed if someone who lives at home with his parents , has no official business and doesn't pay taxes on his work came and said I will do the work for %60 less because he doesn't have any overhead.( not saying this is anyone in particular or me)
 
Thanks.

Unfortunately, I can't reveal the client, but they don't get much bigger (outside of movie studio or software company).

I'm shooting miniDV - likely DVX100A.

No effects - just shooting an event that the client can the show off to potential future co-sponsors and their own higherups. The event is a large party with some stage elements - I'm not shooting with a script, so much as trying to capture the gee-whiz of the whole event, from people waiting in line, folks dancing, stage antics, maybe some celebrity hits, etc.

Sounds like I may be going a little low, but not by too much.

Thanks for all the suggestions.
 
I have a template based on what they've had done for similar events - pretty much just a highlight reel. Lots of money shots, cut to a particular song.

I did do a previous side project with the same group, winging a very bad script, so in some cases I'd agree that lack of a script would require more effort and dialogue with the client, so more money might be needed. But not in this case.
 
Oh well that cool than . As long as they have given you a really good idea as to what they want then not having a script is okay.
 
Your bid is only too high when you don't get the job.
Your bid is too low when you wish you hadn't got the job.

And don't worry about things like clearing music copyrights, no big deal with a truly large client. They will get sued, not you (assuming you have a good contract with them that pins the blame on them). Of course, they may be expecting you to handle gettingthe music cleared, so make sure you know what you are bidding on.
 
You are here asking for filming rates but yet you can't afford toilet paper?
Hard to believe your filming anything.

Of course the people here don't know you like I do do they Mr. Markland.
 
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