Restaurant video

L

lynx

Active member
Hi All,

I just got a restaurant interested in doing a video for their website. It's an upscale restaurant.

I'd just like to get some feedback on what would be charged to do a project like this. They want up to a 5 minute video. It's my first time shooting this type of video.

It would entail going back and forth to the restaurant different times to get bar shots, dining shots, kitchen, etc……. And more areas as well as the outside.

So wondering how you might break down the cost of this video to the owner.

Or what you would charge overall?

It's close to a metropolitan city.

Thanks for the input.
 
Wow. That is tough. What is your experience as a shooter, editor, etc.?

You may have a tiger by the tail. A commercial shoot like this could net you a lot, if you are up to it and have the skills to match. It could also really hurt you if they are looking for one thing and you can only deliver something else.

Basically you are asking us, "what is the color 'green'?" You are going to get very varied responses. I mean some may say a combination of the primary colors yellow and blue, other will say the shade you are wanting is on the evergreen trees in a snowy winter forest at sunset.

My opinion, what do you think it is worth to you to shoot this for them, based on your experience and cost outlay for this shoot? Add in a profit margin that is fair and standard.

But again, this could make or break you. Do it wrong and they have to eat the cost and, well............do it right, you could make a name for yourself.

The bottom line, what is it worth to you? Maybe not much help, but this is one of those jobs that goes outside regular bounds.
 
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I always tell food clients if they cannot afford to shoot food right don't do it at all.

Food photography is very specialized. It takes abundant experience and the proper gear art direction and stylist to do it right.

I have done well with food but I really did make some errors early in my career.
 
Generic pricing doesn't exist.


That's why you go to "film school", to learn everything except the details.
 
My first suggestion is not to do the back-and-forth approach. Rather, set it up, with friends of the owner, and approach it like a little production. The place will be closed and it's safer that way.

I'm going to shoot a restaurant in a few weeks for a promo and we're bringing in their favorite customers in exchange for meals. We'll be filmming them as they eat their reward for being there. Win/win.

There are a TON of advantages to shooting when the restaurant is not open. It's really the way to go.

Also, rather than capture the actually food on video, consider taking stills. Then incorporate the stills in the finished video. So many advantages to that!!!

Charging? Well, I've learned to charge a lot more than I think I "should." Personally, I think wedding videography is a good standard out there these days. Those guys really have established their rates. A one day/night shoot and post edit would be equivalent to a wedding, so take a look at their rates....
 
Thanks

Thanks

Thanks all for the feedback.

I will be doing some shoots in the day when it's not busy.
I will also be doing some live shoots with a busy restaurant at night. I will be incorporating stills as well.

Any suggestions for lighting at night because it will not be staged. It's real customers. I have a micro light, but not sure if I will be using that. I am using the xha1.

Thanks again.
 
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