Shooting rates/Front-end or Back-end

[KingVidiot]

OK This may be a composite of several posts already up here, but I have a fairly simple question.

I know someone that wants me to shoot some training videos for him. From what I gather about the type of videos he wants, they could easily sell in a large variety of venues.

The main question is should I just take my money up front or should I take a basic fee and wait for a piece of the profits? The problem is I don't think I can get too much up front, but like most things I have to be willing to gamble on one or the other.

Obviously, real movie folks usually have some of both. This is the other part of my question. What is a good general percentage or ratio of up-front/later-on action in the industry (or at least people in the the wannabe industry like me)?

Personally, I'd take almost anything to have fun making it and learning a bunch. But I want to come-off at least sorta professional, so I want to ask for a worthwhile yet respectable amount.

I'm sure many others would like to know this info.

 

[Erik Olson]

Are you acting in a producers capacity? You would need an attorney to draft an agreement that would hold up in court on the matter of deferred payment / profit share.

There might be someone who will advocate for trying this, but I'll be one of what will certainly be many who will tell you to get your money up-front (by that I mean payment for services already rendered) in a pre-negotiated day rate. Do your work, add it to your reel if you like it and move on.

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