What do I charge

A

airforceguy

Active member
A law firm wants me to shoot a 10 minute DVD (5,000 copies). I can get the DVDs duplicated for 4K with jacket. It sounds like they want me long term so I want to do a really good job for them.

As for production I was thinking a 2 or 3 camera shoot plus lighting, sound and make-up. This is my first professional gig so here are my questions.

Do I hire a crew or go for it myself? Seems like an easy enough shoot and I think I am more than capable and have the gear.

How much should I spend on a crew if I go that route?

If not is $500 a day to shoot to little?

How much for an editor?

Is a 30% mark up on rental and crew about right?

Please assist. I was caught totally off guard, received a phone call out of the blue.
 
How complex is it? what are you shooting? If you need hair and make up and 2 o 3 cameras it sounds like you may need a crew. I would find out what thier budget is an go from there. If you have the gear and it seems easy just get 2-3 people and make it happen. and you can edit it yourself as well. Not sure on the mark up. I always shoot high and come down. If it is going to cost you 4k for DVD's then I would set the price around 8k-9k and see what they say.
 
It's pretty much a 10-minute infomercial about the firm and it's services, i.e. an attorney sitting behind a desk in front of a bookcase type deal.

I am confident I can light and frame it. I have 3 13' color monitors so if need be I can work all cameras WS, MS, and CU. I am not planning on any camera movements or maybe one at the most. I would prefer 3 cameras because this guy is not an actor and I want to get it in 2 good takes. I was thinking about a lav mic and a shotgun mic on a boom stand and hire a make up artist.

Or I can go with a DP/cameral operator, a sound guy, and make-up. So FILTHRICH, with that said, you are saying $10K is in the ballpark?

I have enough lights, a DVX100B and a betacam, but I think I would prefer to rental 2 more DVX's to match ($150 each).

ARGES03, a topnotch crew in the area will cost about $2400 plus make-up, where would YOU put the price for the project?
 
Did one of these last year in a large studio in LA in front of 40x40 cyc with 2 HVX's, 2 cam op's, grip and elec, hair, m/u, dir.

I don't know the fee but the cheapest thing on set were the HVX's. Make it look good and charge accordingly.
 
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