what is the average rate

HerzogisGod

HerzogisGod

Well-known member
for a professionally produced 90 sec promo, shot on HVX, developed, scripted, using professional actors, locations, and period wardrobe?


I quoted $3000, and the client bailed.

His product costs around $400 retail.
 
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I think $3K for that was too cheap. How many days of shooting? We run into this all the time. Don't be discouraged. A more realistic figure would be in the in the $12-15K range. Remember, it is NOT the final length or final usage that determines the price, it is the amount of work required to make the project. Projects are based on a 10 hour day. Figure out how much each person involved needs to be paid per hour x 10 and that gives you a shooting budget, plus such things as wardrobe and things you might not be able to provide, such as locations and gaffing. Then you need to charge for writing and producing editing and other post production. The point is you need to make a profit! We all enjoy doing what we do, but I have seen too many people quote low to get a job, and loose money making a product for an end user. It is difficult making this a business, when we enjoy what we do. More of us need to learn to walk away from projects that are not based on sound business principles. Once we do, we find there is plenty of business out there from people who will pay a fair price and we get more respect from the clients, who realize we know what we are doing. It's a hard thing to do when we need cash flow, but loosing money on a project and trying to make it up with volume doesn't work either.
 
Yea, you dodged a bullet. Here in Chicago non union talent from an agency will cost you $800-1000 (+15% agency fees) alone. How many actors were you getting? Scripting, a day of shooting, post, sourcing costumes.... my quick reaction was $8,000+, depending on the details.
 
Thanks for feedback

Looking at a two day shoot. Three actors. Few hours of editing etc.

But yea, $3000 was way too low.
 
Good looking stuff.

Same old story, client wants the moon & the sun but offers nothing. Suggest to that "client" to place an ad on craigslist looking for $150/day video people, then sit back and laugh....
 
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HerzogisGod said:
It's tough cause this a very small, niche market.


Here's a promo I just shot. This is what got the other guy interested.

http://www.vimeo.com/7536139
Click to expand...

I see you are a DUNE fan:

litany against fear is an incantation used by the Bene Gesserit:

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain
 
MikeyP said:
Good looking stuff.

Same old story, client wants the moon & the sun but offers nothing. Suggest to that "client" to place an ad on craigslist looking for $150/day video people, then sit back and laugh....
Click to expand...

Naw, just send 'em to fred and sharon:
IMPORTANT NOTICE: No media files are hosted on these forums. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website. We can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. If the video does not play, wait a minute or try again later.
I AGREE
 
Yup

Yup

Agreed with the $12-15K quote. $3K? No way! lol. We don't even do a full quality virtual tour for $3K, we send a camera man with a tripod and hire a pro editor, voiceover artist, that kinda thing for about that, but that's it.

Any actual crew for any project at all is going to run $5K minimum. So the complexity of something like this sounds more like $10K+
 
HerzogisGod said:
for a professionally produced 90 sec promo, shot on HVX, developed, scripted, using professional actors, locations, and period wardrobe?


I quoted $3000, and the client bailed.

His product costs around $400 retail.
Click to expand...

Just a question, what was your validation to say a price of $3000?

Also, did you call that price on the spot or did you first give your client a range and then worked out a cost to profit ratio later on at your office and then gave the client the final figure?

one more thing, don't feel bad if the client bailed....if its one thing I noted is a client that doesn't want to pay isn't worth it...of course you don't let them know this, just offer to be there if they still need the job done and then if they do come back to you, quote a realistic price and state that your schedule is extremely booked and your doing him a favour. :)
 
Good point. Thanks

$3000 just seemed like a fair price for this very small, niche market. It's enough to produce a higher end product for this community, plus something left over to pay everyone.

In the end, it amounts to a labor of love
 
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