A inquiry to editors…

[Shane Ross]

None that I know of. I just know what the typical pay for my area is. Or rather, I know what I charge and stick with that. When I started out I did research to find out what the average pay was, and for what skill levels (takes quite a bit of calling and seeing reels of work by companies) to figure out where I fit.

Shane

Littlefrog Post
http://www.lfhd.net

[Michael Bugera]

An interesting question…
Certainly if you’re in an area of the country where editors aren’t in big supply then you can name your price, as long as it’s not so high that it chases clients to the next county/city. Find out what editors are charging in your surrounding area. Sometimes production companies will post their rate cards online…sometimes.
If, however, you’re in an area where there’s a lot of production you may always be competing with that 18 year old kid fresh out of high school looking to make a splash. That’s what happened to my company recently. A job we couldn’t do for the money was done by an 18 year old kid for less than what it would’ve cost to rent our camera for the weekend.
My best advice is to join a local user group: production, editing, graphics… whatever’s available. The contacts you make will allow you to gauge prices in the industry so you can stay competitive and you might get to know producers/directors who will throw the editing of their projects your way.

Good luck,
Bugsy

[Domani_studios]

Thanks for the info and advice guys! I’m based in a smaller city, where the amount of editors is scarce. But this info is good, gives me some insight on what approach I need to take.

Cheers,
Francisco

[Joe Paolo]

My experience differs from Bugsys. I’ve been paid much better in larger markets, where editing is considered a skill. I’ve been in small towns where I’m sure I was the only editor for hundreds of miles and could not find work. This is probably because editing is not a marketable talent in the “boonies”. When I could find work, I was just considered part of the crew and was paid no more then the grips were. If you are in a situation where there is no comparison available as to your skills, then you will be treated and paid as if you worked at Radioshack. Your experience will have no value because there is no frame of reference for your potential clients.
You may be in a unique situation where a local company needs your skills. Then you may have some negotiating power. But beware of one client situations if your are a freelancer.
Now if you can edit and weld, then you’ve got something to fall back on.

joe

[Walter Biscardi]

[domani_studios] “Geography plays a big part in how much you get for the job, but if there are lack of quality editors around, shouldn’t the demand(pay) be much higher? Any information would help.”

Your talent and experience are the big factors here. Someone with a long resume of broadcast / corporate work who can run multiple apps can charge more than someone new getting into the business no matter where they are.

Overhead plays another big factor. Do you have your own system? How much does that cost per month to pay off / maintain?

I’ve heard of editor rates from $15/hour to $100/hour and if you want an editor with a system then it’s $35/hour to $250/hour and up depending on the system and the editor’s talents.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Michael Bugera]

Editing AND welding? Hmmmm…I detect a paradigm shift in the industry!
I guess what it comes down to is that the price of editing has become harder to pin down. Wages in one city can be vastly different from wages in the next city, just as attitudes toward the job can vary.
I know here in California editors get different treatment in San Francisco than they do in Los Angeles, and far different treatment than San Diego (where I’m from). The East coast has IT’S own mentality.
But then, I’m full time at a company and we see our own range of difficulties and treatments.

Good luck,
Bugsy

[Dave Martin]

So how are editors treated in San Francisco vs LA vs San Diego?

Tim