Canon DSLR Shooters

[Philip Herring]

Richard:

The original ad asked for shooters with Cannon 5D or 7D for a automobile dealership in Tyler, TX. This Ad was posted on Craigslist (clue number 2, if you took clue number 1 that the camera body required was $1200) – This Ad was not posted in SHOOT magazine in the back pages of the 4 color print of the magazine. You replied to this initial ad, and sent links with your work, it was good – So I inquired about a day rate for 8 hours of shooting in Tyler TX. You replied with your $750 a day DP rate – $500 Camera rate and add-ons, making it way over budget. No further communication was required since you did not meet the requirements for the job – $600 – $800. I responded to you in the manner in which I did when you contacted me again, not taking hint #3 NO FOLLOW UP EMAIL. I shot off the reply email you so nicely quoted in the beginning of this thread. And in all honesty, it s 100% correct response. Our industry has taken some cost cutting hits in the past 15 years, and paying $1500 per day for a $1200 camera body, tripod and Lav is a little ridiculous. I am sorry your feelings were hurt. Perhaps in the future you can reads ALL THE SIGNS of a POSTING FOR A JOB 1) Posting on Craigslist 2) requesting a $1200 Camera body and 3) no reply when a rate is quote.

Again, have a good day, and I feel you are the unprofessional one – Professionals read signs – and obviously you are oblivious to them.
BTW I have 5 candidates that shoot as well as you, and for the rate required for the job, you might want to reconsider your Day rate. I have worked with some pretty spectacular DPs. Larry McKokney for one – Look him up – Friends with Garret Brown of Steady Cam – I assisted him in college on a film and am fully aware of a professional environment on and off set.

Again, Regards – Philip

[Richard Crook]

Well, your ad asked for DSLR shooters or Sony XDcam shooters. For a dealership spot. That could mean any number of budgets. I quoted you my DP rate ( with assistant) and rental for an F3 (which is clearly NOT a 1200 dollar camera).

But what it comes down to Philip, is I clearly misunderstood what type of shoot and budget you were working with. If you said a low-budget non-broadcast video for a local dealership, looking to hire for $600 that would be totally different. I just shot at a dealership a month ago for only 500. No big deal. Lower budgets require lower rates, we all know that. Naturally you prefer a DSLR because of your budget (even though you mention Sony XDcam). But seriously you shot back this totally unprofessional knee-jerk comment that was totally out of line. And the fact you are defending it tells alot.

It’s also clear that you feel because someone shoots on a DSLR or you posted on craigslist, then everyone should assume you are working with a low budget or that DSLR shooters who look on craigslist for gigs are somehow entitled to less. I disagree…and feel you should post your budget requirements instead of being very vague and then belittling people when they misunderstand as I did. I am so very sorry for quoting you for a bigger budget.

I’m just making sure others don’t make the same mistake I did and reach out to you in good faith.

[Philip Herring]

Money is money – I am sorry you are feeling the pinch of lower budgets on your botttom line. If any of the guys which are in my cue for the gig wish to withdraw let me know. …….. ….. Did not think anyone would not take.money. sorry Charlie.