-
Need advice quick!
-
[Steve Martin] ”
Do you guys typically charge full or discounted day rates for travel days.”Steve –
And isn’t THAT one of the bigger issues many of us have to deal with. In the past I have often fallen on the side of, “Well if they could hire somebody locally am I not putting myself at a competitive disadvantage by charging for something the other guys don’t have to?”These days I regard travel as something I try to get at 50% of normal day rate. Especially when its justified by being a specialist in an area that the local guys are unlikely to know. “Try” is the operative word since when push comes to shove that always seems to be one of the areas that is cut first. Realistically it often comes down to how much I want the individual job and how much the client wants us to be the ones to do it.
While that is negotiable, expenses (air, auto mileage) are always charged at 100%, but without mark-up.
That’s how we handle it, but different strokes for different folks.
-
I usually word it something like, “I can do the whole enchelada and have it to ya by the end of tomorrow for 2500 bucks.”
For years I really thought people wanted break downs in proposals. They just want a price. I cut to the chase and respond in real time rather than dragging it out while they collect other bids.
-
[shane jenny] “This proposal is for a 30 second web commercial and includes two high-definition cameras, two camera operators, production, and post-production. A sample render will be available for preview via web 1 week after shoot. Approval will be requested. Final output will be available for download via web.
Rates
A-Camera Operator $300/day
B-Camera Operator $300/day
8 hours of editing $50/hr
Re-edits $50/hrProduction
Crew will need 2-3 hours of setup of audio and lighting equipment at location prior to shoot.Post-production
Post-production includes editing of footage, color-correction, color-grading, incorporating graphic elements, and royalty free music.”I think your rate for camera is low. 300 per day to operate is ok, but what about for the camera itself? Lighting, bulb time, etc. Shoots put hours on the camera and lights, and use up expendables and your only charging about the norm for walking in and operating gear.
What is your charge for setup and teardown? This looks like your doing it for free. If you are, you will still have to pay the crew.
I wouldn’t use the term re-edit. Editing, is just editing. Having re-edit on here is redundant.
No mention of audio at all.
A two camera shoot, with a 2-3 hour set up, you might want to think about getting a PA.
You mention color grading. Do you have experience doing this, and have the proper equipment? If so, you are undercharging. If you are planning to farm this out, you are undercharging.
Who is writing this? Who is directing this? Who is producing this? Is it all on camera, or is there going to be VO? Who is going the graphics? Who is acting in this? If the actors are supplied by the client, and they run you over on shooting time, who is responsible?
What about travel time?
What about expenses? Who is feeding the crew? If you have a 2-3 hour setup, and an all day shoot, there will have to be meal and snacks provided.
How are you outputting this, and what is the charge for that?
What are your terms for getting paid?
More questions, than answers.If you are going to do things a la carte, it is best to have an inclusive list of services, with your hourly rates. This should be well thought out, and priced so you don’t go broke. Then you can just send this to clients, along with your proposal of how long each element will take.
The other way to do this is with a fixed price bid, and list the amount of each service you will deliver. If you run over and it’s your (or the crews fault) then you eat it. If it’s because the client wants more than originally planned, then you charge from the rate sheet.IMO, I think you are way undercharging on this, and it doesn’t seem well thought out, or very business like. Not trying to be mean. But if I put myself in the clients shoes and received this, and something like what some of the other guys here, or myself would send, yours wouldn’t make the first cut.
A proposal needs to be very inclusive and detailed, which this is not. It needs to be like a mini business plan.Scott Sheriff
Director
https://www.sstdigitalmedia.com“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.” —Red Adair
Where were you on 6/21?
-
[Steve Martin] “Do you guys typically charge full or discounted day rates for travel days.”
I understand there is a big justification for charging your full day rate for travel, but I still don’t do it.
I charge a discounted rate, plus mileage, and/or direct travel costs that are not supplied by the client. After 5 hours, I switch to a day rate with a per diem to cover meals, hotel, etc.Scott Sheriff
Director
https://www.sstdigitalmedia.com“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.” —Red Adair
Where were you on 6/21?
-
[Mark Suszko] “The final third plus any overages is due when you hand over the master or other deliverable, and note, you DO NOT hand that over EVER until you get paid. You also watermark or otherwise brand any sample footage you hand over “for review at home”. If all they want to do is review it, the logo bug or time code window on the screen will not be a problem for them. If they complain they want to see a “clean copy”, before they decide to pay you, they are vey likely going to rip you off, so demand payment in full before you hand over a clean copy. Ask me how I know ths happens:-)”
This is good advice.
And if you put a TC window on your footage, make sure it is well into the frame, so it can be squeezed out.
I shot HD footage of a MX event on spec for a guy, that had SD footage he had been using in his spots for ever. His intention was to redo his spot in HD for next season. After the gig, I made him a TC burn DVD of the raw footage, which he said he really liked. No mention of doing any editing, which the guy knows I do. So next season comes along, and I get a group email about the spring MX, which included event dates, air schedule, an attached poster for approval before going to the printer, but no mention of editing the spot. About two weeks before the event, I get a call from a local station in a panic wanting a copy of the raw footage I shot because all they had was the old SD footage, and a DVD with TC burn on it. When I told them that they or the client had to pay for the footage, they said they didn’t have any budget to do that because they were posting it for free to get the air buy. No soup for you.
Had I not TC’d the clients DVD, I’m sure they would have pulled it off the DVD and used it for the spot.Scott Sheriff
Director
https://www.sstdigitalmedia.com“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.” —Red Adair
Where were you on 6/21?
-
You guys have been immensely helpful! Thank you so much!
“Just along for the ride”
-
[grinner hester] “I usually word it something like, “I can do the whole enchelada(sic) and have it to ya by the end of tomorrow for 2500 bucks.””
I was wondering if you would accept either an invoice, or a estimate from a contractor, plumber, mechanic, etc that was written like that?
Scott Sheriff
Director
https://www.sstdigitalmedia.com“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.” —Red Adair
Where were you on 6/21?
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up