Newbee Videographer gets his first paid Assignment!

[Jeremy Rochefort]

This is a subjective point.

$125.00 US dollars for the finished DVD’s sounds a bit cheap to me for 1.5 hours of shooting and dvd delivery.

Best would be to set a standard hourly rate for filming that you are comfortable with. Your edit time could be included in that hourly rate or quote a seperate hourly rate for editing.

This is such a wide open subject with the result is that many people will have vastly different opinions.

Good luck

Jeremy

MJ Productions

[Seatlanta]

Gee, I’m not a professional event videographer, but I agree that your fee sounds very, very reasonable.

You don’t say how many hours you spent filming, editing, and traveling, but I would have expected to be paid for all of that time, and also the cost of the media (DVDs, etc.).

If you filmed lots of students, you could also work out a deal to sell the DVDs to the parents.

On the other hand, if you’re just learning and are looking for experience and things for your resume, then you probably did just fine.

Many clents don’t understand the time and effort (and frustration) that go into a simple video production, and many aren’t willing to pay for good work.

Best of luck.

James (seatlanta)

[Don Kimball]

Thanks for your kind imput James.

Yes I did it more for the experience and the music teacher was a personal friend. I filmed for almost 2 hours but the drive was only 10 minutes away to the filming site. I did not editing at all. The music performances were back to back and thus no room for editing for the most part. I designed the DVD’s dust cover from stills from the performance and I am really delighted with the outcome.

Somewhere online must be rates for videographers… So I can get a ball park idea and as a beginner know what to charge. Thanks so much for your imput!

Don

[Don Kimball]

Hi Jeremy:

Thanks for your great imput.. this was a personal friend and a learning experience for me. While I am in training so to speak I figure I would provide a financial break for clients. I am still trying to find out what a serious pro charges his clients but the annoying factor is when I go to websites the assumption is that I am ready to use the service and the site wants particulars so the Videographer can get back to me with a price quote… oh well. the search continues.

Thanks!

Don

[Seatlanta]

Hello again:
Try a Google search with the words “video production rates” and you’ll get plenty of information about what other companies are charging for their work . . . all types of work.

Prices will vary, depending on the geographic area, the competition, and the quality of work. New York and Los Angeles rates will probably be higher than those in areas with a lower cost of doing business.

People with offices and studios and staff usually have more expenses than the person working out of the spare bedroom, and their rates will usually reflect those added costs.

I think the bottom line is this: Unless you’re just trying to establish a name and reputation, or you’re doing it for fun, you should (must?) charge enough to actually make a profit–otherwise, what’s the point?

I often do things for fun, for the creative experience, or because I think it’s a worthwhile cause. I don’t make money, but I enjoy it, and I invariably learn from it. But if it’s a job I don’t particularly want to do, I say no unless the money is right.

Best wishes.
James (seatlanta)