OT: Going Rate for shooting outdoor event video ?

[Chris Franklin]

I’m shooting an outdoor event in a couple of weeks and it’s going to be about 4 hours. Someone subcontracted the work to me and I’m going to get about $400.

They called a TV station that is 2 hours away and they were going to charge $2,000.

I live in a smaller/rural area, so I can’t charge too much for my services, but I normally charge somewhere around $25 an hour with a minimum of 2 hours. That’s just the base price, so it depends on the project. The $400 figure is something that the other guy is working out for me.

[Chris Franklin]

..

[Mike Kujbida]

Experienced shooters in my area with a 3-CCD camera get around $600 per day.
A half-day rate is typically 2/3 of the day rate so that’s $400.

[John Frey]

For a 1/2″ 3 Chip Pro camera, operator, wireless mic simple shoot we start at $125/hr. with a 2 hr. minimum. $95/hr. for Canon XL1, Sony PD 170, etc. Day rate is usually 8 hours for the price of 7. A client may request the cameraman as director, additional audio tech, light kit, etc. Depending on the client and the shoot, these items can be negotiable. Don’t forget travel-time and mileage. What is the location and is there danger to the video crew. We try to include the cost of a pre-site survey. Of course, sometimes that is just not possible. Remember, the client is often clueless as to what it really takes for a successful shoot. He/she is depending on your expertise. Never bite off more than you can chew!

John D. Frey
25 Year owner/operator of two California-based production studios.

Digital West Video Productions of San Luis Obispo and Inland Images of Lake Elsinore

[Neil Moxham]

I charge $100/hr for onsite videography where I have to make something out of nothing.
If all their ducks are in a row and controlled conditions then I’ll bargain for $75.
However I’ll offer a special rate/deal to help get all their ducks in a row. (logistics coordinator, site director,site survey)
In my experience…
If you look, act like you have your S**T together then no-one will balk at $75-$100/ hr.
(of course make sure you have your S**T together)

Zipedit

[Ron Shook]

John,

[John Frey] “For a 1/2″ 3 Chip Pro camera, operator, wireless mic simple shoot we start at $125/hr. with a 2 hr. minimum. $95/hr. for Canon XL1, Sony PD 170, etc. Day rate is usually 8 hours for the price of 7.”

I don’t grok this hourly rate thing. No one with any experience does that sort of thing in my neck of the woods (midwest-Chicago). How can you book a 2 hour shoot that leaves you with so little after travel and most of a day used up, when the next client may very well want a full day shoot on the same date? How do you deal with the users who push you to shoot continuously in the hot sun without time for even a drink of water with the pee running down your leg, to keep it under 3 hours?

Mike’s approach and rates make much more sense, assuming he’s talking about a 1/3rd”, 3 chip DV shoot:

[Mike Kujbida] “Experienced shooters in my area with a 3-CCD camera get around $600 per day.
A half-day rate is typically 2/3 of the day rate so that’s $400.”

The most in demand shooters here don’t even bother with a half-day rate. If they shoot they get their day rate. Of course everyone makes exceptions for the clients that regularly help you make your monthly nut, but it seems like you’re just asking for trouble by not demanding a day’s recompense or at least 2/3rds of a day’s rate for a short day that gives you a breather.

Ron Shook

[John Frey]

Locally, over the past 25 years, there have been numerous occasions for a very quick assignment – but at a minimum of 2 hrs. Most of these quick assignments turn into more production work. If I have a cameraman available, it’s another assignment. If they go longer, then the client pays the extra hours. Most of our scheduled shoots are full day rates and part of a project contract. My studio locations are not in large cities. The hourly and day rates that I listed are representative of what most long-term videographers in the area charge.

John D. Frey
25 Year owner/operator of two California-based production studios.

Digital West Video Productions of San Luis Obispo and Inland Images of Lake Elsinore

[Ron Shook]

John,

[John Frey] “If I have a cameraman available, it’s another assignment. If they go longer, then the client pays the extra hours. Most of our scheduled shoots are full day rates and part of a project contract.”

If what you saying is that you don’t book these tiny gigs significantly ahead of time but take them “catch as catch can,” then I have no problem with this approach. It just wasn’t clearly that from your original post.

[John Frey] “My studio locations are not in large cities.”

That does make a difference. In large metropolitan areas it’s not hard to find User Clients (our earstwhile leader, Mr. Lindeboom, would call them “grinders”) who will move from production company to production company screwing as they go, and with 3 or 4 degrees of separation in the production community cutting a swath for some time before they run out of real estate. In small city/town situations where there are only 1 or 2 degrees of separation, it doesn’t take long before no one will work for them.

It all goes to show that you can’t generalize too far when it comes to rates and rate structures.

Ron Shook

[Randall Raymond]

[Ron Shook] ”
It all goes to show that you can’t generalize too far when it comes to rates and rate structures.”

If I’m busy – they get one rate, if I’m not they get another. If I like the project, they get another rate. By rates, I mean price – I normally go by the project. Even the bean-counters prefer that…

If the client is a butt-head – they get a big-fat NO – I’d rather go bowling and I hate bowling.

[Will Standley]

Thanks for the great info guys.

I did a little research in my area and it seems $95 to $125 per hour is in the range.

Rates here seem to be quoted in half and full day increments plus $100 to $125 for each additional hour.

The half day rates are a little higher, of course… like $450 for a half day or $800 for a full day… in one case… Another is about $575 for a half day and $1000 for a full day.

Of course extra expenses and options are extra.

Thanks again for the info.

Oh! Editing time seems to vary from $75 per hour to $175 per hour… what do you guys charge for editing?