TV company wants my footage, should I ask for a fee?

[Andy Jarvis]

Hello, I’d really appreciate some advice from someone who knows more about the TV industry than me!

I am a freelance filmmaker, doing promotional videos on my DSLR, etc, mainly for the web. I have been contacted by a TV company who are making a series for ITV, and they want to use a clip from one of my promotional videos. I have never been in this position, and don’t know whether or not to let them have it and enjoy having something I’ve done shown on mainstream TV (which of course would be great for the repertoire), or if I should be asking for a proper fee? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Steve Crow]

If they want your clip then they’ll probably willing to pay for it. If they expect it for free what does that tell you about them and their business practices, they might say it will be great for your “reel” or for “exposure” but I doubt highly if you see ANY benefit from it. Show them that your work is valuable and don’t let them take advantage of you just because you may perceive them as being in the power seat (which I think is false by the way)

Steve Crow
Crow Digital Media
http://www.CrowDigitalMedia.com

[Mike Smith]

Well it’s up to you, though most people would insist a on fee.

It could be good, probably, to be sure that the person or company who paid you to make the promo is happy about what you propose. And that you have rights to the footage / edited clip / whatever it is the prospective buyer wants. If there are elements that you might need rights clearances from others for – music, performances, interviews, other stuff you had to clear when you made the promo – it would be good to check that your clearances or permissions allows you to sell on in this way.

It might also be good to limit any licence you grant to a specific programme, use, period of time.

[charles meadows]

It can vary, depends on the production. There’s no harm in asking for a fee, it depends on how much footage they’re going to use and how pivotal it is to their production. Definitely insist on a credit and then you can at least use the old adage “as seen on tv”. Best of luck with it and congratulations that your footage is making broadcast producers take note.

“There’s no point in filming if you don’t have fun”
Charles Meadows
Creative Director
Incubate Productions South Africa
http://www.incubatevideo.co.za

[Andy Jarvis]

Thanks a lot to everyone for the advice. It seems there is a general consensus that they should be paying but it’s ultimately up to me to give them my terms. I have asked them for a modest fee and we’ll see how they react. If nothing else, at least I know how to play it for next time! Thanks again everyone.

[Brent Dunn]

Yes, you should be paid for your work. If it’s local TV that rate is less than national TV.

I was offered $250 for a 10-30 second clip.

Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Films
DunnRight Video.com
Video Marketing Toolbox.net

Sony EX-1,
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
Mac Pro
with Final Cut Studio Adobe CS6 Production

[Willis Omondi]

What does the rates depend on ?

[Sunil Krishnan]

Hi Brent,

A television network contacted me to licensing my travel film footage per min rate for worldwide all media for 10 years. How much should I charge per minute?
I’m totally clueless. I was thinking of quoting 3X Getty stock-footage price. And what should be the appropriate license?

Please help.