Bruce Bennett
Forum Replies Created
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GLAW,
Your situation is very similar to what happened to me while I was employed at a small post house. About 12 years ago, our client wanted to produce two national TV spots and priced us against their ad agency. We had never done national spots. We came in at half the ad agency price (shot on 16mm film and transferred to Betacam SP video for post).
Once we go the job(s) my boss and I decided to hire a colleague director who had a lot of experience producing national film spots for big companies and agencies. His cost was a small amount compared to the overall total budget. Also, because we were newbies to film and national ads, we learned a tremendous amount about the whole process and what it took to create a “slick” client experience. Basically, I felt that I was getting paid to learn.
A few things I took away from the experience:
1) If you’re unfamiliar with any of the processes, budget for and hire people who are better than you are (i.e., story board artists, audio sweetening, etc.). You?ll learn a lot and you may even get some business in return from them. Some people won’t do business with other people unless they are the vendor first.
2) Never skimp on crew meals during shoots. The crew works their tails off and expects good food, the client will bring their bosses and entourage, and the PR/ad agency will probably insist on being at the shoots so that they can “police the brand.” Have it catered and catered well with good choices.
3) Try not to use a courier to ship film or any other camera originals to the transfer house. Use a courier service if you can. If it gets lost, the whole thing has to be re-shot. It cost us about $200 to courier to Chicago. A tiny price in the overall budget.As far as unions… you don’t have to hire any union people if you don’t want to. We hired all of our crew, actors, etc. as “work for hire” buyouts. No residuals whatsoever. Even today, 15 years into the business, I never hire talent in which my clients have to pay residuals.
Just my thoughts. You should let us know how it all turns out and post a link to the finished product.
Bruce
Bruce Bennett,
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC – http://www.bmmp.com -
Mike,
Thanks for the trip down yester-year. I remember those days so long ago when I did sales for the production company I worked for. Cold calls, followed by trying to convince grinder that they should do a video, followed by grinder beating me up on price, followed by grinder saying that we cost too much, followed by the grinder spending “$1 million” on a brochure, followed by no sale, followed by more cold calls.
I agree with you. These types of prospects are rarely worth the time.
Bruce
Bruce Bennett,
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC – http://www.bmmp.com -
Wayne,
Mark has said it all. There are many other posts in the archives that will tell you the same thing.
Although, I do have one creative solution. Way back before people had DVD players, the production company I worked for did your type of projects that ended up on VHS. We came up with a way to allow people to use “their own” music by creating a “Do-it-Yourself” soundtracking/edit room. Customers booked the room by the hour, were allowed to bring in their own source materials and could do whatever they wanted for music soundtracks. They did it, not our company employees.
It was easier back then with VHS and linear editing. I’m not quite sure how this would work with today’s more complicated, nonlinear systems. But, it may work for some of your more “tech savvy” customers.Bruce Bennett,
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC – http://www.bmmp.com -
Joe,
When I directed car dealership spots, we always shot exterior shots of vehicles at an angle/45-degrees so that you can see the front and the side at the same time. The dealer managers demanded that from us.
Bruce
Bruce Bennett,
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC – http://www.bmmp.com -
Andy,
I agree. This is definately something that can be screwed up by newbies. The company I used to work for hired Token Creek mobile production. They do stuff for Golf Channel, ESPN, etc.
https://www.tokencreek.com/Bruce
Bruce Bennett,
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC – http://www.bmmp.com -
I shot in Releigh in 2006 and hired this guy. He’s good and reliable. I think we shot on Betacam SP or DVCAM.
Joe Frieda
Smokin’ Video, Inc.
7103 Eastridge Drive
Apex, NC 27539
PH: (919) 810-7386
joefrieda@yahoo.comBruce
Bruce Bennett,
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC – http://www.bmmp.com -
Brendan,
Thank you for your opinion on my advice for aefarris. You
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Yep,
Just did payroll this morning for my 1-person LLC. Every time I write myself a check for $1,000.00 I also pay the government $810.40 for Social Security, Medicare and Tax Withholdings “Form 941 – Employer’s Federal Tax Return.” I do this online every pay period vs. at the end of the quarter.
This does not include my $545.00 annnual Worker’s Compensation insurance premium.
This does not include my monthly $137.55 individual major medical monthly health insurance premium.
This does not include my monthly $34.00 1-million dollar General Liability insurance premium.
This does not include my business income taxes on the profit that I make.
This does not include my personal income taxes that I pay at the end of the year on what I make from my own company.Bruce
Bruce Bennett,
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC – http://www.bmmp.com -
Of course. How else are we suppose to pay $20,000 “early ship to Iraq” incentives to our new Army recruits?
Bruce
Bruce Bennett,
Bennett Marketing & Media Production, LLC – http://www.bmmp.com -
Aefarris,
From all the replies to your post so far, you