[Dominick Pietrzak]

Well, I requested a tax certificate anyway, just in case I need to charge tax for something in the future. I will talk to a CPA in my area, who I believe is the guy that setup my corporation. He was running late last time I went so we kinda hurried out. Thanks for all of the info, Todd. I agree that the services I’m providing should not be subject to sales tax, especially after reading about tax stuff online.

I agree about your statement on the contact form, Neil. I realized after you wrote that, that I always hate filling those out and never want to, haha. So I put some basic rates back up, but I also wrote that they are only meant to be used as estimates, as project requirements are all different and might cost more/less.

I have another question:

How do I go about filming live events? I’ve been covering school concerts/plays at the High School I went to, and what I do is I film the concert and then sell the DVDs of it. I don’t mind that I barely make any money off it, as I’m good friends with the staff/teachers, and I’m glad to help ’em out. I’ll probably continue doing that for them, but what about other concerts I might want to do at other places? Do you charge per DVD, or do you do a flat rate like, let’s say $400 which includes 20 DVDs, and then if they want more it’s extra?

[Dominick Pietrzak]

One more question – taxes.

It’s getting very confusing as some services require taxes and some don’t. Do I need to charge tax? And if so, when and how will I know?

For example:

1. I complete a video that a client will put up on their site. I don’t see why there would be sales tax as he is not reselling it.

2. I camera operate with my own equipment on someone’s shoot, for a short film/documentary. It seems like I would charge tax as they will be distributing it possibly for profit, right?

Please help me out with this 🙂

Thanks,
Dominick

[Dominick Pietrzak]

Thanks Craig and Rich!

Craig, I took a look at those sites and they’re great. The rate estimators are very useful and I’m gonna re-read that video university article tomorrow. Thank you for taking the time to give me all the info. I read through it and everything you said makes sense. I took the rates down from my site and just inserted a contact form. For now that’ll work just fine. In the future I’ll put maybe hourly rates for services that don’t vary too much, like Rich has on his site. I may order the contracts from the video university site, they sound like just what I need. Great link! I will definitely be doing 50% before and 50% prior to delivery of the final product. Thank you for letting me in on your trade secrets 😉

Rich – For now, I took the rates off and once things settle and I decide on more stable rates I’ll put some of them up. I noticed you do duplication, which duplicator did you go with for that? I was thinking of doing that as well, as I recently filmed a school concert and had to make like 30 dvds using my burner on my Mac, haha.

[Dominick Pietrzak]

Thank Jeff,

I also considered removing the rates and I think I will.

Thank you for all of the info, I’ll try and adjust my rates to better suit the NY market.

Also, I sent you an email to see if maybe you can help me out with contract stuff?

Thanks,
Dominick

[Dominick Pietrzak]

Alright, I see. I’ll just use the zebra function. Guess I’ll have to sell my light meter since I don’t think I’ll be doing such precise measurements. Although, I am planning to get the Epic next year, so maybe it’ll find a use. Ugh, I’ll just keep it. Haha, I love my film equipment.

Thanks for all the helpful replies!

[Dominick Pietrzak]

Oh alright, now I see how that can be useful. So there’s no use for my Light Meter? I’d really hate to not be able to use it since I already have it. What if I do that 18% Gray calibration thing that I found on a google search?

[Dominick Pietrzak]

Oh alright I get it now. Yeah, I don’t plan on importing or exporting tape. Thanks for all the great advice and if I need any further information I’ll be sure to post my question! Thank you all very much 🙂

[Dominick Pietrzak]

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Just some questions…

How will using a capture card differentiate from simply importing footage straight from the Canon 5D or EX1 straight into Final Cut Pro?

Also, if I get the Kona3, will I also need to get the K3-box? It’s not that expensive so it wouldn’t be a problem if it helps.

[Dominick Pietrzak]

Thanks a lot! I was looking at the Kona 3, and I’ll probably go with that. Is there anything else that would be useful?

[Dominick Pietrzak]

So there’s really no quality difference? I’m looking to get the best quality picture from my EX1 into FCS, that’s why I was interested in the io HD, but if the USB works fine then there’s really no point for me to get that.