[Nathan Abbott]

Thank you Martin for this link.

[Nathan Abbott]

That’s it! Thank you so much, Jeff!

[Nathan Abbott]

Yes, you make a valid point. When looking at the subject, there is a hard shadow cast by his head onto his shoulder and rolling over to the wall behind him. For the most part, he is stationary. It’s a promotional interview so it’s not “creative” lighting. Just bad lighting. It’s like they did a two light setup–room lights and a hard key light.

I hope this can give you an idea for a workaround, if possible.

Thank you.

[Nathan Abbott]

Thanks for the post. I now love Home Depot, thanks to your great idea. It did work for the most part. I had to cover a few lights (all were controlled by one switch, bummer) and then bounce a spare light off the ceiling to get enough room fill. And it worked ALMOST perfectly. I used every single piece of equipment I own and the only shadow I had was on his shoulder. Dang it. If I moved a light, the shadow would be somewhere else. I doubt the client will care, but I know it’s there and oh, it’s so annoying. 🙁

Anyway. Thanks for the help. The lighting went well enough because of your suggestion.

[Nathan Abbott]

Ned,

Now that I’ve read all the articles posted on this thread and have done some other outside research, I agree, my original question was way too vague. I now understand. Though I am glad I posted here to get all this information where I found the solution to my question. Also, thank you for the forum suggestion, I haven’t checked one out yet, but I will when time permits.

[Nathan Abbott]

I think the best practice is to determine what you are worth+capable and reverse engineer you price from there.

Now that is interesting. Along with Walter’s post, I think I can now put the first steady foot forward in deciding on rates.

Be careful to make sure your client understands the contract you have him sign…

I actually made this mistake when I first started. I agreed–verbally–with a client about prices and production schedule. Spent around $300 of my own money (said to be refunded) and hired 2 friends to make this promo video.

When I turned it in, he ended up not wanting to pay the $300 and wanted to cut our original agreed payment in half. I felt so stupid. That was the last time I have worked WITHOUT a contract.

Once you’re burned–even if it was your own stupidity that got you there–you’ll never make that same mistake twice. If a lesson is what is needed to learn, I’d rather have it learned sooner than later.

Thanks for your post.

[Nathan Abbott]

Have you done these before?

I have not. But, I have my first client, an optometrist, and I’ve already spoken to other private practices in the area and many have already given interest and their office manager numbers.

I can shoot, edit (with their input) and deliver a 15 minute video of a mocked up procedure (as above) in around 2 days.

Okay, I was pretty close. I had estimated 3 days depending on the situation. But I can definitely see most of the projects happening in 2 days, like you said, if I have my act together.

Thanks for the insight. Your reply has made me even more excited to get started on my next project in the medical world!

[Nathan Abbott]

How many days of PreProduction + How many days of Production / size of crew / talent required / + how many days of Post Production / music rights / animation / voice talent / dvd / bluray / master / web compression = total estimate.

This is something that I can understand and work with by adding or subtracting for my own work flow list.

As for the three part series, I started reading them and found them very informative. I’ve already put those pages offline so I can read it on my upcoming business trip.

Thank you.

[Nathan Abbott]

So I probably will need to stick to project rates and daily rates?

These videos will likely be between 5-15 minutes–give or take depending upon the procedure–with visuals as well as graphics for illustrating and possibly small staged procedures.

[Nathan Abbott]

I understand your reply, however, what one may constitute as “professional” knowledge may be to someone else “beginner” and vise-verse. An example, I and three others edited a blockbuster feature as well as a few casino commercials. I don’t think that constitutes me as a “professional” but I can hold my own when editing. Maybe I’m just cutting myself short or maybe I’m right.

I’d still like help with my query, though. I’d like to know how other people are charging so I have an idea of what I need to look at. I understand that it depends upon my quality of work and I will take that into consideration when deciding my own rates.