Comments

Cheno wrote on 1/31/2006, 1:11 PM
Lots of variables.

Do they have a budget first and foremost? Are you doing this as a favor to build a reel? What are they expecting out of it quality-wise?

Local commercials range here in SLC from $500 for what I call really, sh***y local crap with no quality to upwards of $40k for pracitical locations, shot on film / HD and little to no animation.

What are you shooting on? Can you do the whole thing yourself? Are you looking to compete with local broadcast or public access?

details help...
Zion wrote on 1/31/2006, 1:32 PM
Hello Cheno

I'm Shooting with a Sony HDR-FX1 In HD Downconverted to SD.

It's for the local Area broadcast and one Cable Co.

I will be doing everything myself with a little title animation.

I have scheduled a meeting with them to get all the details This will be there first commercial shoot.

They are looking for at least digital (DV) quality.

"Are you doing this as a favor to build a reel?" Yes and No. I just what to give them a fair price but I don't want to sell myself short.

Thanks ZION
winrockpost wrote on 1/31/2006, 2:04 PM
Like cheno said ,whats their budget,, don't be afraid to ask them. They may not have a clue or they may say 10 K, or $500.00
gives you a starting point at least.
Cheno wrote on 1/31/2006, 3:44 PM
Well to start you have to figure your hard costs - this will let you know if you even will fit into their budget :)

What do you expect to make out of it? What is your time worth? Hourly for shooting / editing? Do you consider animated titles part of editing or is that under a graphic design charge?

Voice Over? Are you paying local talent at going rates? Having someone do it pro bono?

Music? Are you composing your own? Cost in time? Using buyout tracks?

Talent? Are you placing nice talent in the shots? Cost for extra / modeling? Using local customers? (remember release forms!!)

After all your hard costs are covered, then you figure out what you really need to make on top of that. may not hurt to check going rates in your area. Call around and do some shopping.

mike
mjroddy wrote on 2/1/2006, 11:50 AM
Mike is dead on. That's how we calculate things.
Rather than a "package price," we charge an hourly rate here at the local cable company. For a "simple shoot," we expect about 4 hours. Editing, depending on the complexity, would be 4-8 hours. Add a VO and if you charge for needle-drop.
If you're doing multiple locations, just keep track of your hours and expenses (talent, travel, rentals, etc.)
Zion wrote on 2/1/2006, 1:33 PM
Thanks for all the input!





ZION