OT: Videography rates

smashguy37 wrote on 10/3/2008, 2:47 PM
I've been working as a wedding videography & editor for the last 1.5 years or so with a popular local company and went to college for television for 3 years. I had somebody call me up who knows my wife if I wanted to film his band a promo to be shot, edited, authored, etc.

Would you guys be able to put some ideas in my head as far as rates go? I've done a ton of local band shows before at small venues but it was usually for friends or just for the hell of it. I edit 30-40 hours a week and shoot every weekend for usually 15 hours. If anything I would probably undercharge. As far as gear being used --

My Canon GL2 and possibly a second cam if I can grab one from work to use for a wide shot & audio board feed (something like a PD150 or 170). Then all raw footage burned to DVD for them, and after songs are picked up, it'll be chopped up in Vegas and authored, probably with a basic menu.

Thanks.

Comments

ushere wrote on 10/3/2008, 4:28 PM
no idea of rates over there - BUT,

"Then all raw footage burned to DVD for them"

if you do - make sure you do so with burnt in tc or the like.

i have worked with producers who've done video burns for the band only to find they dropped the producer once they got the footage - they didn't care if it was dvd quality. i know this for a fact since on a few occasions i was approached afterwards to edit the material for them.

leslie

btw. i always checked with the original producer as to what was going on. generally the band was trying to save a few bucks by-passing him / her. unless otherwise advised, i always refused the edit saying i didn't know the producer / directors intention with the footage.

video777 wrote on 10/3/2008, 11:15 PM
Lots of variables but right around $1,000 should be about right. I've done many promos for $2,000 (and that was with Pinnacle Studio 8).

Check my site for some tips at video777.com.
craftech wrote on 10/4/2008, 10:21 AM
This may not be an issue because the band knows your wife, but I would still ask for payment in installments, especially from a band.

In my opinion bands rate near the top of the FOS list.

John