ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

10 years, 9 months ago - Simon Kennedy

First and foremost what are they to be used for - Broadcast? Web? Corporate? A television show will more than likely have a far higher budget than an in-house training video. It may be for the web but what is the client expecting? Have they mentioned a budget? If this is their first venture into video material the true costs may come as a shock to them.

I don't know what equipment you've budgeted for, but it sounds low. What format do the producers want? Have you included sound kit, lighting, etc.

Are you planning to shoot the material yourself, or will you need a camera person? What about a sound recordist? If time is short and the demand for quality is high then you should consider crew a necessity rather than a luxury? And if it is for a wide audience (where your client's image matters) can the budget stretch to a stylist and a P.A.?

Who's budget covers the translator - yours or the commissioning company? Are you editing it yourself or going to a post house?

Are you going to charge them a daily rate or take a flat fee for the job? How much time will be spent on research/pre-production?

Lots to consider so break it down into each step and cost those out.

Hope this is of some help.

Simon Kennedy

10 years, 9 months ago - Neil Scott-Sills

Hi Sophie, can I ask the following? Have you had a brief from your client specifying exactly what the questions should be? What sort of final duration they want to see online? What font and font size they would like for the subtitles? Do they want you to find rights free music? How many feedback cuts are you prepared to include in your quote? You say you have to prepare the questions, make sure they give you the questions or at least approve them prior to turning over. Will one of the clients be attending the shoot? If they are make sure they approve your camera set-up, framing, lighting and ay other element that is open to interpretation. The bottom line here is you know how much your time is worth but the moment you lock yourself into a quote that still has variables you will quickly see a two day job turn into a three week nightmare all because certain issues were never clarified. Good luck.

10 years, 9 months ago - Mät King

Fourth line should read: Counter to pricing too hire,
Where is that edit function?

10 years, 9 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Excellent post from Simon, I'd add that you should also work out how long it'll take you, and your hourly rate. That'll give you an idea what it'll cost you to make, so you need to charge more than that, or subsidise the filming.

You have to define the spec closely (inc #revisions, etc) to price the gig, or you won't know if you're making a profit or loss. If the client doesn't want to spend time with you to do that, you can try a 'time and equipment plus' model - you charge (say) 10% above the costs (don't forget your rate is a cost). This gives the client creative freedom to change their minds, delay, change the script, do whatever they like, and you do what they ask - every change affects the final cost to them.

This is useful where the parameters of a gig are totally unknown and there's a chance the client will go for multiple revisions of edits etc.

10 years, 9 months ago - Mät King

Of course, you have to be careful not to price yourself out of the market. Some may already have equipment and not charging at the same daily/hire rate. Always good to try and get an idea of client's budgets and what you can do for them at that price rather than have complicated proposals that fall outside of the client's budget. Counter to pricing to high, you have to be careful not to join this race to the bottom for price.
Overall, what can you work for and make a profit? Is it about building relationships? Is it a one off? All factors have to be considered. Think what's best for you and what you'll get out of it whether financial, experience, or exposure.

10 years, 9 months ago - Neil Scott-Sills

Just re-read your post and see they have specified 25 minutes of the most interesting footage so ignore that question.

10 years, 9 months ago - Mät King

Counter to pricing too high (edit again)
That's me worn out now. Back to a complicated timeline where I can undo and no one will ever know. (Funnily enough, a series of talking head interviews)