ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

10 years, 8 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Pop promo/music video rates keep dropping, and a lot of that is from aspirant filmmakers undercutting the old guard! Just make sure you're not undercutting at your own cost - it's unlikely to be 'just one day' (2 long days of shooting alone is fairly typical) whilst still being any good. You still have to agree terms, create a concept, hire kit, crew, location, deal with the band's 'brilliant' ideas, sync playback, light, direct, shoot all before you start ingesting rushes, syncing on timeline, blah blah - and you're probably not even close to using the edit to tell a story yet.

I know there are websites that encourage filmmakers to bid low to make music videos, even for big acts, perpetuating the myth that 'it's brilliant exposure and contacts' - people know you in context, if you want to be the person they turn to when they don't want to pay for something that's all the work you'll get.

So, I'd honestly either up your rate or know you're subsidising the band. Maybe 'in return' they can do something to subsidise you - write and record you an ident sting or something, or be your runners on another project of yours. A single day with no crew, stolen locations, no kit to speak of, a plateful of egos and creative geniuses to deal with, then getting the edit finalised and being paid isn't going to produce something you're particularly proud of, either. Neither will the band be thrilled with the results, it won't get them on MTV, and a few YouTube plays isn't going to make a big difference to anyone.

Just a little context to end my tirade - it used to be (in the music video heyday) that an average budget was £50k-£100k, now it's closer to £8k and falling. The technology is getting cheaper but people still need to pay bills. Can you pay bills for £300?

10 years, 8 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Slightly less ranty possibly more useful answer - it depends! What is the context and what are you trying to shoot? I don't think you'll get a lot of creative shots out of a few hundred quid, so if it's 'band standing miming in sunny field in a single take' you're probably going to be fine, but I can't help but feel you'll want more creativity than that. That means hires, crew, real costs.

Instead, agree that maybe as a creative fee, but cost out the shoot - even the sunny field needs transport, reflectors, insurance, stuff carrying, playback, etc. Only then can you know if the shoot costs more than you're asking. Things add up ever so quickly. My hunch is that the fee is way too low - at least I know I couldn't do anything I'd be vaguely happy with for that kind of money!