Charging for footage... at DVinfo.net

Tim Sargent · April 15th, 2010, 08:51 AM

Last year I shot quite a bit of footage for a client, and edited it all for free.

Now, the client wants to get his hands on the footage and obviously use it/edit it himself.

I've told him I'll have to charge him.... and now I'm stuck .... Not sure what to charge.

I reckon I've got 2 tapes worth of footage - and that's around 2 days work for me.

Your thoughts guys?

Cheers

Jeff Anselmo · April 15th, 2010, 09:30 AM

Hi Tim,

I'm sure you're pulling your hair out about this situation, and I'm not sure I'll be able to help out much. So I'll just go by what I've gone through in the past.

A production company wanted to use specific footage that we've shot, but in addition, they were asking for additional footage that we may or may not have shot. Turned out that we had all the footage that they were asking for. We worked out a deal, something like a US$ for a minute of footage (which is really low). We knew it was going to be nationally televised, so we received credit on the show, and additional credit on their website (which was all agreed upon and part of the deal).

Initially, most of my friends advised to charge as high as I wanted. But in the end I felt that the credit we got and the exposure were more important. (But may not be as important to everyone.)

We also both signed a letter of agreement, material release forms, and contracts.

So, you may need to talk to your client, agree on a rate, and write up a contract (to protect both of you).

Best of luck,

Tim Sargent · April 15th, 2010, 10:08 AM

Thanks Jeff. Im not sure to what extent I would need to goto paperwork/contract length, but definatley worth bearing in mind. This is merely some video for his website, so not likely to get aired anywhere.

I'm thinking in the region of £150 per tape would be good!

April 15th, 2010, 08:51 AM	#1
Tim Sargent Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny Shropshire, England Posts: 145	Charging for footage... Last year I shot quite a bit of footage for a client, and edited it all for free. Now, the client wants to get his hands on the footage and obviously use it/edit it himself. I've told him I'll have to charge him.... and now I'm stuck .... Not sure what to charge. I reckon I've got 2 tapes worth of footage - and that's around 2 days work for me. Your thoughts guys? Cheers

April 15th, 2010, 09:30 AM	#2
Jeff Anselmo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 566	Hi Tim, I'm sure you're pulling your hair out about this situation, and I'm not sure I'll be able to help out much. So I'll just go by what I've gone through in the past. A production company wanted to use specific footage that we've shot, but in addition, they were asking for additional footage that we may or may not have shot. Turned out that we had all the footage that they were asking for. We worked out a deal, something like a US$ for a minute of footage (which is really low). We knew it was going to be nationally televised, so we received credit on the show, and additional credit on their website (which was all agreed upon and part of the deal). Initially, most of my friends advised to charge as high as I wanted. But in the end I felt that the credit we got and the exposure were more important. (But may not be as important to everyone.) We also both signed a letter of agreement, material release forms, and contracts. So, you may need to talk to your client, agree on a rate, and write up a contract (to protect both of you). Best of luck, __________________ --JA

April 15th, 2010, 10:08 AM	#3
Tim Sargent Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sunny Shropshire, England Posts: 145	Thanks Jeff. Im not sure to what extent I would need to goto paperwork/contract length, but definatley worth bearing in mind. This is merely some video for his website, so not likely to get aired anywhere. I'm thinking in the region of £150 per tape would be good!