Question for the Pro Gurus … How much would you charge…? at DVinfo.net

James Binder · August 8th, 2005, 05:44 PM

Here's the project:

1 minute infomercial/commercial: (pretty straight forward shoot/edit)

1 camera (mini DV) - very minimal setup – just cameraperson and talent

1 day shoot on location (outside - morning/afternoon – 1 location) probably 3-5 hrs shooting time

Run and gun type approach

Provide finished broadcast quality product/edit with aftereffects titling, graphics and words whooshing in and out as we’ve all seen a million times…

I have the skills to do all of the above (I operate as a freelancer) and have done lots of corporate video, but never a commercial/infomercial. Obviously, because my resume is lacking this type of experience, I can’t charge what others could/would. What would be reasonable in this case?

Ballpark range for this type of work? Below 5K?...3K? More..? I am clueless.

The spot will play late at night nationally (mostly cable stations)…

Thanks in advance…

Richard Alvarez · August 8th, 2005, 06:45 PM

This sort of thing really depends on the market. I know for a fact, that is some towns, a television station will practically give away the production costs for such a spot... in order to sell the air time. (I know a TV station that would charge five hundred bucks for what you just described.)

But that's because they can make their money off the air time... its a package deal.

Ask around in YOUR market. Call the local television station, and ask them what they would charge.

EDIT

Okay, I see you're in NYC... yeah, call the cable channels and see what they charge.

Bob Costa · August 10th, 2005, 04:33 AM

I try to bill corp work hourly. Makes it easier on everyone, and I don't have to worry if client will want endless revisions or be happy with the first cut. I just keep them on track and try to say "Sure I can do that, about an hour, extra $x". Or whatever it will take. Otherwise, you really have to nail it down ahead of time to know what you are expected to deliver. I hate having the "well that wasn't what I understood you wanted, so now the price will be..." conversation.

Kevin Wild · August 10th, 2005, 11:33 AM

Ha, good luck getting the cable company to tell their competition what they charge. I tried here in Raleigh w Time Warner once and it was impossible.

Considering that the stations would do this for a seriously low amount and the scope of the project is small crew & equipment wise, I would probably do this for $1k - $1500. As with all projects, be sure to limit the client to a certain number of hours, especially in post.

KW

James Binder · September 27th, 2005, 02:36 PM

Haven't gotten back to this one in a while --

Thanks for all of the info guys!

August 8th, 2005, 05:44 PM	#1
James Binder Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NY, NYC Posts: 367	Question for the Pro Gurus … How much would you charge…? Here's the project: 1 minute infomercial/commercial: (pretty straight forward shoot/edit) 1 camera (mini DV) - very minimal setup – just cameraperson and talent 1 day shoot on location (outside - morning/afternoon – 1 location) probably 3-5 hrs shooting time Run and gun type approach Provide finished broadcast quality product/edit with aftereffects titling, graphics and words whooshing in and out as we’ve all seen a million times… I have the skills to do all of the above (I operate as a freelancer) and have done lots of corporate video, but never a commercial/infomercial. Obviously, because my resume is lacking this type of experience, I can’t charge what others could/would. What would be reasonable in this case? Ballpark range for this type of work? Below 5K?...3K? More..? I am clueless. The spot will play late at night nationally (mostly cable stations)… Thanks in advance…

August 10th, 2005, 04:33 AM	#3
Bob Costa Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 850	I try to bill corp work hourly. Makes it easier on everyone, and I don't have to worry if client will want endless revisions or be happy with the first cut. I just keep them on track and try to say "Sure I can do that, about an hour, extra $x". Or whatever it will take. Otherwise, you really have to nail it down ahead of time to know what you are expected to deliver. I hate having the "well that wasn't what I understood you wanted, so now the price will be..." conversation. __________________ You are either growing or dying.

August 8th, 2005, 06:45 PM	#2
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	This sort of thing really depends on the market. I know for a fact, that is some towns, a television station will practically give away the production costs for such a spot... in order to sell the air time. (I know a TV station that would charge five hundred bucks for what you just described.) But that's because they can make their money off the air time... its a package deal. Ask around in YOUR market. Call the local television station, and ask them what they would charge. EDIT Okay, I see you're in NYC... yeah, call the cable channels and see what they charge.

August 10th, 2005, 11:33 AM	#4
Kevin Wild Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 540	Ha, good luck getting the cable company to tell their competition what they charge. I tried here in Raleigh w Time Warner once and it was impossible. Considering that the stations would do this for a seriously low amount and the scope of the project is small crew & equipment wise, I would probably do this for $1k - $1500. As with all projects, be sure to limit the client to a certain number of hours, especially in post. KW

September 27th, 2005, 02:36 PM	#5
James Binder Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NY, NYC Posts: 367	Haven't gotten back to this one in a while -- Thanks for all of the info guys!