How much to pay at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > And Now, For Something Completely Different... > Taking Care of Business
Register FAQ Today's Posts Buyer's Guides

Taking Care of Business
The pen and paper aspects of DV -- put it in writing!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old March 15th, 2007, 10:53 AM   #1
New Boot
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 19
How much to pay

I am a parent volunteer with the school here and often tasked with taping performances (music, dance, drama, etc). Sometimes the events are free and the taping is only for archival; often there is an admission fee ($ 5-8 per person) and the DVD of the event can be sold. When that happens, the DVD is usually sold at a price of $ 10-25 per disc.

A lot of times I will need an extra camera or two in order to produce a quality DVD. Most of the time I am taping on 3CCDs camcorder and plan to upgrade to HDV cam.

Question: How much should I pay for a second or third shooter with their own cams?. The job is simply to tape the events and hand the tapes to me at the end of the program. I will do the editing and DVD authoring. I am not paid and whatever money I make (if there are any) will come solely from the sell of the DVDs. The job will usually take 2 hours (for the program, does not include setups).

Please advice. Thanks!!
Yobel Pembebasan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 15th, 2007, 12:19 PM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 949
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yobel Pembebasan View Post
How much should I pay for a second or third shooter with their own cams?
You can hire videographers anywhere from $0 - $300 / hour. The $0 end sounds crazy to normal folks, but the time-for-reel folks really are out there. Where I live, $75/hr will net a skilled professional sans equipment.

However, for children's plays, I would ask another parent to shoot the B camera and then train them in videography.
Daniel Browning is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 15th, 2007, 12:55 PM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Central North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, & surrounding areas)
Posts: 301
As a reference point for you...

Assuming you provide the blank tapes, the location isn't too far from the house, (30 min or less drive time), and it's a week night. I'd arrive early for the setup, shoot for the 2 hours, then help tear down...for maybe $200.

Hope this helps you!
Mark Holland is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 15th, 2007, 08:26 PM   #4
New Boot
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel Browning View Post
However, for children's plays, I would ask another parent to shoot the B camera and then train them in videography.
That's what I did; however, the results usually are not good, especially when the cams are not white-balanced, or the pics are very shaky.
Yobel Pembebasan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 15th, 2007, 08:29 PM   #5
New Boot
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Holland View Post
As a reference point for you...

Assuming you provide the blank tapes, the location isn't too far from the house, (30 min or less drive time), and it's a week night. I'd arrive early for the setup, shoot for the 2 hours, then help tear down...for maybe $200.

Hope this helps you!
Mark, thanks a lot.
Yobel Pembebasan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 16th, 2007, 11:01 PM   #6
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Freeport, NY
Posts: 90
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel Browning View Post
However, for children's plays, I would ask another parent to shoot the B camera and then train them in videography.
I would never ask parents or friends or do-gooders to shoot. That's really asking for trouble. Your reputation could sink faster than the Titanic.
Allen W
Allen Williams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 17th, 2007, 12:14 AM   #7
New Boot
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by Allen Williams View Post
I would never ask parents or friends or do-gooders to shoot. That's really asking for trouble. Your reputation could sink faster than the Titanic.
Allen W
I agree. It's kinda difficult to tell them what need to be done and how to do it. Most of the time I found two different types: the first ones are those who think they know how to shoot while the footages prove the opposites. On the other end are those who keep saying they do not know how to handle the cams and do not want to learn because it's too difficult. Either way, it usually causes more work on the post pro.

That's why I am thinking if I can get some people, do not have to be pro; but people who want to keep their skills sharp and do not mind to be paid $ 30-50 per hour.

I checked with one store in my area and found that they rent out a Sony PD-150 with shotgun mic at $ 175 per day. Their half day (4 hours max) is $ 400.

Is $ 30-50 per hour is way way too low? What do you guys think?
Yobel Pembebasan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 17th, 2007, 11:00 AM   #8
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Fairview Heights, Illinois
Posts: 148
Professional

One of the post here said the two cams were not "white balanced"?

That problem is the fault of the producer....
Ron Edwards is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 17th, 2007, 11:13 AM   #9
New Boot
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron Edwards View Post
One of the post here said the two cams were not "white balanced"?

That problem is the fault of the producer....
Ron, that's the problem.

There are times I cannot white balance the cams either because the cam used does not have WB feature or have hard time trying to explain or do it to the parent operating that camera. Some will even argue that the footages on their camcorder look better than mine.
Yobel Pembebasan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 17th, 2007, 05:34 PM   #10
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Freeport, NY
Posts: 90
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yobel Pembebasan View Post
Ron, that's the problem.

There are times I cannot white balance the cams either because the cam used does not have WB feature or have hard time trying to explain or do it to the parent operating that camera. Some will even argue that the footages on their camcorder look better than mine.
Even if the cameras are white balanced, unless you're using the same make, and sometimes the same model, don't expect the pictures to match.
Each manufacture has their own idea on how a picture should look. Some are warmer (Sony), some are cooler. They will also handle lighting differently. Under the same light conditions, one camera may blow the picture out while the same picture looks great on another. The parents camera may kick up the gain, creating a horribly graing picture. Forget about the auto focus that focuses on everything but the main subject. As the lighting goes down so does the color on those parental single chip cameras.

The only problem that can be contributed to the producer is making a foolish decision to hire amateur help to save a few dollars.
Allen W
Allen Williams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 17th, 2007, 06:19 PM   #11
New Boot
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 19
Quote:
Originally Posted by Allen Williams View Post
The only problem that can be contributed to the producer is making a foolish decision to hire amateur help to save a few dollars.
Allen W

Ok... back to my question. What you guys will ask for this kind of shooting?
Yobel Pembebasan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 17th, 2007, 10:29 PM   #12
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Freeport, NY
Posts: 90
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yobel Pembebasan View Post
Ok... back to my question. What you guys will ask for this kind of shooting?
For short programs like this, I pay my additional videographers up to $150/hr, minimum 2 hrs. plus tape stock.
Allen W
Allen Williams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 20th, 2007, 10:32 AM   #13
New Boot
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 19
OK.. thanks for the inputs.
Yobel Pembebasan is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > And Now, For Something Completely Different... > Taking Care of Business


 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:11 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network