One More Reason Not To Give Raw Footage

Scott Millar · August 28th, 2012, 01:39 PM

Cheapest clients are usually more work.

Lesson you will learn.

Charge to capture the footage on an HDV deck and down convert for them.

David Aronson · August 29th, 2012, 12:21 AM

If a client requests raw footage, I drop the editing costs but add an extra $150 for a hard drive and cutting up and labeling all of the clips. I also include a read only .TXT file with all of my contact information and copyright data on it. I tell them it's so that it's easier for the editor to work with/cheaper for them/cures cancer so they're usually happy to pay the extra money. I may "forget" to include a few shots here and there. I've only had one client ask were some of the missing footage was(she had a really good memory) I told her there was an issue with the tape(it was a card based camera) and it didn't record correctly (It was just a little white lie. I swear) and she bought it and said thank you for saving her time and pruning out all of the bad clips. she also said I should make sure all of my tapes are good before I shoot (Tapes were fine, bridesmaids were drunk and the bride really didn't need to see her one of her bridesmaid call her obscene things when she wasn't paying attention)

Dan Burnap · August 29th, 2012, 10:55 AM

When a client asks for raw footage, what reason do you give for it not being available?

John Knight · August 29th, 2012, 01:28 PM

Because I don't want them to know I used the hot bridesmaids nipples for focus peaking tests.

Noa Put · August 29th, 2012, 01:35 PM

:D
Well, now I think about it, I sometimes zoom into the brides dress in church to whitebalance if I don't have the time to do a custom WB, only it can happen that the only white space available is at breast height and I think she will never believe I was whhitebalancing at that time. :)

Jeff Harper · August 29th, 2012, 01:46 PM

Dan, you tell them the truth, that you simply don't give raw footage because of potential issues it can create.

I tell them I will not let raw footage out of my studio because I prefer to have complete control over everything that leaves my studio. I will also tell them I cannot take a chance on raw footage being viewed by someone (friend or family) that does not understand it is raw footage, not edited.

I tell them there is no upside to releasing raw footage, normally, and plenty of drawbacks. I also tell the bride that most of my friends follow the same policy.

I have given raw footage as part of a deal to get a job secured, if it meant the difference between getting a good job or not getting it.

As with so many things, it just depends.

August 28th, 2012, 01:39 PM	#16
Scott Millar New Boot Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland Posts: 19	Re: One More Reason Not To Give Raw Footage Cheapest clients are usually more work. Lesson you will learn. Charge to capture the footage on an HDV deck and down convert for them.

August 29th, 2012, 12:21 AM	#17
David Aronson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Arlington VA Posts: 84	Re: One More Reason Not To Give Raw Footage If a client requests raw footage, I drop the editing costs but add an extra $150 for a hard drive and cutting up and labeling all of the clips. I also include a read only .TXT file with all of my contact information and copyright data on it. I tell them it's so that it's easier for the editor to work with/cheaper for them/cures cancer so they're usually happy to pay the extra money. I may "forget" to include a few shots here and there. I've only had one client ask were some of the missing footage was(she had a really good memory) I told her there was an issue with the tape(it was a card based camera) and it didn't record correctly (It was just a little white lie. I swear) and she bought it and said thank you for saving her time and pruning out all of the bad clips. she also said I should make sure all of my tapes are good before I shoot (Tapes were fine, bridesmaids were drunk and the bride really didn't need to see her one of her bridesmaid call her obscene things when she wasn't paying attention)

August 29th, 2012, 10:55 AM	#18
Dan Burnap Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 335	Re: One More Reason Not To Give Raw Footage When a client asks for raw footage, what reason do you give for it not being available?

August 29th, 2012, 01:28 PM	#19
John Knight Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 588	Re: One More Reason Not To Give Raw Footage Because I don't want them to know I used the hot bridesmaids nipples for focus peaking tests.

August 29th, 2012, 01:35 PM	#20
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: One More Reason Not To Give Raw Footage :D Well, now I think about it, I sometimes zoom into the brides dress in church to whitebalance if I don't have the time to do a custom WB, only it can happen that the only white space available is at breast height and I think she will never believe I was whhitebalancing at that time. :)

August 29th, 2012, 01:46 PM	#21
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: One More Reason Not To Give Raw Footage Dan, you tell them the truth, that you simply don't give raw footage because of potential issues it can create. I tell them I will not let raw footage out of my studio because I prefer to have complete control over everything that leaves my studio. I will also tell them I cannot take a chance on raw footage being viewed by someone (friend or family) that does not understand it is raw footage, not edited. I tell them there is no upside to releasing raw footage, normally, and plenty of drawbacks. I also tell the bride that most of my friends follow the same policy. I have given raw footage as part of a deal to get a job secured, if it meant the difference between getting a good job or not getting it. As with so many things, it just depends.