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Ditto that.
Shlepping gear on the
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Ditto that.
Shlepping gear on the day after a blizzard is SOOOO much fun ;)...something that just can't be experienced in "Paradise." Stay in HI and raise your rates.
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You'all are overlooking part of the freelancer, contract worker wage equation. If you're making a direct comparison to a full-time employee, to net the same take-home pay a freelancer must bill at double to triple the employee's hourly rate. First of all, even if he puts full-time hours into his buiness only a portion of those hours end up as billable time so the hourly rate for those hours also has to cover pay for the non-billable yet working hours. Then there's self-employment social security, health, allowance for vacation and sick time, etc, etc, equipment overhead.
So if the department of labour says a regularly employee cameraman, say at a TV station, is getting $30 to $40 an hour, a freelancer would have to bill at $100 per hour or so to net the same food on the table. |
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisitics claims that self-employed individuals are accounted for in the their occupational data. That said, it's important to note that the BLS data is gathered by a survey of employers and does rely on statisical estimates to some degree. While the data is not perfect, it comes closer than almost any other public source at getting at industry-wide practices.
Of course this does not mitigate the dilemma for freelancers that Steve points out. |
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"Originally Posted by Jon East
We pay $200 to $300 based on experience and equipment being used. I find it amazing how camera operators think they are worth more. Most shoots last 5 to 6 hours. That's between 40 and 50 per hour, is that not enough?" This has been a great read. I thought I'd chime in. When you look at in the larger picture and land that gig for say $300 on a day rate you also need to break this cost down or the COB (cost of doing business) This is based if you use your own gear, and from my knowledge a 5-6/hr shoot always runs over. Pay based on a 8/hr day-$300 Minus: Camera wear: $50.00 Milage: $10 Food: $10 General: $20 this could include things like insurance,permits, etc. Taxes: $80 ______________ Take home $130 I also didn't include invoicing, tape, stock, etc. So your making about $16 dollars an hour based on a 8 hour day. At the end of the day things don't look to promising considering how nationwide the cost of everything has gone up. |
These rates with rentals also is out of reach IMO. I have never heard nor seen anyone making 500.00 plus for freelancing cam op at weddings.
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Steve, I'm not saying that it is right....its not, but it is real life.....youre average freelancer is not getting the rental rate plus the op rate.....it is not happening.....and it hardly happens in Hollywood where I work a lot as well.
Just because you write it down for folks to read on this board does not mean it is really happening in the real world. I think we agree where the rates should be though...im not in disagreement with that. Quote:
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My point still stands ... why would you expect a freelancer you hire for 2nd camera to operate his business in a less business-like manner that you operate your own? You the sum your rates for the services with your cost for the equipment and so must he, if he's a professional and not just a hobbyist. |
Some folks find jobs easier than others. While it might be righteous and only fair to charge what you want for you and your equipment, it is sometimes better to take what you can get. How much will your equipment be making if you don't use it?
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True enough, but if that person isn't working, he should be happy to get what he can. I am not saying to screw them over though. Unless you know the person extremely well, it is hard to judge exactly how experienced they are. Would you pay a kid who just got his camcorder last week, like you would somebody that has been doing broadcast work for 15 years?
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