quote on editing and camera services

S

SKY Pro

Hi everyone!
Im a young filmmaker with some experience in the field but still learning the craft. In the past years i've worked as a freelancer camera op/editor. Recently i got asked to shoot and edit a new TV reality Show for a Local Network. In my previous works ive been able to give my clients a flat rate kind of deal since these projects hasnt been that long between 3 to 4 weeks to shoot and edit. Now this is a little bit different since i do not have experience in TV shows . this one is 7 episodes (24 minutes each) and 5 and half month to shoot and edit. Now my question is : Should i charge hourly for both services or should i give them a flat rate? How much does camera Op and Editors charge for this kind of projects? Anyone who can help on this .
thanks in advance.

Sky.
 
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Wow, sounds like a great opportunity. Coming from shooting 30 second TV spots, I haven't got a clue how to quote that job. I'd probably hack into the IRS database and see what others had charged! ;)

I'd also want to get advice on how the contract should be written to protect both parties. The simplest deal would be to make the network responsible for all production details, including insurance and liability for all hazards, and set an hourly rate with a daily minimum.

Who is providing the equipment? The IRS prefers you work on a W2 basis if they provide the equipment ... it would be pretty simple for you if you could be a salaried employee (through a temp agency?). As an employee, you're just providing your time and talent and the risks all belong to the network.

But, like I said at the beginning, this is not in my department. Someone who actually knows something will probably give you better information.
 
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Thanks Man!
I really appreciate your advice!
I do have my own Indie Production Company going on, nothing big, myself , my Xl1s and Final Cut . So i did a job last year for this Pageant Company where they got really excited with the final product i deliver for them. So this year they pitch an idea for a Tv reality Show and got accepted. Now, the first person they thought about hiring was me cause the network liked what i did the only downside about all this is the fact that this Pageant Company wont pay me until they get enough Sponsors(the well known Deferred/low kind of payment deal). They will be hiring me as a company and then i will have to look for a second cameraman and probably rent some equipments e.g: Lights , Mics etc. They asked me for a quote on my services as a camera op/editor, but honestly dont know what number to give them. We'll be having a meeting this Sunday with everyone involve in this project including the Network people.
I have to give them the quote by Saturday the latest.
Anyways , thanks for your reply and as you mentioned im gonna keep looking!
Cheers
 
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If you can afford to do this job for the experience, the deferred pay deal might be Ok with you. As far as my business goes, though, I tell my clients that I'm not in the venture capital business. I must be paid in advance, or on a set schedule. Banks can take deferred payments, I generally cannot.

Having said that, the reason is that I'd be turning away paying jobs while I was working for deferred or no pay, which does not make good business sense. If, however, I had no paying work, and I wanted to do a job for the experience or prestige, I'd be happy to work on different terms.
 
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