what / how to charge

[trueindie]

I've been doing some interviews of late, and this lawyer I know saw a couple of them. He asked me if I would be willing to interview some of his clients to make a five minute promo for him he wants to put on his website. He wants to know how much it would cost, etc. I told him I'd get back to him.

I've never done this before so really have no idea how to charge for such work, or how to even prepare a budget for it.

Here are the costs as I see it:

- Two days of time, for his clients to show up at my place and speak to the camera
- Total of 4 crew members including myself for two days
- One additional spanish speaking person, to conduct the interviews and help edit, as I do not speak spanish. His clients are mostly immigrants from Mexico.

That's it. So how do I prepare a cost / spec sheet for him? If anybody has a template, I'd be most grateful if you could post or message me a link.

Best regards,
Aveek

 

[brianluce]

I do a lot of interviews for money. For me, they're one man band stuff. But you need an interpreter. So there's a starting point, find out what the interpreter costs and make sure you're above that amount for starters. Now, what gear do you have? and will make up be necessary?
Off hand, I'd keep the costs low since it's your first time. And put that lazy interpreter to work if you can! "Este es un Sandbag!"

 

[directorik]

Here are the costs as I see it:

- Two days of time, for his clients to show up at my place and speak to the camera

What is your time worth? $50 per day? $100? $200?

- Total of 4 crew members including myself for two days

What will you pay each of them? $50 per day? $100? $200?

- One additional spanish speaking person, to conduct the interviews and help edit, as I do not speak spanish. His clients are mostly immigrants from Mexico.

What will you need to pay someone to provide this service?
$50 per day? $100? $200?

Then how many days will it take you to edit? And then prepare
the video for for delivery. Another two days? Three? Four?

So you take the day rates you are willing to accept and the amount
of days you will be working. Example two shooting days at $150 per
day plus four post production days at $200 per day. Add (of course)
the fees for the crew and Spanish speaking person and you have your
templet.

Any other expenses? Food? Bottled water on the set? Any rental
equipment? Delivery media?

Put those all together on what is called a line item budget and there
you have your templet.

 

[trueindie]

Thanks guys, I'll get to preparing that budget

@BrianLuce. I wish I were good enough to do it all by myself. While I have some equipment, I'm not really that good with it. I usually depend on others to get the best look and sound. And these guys work with me on almost all my shoots... for free. So if I can get the chance to get them paid, it would only be my pleasure.

Again, thanks. I think I got it from here.
Best,
Aveek