Film shoot offer

[wwellman]

RPV Aerial Photography was profiled on a major TV station in Boston (WCVB TV). After the show aired we got a call from an independent film maker who wants us to provide aerial video of scenes on the beach.

They will buy any mount I want for the shoot (within reason) and we'll be able to keep the mount after the movies is completed. Our services will be needed for about 3 days. We wil be carrying a canon HD video camera.

The question to the group is:

What is the day rate for a shoot like this?

Walter

[Brady Longmore]

as much as you think you can get away with. :twisted:

I've heard guys charging about $2000.00 a day for something like that. But, it's going to depend on their budget and what you can work out with them. You might have to go cheaper, or you might be able to get away with charging more.

You don't want to sell yourself short for sure, but at the same time would be nice to be able to do the job just for the exposure and experience.

Go to someone's website like Flying Cam or is Fly Cam? And see if they mention the rates they charge.

[Renfield]

FWIW,

Commercial day rate here (upstate SC) is about $1,400-1,800. Any expenses, assistants, props, etc. are additional.

We also charge an equipment rental fee, studio supplies fee ($50/day), and $20 for the CD/archive.

I'd call around to some commercial shooters in your area, as rates tend to follow geography to an extent.

Good luck with the gig, and congrats on the "free" advertising.

George

[Art-Tistic]

Commercial day rate here (upstate SC) is about $1,400-1,800. Any expenses, assistants, props, etc. are additional.



Wow...I get that money as my daily rate for camera work on the ground....I would get prices for full size heli rates in your area and don't forget to include an experienced camera operator with proper stabiliztion gear and then quote your rc day rate at 25% of the full scale rate. I'll bet you're up around 4-4.5K for an 8hr day. Don't be afraid to ask for what you are worth......they're still getting a hell of deal.

JM2C
Regards,
Anthony

[Renfield]

Wow...I get that money as my daily rate for camera work on the ground

Exactly. I always start there. Then add for all the items you mentioned.

Those are the expenses. If they want a full size heli, we will let them direct bill, or we mark up. Your RC heli rate will reflect your setup. As an example, typical camera day usage alone is $500. You're probably spot on with the $4-5K total.

G :glasses:

[AZ ChopperCam]

I just did another full scale Jet Ranger shoot this morning. I get it for $900/hour on the hobbs meter.

Canon HD camera?! Dude, that's a pretty big camera. what are you gonna fly it with?

[xfc3dcd]

If you can't carry the payload I would be happy to assist.

[zozie]

That's awesome congrats......
For movie, gotta be mid size four digits :twisted:

[Tonystott]

Just checked with my sister who is in the film industry. In Gold Coast, Australia, mates-rates for use of a Jetranger with gyro camera mounts (under or side) run to $AUS 7,000, >without< camera gear or operator.

Don't go cheap!

[wwellman]

Thanks for all the help and information. I'm meeting with the producer this week to talk about what he wants for aerials. Then we'll discuss a contract.

Walter

[sky high]

I totally agree to not give it away but good luck trying to charge those kinds of rates for reality TV. I am a shooter in the industry and have contacted every production company I have worked for and then about 10 more with primetime shows currently in production where an RC helo or plane would be a perfect fit. They all think it's really cool but nobody wants to pay. I just don't get it because they can get aerial shots that couldn't be achieved any other way, spend far less than for a full size and have on-demand availability. The truth is no matter what they say about a budget, they always have the funds but it's just a matter of what they want to spend them on. I've seen thousands spent at a moment's notice to get what was needed to get the job done.

[Tonystott]

Sky high, surely this is a different situation, as the producer has called Walter, so the conceptual argument has already been settled, and quite clearly the producer is prepared to pay.

[sky high]

Sky high, surely this is a different situation, as the producer has called Walter, so the conceptual argument has already been settled, and quite clearly the producer is prepared to pay.
Yes, what I described is a different situation than what was originally described. That's why I said reality TV and not film production which can be just as bad, contract or not, it still doesn't guarantee you'll get paid, especially on independent projects. I was giving anyone that was thinking about doing this for television an idea of what to expect.

If you want to get an idea of just how bad independent projects can be, just visit www.craigslist.org for any city. Look under Tv/Film/Video under the jobs category and Crews under the gigs category to see what some of those cheap asses outright demand for no pay. It will blow your mind. The good news is that most professional and respectable production companies do not hire key crew positions from those types of boards.