Re: Professionals poll....Please participate.....PRETTY PLEASE, PLEASE......

1. What state/region are you currently working in?

Houston, TX. (Clients are from all over the world.)

2. What is your going rate for a single hour of non-linear editing? (not including logging and menial tasks.)

I work at a government facility, so we're not set up that way. When I was in Memphis, (and when I do freelance, the rate hovers around around $185/hr. for editing. I rarely just edit anymore, so more often, I charge per project, not per hour.

3. What is the "going" rate in your market for a standard "concept to completion" :30 second spot?

It really depends on what's involved. If it's a national spot, music alone can be around $3,000. (Trust me...original music is worth what people pay for it. So is canned for that matter...)

4.What is your most common task?

Meetings. With videographers, clients, editors, graphic artists, set designers etc. Bringing all the "ideas" together into something that makes sense (or makes people feel what the client wants them to feel). This involves more "producing" than "editing". I still spend a WHOLE lot of time shuffling through tape.

5. How do you feel about your position in the market?
You get what you work for. I'm happy to be doing what I love. I really believe that if you do what you love, the money will follow.

6. How do you compete with people that you view to be at, or around, your level of experience and strength in the marketplace?
I try to turn my weaknesses into strengths. (Specific programs, for example.)It seems to work, but I also do my best to make sure that I'm giving the clients what they are looking for. (I'm not talking about the video product, I'm talking about what the product is supposed to accomplish...i.e. make people buy something/understand something, etc.)