Re: help for pricing on live concert 4 hours 2 cameras

I too try to walk that tightrope between charging low enough to get the job but high enough to make a living, but you really are charging too low, especially for a 2 camera shoot/edit.

For a 4 hour event, you need to charge a full day rate for yourself and the other camera operator because with setup/takedown you will be there for at least 5 hours. Then you need to charge a rental fee for your gear.

This is the part I see a lot of guys missing: if you spend thousands of dollars buying and maintaining equipment and then charge only operator rates, you are working for your gear instead of having your gear work for you.

So, the minimum camera operator full day rate in my area is $400 (and can go up to $650). Rental on a simple DV/HDV gear package is minimum $150 (up to $300). So, just to shoot it, you're looking at least $1100 + tapestock fees. (You pocket $700 and pay the other guy $400). Don't get a PA to shoot it at PA rates unless you/your client don't care how it looks in the end. I tell clients all the time they can go to Craigslist all they want, but they will get what they pay for.

Again, this is the minimum (for Las Vegas, your area may be slightly different)and you should try to negotiate for more than this, but at least you have a benchmark from where to begin. And those prices are super-fair, so if the client balks, then run away, you don't need them.

Now, since you are also technically directing the shoot as well, you are entitled to charge more than just an operator rate, and well you should (I personally would tack on another $400 or so).

Now, for editing, prices are much more flexible. If you are editing at home on your gear at your leisure, set a price you can live with. Make sure to allot at least 3 days to digitize/edit a 2 camera/4 hour concert. Specify how many copies they will get in the end, and charge for extra copies.

I hope this helps. Good luck...

Brian Mills
Videographer