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Home: Video University Forums: Marketing & Business:
How Much Should I Charge for a Simple Video

FilmworksGuy
Novice

Apr 4, 2006, 4:41 PM

Post #1 of 7 (2165 views)
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How Much Should I Charge for a Simple Video	Can't Post

Hi All!

The owner of a good-sized plumbing company suggested he might need me to make a training video. Now, by that I mean that they did a big job at some company, and they need a video to leave with the company so that the maintenance guys will know how to service the equipment. This is not a music video or a corporate video. This is way too easy, but I don't want to scare him off. I figured I could do a package deal which would include everything, including transportation, filming, editing, simple titles, and maybe 5 DVDs, etc. I welcome any suggestions as to how to approach this and what I might charge. Thanks very much in advance.

Charles Charpentier
Industrial Filmworks
http://www.industrialfilmworks.com
(under construction)
I'm in South-Central Wisconsin.
Canon XL1S, Britek Lights (cheap!), Halogen Work Lights, Auto window shades as reflectors (cheap!), Bogen 475 Tripod & 503 Head (not cheap!), Ulead MediaStudio Pro 7, DVD Workshop 2, Cool 3D Studio, Samson Wireless, Maxell Tapes, Etc., Etc...

(This post was edited by FilmworksGuy on Apr 4, 2006, 5:19 PM)

videobear
Veteran

Apr 4, 2006, 4:56 PM

Post #2 of 7 (2159 views)
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Re: [FilmworksGuy] How Much Should I Charge for a Simple Video [In reply to]	Can't Post

It could be simple, or it could be complex.

Discuss exactly what the plumbing contractor has in mind. For example, will he need you to video parts of the installation before the walls are closed up? That could involve several visits to the site.

How complex are the maintenance procedures? Will the training need (or benefit from) any visual aids like animations?

How many locations will need to be shot?

Who will be the on-camera talent? Installers and engineers have the knowledge. but they might be very poor presenters. Skilled on-camera talent will need a script to work from.

Hal's "Video Producer" course covers all the things you need to consider in planning a corporate video, as well as how to package and present your proposal.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

casvideos.com
Novice

Apr 4, 2006, 5:34 PM

Post #3 of 7 (2152 views)
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Re: [videobear] How Much Should I Charge for a Simple Video [In reply to]	Can't Post

how long is it ment to be? for this type of think you you could charge a rough fee �500 per 5-10 mins or $1000 for you US guys.

wilebill
User

Apr 4, 2006, 7:50 PM

Post #4 of 7 (2145 views)
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Re: [FilmworksGuy] How Much Should I Charge for a Simple Video [In reply to]	Can't Post

We recently produced one of these. We just charged them our standard shooting and editing rate, since it was standard shooting and editing. Wink

It required an on-camera light, a wireless mike, and a few shots on a tripod. The rest of the shots were hand-held. I think we spent about 3 hours on-site and about 4 hours of editing. I think we wound up giving them about 4 DVDs.

Regards,
Billy Horton
Video Image Productions

Studio & On-Location Video Production
2 NewTek VT[4.6] Editing Suites

billelder
Novice

Apr 5, 2006, 6:06 AM

Post #5 of 7 (2119 views)
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Re: [FilmworksGuy] How Much Should I Charge for a Simple Video [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi! This line caught my eye.

Quote

...they did a big job at some company, and they need a video to leave with the company so that the maintenance guys will know how to service the equipment.

I suspect they have an idea of what they think is a fair price...or what they're willing to spend.

I'm imagining that the simplest instruction video you could provide would be a camera following a guy explaining the maintenance of this system. But you could offer so much more. Since this system was a big job for them I would hope they would see the importance to properly train the people who will service it. This could be a chance for you to sell your services. It would also be a way for them to set themselves apart from the competition by offering these DVD's as a service to their clients. A classy move!

I say give them options. A cheap barebones video could do the job (because your work is good), but a well produced graphically enhanced one will set them apart.

Bill Elder
Voiceovers

wilebill
User

Apr 5, 2006, 11:34 AM

Post #6 of 7 (2093 views)
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Re: [billelder] How Much Should I Charge for a Simple Video [In reply to]	Can't Post

I hear what you're saying Bill, but in reality they're probably having this video produced because the project specifications require them to, not because they want to. This is becoming more and more common as mechanical systems get more complicated and as retaining good maintenence people becomes increasingly harder. Because the subcontractor is required to have a video made, and it comes out of their bottom line on the project, they're going to want to spend the least amount possible to meet the specs requirements and keep the architect happy at the same time.

Regardless, you should still get a decent rate for the project. Most business people like this realize what it costs to have a job done well, but at the same time all they want is meat, not fluff.

Regards,
Billy Horton
Video Image Productions

Studio & On-Location Video Production
2 NewTek VT[4.6] Editing Suites

FilmworksGuy
Novice

Apr 5, 2006, 5:19 PM

Post #7 of 7 (2078 views)
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Re: [FilmworksGuy] How Much Should I Charge for a Simple Video [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks, guys! I always appreciate your input. I want this job, even if it means doing it for less than what I would want. The reason I want it is because this guy knows people, and you never know where it's going. I wrote him an email and asked him questions (number of cameras, one time deal, etc, etc), and if I do this for him he's goiing to be really surprised when he sees the quality, because, I suspect that the last one they did was just some guy with a cheap, handheld camcorder.

What I think I'll do is do some extra filming just after the actual training session, so that I can ask the trainer to do things over, without his hands or whatever in the way. Then I can cut those in while editing. I'll take mental notes as I'm going so I know what to redo.

Hey. Want to read an inspiring book?... "Rebel without a Crew" by Robert Rodriguez. Of course, it's about doing works of fiction, but what a story! I didn't know until after I finished reading this book how successful he became. What a story (not that I like the types of movies he does... I'm not endorsing his movies). But this guy has chutzpah!

Charles Charpentier
Industrial Filmworks
http://www.industrialfilmworks.com
(under construction)
I'm in South-Central Wisconsin.
Canon XL1S, Britek Lights (cheap!), Halogen Work Lights, Auto window shades as reflectors (cheap!), Bogen 475 Tripod & 503 Head (not cheap!), Ulead MediaStudio Pro 7, DVD Workshop 2, Cool 3D Studio, Samson Wireless, Maxell Tapes, Etc., Etc...

(This post was edited by FilmworksGuy on Apr 5, 2006, 5:24 PM)