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Home: Video University Forums: Marketing & Business:
ISO advice for shoot now, pay later deals

 

 


mystico
Novice


Oct 25, 2006, 10:51 AM

Post #1 of 2 (712 views)
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ISO advice for shoot now, pay later deals Can't Post

I am currently working on a partnership with a photog. He is well-established in a rather low-budget environment. While this would not be my favourite way to boost business, working in conjunction with him will give me loads of footage usable for demos, increase my experience, and give me exposure--as well as potentially a somewhat decent amount of income. I have a dilemma though. Contrary to the way most event videogs (and photogs) work, this guy tends to take jobs where people purchase (or not) after the work is done. He recently shot some sort of internat'l powerlifting championship and had the sort of setup where lifters could view their pics on laptop soon after lifting then purchase various packages. He reportedly got quite a bit of business. Don't know whether the word "profit" could be used but he seemed quite happy with it.

Anyway, he recently proposed that we jointly shoot an upcoming hair salon competition. Salons from neighbouring cities will compete, including their models being in some way showcased. So far I've only gotten a brief description from him. Details to come. He, of course, will be able to shoot, get paid, and deliver on spot. With an elaborate display of former photos as part of his set-up, as well as models and stylists being able to see the product just before purchasing, I'm sure he'll score on this one. I, however, am a one-man operation and cannot churn out same-day edits yet. My "spread" would likely consist of a laptop or small DVD player looping demo videos (set-up close to his display to give that "this is what we do" feel). My idea is to take orders with pre-payment with a promise to deliver at some determined date (keeping in mind that I have a host of projects already in line for editing). The package options I have in mind so far are as follows ...
*I will shoot stylists doing their thing. Styling, talking trash, etc. Candid interviews with stylists talking about their planned style, history in the competition, thoughts about the competition, comments on their particular model, etc.
* I will get some statements from models about their previous work, how they were chosen for this job, career goals, etc.
* Modeling footage, perhaps some unofficial modeling offstage, then of course the official competition modeling.
* All of this will be edited using a Ms. America meets MTV style of editing.
* PKG 1: Entire documentary including all salons and models.
* PKG 2: Salon/Stylist & Model focused reel--for those who are only interested in their own work.

What are your thoughts on this? My fear is that I'm setting myself up to do lots of work, then have people not want to pay without being able to walk out with the product. I also refuse to severely undercharge--which may become a problem considering his tendency towards the low budget market. Please give me your thoughts on jobs like this in general, working with photogs, and the predictable "what do I charge" question.

Thanks in advance ...



____________________________
Vaughn O'Neal
Cloud 9 Video Productions


videobear
Veteran


Oct 25, 2006, 12:14 PM

Post #2 of 2 (706 views)
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Re: [mystico] ISO advice for shoot now, pay later deals [In reply to] Can't Post

I'd pass it.

In general, never sign up for a shoot now, pay later deal. However, there IS one form of deferred compensation that I like: Jon Cooksey's "Subsidy Video Publishing" model (http://www.elitevideo.com)

Jon's model works like this:
- You find a client with a "following"...someone who knows something and teaches it to others. In your example, maybe one of the salons or a particular stylist has techniques they could share with others via video.
- You agree to shoot an instructional video at low cost (just enough to cover your production time).
- You do it with live switched multiple cams and minimal editing, to keep your time investment low. (Or in your case, with any techniques that have a similar effect).
- You have an agreement with the client to sell him X copies of the finished video at $$; he's responsible for marking them up and selling them to his "following". You own the copyright until X copies have been purchased.
- After X copies, you have made your profit. You then transfer the rights to the client, and cut back the price for additional copies, allowing him to increase HIS profits on additional sales, while still bringing in some money for you.

All of the parameters...the up-front cost, the number of copies, and the price structure, must be set out clearly in your contract.




Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions