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Home: Video University Forums: Marketing & Business:
how would you price this job??

X-Scott
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Jan 3, 2003, 2:40 PM

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how would you price this job??	Can't Post

I am having trouble pricing a job. One of my friends has gotten an industrial gig shooting a natural gas pipeline video in the northeast atlantic ocean at the end of this month. I am going to be shooting with my gear. This barge is 3 miles out, and requires helicopter travel. I want to take into account the high risk factor and am trying to figure a day rate for four days. All expenses will be paid, but given the unfavorable conditions, what is fair?

X-Doug_Graham
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Jan 3, 2003, 2:46 PM

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Re: how would you price this job??	Can't Post

: I am having trouble pricing a job. One of my friends has gotten an industrial gig shooting a natural gas pipeline video in the northeast atlantic ocean at the end of this month. I am going to be shooting with my gear. This barge is 3 miles out, and requires helicopter travel. I want to take into account the high risk factor and am trying to figure a day rate for four days. All expenses will be paid, but given the unfavorable conditions, what is fair?
Assuming you already have life and health insurance, I don't think you should charge extra for the risk or discomfort factors. Vidographers have to go to some pretty weird places to get the job done!
Charge your normal day rate.
Regards,
Doug Graham

X-Hal
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Jan 3, 2003, 4:15 PM

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I see it a little differently [In reply to]	Can't Post

I usually agree heartily with Doug Graham. This time, however, I disagree.
I was a freelance cameraman for the TV networks for about ten years. I
had to belong to a union which did negotiate important things like pay,
health benefits, working conditions and so on.
There was a bonus for hazardous duty. This was paid for things like working in
war zones, doing aerial stunts, etc etc. Very few camera people walk away from
Helicopter Accidents. I know one who did and to this day I don't know how he did it.
We were fillming the start of the Bermuda Cup (Sailboat Race) for ABC Sports.
This race started in Newport, RI. We don't know exactly how it happened, but suspect that the
helicopter pilot got too close to one of the sailboats and the resulting wind
caught the chopper. In any case, the helicopter flipped and
went into the ocean. The cameraman had gaffer taped his seat belt
closed as "extra protection".
Upside down in the ocean in a sinking helicopter and his seat belt won't open! I was the one who pulled
him out of the water and I thank my lucky stars that the asignments changed
at the last minute because originally I was supposed to be on that helicopter myself.
Whether you're shooting from the helicopter or not, you deserve something extra for
hazardous duty. Somewhere between 20 and 50% of your day rate excluding equipment.
Don't think it's justified? Check out the freelance news cameraman sites. See how many
have died during the last year while doing thier job. It's sobering.
January on the North Atlantic will be on the cool side. Good luck. It will be quite
an adventure. Most of all Be Safe.
Hal

X-Bob_Claxton
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Jan 3, 2003, 5:20 PM

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Re: how would you price this job?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

X-mark_newman
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Jan 3, 2003, 11:54 PM

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Re: I see it a little differently [In reply to]	Can't Post

Check out the freelance news cameraman sites. See how many
: have died during the last year while doing thier job. It's sobering.
Do you have links to some of these sites?
Mark

X-John_Hartney
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Jan 4, 2003, 1:18 AM

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Re: how would you price this job?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I agree with Doug. Shooting from a helicopter is not hazardous duty. Accidents can happen anytime. I've shot many times in the US and not had any compensation for flight. Even with ABC news. In Fact, the crew I used to work with was killed in a helicopter crash in '85 going to cover the Hormel meatpacking strike in Hibbing Minn. Even flying in icing conditions are not considered to qualify for hazard pay.
Best,
John Hartney
WERKS.TV
847.608.1357
: : I am having trouble pricing a job. One of my friends has gotten an industrial gig shooting a natural gas pipeline video in the northeast atlantic ocean at the end of this month. I am going to be shooting with my gear. This barge is 3 miles out, and requires helicopter travel. I want to take into account the high risk factor and am trying to figure a day rate for four days. All expenses will be paid, but given the unfavorable conditions, what is fair?
: Assuming you already have life and health insurance, I don't think you should charge extra for the risk or discomfort factors. Vidographers have to go to some pretty weird places to get the job done!
: Charge your normal day rate.
: Regards,
: Doug Graham

X-Doug_Graham
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Jan 4, 2003, 2:22 AM

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Re: I see it a little differently [In reply to]	Can't Post

I bow in the face of superior knowledge. Thanks, Hal!
Regards,
Doug Graham

X-John_Hartney
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Jan 4, 2003, 3:00 PM

Post #8 of 10 (1069 views)
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Re: I see it a little differently [In reply to]	Can't Post

Of course, if you can get it, fine, negotiate it into the price. But there's no provision or basis in the NABET or IBEW union contracts to qualify this type of shoot as hazardous. It is part of your job. In my private work, I wouldn't try to charge beyond my normal rate.
Best,
John Hartney
WERKS.TV
847.608.1357
: I usually agree heartily with Doug Graham. This time, however, I disagree.
: I was a freelance cameraman for the TV networks for about ten years. I
: had to belong to a union which did negotiate important things like pay,
: health benefits, working conditions and so on.
: There was a bonus for hazardous duty. This was paid for things like working in
: war zones, doing aerial stunts, etc etc. Very few camera people walk away from
: Helicopter Accidents. I know one who did and to this day I don't know how he did it.
: We were fillming the start of the Bermuda Cup (Sailboat Race) for ABC Sports.
: This race started in Newport, RI. We don't know exactly how it happened, but suspect that the
: helicopter pilot got too close to one of the sailboats and the resulting wind
: caught the chopper. In any case, the helicopter flipped and
: went into the ocean. The cameraman had gaffer taped his seat belt
: closed as "extra protection".
: Upside down in the ocean in a sinking helicopter and his seat belt won't open! I was the one who pulled
: him out of the water and I thank my lucky stars that the asignments changed
: at the last minute because originally I was supposed to be on that helicopter myself.
: Whether you're shooting from the helicopter or not, you deserve something extra for
: hazardous duty. Somewhere between 20 and 50% of your day rate excluding equipment.
: Don't think it's justified? Check out the freelance news cameraman sites. See how many
: have died during the last year while doing thier job. It's sobering.
: January on the North Atlantic will be on the cool side. Good luck. It will be quite
: an adventure. Most of all Be Safe.
: Hal

:
:
:
:
:

X-Crystal
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Jan 6, 2003, 11:59 PM

Post #9 of 10 (1069 views)
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Re: how would you price this job?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

After reading the other posts, I don't think I will ever do a Helicopter gig ;)
: I am having trouble pricing a job. One of my friends has gotten an industrial gig shooting a natural gas pipeline video in the northeast atlantic ocean at the end of this month. I am going to be shooting with my gear. This barge is 3 miles out, and requires helicopter travel. I want to take into account the high risk factor and am trying to figure a day rate for four days. All expenses will be paid, but given the unfavorable conditions, what is fair?

X-Paul
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Jan 21, 2003, 11:46 AM

Post #10 of 10 (1069 views)
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Re: how would you price this job?? [In reply to]	Can't Post

: I am having trouble pricing a job. One of my friends has gotten an industrial gig shooting a natural gas pipeline video in the northeast atlantic ocean at the end of this month. I am going to be shooting with my gear. This barge is 3 miles out, and requires helicopter travel. I want to take into account the high risk factor and am trying to figure a day rate for four days. All expenses will be paid, but given the unfavorable conditions, what is fair?
I think if your nervous flying in a helicopter you should think twice about taking the job. I have flown many times and find it a wonderful experience. You'll find that most of your helicopter pilots have military trainning and are very good at what they do. I would however, include extra time considerations for travel. You should be "on the clock" from the minute you leave your front door.
Paul