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Home: Video University Forums: Wedding & Event Videography:
Confirmation - Can pay-per-tape be profitable?

X-DaveDVideographycom
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Mar 1, 2002, 1:08 AM

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Confirmation - Can pay-per-tape be profitable?	Can't Post

I've just been asked to shoot a confirmation at a large Catholic church. The videographer they used in the past "got too big for these types of jobs" and left them hanging. It would require at least a 2-cam shoot with little editing compared to my weddings. I doubt many people would want to spend more than $30 but I may be wrong. I've been averaging $3000 wedding packages so the thought of tying up a day and doing a job that might net $600 makes me a little queasy. There will be about 120 families coming through and historically, only 20-40 of those families actually buy a tape ($30 per tape). I'm leaning toward saying "no" and referring to a few folks who would love to shoot it for that price but who I know would not give the same quality. Those of you who have done this type of per-tape big-crowd jobs like dance recitals, what's the secret? Any tips on making it more profitable? How about making it more short form without pissing off too many families? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

X-Robert
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Mar 1, 2002, 1:25 AM

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Re: Not the solution you want but...	Can't Post

Not that this is a solution but if you are averaging $3000 a wedding what's wrong with giving something back to the community? Those 20-40 clients who buy a tape could be great referrals and it might make you feel good doing it. If it's profitability that you really want offer DVD to increase your price.
Rob

X-Mike
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Mar 1, 2002, 1:30 AM

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Re: pay-per-tape [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think you know there is little chance of it being profitable. Congrats on pulling down $3k weddings.
I do speculative shoots for local theatre productions. I cover my expenses and consider it advertising. It has worked it giving me recognition. Whenever I show up the parents nudge each other and say "get his card, he does a really good job". That feels good.

X-davescave
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Mar 1, 2002, 1:46 AM

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Re: Not the solution you want but... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. You are right, it would be a good way to advertise and give back at the same time.
Offering the DVD is something I considered, especially because anyone who uses DVD appreciates the ability to jump to chapter marks which could turn a long show into an interesting show.
I appreciate the quick response.
Dave

X-Pete_Lombardo
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Mar 1, 2002, 10:27 AM

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Re: Not the solution you want but... [In reply to]	Can't Post

:Not that this is a solution but if you are averaging $3000 a wedding what's wrong with giving something back to the community?:
Give back to the community? What the hell is that all about? Your a business man for chrissake, not a charity! The community isn't doing you any favors. You're getting 3 grand for a wedding because your worth it, because you bust you tail making the video perfect, not because someone is doing you a favor. Do you think a surgeon making two million dollars a year just throws in free appendectomies, just to "give something back?"
Put the quality into these communions that you put into your weddings, and you will sell enough to make a profit. $30 or $40 bucks for a communion is not unreasonable, and you can get referrals from it. But do it to make MORE MONEY, not to "give something back."
Pete Lombardo
Limelight Video Productions
Medford, NY

X-Robert
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Mar 1, 2002, 11:31 AM

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Re: Unfortunate attitude [In reply to]	Can't Post

Gee Pete
What's with the attitude?
Just because the communities aren't doing any favours for you doesn't mean that that should be the reason you don't offer your services. Trust me religion/bible is one of the last things I subscribe to but oh no here comes a quote "Do on to others as you would want them to do on to you"
It looks like you think that the whole world owes you...where as it's the other way around.
There seems to be an abundance of giving from a lot of wealthy people in many areas of work. Actors/Doctors/Businessmen-women
I thought may be 9/11 would of softened this kind of "me" attitude but I guess it hasn't
Rob

X-Peter_Lombardo
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Mar 1, 2002, 12:31 PM

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Re: Unfortunate attitude [In reply to]	Can't Post

Robert,
Remember, Jesus didn't own a video company. If he did, he'd have the lowest prices in town and he'd be letting the photographer boss him around.
By the way, I never said or suggested that anyone "owes me" anything. I don't understand where you came up with that statement.
Your responsibility to your community and your profession is to provide a competitive product for a competitive price. Not to "give something back."
My "attitude" is a positive one. We are all in business. We provide a valuable service for which we are underpaid. In truth, we "give back" all the time. We charge $3,000 for a product that is worth much more. The bride and groom spend more than that for dead flowers and a second rate band. You send a bad message. If you want to give something back, buy toys for poor kids at Christmas, or send a check to Jerry Lewis. Do something that actually means something. DON'T give away your product to people who can easily afford to pay for it. That's not charity, that's just stupidity.
Since you mentioned the terrorist attacks on our country, here's a true story. After the attacks, I spent quite a bit of time videotaping memorial services of firefighters in my neighborhood who were killed in the World Trade Center. My "give back" was that I did them for free, providing valuable services for free. Looking around, I wondered which other professionals were working for free? Were the funeral services free? The casket? Were the flowers people sent free? The cemetery plot? How bout the clean up crews at Ground Zero? Are the NYC Police and Fire Department giving back all that overtime pay?
That is a big problem with our industry, and a common lament of people on this forum. Our product isn't CONSIDERED valuable to our clients. Giving it away doesn't help.
Pete Lombardo
Limelight Video Productions
Medford, NY

X-Robert
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Mar 1, 2002, 2:04 PM

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Re: Unfortunate attitude part deux [In reply to]	Can't Post

The thing is...he is not giving it away.
And your attutude is not positive, otherwise you would not of reacted with chrissakes and all that.
"Give back to the community? What the hell is that all about? Your a business man for chrissake, not a charity! The community isn't doing you any favors"
I think it's noble what you did after 9/11 but you contradict yourself with the above statement you made in the past post. I am surprised you would make that statement then do a 180 later. And yes you did give back to the community for almost free...your work with be viewed by many which ultimately will lead to referrals because of what you gave to the community in the first place.
Toys for Kids at Christmas is good but great video work for the "Right" cause may reward you ten fold.
Rob "Time to get off the damn soap box" McKoen

X-Matt_Winslow
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Mar 3, 2002, 2:57 AM

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Re: Unfortunate attitude [In reply to]	Can't Post

After the attacks, I spent quite a bit of time videotaping memorial services of firefighters
in my neighborhood who were killed in the World Trade Center. My "give back" was that I did them for free, providing valuable services for free.
---Ah, Dude, didn't you just contradict yourself?

X-Pete_Lombardo
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Mar 4, 2002, 9:37 AM

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Re: Unfortunate attitude [In reply to]	Can't Post

::After the attacks, I spent quite a bit of time videotaping memorial services of firefighters
in my neighborhood who were killed in the World Trade Center. My "give back" was that I did them for free, providing valuable services for free.
---Ah, Dude, didn't you just contradict yourself?::
I prefer to view it as a learning experience, rather than as a contradiction. Offering free services for grieving families seemed like a good thing to do at the time. Looking back, I don't think it was wise of me to offer my services and my product for free, simply because I felt sorry for the victims of the tragedy. In a buying market that considers event-video to be little more than a "photographers add-on", I don't believe we need to prove it by giving it away.
I hope I've explained myself better...dude.
Pete Lombardo
Limelight Video Productions
Medford, NY

TimK
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Feb 8, 2005, 9:51 AM

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Re: [X-Pete_Lombardo] Unfortunate attitude [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you know a few folks you would refer it too, why not just hire them to shoot it for you and you still make a little