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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Day rate?

Ian Planchon

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Don't know if this is the right spot for this, We have one RED in town that I know of, and I am looking to become the second. What is the typical day rate for an owner/operator? I am used to the typical HD $1,000-$1,500 a day, is it much higher?

thanks in advance.
 
Yeah me too, I'll move : )
 
$1000-1500, is that including equipment? For what kind of job?
On features and TV-drama jobs the going rate for a DP here in Denmark is between $3000 and 4500 per week.
On commercials the normal EU rate for travelling DPs is from $2700 a day, and up(in Russia I charge $3800 a day...guess why!)
A complete camerapackage with everything rents for about $2600 a day on commercials.
 
Apparently as low as $150 a day in some cities but I think that's a myth. Probably figure $500-$1,000 a day most of the time for quality gear and talent.

-michael zaletel
 
Keep in mind that many rental houses and some operators will do a 3-day week so $1,000 a day might be $3,000 a week or basically $500 per day. If a guy is $300 short on his EPIC Stage-2 deposit as of tonight, you might get him for $50 a day for the next week. :)

-michael zaletel
 
It depends on more on what you are working on than where you live. $800-$1200 for 10 hours with time and 1/2 after 10, for the DP, with rental rates for a camera package around $1,200-$1,500,and upwards from there depending on what you get. Lighting and grip is extra, usually not sourced through the DP, as most DPs are not g&e houses. For interviews, and doc stuff, tack on $250-$350 for a location package, more if you have a few HMIs.

That's what producers are used to paying for good people on docs, industrials, low budget commercials, etc.

Nick
 
Here in Raleigh, NC I see Red One rental with operator for $900 a day I believe I saw. Don't remember the week rate.

I've been getting $300 to $500 shooting on HVX or other camera.
 
Indonesia

Indonesia

In Indonesia we rent a full RED package for TVCs with accessories and lenses (Super Speeds or Ultra primes) for ~1.300 US/day included assistant and basic DIT Macbook pro for back up rendering.
As far as I know we are the cheapest country in Asia as for lenses/accessories/crew but not so much cheaper for the RED package. In Malaysia, Thailand it is a bit more expensive. I know people that rent the RED with the RED Primes up to 1.500 US/day.
We try to keep the prices (+-) fixed here as it is always a pain to deal with the EX3s/ps technik and the DSLRs for low budget jobs. People go panic and drop the prices... not in Indonesia.... Go and shoot a 500.000 US commercial with a DSLR... Your client's son will have a better model than yours.... so... RED and RED again.
 
i own an hvx200 and i refuse to go lower than $500 a day. i can't imagine getting less than that with a red one.

i havent yet rented a hvx for more than 150.. if your pulling in 500.. maybe you can rent my red out for me...

red packages are going from 250 - 900.. 1200 if they have a good set of lenses.

im not representing my rate as I only rent it to productions im DP/Operator on and the project goes red..
 
$1000-1500, is that including equipment? For what kind of job?
On features and TV-drama jobs the going rate for a DP here in Denmark is between $3000 and 4500 per week.
On commercials the normal EU rate for travelling DPs is from $2700 a day, and up(in Russia I charge $3800 a day...guess why!)
A complete camerapackage with everything rents for about $2600 a day on commercials.

Yeah, around here (des moines, IA) that is including equipment. Usually for any kind of job.
 
Basic HVX packages rent for around $150 to $200/day here in Denver, that is just the camera with a couple batteries and cards. Operator additional, but $400-$500/day seems typical for HVX package with operator, depending on if you can bring extra media, maybe a couple lights, etc..

The RED seems to rent for about $750/day in a basic kit with a lens like the 18-50 zoom. And sending someone with it obviously brings more, but that varies with what the person's function is. Most here in town don't want to pay for a DIT. They just want someone who can offload a card on a macbook pro and that's it. They still call the person a DIT and usually supply this person themselves or don't understand why I don't include some kid with the camera that can do this for free.

My day rates for rental of RED and related aks/equpment is on par with most of the west coast rental houses. I publish similar rates, but will typically make package deals and discounts for good repeat customers. I often get told my rates are too high, especially when it comes to supplying operator/DIT with the camera, but I don't usually back down. But I'm also not in business to rent out my gear to others, it's just something I do when I'm not busy using it. And in my experience, those who are the biggest whiners when it comes to price are the ones who are hardest on the gear. And they're the worst ones about actually paying the invoice! Most low-rent indie productions don't get to touch my gear.

I'll probably rent out my RED One more once I get my Epic-X. I doubt I will rent the Epic at all as I plan to keep it busy with my own projects.
 
Thanks for the responses.

I am not looking to really rent the camera when I purchase, I am looking for more what I should be charging for hired gigs, as this would be my first dip into the 4k RED world, I am clueless (obviously).

So if I went with the R1, RED primes, and a zoom or two and my typical grip kit. I could potentially be charging around $2,000-2,500 for a 10 hour day, or is that waaaaaay on the high end.

I am torn on waiting for the Epic, or just getting a RED now, and making some money. than again, I would still have to wait to upgrade to the MX sensor, right? maybe its worth it to just wait for the Epic....so many decisions.

thanks again.
 
rentals

rentals

You have to think of a basic package to offer that includes a set of primes (5) a tripod set, a ff, a mattebox, filters, preview monitor and support for client monitors.
All the rest is extra. Make a price list and go on. The clients will ask you for wide lenses tele lenses zooms etc. If you have them is extra money. But the basic package would be at ~1.300 which is really good by the way
 
You have to think of a basic package to offer that includes a set of primes (5) a tripod set, a ff, a mattebox, filters, preview monitor and support for client monitors.
All the rest is extra. Make a price list and go on. The clients will ask you for wide lenses tele lenses zooms etc. If you have them is extra money. But the basic package would be at ~1.300 which is really good by the way

is that including the operator though?
 
Package

Package

This can include an assistant who will set up the camera and stand by to control menu, change lenses etc.
 
If you list a package rate or camera rate referring to your own rental package let us know that last time you rented it out and what the breakdown was to avoid speculation.
 
..... And in my experience, those who are the biggest whiners when it comes to price are the ones who are hardest on the gear. And they're the worst ones about actually paying the invoice! Most low-rent indie productions don't get to touch my gear.

RIGHT ON ! couldnt agree more
 
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