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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 :)

A Couple of Questions for the Pros

Clayton Taylor

Clayton Taylor

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Hey everyone!
My RED Scarlet arrives tomorrow - It's my first RED and first time away from Canon DSLR.

First Question:
I'm partnering with a local VFX guy who does quite a bit of freelance work for Syfy channel projects - he's now getting more referral work for bigger projects. I'm sure the Dallas/Ft. Worth market is going to be pretty competitive, but we're looking at basically forming a production company to try and take advantage of the lucrative commercial market here. I have experience with indie films and a couple of smaller commercials back in the Northwest Louisiana area, where I'm originally from.  So, question - How do you approach companies to try to win their commercial business? I'm assuming I'll need to start with smaller local businesses (I'm sure the corporations/chains have inhouse crews) to build a solid reel with the RED. Any tips on the approach? Do you contact Marketing?

Second Question:
How do you set your rates? I've read a few posts tonight where people talk about how they are hard up for work and wish they had different degrees, etc. Luckily I'm a Registered Nurse and am currently in graduate school to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Income isn't the issue - the issue is the love of what I do is in entertainment - not in nursing. With income not being an issue, it's hard to come up with pricing. There is little to no overhead (just my monthly payment - partially financed the RED), but it's more of a planned expense - not really a business one. The VFX guy I'm working with has his own rates pretty much already set, but on my end I'll be bringing in production - he has always handled post/vfx. Do you charge hourly? Flat rate depending on the project complexity? Do you comp shop to see what others are doing?  Also, I plan on offering rental packages for the RED so it will hopefully pay for itself and eventually an EPIC.

Third Question:
Reducation - I am planning on attending the end of the year class in NYC at AbelCine. Is this just to teach you the ins and outs of your camera, or will it hold some pull with trying to get jobs? Aside from doing production, I would LOVE to start pulling some work on larger sets (DIC/AC/etc) - does it help?

Sorry everything is probably scattered. I work nights so run on little sleep :) Thanks for the help!
 
Hey Clayton, I'm a DP in Dallas. The rates vary depending on what level of production you are working at. I have different rates for different companies I work for as a DP. It sounds like you are going to the clients directly though and not looking to book work through another production company. And when you say rates, are you meaning just for yourself or for the entire crew and equipment? Rates are wildly different for example for a high-end national commercial vs a small agency doing a spot for a local business. Dallas is a big market and there is a lot going on all the time. I'd use personal contacts first, friend of a friend works here for example, that will get you further than cold calling marketing departments. And call me if you ever need a dp ;)
 
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