Charging for test shoots

[Mark Inducil]

Hello everyone,

I'm really sure where to post this...

I'm about to shoot my first feature on the Red next year and the director wants to do some test shots with the camera, actors and locations so we can set the 'look' of the scenes. I own the camera, tripod and laptop and It's only for a couple of days (I think, I hope) and I was wondering if there are any special conditions / terms or rates for doing test shoots? Do I charge them my usual fee? I'm a bit careful with this because I don't want to demand money and scare him off because I'm dying to shoot a feature. I've only worked on shorts, music vids and tvc's that didn't have time for test shoots so this area is a bit new to me.

Thanks in advance.

Mark

 

[Tai Wah Lim]

Hello everyone,

I'm really sure where to post this...

I'm about to shoot my first feature on the Red next year and the director wants to do some test shots with the camera, actors and locations so we can set the 'look' of the scenes. I own the camera, tripod and laptop and It's only for a couple of days (I think, I hope) and I was wondering if there are any special conditions / terms or rates for doing test shoots? Do I charge them my usual fee? I'm a bit careful with this because I don't want to demand money and scare him off because I'm dying to shoot a feature. I've only worked on shorts, music vids and tvc's that didn't have time for test shoots so this area is a bit new to me.

Thanks in advance.

Mark

Mark, being in the business for more than a year now, we do not charge for prep work. Usually two to three days. This is maybe the practice over here in Asia. I would not charge for your part if are dying to shoot a feature. Get the experience. It is worth more than what you want to charge. There is a good thread on doing pro-bono etc in the forum. Lim

 

[Shawn Booth]

Typically speaking (hopefully), prep days are normal paid days. Most of the time...

Gear, should be, but not necessarily...

 

[David W. Jones]

Maybe I'm just an old stick in the mud and stuck in my ways after 30 years in the business, but I like to get paid for my work.
All test shots and such should be budgeted for.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

You'd definitely want to be compensated for your time/equipment (especially the red) even if it's a test. Whatever you charge normally/day.

 

[M Korek]

If the person asking for a free test is already a client or has a good reputation and a seriously interesting project. Our common sense approach is: Equipment can be for free but not people and insurance.

 

[donatello b]

"the director wants to do some test shots with the camera, actors and locations so we can set the 'look' of the scenes."

IMO the director is asking you to WORK on his specific project and you should receive compensation ( amount ? you'll have to work it out )
now, you did say NEXT YEAR ... from experience, 75% of "next year" never happen ... so you might consider charging him a near normal rate now and if the project does happen next year give him a 50% off ( or free day) one day of prep next year ...
also i see NO reason to set a look (shoot test) today on a project that is next year ...
i suggest you wait till next year and then do a test a week or 2 before the start date ...

now if he just wanted a quick test - he comes over your house and you shoot him and show him different looks or you show him different looks that you've shot over past year with your RED then maybe you could do it for no compensation ...

 

[Michael Schrengohst]

A "test" would be more like the director came to your house with a box of dunkin donuts and you shot a few shots in your backyard for 5 minutes and dumped the footage to a hard drive that he supplied....

Anything beyond that should be billable hours.

 

[ford_jj]

Just to be confidence, and you 'll success at last.Good luck.

 

[Rob Gardner]

We pay half-days for prep. It seems like a reasonable compromise, given the state of budgets these days. Some producers deal with this by having no prep days which is a poor idea, but if you start loading up the full boat for prepping equipment or test shooting, it can get priced off the table.

Just my cheap producer's point of view.

 

[Mark Inducil]

Thanks guys appreciate everyone's comments.

It seems to me that everyone has a slightly different approach in doing prep work so I guess it all comes down to what you think is fair. I guess I'll work out a deal either paying for half day's work or paying the full amount and getting a discount when the film happens.... and donuts.