Long-Term Documentaries and Fees

[Bill Stengel]

Hello!
I'm talking with a director/producer about shooting a documentary over the course of next year (and possibly beyond) and I'm trying to get my head around fees and rental cost to him. Are there models other than standard day rate and daily/weekly rental schedules that better fit long-term projects?
Any insight is hugely appreciated.

 

[Tom Lowe]

I've been shooting a documentary for the past three years, nonstop. There is absolutely no way to pay regular, commercial day rates. We pay our guys a monthly salary.

I'm not really sure how most other documentaries do it, though. I would be interested to hear more on this topic.