NEW TO 4k as a Dp, What to Charge, Where to Join, and How to Deliver

[Michael AvMen]

To everyone..Hello!


So, Ive been a Camera Operator and Psudo DP for the Past 4 years shooting , DV, Large Sensor Cameras and DSLR Indi Stuff and Wanted to Know Now that I have a RED what should I be Charging for in regards to Working on a Project with My RED.

I am SAG as an ACTOR, but I do not Belong to ANY union in Regards to DP work. Any Information would be Helpful. BTW I am Available for Hire Begining Of Next Year 2013 in Houston, Tx. This way I can get used to shooting the RED ONE, EPIC , SCARLET and So

on.

Is there a Trade Union to belong to as a Cinematographer like SAG?
Are there Average Rates one should Charge for Camera Work 4k Capture Specific?
What is the Average Media Used to Give Customers unedited Footage?

These are just Starter Questions any imput helps...



Michael

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

Tx is a right to work state

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

Here's the cam union:

https://www.cameraguild.com/Home.aspx

 

[Mike McMillin]

Here's the cam union:

https://www.cameraguild.com/Home.aspx

I tried to join but its quite expensive (like 14k) and its pointless to join i hear unless you have 100 hours on a union shoot to get on the roster. How can I join and get on the roster?

 

[Michael AvMen]

Thanks Mike, Jake.. Very informative.. as usual Unions are Good,Bad,Ugly ..So no Need here in Texas. The only reason I ask its because they usually Set a Floor on what a DP should be Paid. In NOLA ther seems to be a lot of Work for Features. They Are a RTW state as well Right?

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

All info for joining is on their website

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

Thanks Mike, Jake.. Very informative.. as usual Unions are Good,Bad,Ugly ..So no Need here in Texas. The only reason I ask its because they usually Set a Floor on what a DP should be Paid. In NOLA ther seems to be a lot of Work for Features. They Are a RTW state as well Right?

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like if your asking the question that pretty much guarantees you are not working at the level of experience a union DP would need. Don't mean that to sound snarky. Your pay level is based on your experience, not the fact that you own a red. Rates for professional DP's also vary depending on the type of job, feature vs commercial for example. There's lots of people calling themselves DP's these days, with experience comes, well, experience, and that's what's worth real money. Man I sound preachy. If you want to fwd me your website I could probably give you a ballpark on rates in tx.

 

[Tim Whitcomb]

what Red do you own?

You are what is called an "owner operator" rates can be FREE on friends projects to $400 to $600 a day depending on your kit plus lenses and your REEL.

If your REEL (which is more important than a union at your stage) is good, you can charge more eventually... if not, people may want to rent your camera only
and if you insist on being on set with it, then will probably make you a camera assistant or data wrangler.

I would start with local filmmaking communities and network yourself through there and raise your rates if you get too busy... you could also offer to shoot some stuff on spec for commercial clients and if they like it, they may pay you. Its a tough economy and owner operators need to be sales guys as wells as shooters imho.

Hustle work hard and create a gorgeous reel so people WANT to hire you.

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

It's different everywhere, but I'd say that's LOW for an experienced DP W gear

Edit: Tim I see now that your saying for someone with not a lot of experience

 

[Michael AvMen]

No Worries, on HD only shoots with Mild Editing I have Charged 125 Hourly. I'm Used to Working as an Actor where there is a Typical Contract that Guarantees a Certain Wage Based on The Film Budget. I've done Almost all the bootcamps that I could Afford Regarding Cinematography

I think I might have a Good 5 years of Solid Schooling and Field Practice. Recently I have become an Owner Operator but Usually I rent.. I have Never really Pursued it as a Primary Line of Work Just Used my Talent to Make my Own Projects. Now Since I'm Investing I want to Focus Less on the Acting and More on the Shooting For Money. This is all Exploratory anyhow . Sort of like a Side Thing Becoming a Primary thing..

 

[Dan Kanes]

Welcome,

Interesting questions posed.

I recommend taking whatever rate you would happily accept, and then doubling it as your door opener price.

Then, when you get talked down to half your "normal" rate - you are still happy and getting paid what you want.

 

[Mark Toia]

Welcome,

Interesting questions posed.

I recommend taking whatever rate you would happily accept, and then doubling it as your door opener price.

Then, when you get talked down to half your "normal" rate - you are still happy and getting paid what you want.

Not a silly idea.

Do you need to be in a Union? is that an American thing.
Ive shot in the states a few times... but mainly non union jobs. I did one union job though and my god... was that an expensive exercise. So many people turned up, so many trucks, so many everything...
So much so that I was only left with an average amount of money for what was left to do on screen. All the money was sucked up in the background.

I'm noticing now a lot when asked to direct a US gig is that all jobs announced as UNION jobs, the producers instantly drive the jobs offshore to South America, Aus, SA, Europe...
Quite sad that people miss out on work now because of union demands or requirements. I feel sorry for you all, especially knowing that your economy is so tough right now.

I worked in Texas once, (non Union) I found the crews there very nice to work with. Very efficient.

 

[Michael AvMen]

Not a silly idea.

Do you need to be in a Union? is that an American thing.
Ive shot in the states a few times... but mainly non union jobs. I did one union job though and my god... was that an expensive exercise. So many people turned up, so many trucks, so many everything...
So much so that I was only left with an average amount of money for what was left to do on screen. All the money was sucked up in the background.

I'm noticing now a lot when asked to direct a US gig is that all jobs announced as UNION jobs, the producers instantly drive the jobs offshore to South America, Aus, SA, Europe...
Quite sad that people miss out on work now because of union demands or requirements. I feel sorry for you all, especially knowing that your economy is so tough right now.

I worked in Texas once, (non Union) I found the crews there very nice to work with. Very efficient.

I know in Certain Fields Unions can Be a Positive Thing, They Prevent exploitation of Talent, but It does raise the Cost of Production. Yes Texas is a Right to Work State full of Hardworking middle Class people who have a strong Conservative view on Small Businesses and Self Employment is the Core of Wealth in Texas. We are a Good group of People. Shit There is Talk of secession from the USA all over the Radio Today.. Just Crazy...