Scarlet-W + Operator Day-Rate

[Derek Carlson]

Trying to figure out a reasonable rate for myself as an owner/operator. My rates will have to increase, just wanting to get a baseline. Mind throwing out some ballpark figures you all charge for a half-day/full-day rate for yourself + camera - and your location?

 

[Chris Niswonger]

Following! I'll be in the same boat as well.

-CN

 

[Matthew Quinn]

I normally charge $500 a day for my self, the camera goes for $500 (with rig and batteries and media)
if people rent my grip truck and lens package, they normally get a discount.
also for Indy films I will often offer a 3 day week rental on the gear if I like the project

 

[Steve Sherrick]

Trying to figure out a reasonable rate for myself as an owner/operator. My rates will have to increase, just wanting to get a baseline. Mind throwing out some ballpark figures you all charge for a half-day/full-day rate for yourself + camera - and your location?

Do you have insurance? Do you pay your own medical/dental insurance? Have you factored in camera repairs/maintenance?

When determining rate, I highly advise figuring out the math for what you need to live on and then assign some rates accordingly. It's less about predefined rates and more about what you as a freelance camera operator/equipment rental entity need to make to pay your bills, put food on the table, and save. And of course, experience level plays a role too. People who are in demand and have established clients can often charge higher than market value rates. There are some forms/calculators out there for figuring this stuff out. I really do think it's the best way.

And be careful with half day rates. In my experience it doesn't work out too well a lot of the time.

 

[Scot Yount]

I agree with Steve on half day rates. For us there is no such thing now. It isn't like we can do your shoot in the morning, then go do someone else's in the afternoon. The last time I agreed to a half day rate, I ended up working from 6 in the morning to about 10 at night. (If I had been able to hand off the tear down, the data wrangling and delivery it might have just been an 8 hour day, but no such luck. Just not realistic.

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

It totally depends on your market and clients. Taking random suggestions won't work. There are several tiers of rates in the Dallas market I work in for example.

 

[Derek Carlson]

I agree with Steve on half day rates. For us there is no such thing now. It isn't like we can do your shoot in the morning, then go do someone else's in the afternoon. The last time I agreed to a half day rate, I ended up working from 6 in the morning to about 10 at night. (If I had been able to hand off the tear down, the data wrangling and delivery it might have just been an 8 hour day, but no such luck. Just not realistic.

Good points!

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

1500-2000 for 10 hr DP, same for weapon package, for commercial stuff

But obviously these are not beginner rates

 

[Gene Sung]

Matt Workman very recently did a great video on this exact subject. Mostly applies to the NYC and LA market as the rates are higher (but so is the cost of living which is why I can't buy a house).

I guess for reference, you can check out my work and credits and I fall into Matt's "Indy" category.

[video]http://nofilmschool.com/2016/07/how-much-you-can-expect-make-working-cinematographer[/video]

 

[David Peterson]

I normally charge $500 a day for my self, the camera goes for $500 (with rig and batteries and media)
if people rent my grip truck and lens package, they normally get a discount.
also for Indy films I will often offer a 3 day week rental on the gear if I like the project

Is the 3 day rentals not normal for commercial work as well?

 

[Christoffer Glans]

As operator and camera I may charge $1000 / day for my Weapon 6K with me (not as a DP, just operator). That includes, FF, Filters, mattebox, camera, tripod and lenses as well, full kit without anything lacking (as a basic film production camera). For Scarlet-W I would say that $500-$700 sounds about right, depending on what side equipment you have. Lenses? If you have a fully operational production kit then that is a major selling point, but many who owns gear only got the camera, without the means for serious production work.

 

[Derek Carlson]

Cool, this is very helpful. Thanks guys.

 

[Steve DiMaggio]

you guys that are renting, how many friday-sundays are you using your gear to work and not renting? I don't plan to rent mine as the bulk of my work is on the weekends, just trying to get an idea of how much the gear is rented on the weekends vs the week days