Selling Footage.

[Jim Peters]

Hi there--

I happened to be in a place last year that has been in the headlines quite a bit lately. I was there during the peak of political unrest. While there, I captured about 20 hours of fairly remarkable footage which I believe captured the social and political condition. It was captured on 7D camera / Zeiss PL lenses.

I planned on making a documentary with this footage. I have been contacted by a major US network who surprisingly saw some "Coming Soon" / Trailer footage that was published to the web. They have since met with me and have a desire to use the footage in a new documentary series they are producing. They also are visiting the region over the summer with their own crews.

I have sold stock footage before. I have also been contracted to shoot stock footage for similar projects, but I view this as being a little more complicated then a typical stock footage sale. I have some truly great images and moments that may not be able to be recreated because of when I was there and some special access I was granted.

I'm not yet sure if they are interested in exclusive ownership of the material or just want to license the shots.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? I'd like to know how to price the footage. The ball is in my court.

 

[Jim Peters]

For that it's worth, I've rented and shot with Red One cameras on several occasions. It is my camera of choice. This was shot on 7D because of their size and ability to be easily concealed.

 

[Ben Holmes]

Hi Jim

This is usually agreed on a price per minute, or a 'buyout' for all the footage. Either is acceptable based on the price. They will either seek to buy the rights exclusively (for which they would expect to pay more) or in a one-time license (for which they would expect to pay less). Footage prices usual reflect the format (not in your favour) and rareity (in your favour).

How much? No idea - but I would think some consideration of your own costs would help. They will also have a price they expect to pay for similar footage for documentary use. Key to all of this will be how important it is for them in the course of their show. The more key, the more they will pay.

I know from experience that news organisations charge around £200-500/minute for footage on a non-exlusive basis - stock footage if you like.

Don't sell yourself short if you went out on a limb. They are a network, and should expect to pay network prices. Better to start high, and work down in my experience. They can't go anywhere else and get it cheaper, can they? So, work out the price they are prepared to pay, not what price they think they can get away with.