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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Unacceptable rates?

Domenic Barbero

Domenic Barbero

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Location
Seattle/Portland/LA
Website
www.domenicthedp.sqsp.com
So heres my camera package that i offer to people.

RED Scarlet-x
2x64gb ssd
6x redvolts
sidehandle DSMC
AL canon mount
TI pl mount
5.6" touch screen RED monitor
zacuto EVF pro viewfinder
Full 15mm rail setup/handheld rig, mattebox, follow focus, etc
Side handle Aluminum
top handle aluminum
AC charger for batteries
Zeiss contax primes. 28 2.8, 35 1.4, 100 2.8 macro, tokina 11-16 2.8
Macbook pro for DIT
RED Station w/ fw400/fw800/usb2.0/eSata
Pelican case
AC power for camera
circ polarizer filters
nd filters

My day rate for rental is 650 or so depending on the situation and if im cam op or not.

I just had somebody request a quote for a feature 20 days of shooting. I quoted them 10k with it being negotiable. thats 525 a day. So they told me that was outrageous.
and said they had a budget of 3k and they want a scarlet. They then told me i should reduce my rate because there are other camera owners with R1's that would take this offer. I feel like that is crazy.

Are there any R1 owners that would rent their camera package for 150 a day?

Is this person just crazy and trying to use jedi mind powers for me to reduce my rate?

EDIT::::: I realize the 10k was way too high now. I Reapproached the guy and said 7k. still said hes not paying anymore than 3k and wants a full shootable RED rig and he knows two guys waiting for the job. So i just told him good luck, and if things change, he knows where to find me.​
 
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rental houses charge 3 day weeks....means you get the camera for a week, pay for 3 days.... so 4 weeks would be: $7,800.... at $650/day.

The rate you gave is pretty high, so in their eyes they are thinking I could buy a Scarlet for $10,000. Obviously we know you need accessories, lenses, etc. but I'm just telling you how people feel...
 
We run into this all the time Dominic. IMO, the best course of action is to hold onto the camera. In the course of a month - you should be able to clear way more than $3,000 in personal volume and improve your bottom line without the rental.

There will always be someone out there trying to get a deal....

There will always be people out there trying to undercut your cost...

Stick to your price, it's more than fair for your camera package.

Good luck with your shoots!
 
Rule #1 of renting you gear - Tell low ball offers like this to suck it.

You don't want these clowns renting your gear and then trashing it. That's what low ball clowns like this do. 3K for a feature camera package??? go shoot it on a Sony PD170.

For long rentals, the usual deal on gear from most rental house is to charge 3 day weeks. So 1 week = 3 day rates. 3 x 650 = $1950/week.
20 days is about 4 weeks.
 
I was looking in the rental forum earlier and wondered is it me or did everyone just drop their rates recently? Some are renting theirs out for <$2k a week. So based on that 20 day shoot example that would be <$6k, with a daily rate of $300. Which is pretty crazy if you ask me.

Edit: Maybe that's a 3 day week I saw so ignore me if that's true, however I still see rentals <$500 day for the Scarlet.
 
7800 would be fine with me. but 3k? for that long? I just dont see that as possible. i would feel crazy doing that.
 
Domenic Barbero said:
7800 would be fine with me. but 3k? for that long? I just dont see that as possible. i would feel crazy doing that.
Click to expand...

so don't do it. It's a matter of needing the money or not as well as now renting your camera for that rate means you will get more low ball renters coming your way... If you want the money and they have insurance, go for it. If you don't want to devalue your gear and feel your getting ripped off, don't do it.

Also, you could do them a little favor and compare rates from all the rental houses you can find so they see how much it would cost coming from them. Then place your offer just below (given the package is similar) and tell them take it or leave it...
 
Al Lougher said:
I was looking in the rental forum earlier and wondered is it me or did everyone just drop their rates recently? Some are renting theirs out for <$2k a week. So based on that 20 day shoot example that would be <$6k, with a daily rate of $300. Which is pretty crazy if you ask me.

Edit: Maybe that's a 3 day week I saw so ignore me if that's true, however I still see rentals <$500 day for the Scarlet.
Click to expand...
If you look what your kit cost, 6k for 20 days is a pretty good return! If it's amy more expensive they would buy a camera new & sell it after a month!
 
its just crazy because i remember 3 years ago paying 400 a day for hvx200 which sucks ass. Now im expected to take less for a camera that is 100 times better. Is the market really that bad these days?
 
I guess it just caught me off guard.
 
What's driving these horrible rates is all the "filmies" just graduating out of film school, but a cheap DSLR, and charge only $150 a day for them and the camera. RED owners shouldn't even have to compete with that, since 4K+acquisition blows the DSLR out of the water. However, you also have these same filmies, renting a Scarlet, and shooting for free to build their reel. Sucks, I know. People want me and my epic package for dirt cheap sometimes, and it's frustrating. I tell them to go somewhere else.
 
yea, i adjusted my rate. I was unaware of rental house 3 day weeks. i just was multiplying a discounted day rate.
 
Domenic Barbero said:
yea, i adjusted my rate. I was unaware of rental house 3 day weeks. i just was multiplying a discounted day rate.
Click to expand...

yeah, no way anyone would ever rent if they were charged by the day on a long term rental. If that was the case everyone would own.
 
yea, thats why i took like 200 a day off for long term, but figured the number still looked high. Good to know though. I usually dont straight rent my camera out, but now if it happens at least i know what to expect. Its just my main camera for my company so 20 days without a camera means 20 days my company has to shoot on a 7d. ugh, the thought of that alone makes me a little sick. and also for my insurance i kinda need to be on set with camera to make sure its being handled ok and if anything happens i can claim i was there. I dont have a good rental insurance policy since i rarely rent. but now im on the right track.
 
Are they insured? The chance of something going wrong on such a long rental is highly increased.
 
they said they have insurance, but im not really sure how extensive it is if their whole shoot budget is like 10k for a feature.
 
Domenic Barbero said:
they said they have insurance, but im not really sure how extensive it is if their whole shoot budget is like 10k for a feature.
Click to expand...

well if renting from a rental house you need 1 million in coverage (costs between $250/$700 to get a policy) so maybe thats why they are coming to you. You should always require them to cover your gear and you be added to the policy as "Additional Insured Loss/Payee" for the total amount of all your gear. Make sure to get this certificate listing you and the total amount covered before ever handing out your gear. Otherwise your asking for trouble..
 
yea ive had to do this on a couple shoots when i rented R1. I assumed that would be the case. Ive just never done it. Thats why i like getting hired as an op or dp then i dont have to go through all the hoops. and its my money maker, i really hate sending it out into the world without holding its hand. lol
 
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