How should I Charge for a DVD work?

[Mysticav]

I want to know the minimum and the maximum price I can give to my clients,


Does anybody can give me an idea about charge $$$ ratings for for the following work:

· 30 min. VHS to To digital video (Captured)
· around 50 Digital images adapted to 720 x 480, edited in Photoshop.
· Then create a Documental style video in Adobe premiere with Music
using the captured video clips and the images. (The video includes effects, and motion).
· Finally imported to Encore and create a simple DVD with menu.
· The final movie last around 15-20 min.

Please give me an estimation, accurate to USA rates.

[kickbxn5]

I would charge them roughly $100. I see ads in various video magazines that say "Video to DVD transfer starting at $99".

That's what I charge (unless of course I have to record the video and edit it)

[andkiich]

Do research in trade publications and at online companies that do what you want. Charge accordingly.

[gmatov]

I don't know what the result is, but our local Fotohut has a sign "VHS to DVD, 19.99"

Not the same as what you describe, I'd have to guess.

Still, if it is a playable DVD, probably going to hurt some of the members who would like to make extra money or a business from our hobby.

Cheers,

George

[stillmars321]

1 sent a hour and a helf worth of vhs fottage to a guy on ebay, $25, including return shipping. it came on 1 dvd-r with a menu and chapters every 5 minutes.

Will be checking quality of capture tonight

[Mysticav]

Well, a 20 dlls work, I guess its just a direct convertion. Talking about an edition, where you have to use 'your brain' and creativity, software like Premiere, Photoshop, Encore, etc. (NON-LINEAR) 20 dlls I dont think so.
100. dlls or more its reasonable.

People who just convert VHS to DVD using a 30 dlls VCR, the sheapest DVD recorder, without knowing what a PC is, and with no Analog Filters, nor detailers, nor proc Amp's, no mixers, I Think charging 20.00 dlls, its expensive.

10 to 15 will be ok.

[HatchetMan]

I paid Sam's Club $18.88 to convert my wedding video vhs to dvd. They included a menu, a couple music videos to random clips and chapter selection out of still images. Cover art too. I was impressed.

[budz]

local shop in honolulu,hawaii charges start at $30.00 for first hour of footage for vhs to dvd conversion.

[HatchetMan]

Oh, and they had sent it to a FujiFilm lab.

[Mysticav]

Well, as far as to make a direct footage... less than 30 dlls, is ok. Menus is free-plus...that doesnt increase the price.

I'm talking about a custom made video, with selected scenes, fancy effects, professional look, and a concious edition.

A professional studio charge 500.00 ++ dlls for a documental...

a documental and a custom made video doesn't have to much difference.

So, if you are using all your video skills, to create a custom video (not just conversion with menus), wich it takes 1-5 days work, and you are charging 30.00 dlls you must go with a psycologist or take a
"how to sell" seminar...

[reboot]

$125 for a "ReJig" video copy from VHS.
It goes up from there, depending on source, and complexity of the finished product, usually ranging from $200 to $1000

[jdizzy40]

If you have to ask this sort of question, consider getting into some buisness you understand.

[Captain315]

There is no money to be made in this type of endeavor unless it's just a sideline of an established business. It's just too easy to do it yourself. There's not even any money in film transfer. The pro shops are only charging 10 cents a foot and there is just not enough business to go around. Especially considering that it will cost a minimum of $1500 to get just a basic 8mm film transfer setup.

[Mysticav]

well, the question was focus not to tranfer but to edit. reboot seems to understand the question. I know, conversion is so easy, and there's no business (Specially in USA, where technology is accesible to everybody, using a credit card, of course).
But edition its completely different, and it demands some knowledge.
Anyway, I started this post and I found is stupid, very ambiguous.
If you are smart and business mind, charge 1000 dlls, if you don't, just give it for free!, so what.

[reboot]

That's what I charge. It takes savvy, and a good system, to get a good VHS cap to dvd, so an autoplay disk is $125.
If you want any editing, the price goes up a lot.
If you want multiple clips, menu's and stuff, then maybe not quite as steep.
Authoring is easier than editing (in most cases).
All of it takes serious time.

[Mysticav]

Fianally somebody undertood my question, Thanks reboot.

The previews replies look like they consider edition work a $20.00 dlls piece of shit.