I'm about to run a video department of a design firm..yet a noob. HELP

[Rhyne Simpson]

Yes, that is right. I live in a college town (current student) and have been doing music videos/random short films in the area since my freshman year. I was linked up and asked to join this upcoming design firm (that specializes in all of the essentials for musicians/artists to get signed - basically a bridge to the next step.) I do have a natural talent (considering I'm a bio major) for film and have just learned throughout the years how to do the basics and beyond, in videography and video production. I have a Canon 60D set up (multiple lens/steadicam/tripod) but I'm still lacking a light setup and possible other things essential.) I use Sony Vegas and have been since 6th grade, so I'm very comfortable with it...not much time to learn a new software. So basically, I'm here to ask for any tips or advice that you all might have to recommend for me. I mainly will be doing music videos, so if you have experience in that field, it would be very much appreciated to share some of your expertise. I'm just trying to learn (quickly if possible) any basics that I should probably learn; Examples: Better ways of constructing a video shoot and organizing, DSLR tips and tricks, editing tips, and overall just things you've learned throughout years of experience on how to make videography easier and overall a better process.

The main thing I'm struggling with right now is how to come up with my rate system. Everyone else in the firm goes by hourly payments, but I don't really see that happening due to film ranging from locations, multiple day shootings, editing time put forth, and everything else. It's hard to just have an hourly rate when every video is different.

I may come off as a complete noob, but I actually do decent work and people are paying - I just feel like I need to formally take the time to learn the "basics" and how to arrange my rate system before taking this next step. Any advice would be very much appreciated!

[DB83]

Well I saw this post this morning but as I was going out I did not have any time to respond. Now I do.

If you are seriously going to deal with video then you really must use a VIDEO CAMERA a DSLR is not the way to go about this.

If people are really paying you then they know less about this than you do.

BTW 'Start Up' bands, IMHO, do not require 'epic' promos. Unless they are also so bad that a video is gonna hide the lack of talent.

[smrpix]

Rather than thinking in terms of hourly rates, think of a daily rates for shooting end for editing. Don't forget to charge for gear, for supplies, for transportation, etc. Define a day as a certain number of hours, 10 is not unusual. Charge a half-day rate for less than 3 hours.

When you communicate with your client about post-production be specific about how long you expect the project to take and why, and make a realistic approval schedule.

I've bittern my tongue many times when a client asks whether I can cut something in say, three days. The correct unspoken answer is I can cut it in three days, but I'm not sure we can.

Good luck.

[Cornucopia]

This is where Project Management software (which includes resource allocation, man/hour equivalencies, load-balancing, bottleneck finding, stepwise subelements and difficulty-level templates) REALLY comes in handy!

The other part of that coin is being able to CLEARLY define just what each step should entail, and what the client really wants. And doing it up-front, with the understanding (by both parties) that if there is a change from the expected, that the change shoud be "signed off" by the client before proceeding on (usually there is a "over 5%" or "over 10%" contingency plan).
You CAN do hourly, but only if you are able to quantify just how long it takes to do each step and then to categoize just which steps are expected for a particular project.

I hate to say it, but it sounds like both you and your company are in over your heads when it comes to this area of the business. If I were the owner of that company, I might contract with you on a temp basis, but I wouldn't put you in charge without seeing more professional "production management" experience already in the bag.

But I wish you well anyway...

Scott

[Rhyne Simpson]

Thanks for all of the help - I honestly have everything figured out I guess, I just got nervous having to complete this rate system on such a deadline while I have usually just handled case to case projects/payments. We target the music scene in the area so it's not people with loads of money, but people that want quality work and also people who understand music - not just videographers that mainly do wedding gigs. But thanks for all of the help, any more advice would help - although I've got most of it figured out.

[DB83]

Thanks for all of the help - I honestly have everything figured out I guess....

Funniest thing I have read on here in months