making music video, crew budget etc. at DVinfo.net

Dave Morgan · June 19th, 2011, 11:50 AM

I am making a music video that actually has a budget and I came up with a total of 5400 figuring in a DP, Lights, Steadycam, etc and gave the client a detailed budget of what the things are going to cost to add up to 5400.00

When I made the budget I figured in a little extra for the crew parts just to be sure that I can have it covered.

So for example on the budget I put down 500 for makeup. And lets say I get a makeup person for 400.00 & I get lighting for 700 instead of a 1000.00

And lets say the client ask or finds out the EXACT amount I spent for the lighting or makeup. What do you say or do? I am not trying to rip anyone off. but there are also things that I will spend money on that I did not write in the budget like food, gas, travel, & an VFX person for one shot.

Should I just explain that yes it is lower than the budget but there are things I did not account for?

Paul R Johnson · June 19th, 2011, 01:29 PM

Don't explain anything. when you get your washing machine fixed, they tell you how much the labour is and the new pump is 55 - the customer doesn't ask if you actually paid 55 for the pump, they accept there's a markup.

As you say, you will obviously forget some things, and if you state 400 for the makeup artiste, but actually pay them 350, so what? It's business. If they like your end figure, then why would they try to generate their own quote? If they could do that, and had the skills and contacts, then they would have done it themselves. If they OK your quote, then your individual costings are none of their business.

Dave Morgan · June 19th, 2011, 01:59 PM

Very Nice Thank You

Sareesh Sudhakaran · June 19th, 2011, 10:04 PM

I wouldn't worry about it Dave...people in business already know these things well enough. The ones who ask can be reminded that they don't sell their products on cost, so why should you?

June 19th, 2011, 11:50 AM	#1
Dave Morgan Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 293	making music video, crew budget etc. I am making a music video that actually has a budget and I came up with a total of 5400 figuring in a DP, Lights, Steadycam, etc and gave the client a detailed budget of what the things are going to cost to add up to 5400.00 When I made the budget I figured in a little extra for the crew parts just to be sure that I can have it covered. So for example on the budget I put down 500 for makeup. And lets say I get a makeup person for 400.00 & I get lighting for 700 instead of a 1000.00 And lets say the client ask or finds out the EXACT amount I spent for the lighting or makeup. What do you say or do? I am not trying to rip anyone off. but there are also things that I will spend money on that I did not write in the budget like food, gas, travel, & an VFX person for one shot. Should I just explain that yes it is lower than the budget but there are things I did not account for?

June 19th, 2011, 01:29 PM	#2
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,016	Re: making music video, crew budget etc. Don't explain anything. when you get your washing machine fixed, they tell you how much the labour is and the new pump is 55 - the customer doesn't ask if you actually paid 55 for the pump, they accept there's a markup. As you say, you will obviously forget some things, and if you state 400 for the makeup artiste, but actually pay them 350, so what? It's business. If they like your end figure, then why would they try to generate their own quote? If they could do that, and had the skills and contacts, then they would have done it themselves. If they OK your quote, then your individual costings are none of their business.

June 19th, 2011, 01:59 PM	#3
Dave Morgan Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 293	Re: making music video, crew budget etc. Very Nice Thank You

June 19th, 2011, 10:04 PM	#4
Sareesh Sudhakaran Trustee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,385	Re: making music video, crew budget etc. I wouldn't worry about it Dave...people in business already know these things well enough. The ones who ask can be reminded that they don't sell their products on cost, so why should you? __________________ Get the Free Comprehensive Guide to Rigging ANY Camera - one guide to rig them all - DSLRs to the Arri Alexa.