Need advice on commission for TV Ad at DVinfo.net

Kris Koster · March 29th, 2011, 04:34 AM

Hiya folks,

I've worked as a director before on TV ads, but that was working for a large organisation where I became somewhat institutionalised!!

Since I've started freelancing and owning a production company, I'm finding it's a whole different ballgame -Particularly since I am having to organise all aspects of production that have before been fed to me on a silver platter.

Although currently I'm dealing with fairly local companies making all manner of corporate videos, a company from a foreign country have contacted me about creating a TV ad for them that will also be used as part of an online campaign. The budget is pretty small, around 7000 Euro. The work is not too intense, but will involve casting several actors to deliver a few words of dialogue.The rest of the details are sketchy at the moment.

Does anyone have any general advice when 'fixing' something like this together. Should I get some funds up front before starting any casting / pre-production work? How is this normally arranged? For this budget, should I storyboard it for them? Would it look odd if I shot this with just a couple of assistants, a DoP, my Canon 5D mark II and Kessler crane?

It's a world away from shooting a 200K ad on a large set with full production assistance to shooting a 7K ad where I have to take care of all business!

Thanks for any help and advice,

Adam Gold · March 29th, 2011, 10:09 AM

I think it all depends on how much work you are comfortable doing for that kind of money.... and yes, I'd get a sizable chunk up front. I don't think a small crew would look at all odd for that budget.

March 29th, 2011, 04:34 AM	#1
Kris Koster Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Gatwick, UK Posts: 185	Need advice on commission for TV Ad Hiya folks, I've worked as a director before on TV ads, but that was working for a large organisation where I became somewhat institutionalised!! Since I've started freelancing and owning a production company, I'm finding it's a whole different ballgame -Particularly since I am having to organise all aspects of production that have before been fed to me on a silver platter. Although currently I'm dealing with fairly local companies making all manner of corporate videos, a company from a foreign country have contacted me about creating a TV ad for them that will also be used as part of an online campaign. The budget is pretty small, around 7000 Euro. The work is not too intense, but will involve casting several actors to deliver a few words of dialogue.The rest of the details are sketchy at the moment. Does anyone have any general advice when 'fixing' something like this together. Should I get some funds up front before starting any casting / pre-production work? How is this normally arranged? For this budget, should I storyboard it for them? Would it look odd if I shot this with just a couple of assistants, a DoP, my Canon 5D mark II and Kessler crane? It's a world away from shooting a 200K ad on a large set with full production assistance to shooting a 7K ad where I have to take care of all business! Thanks for any help and advice, __________________ http://kriskoster.com

March 29th, 2011, 10:09 AM	#2
Adam Gold Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodinville, WA USA Posts: 3,467	Re: Need advice on commission for TV Ad I think it all depends on how much work you are comfortable doing for that kind of money.... and yes, I'd get a sizable chunk up front. I don't think a small crew would look at all odd for that budget. __________________ "It can only be attributable to human error... This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error."