How do you appraise an "editing hour" vs a "camera op hour"? at DVinfo.net

Rusty Cromwell · October 3rd, 2009, 12:42 AM

Let's hypothetically say I have a 2 camera wedding shoot. 5 hours of filming.

Then I have to edit my full wedding video, make a highlight reel, slideshow if requested etc.

So currently when giving a quote to a customer I charge 65 dollars an hour, for everything. So the camera men would be appraised at $65 per hour, the editing process would be appraised at $65 per hour, etc. I add all the hours plus any other misc. expenses (fuel cost) required to complete the project up and I get my quote.

Do you guys appraise an "editing hour" at the same rate as a "camera operator hour"?
Do you ever outsource your editing to freelancer's?

Your Input Would Be Much Appreciated

Rusty

Mario Vermunt · October 3rd, 2009, 04:55 AM

If it is just you doing both tasks I would not see why you would differentiate for the different type of work. You don't work harder in one or the other role do you? You can do both tasks for about the same amount of time in a day (it is not that the job is so tough that you can only work for 4 hours a day).

Don Bloom · October 3rd, 2009, 06:21 AM

interesting question but in my area and experience, a moot question.

I have never broken out a price for a client that way and I doubt I ever will at least not in the wedding side of my business.

I know that typically I will have a 10 hour shooting day and anywhere from 30 to 50 hours post production depending on the package they choose and I've priced my packages accordingly.

Christopher Glavan · October 4th, 2009, 12:10 AM

My on-location rate is higher than my editing rate simply because the physical requirements of me setting up, operating, tearing down, and transporting two cameras plus accessories are greater than the requirements for me sitting in front of a computer.

Alec Moreno · October 4th, 2009, 12:46 AM

I agree with Don.

First...
Couples generally don't want to be bogged down with the task of trying to understand how the work behind their film breaks down into hourly segments of varying degrees of difficulty and expense. They just want to know what they can expect to receive and how much it will cost.

Second...
To charge them different hourly rates for shooting and editing will likely require a justification from you as to why they're paying more for one service over another, and as soon as you have to justify your prices, you're putting yourself into a defensive mode.

My suggestion is to let your past work samples be the justification for the price of an all-inclusive package that will secure your personal touch as an artist, rather than as an hourly wage earner in the bride and groom's mind.

Alec Moreno
http://www.1Day1ShotProductions.com

Rusty Cromwell · October 4th, 2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alec Moreno

I agree with Don.

First...
Couples generally don't want to be bogged down with the task of trying to understand how the work behind their film breaks down into hourly segments of varying degrees of difficulty and expense. They just want to know what they can expect to receive and how much it will cost.

Alec Moreno
http://www.1Day1ShotProductions.com

I guess I should have been more detailed in my question. I would never actually give a couple a breakdown like the one I described. That all happens behind the scenes. My question is more regarding the "formula" that you guys use internally to actually design the pricing for packages. I internally appraise an editing hour just as much as a filming hour. I am just wondering if you guys do the same.

Don Bloom · October 4th, 2009, 08:26 PM

over the years I have tried all different sorts of formulas to arrive at the "right" price for my wedding packages. Not a single one worked. So I did what everyone should do. Search the competition and adjust accordingly.

If one is a newbie charge a bit less until one has developed a bit of a reputation. One that is more experienced could perhaps charge a bit more. You can only charge what YOUR market allows and keep getting work in most cases. Of course there are exceptions.
Anyway do I figure a different amount to editing than shooting? Nope not for a wedding.
I don't need to be that detailed. I simply know I get X dollars to do the job (shoot and edit) and the quicker I can get the editing done the more I make. Of course my overhead and expenses get written out of the top.

This only applies to weddings-not to other live events.

October 3rd, 2009, 12:42 AM	#1
Rusty Cromwell New Boot Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 16	How do you appraise an "editing hour" vs a "camera op hour"? Let's hypothetically say I have a 2 camera wedding shoot. 5 hours of filming. Then I have to edit my full wedding video, make a highlight reel, slideshow if requested etc. So currently when giving a quote to a customer I charge 65 dollars an hour, for everything. So the camera men would be appraised at $65 per hour, the editing process would be appraised at $65 per hour, etc. I add all the hours plus any other misc. expenses (fuel cost) required to complete the project up and I get my quote. Do you guys appraise an "editing hour" at the same rate as a "camera operator hour"? Do you ever outsource your editing to freelancer's? Your Input Would Be Much Appreciated Rusty

October 3rd, 2009, 06:21 AM	#3
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	interesting question but in my area and experience, a moot question. I have never broken out a price for a client that way and I doubt I ever will at least not in the wedding side of my business. I know that typically I will have a 10 hour shooting day and anywhere from 30 to 50 hours post production depending on the package they choose and I've priced my packages accordingly. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

October 4th, 2009, 12:10 AM	#4
Christopher Glavan Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 260	My on-location rate is higher than my editing rate simply because the physical requirements of me setting up, operating, tearing down, and transporting two cameras plus accessories are greater than the requirements for me sitting in front of a computer. __________________ Reel Impressions Media - Make it more than a memory GY-HD100- 7D- PSC Promix 3- Lectro/Sennheiser- Zoom H4- MPB- CS6/CC

October 4th, 2009, 08:26 PM	#7
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	over the years I have tried all different sorts of formulas to arrive at the "right" price for my wedding packages. Not a single one worked. So I did what everyone should do. Search the competition and adjust accordingly. If one is a newbie charge a bit less until one has developed a bit of a reputation. One that is more experienced could perhaps charge a bit more. You can only charge what YOUR market allows and keep getting work in most cases. Of course there are exceptions. Anyway do I figure a different amount to editing than shooting? Nope not for a wedding. I don't need to be that detailed. I simply know I get X dollars to do the job (shoot and edit) and the quicker I can get the editing done the more I make. Of course my overhead and expenses get written out of the top. This only applies to weddings-not to other live events. __________________ What do I know? I'm just a video-O-grafer. Don

October 3rd, 2009, 04:55 AM	#2
Mario Vermunt Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rotterdam, the Netherlands Posts: 77	If it is just you doing both tasks I would not see why you would differentiate for the different type of work. You don't work harder in one or the other role do you? You can do both tasks for about the same amount of time in a day (it is not that the job is so tough that you can only work for 4 hours a day).

October 4th, 2009, 12:46 AM	#5
Alec Moreno Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 184	I agree with Don. First... Couples generally don't want to be bogged down with the task of trying to understand how the work behind their film breaks down into hourly segments of varying degrees of difficulty and expense. They just want to know what they can expect to receive and how much it will cost. Second... To charge them different hourly rates for shooting and editing will likely require a justification from you as to why they're paying more for one service over another, and as soon as you have to justify your prices, you're putting yourself into a defensive mode. My suggestion is to let your past work samples be the justification for the price of an all-inclusive package that will secure your personal touch as an artist, rather than as an hourly wage earner in the bride and groom's mind. Alec Moreno http://www.1Day1ShotProductions.com