Ultimate Pricing Guide for Freelance Filmmakers and Videographers in 2024

[@smittytrill613]

This gentleman is my go to for video production knowledge. No shucking and jiving just straight business!

[@danabeldp]

First video I’ve seen that accurately displays standard rates and procedures. This would have been perfect when I was just getting started. Definitely took some trial and error. Also, talking with other crew folks above and below you is a great gauge for standard rates in your market.

[@JaimeAndresMedia]

Very helpful! My freelance (and now production company) has grown over the past year and your videos have been extremely helpful in my journey. Thank you for this

[@PancakeLighting]

I’m in Portland Oregon and i can say that your pricing breakdown is on par with commercial rates in my city. For a Gaffer and a Grip tho you’re most likely getting a sprinter package and that gear estimate seems a little high. I own a sprinter package and my gear budgets are usually 600-1000. I know there’s a lot of factors at play here but this has been my experience. Thanks for the great video. I think more people need to be open about rates and finances.

[@SahilGoesHARD]

Thanks for this - keep the videos coming!

[@LuisCruz-yg6rs]

Hello, it will be nice to see a video on how to price jobs for solo filmmakers in different levels

[@jamiecooper6004]

Thought the same thing. Was waiting after the 4:42 mark but was never brought up again... Hopefully a new video is coming out to cover the Solo film maker.

[@Randy0xx]

Very accurate! I should finally set up a internal pricing method

[@skymakai]

Great info! Only thing I'd push back on is owner-operator day rates. For owner-operators it can be easier for clients to simply see one price including basic camera rig, mic, and a light or two.

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Yea this video is definitely not for owner operators. I would price that differently

[@KandidVision]

This one really helped, thanks for this!

[@jeremywfain]

Really appreciate your content! 🙏

[@rebeccabransonjonesvideo]

Could you post the link to the video you referenced at the end? On the topic of pricing for a solo video producer. Thanks!

[@theloganpresley]

I know you literally just posted this and worked hard on it, but I'm looking for a video about the administrative aspects of directing a film. I'm working on a short that's near feature length and I'm wondering what kind of releases and NDAs to use, recommendations for organizing and categorizing certain information - you know - workflow outside of the video workflow. I know what I want to do on set and how, but I want to make sure I'm properly organized. Thanks! And thank you for making this pricing guide!

[@Filmmakingmentor]

hey. I honestly always hire a line producer to take care of that side of things. So i'm not too familiar with the paperwork involved with it. If you can hire a line producer to help you, it will probably save you a ton of time.

[@theloganpresley]

@Filmmakingmentor thanks! If "hire someone else for that" is the answer, that works for me! I have enough on my plate lol. Thank you for your answer ❤️

[@Filmmakingmentor]

Yea line producers have great experience with this type of paperwork and I personally hate doing paperwork like this. I’ve hired SAG actors and it’s even more paperwork

[@AndresArosemena]

Great video. Which one is the one you mention at the end that explains the same process but for a one man band production?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

This one How to Price Video Production Services kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYPak4eAoKhpn6s

[@AndresArosemena]

@@Filmmakingmentor thanks!

[@Gigahousemedia]

Very helpful

[@juanlujano4895]

Thanks for sharing

[@Therealjjpccd]

hi I'm stepping Into this market

[@AYWCMedia]

Where do you find your hires? I’m a videographer in the Chicago area always looking for jobs

[@thekfcdriver264]

Thanks

[@WinstonpStrategist]

Hey where can I find some examples of your work

[@Filmmakingmentor]

www.newslatefilms.com/

[@sebasnoland]

Thank you Saj, Is there any way to contact you ?

[@LifeStyleByEchelon]

What do you charge for travel fees?

[@DoitShakir-w1q]

If your day rate is at 1500$ and you say that the day rate starts when you arrive on location and ends when you leave. So what if you have to drive 3h to the location and another 3h to go back to your office? How do you charge those hours? And what about gear preparation. If you need half day for the preparation of your gear, do you charge anything for it and if yes how?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

so production time is from call time to wrap. If it's 3 hours to get there, I would considered that an out of town shoot and charge half day rate for travel in addition. And for prep, depends on the size of the project. Most producers won't pay for prep if it's a simple one day shoot. For longer shoots, you can charge a prep day or half day too. I do for bigger projects.

[@DoitShakir-w1q]

@@Filmmakingmentor thanks a lot! Would you still charge half day rate if you have to travel total 2-3 hours? And in those 10h day rate is a lunch break included and also the dismantling of the set?

[@Filmmakingmentor]

In most productions, lunch is off the clock. So the day can be 10.5 hours in total. Wrap is included in that time.

[@Filmmakingmentor]

And yes anything under 5 hours is half day. 3 hour travel is half day. But if someone wanted to charge me that, I would push back or try to hire a local. So depends on your client

[@khairt1731]

So something is very off here. If you're a studio that rents out equipment and staff for shooting then Yes, have a price racket. BUT if you're actually creating the project from start to finish then youre supposed to charge based on value that you're giving the client and not the labor.

[@SHVWNCOOPER]

these dp and director rates are a bit low my guy even for non union. dps should be bringing in min 1800 if they're good. 2500 to direct.

[@Filmmakingmentor]

You get 1800 for 10 hour days for labor alone to DP? Where and what type of shoots?

[@SHVWNCOOPER]

@@Filmmakingmentor yes, that's standard rates for new york. non union. if it's a multiday shoot, i'll break my director and dp rate down to 2200 and include the red from my kit rental with it if it's a repeat client, which most are now. client base ranges from Ralph lauren to defected records, there's some bravo celebs doing side hustles, etc. i have a wide range but most of it is music industry related ads, music videos and tour content for the artists for those labels etc.

[@SahilGoesHARD]

Hey Saj, i'm a Content Manager that works in esports. Currently, I work for the #1 Madden Player in the world. I do all his BTS, KZbin, and social media. If you were in my position, what are the big questions you would consider? Would love to chat about this or have a discussion around this.

[@Filmmakingmentor]

I would try to systemize what you do for him and try to bring in someone to help you, so you can get another similar client. Do you charge him a flat monthly fee or do you charge hourly or per project?

[@SahilGoesHARD]

I charge him $45 per hour right now. He's made over $900k playing Madden and is ranked #1 all time. He's playing for $250k this Friday in Vegas and I am creating a documentary on him@@Filmmakingmentor

[@Filmmakingmentor]

I would try to go to a monthly retainer type contract with him if you can. That way, you have a set income from this gig and then you can work on getting another similar client using his name. I really don’t have experience working with individuals, but without a consistent monthly revenue you can count on, it will be hard to hire help and expand this. Sounds like a pretty cool gig though

[@SahilGoesHARD]

@@Filmmakingmentor Thanks brother. His YT has made $4k in the first 2 months. I pitched him to allow me to use that ad rev as a "creative budget" to pay out editors and designers, and I can keep the remaining income as profit. He's not sweating that income stream right now, as he makes over 100k-200k each year playing in tournaments, and a cool 25k/year selling ebooks. Thanks for your feedack, these videos give me energy!

[@relaxwithme3266]

This pricing represents the old model which I do believe is going away. The new model is about 75% cheaper. Director/DP, 1 lighting person, maybe 1 sound person. Total cost 2500. I've seen dozens of commercials being done this way since covid. I saw a guy with a gimbal and A7SIII take over a client from a company that used to charge 30K/spot. He charged 2k. Troubling signs for us all. At least in the local ad / KZbin ad space. I believe clients have started to wise up to the fact that showing up with a grip truck is a red flag when the dude in a Civic Hatch and backwards hat gives you basically the same quality at a value/dollar price point that make it seem nuts to be paying big money for anything. Clients all want 4 - 7 cuts now - vertical x 4 versions, KZbin cut, broadcast cut etc. Models are going to need to change if we are to survive!

[@Filmmakingmentor]

You just need to work with different tier of clients. Those people care far more about reliable companies with a reputation and experience. Move up to fortune 5000 companies and they would never take the risk of working with someone charging 2k.

[@relaxwithme3266]

I don’t think that’s possible for 99% of people. Most of us don’t live in New York or LA.

[@lochnkey5216]

​@@Filmmakingmentor easier said than done 😢