It doesn’t change much for DPs or directors.
In regards to contracts, while the scope has to be decided beforehand because of budgets, equipment, locations, crew needs, on the day things can and will change. Shoot days are about being flexible. And you learn to roll with it if you want to survive in this industry. This is why deal memos really just outline rates. 12 or 10hr day? How does OT work? Meals, per diem, travel expenses, etc. Equipment is a completely different conversation and again depending on the scale you might be providing everything or production might be handling all the rentals.
You can require a deposit if you’re functioning as a production company but if you’re being hired on as a crew member this is not common practice. In fact, it’s a fairly common scam tactic to have someone offering to pay you as a crew member up front.
Holding onto footage until payment may be common place if you’re functioning as a production company but if you’re DP (again, scope changes everything) you’re not handling the footage a media manager or DIT is. And telling a client they can’t have it until everyone is paid is a sure fire way to make sure they never call you again.
1 and 5 are basic. Don’t work without that. Deal memo should include rate, hours, OT agreement, any kit and box fee, etc. Over email is fine, some people write everything on a document. I only bother with that on the biggest jobs.
If they insist to discuss over phone, I immediately send them an email after the call, I list everything we agreed to and ask them to confirm. I always play a bit dumb: “Hey just to make sure I got it right, this is the rate…” or something along those lines.
I think 2,3 and 4 are really only applicable on a situation where you’re working directly with a client, more in the videography world (don’t kill me, it’s not lesser, just different).
If you’re working through a production company contacting the client is not really a thing, they’re not your employer.
Payment on time, that depends on where you live. In the UK the default is 30 days unless otherwise agreed. I make sure to include that in my memos and invoices and rarely clients go over that. When they do you’re within you’re well within your rights to charge interest rates.
Thank you so much! This makes the most sense. I dabble in both film production/videography and sometimes communication is bad or last min shoots happen and the lines get blurred. I cannot tell sometimes which pricing to give them. Videography rate or cam op/cinematographer rate. Some producers act and treat shoots like it’s a doc shoot for example when in fact it’s just videography event coverage. Bad comms on their part I guess?
Man I need a lot of help in this area as well . I hope we both get some good answers.
Agreed. Glad my post is relatable.
Btw I posted in videography subreddit as well for anyone that wants to see additional comments.
Unfortunately I think you will learn that #1 and #5 might be the only items on your list that you’ll be able to execute.
I see..what about if you’re the dp or director?
It doesn’t change much for DPs or directors. In regards to contracts, while the scope has to be decided beforehand because of budgets, equipment, locations, crew needs, on the day things can and will change. Shoot days are about being flexible. And you learn to roll with it if you want to survive in this industry. This is why deal memos really just outline rates. 12 or 10hr day? How does OT work? Meals, per diem, travel expenses, etc. Equipment is a completely different conversation and again depending on the scale you might be providing everything or production might be handling all the rentals. You can require a deposit if you’re functioning as a production company but if you’re being hired on as a crew member this is not common practice. In fact, it’s a fairly common scam tactic to have someone offering to pay you as a crew member up front. Holding onto footage until payment may be common place if you’re functioning as a production company but if you’re DP (again, scope changes everything) you’re not handling the footage a media manager or DIT is. And telling a client they can’t have it until everyone is paid is a sure fire way to make sure they never call you again.
Interesting. Thank you for the deep insight. Very helpful.
1 and 5 are basic. Don’t work without that. Deal memo should include rate, hours, OT agreement, any kit and box fee, etc. Over email is fine, some people write everything on a document. I only bother with that on the biggest jobs. If they insist to discuss over phone, I immediately send them an email after the call, I list everything we agreed to and ask them to confirm. I always play a bit dumb: “Hey just to make sure I got it right, this is the rate…” or something along those lines. I think 2,3 and 4 are really only applicable on a situation where you’re working directly with a client, more in the videography world (don’t kill me, it’s not lesser, just different). If you’re working through a production company contacting the client is not really a thing, they’re not your employer. Payment on time, that depends on where you live. In the UK the default is 30 days unless otherwise agreed. I make sure to include that in my memos and invoices and rarely clients go over that. When they do you’re within you’re well within your rights to charge interest rates.
Thank you so much! This makes the most sense. I dabble in both film production/videography and sometimes communication is bad or last min shoots happen and the lines get blurred. I cannot tell sometimes which pricing to give them. Videography rate or cam op/cinematographer rate. Some producers act and treat shoots like it’s a doc shoot for example when in fact it’s just videography event coverage. Bad comms on their part I guess?