Film editing charge
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- ninjasavant
Whats up you epic geniuses? Its time for the latest installment of 'what should I charge?'
Here's the details:
I've been editing a feature length movie for independent film maker Rob Nilsson (http://www.robnilsson.com) with no real prior editing experience. So I've been learning on the fly.
We're just about to finish up and he's asked me for a number to put in the final contract. I have no idea what this should be. All in all I figure over the past 1.5 years I will have put in about 100 hours.
I want to be fair and consider all factors on this. Any advice?
PS - Not worried at all about getting stiffed on this since we already agreed to a contract without a number that said we'd come up with a fair good faith amount later that we both agreed upon.
- harlequino0
Do a search first on budget percentages for feature films. It's not uncommon for key crew roles to get a percentage. Depends on the situation. For example, a producer (or team of producers) often gets 10%.
What's the budget? 2 million? 500k?
- Mimio0
It's amazing that you've only spent 100 hours on a feature. How much was "learning time" and how much would be billable? Maybe just work up a flat number based on your hourly rate minus a percentage for learning time.
- robotron3k0
I think, while you didn't settle on an amount BEFORE you started, you're going to have a try and work a good deal. Added to that you're learning on the job, you'll probably have to eat a bit of time, but all that can be worked out. 100 hours isn't that much time and you may or may not have influenced the production enough to get points, so depending, but I'd say if you can get upwards of 5k for your work you would be doing well. but there are lot's of other perks as well, a nice title on a feature lenght could be good to bargin for, but I think a good dollar amount is best. BUT don't wait till the production is finished before you get your money, else they will run out of money... just a thought.
- harlequino0
Hey robo, have you ever heard of anyone doing a deal where you take less cash in exchange for right of first refusal to work on the next project, depending on budget and stuff?
...
back to topic:
You could also do a deferred deal. Say what you should get is 10k. Say to the producer "Ok, I'll take only 5k, but i want x% based on your sale of the film or distribution, dvd sales etc." You could make more that way and help alleviate the stress on their budget. Or, you could get screwed and only get 5k.
- ninjasavant0
Thanks for all the feedback. I agreed to deferred payment due to the nature of the production. Its been a fun and rewarding experience, especially working with someone with his amount of industry esteem. I've been able to have a lot of creative input.
The way its worked out is that I agreed to deferred payment meaning I only make money if the film makes money, but I get paid before anyone else do to the nature of my input. I'm thinking $7000 is the number I'm going to go for.
But I'm also part of the team trying to get this in theaters and reviews so I'll probably negotiate a percentage of any income I bring in for the film.
We are definitely showing at Harvard and possibly Mill Valley later this year, I'll let you all know so you can attend if you're so inclined. thanks again for the input.
- Jaline0
that seems fair.