Hmmm.. Should I work for an unfair wage? *UPDATE:*

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slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
I'm a film student and some how my demo reel impressed a music video director. He wants me to work on a very low budget hip hop music video as the cinematographer and I'm excited. This is my first gig but people I'm talking to say that he's low balling me... He's offering me $350 for a one day shoot (8 to 10 hours) while the going rate is $100 an hour or so (for an amateur, $200+ for a pro)... Should I haggle with the dude or just take the job for the sake of the experience?


*UPDATE*
I'm getting my asking price and I'm getting to edit it too! I had to bargain a bit but I scored!
 
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sillymofo

Banned
Aug 11, 2003
5,817
2
0
one day is not going to do much. But if it's only an 8 hrs day, then milk the bastard and take the $350 for some cold :beer:s

EDIT: or, direct a kick ass video and hope it goes platinum, then starts counting the doughs, then go get lotsa cold :beer:s
 
Y

Yo Ma Ma

Lifer
Jan 21, 2000
11,635
2
0
If you will be learning anything, or if it's an upgrade to your resume' then I would probably just do it. If all goes well you could raise your price "next time."
 

Uh, $100 an hour (a.k.a. $200,000 a year for full-time)? That seems pretty high for a 'going rate' especially considering you don't even have a cinematography degree.

I'd say $20-$50 an hour is more reasonable.
 
bradruth

bradruth

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
13,479
2
81
Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Originally posted by: bradruth
You're just starting--take the job.
Click to expand...

Oh, I'm taking the job.. But should I haggle for more or just take the money?
Click to expand...

Again, since you're just starting out and this is only a one-day thing, take the money.
 
Z

z0mb13

Lifer
May 19, 2002
18,106
1
76
take the money...

experience is worth much more $$$ in the future

are u strapped for cash for the moment?
 
S

slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
Originally posted by: z0mb13
take the money...

experience is worth much more $$$ in the future

are u strapped for cash for the moment?
Click to expand...

I'm not rolling in dough but I'm not begging for quarters yet. You're right about experience though. There's just a belief in the industry that if you agree to work for very little money then you'll get a reputation as a cheap/unprofessional guy... Now, i'm all for learning so I don't really care much about this... And, trust me, $350 will buy me a nice wide angle lens and an extra battery.. I'm just worried about underselling myself and starting a possible long term business relationship with this company as a cheap amateur for hire...In other words, if you work for peanuts then you won't get respected.
 
dartworth

dartworth

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
15,200
10
81
Originally posted by: jumpr
Uh, $100 an hour (a.k.a. $200,000 a year for full-time)? That seems pretty high for a 'going rate' especially considering you don't even have a cinematography degree.

I'd say $20-$50 an hour is more reasonable.
Click to expand...

Of course that is the going rate...this isn't a 9 to 5 job.
 
A

andylawcc

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
18,183
3
81
depending on your persuasion skills, I think it is already too late for you to haggle by now... so just take the money.
You can ask for more next time when someone approach you for a similar job.
 
H

hoppa

Senior member
Apr 10, 2004
253
0
0
whos the artist? what label?

edit: thats just out of curiosity, btw
take the freakin job, man!
 
S

slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
Originally posted by: hoppa
whos the artist? what label?

edit: thats just out of curiosity, btw
take the freakin job, man!
Click to expand...

Hennesy (sp?)- she's a female rapper from a tiny label.. I was never actually told the name of it (the label)... I'm meeting with the label this Saturday.
 
S

slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
Good news.. Kinda.. I found out that it's only a 5 hour shoot. I also asked him if he could pull off $500 but offered to budge on that if he also let me edit the piece. Hopefully I can get two gigs out of this :)
 
N

Ness

Diamond Member
Jul 10, 2002
5,407
2
0
The key phrase in your post is "student".

If you weren't a student, you would definately be obliged to ask for more.

that amount of money for 5 hours work is damn good, as you said.

As far as the reputation thing goes, just don't get in the habit of going cheap and it won't be a problem.
 
S

slackerinabox

Lifer
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
Originally posted by: Ness
The key phrase in your post is "student".

If you weren't a student, you would definately be obliged to ask for more.

that amount of money for 5 hours work is damn good, as you said.

As far as the reputation thing goes, just don't get in the habit of going cheap and it won't be a problem.
Click to expand...

You're right.. I asked for $500, will settle for $350.. Hopefully he falls for my "editing bundle" deal and I can pad my wallet just a bit more... But i won't get greedy.
 
D

dquan97

Lifer
Jul 9, 2002
12,010
3
0
Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Originally posted by: Ness
The key phrase in your post is "student".

If you weren't a student, you would definately be obliged to ask for more.

that amount of money for 5 hours work is damn good, as you said.

As far as the reputation thing goes, just don't get in the habit of going cheap and it won't be a problem.
Click to expand...

You're right.. I asked for $500, will settle for $350.. Hopefully he falls for my "editing bundle" deal and I can pad my wallet just a bit more... But i won't get greedy.
Click to expand...

that's a good idea..."upsell"

offer to rap for $100 more :)
 
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