Very well said.
I spend all of my time keeping my current clients happy. I shoot everything top notch and to my clients specs.
Jay Rock had a very well know so called big company approach him and wanted him to shoot a boy/girl scene. They wanted him to do his style of stills, shoot the video and edit the video for $400. They were going to pay the talent directly and provide a studio location. They would guarantee him 20 scenes a month if he would do it for that price. Jay Rock had the very best comment:
"You cant even rent my cameras for that price!"
I laughed my ass off!! But he is so right. He has a Sony EX1 rents for $350, his Nikon D700 rents for $200, kino flo lights rent for $100 per light you will need 4 plus depending on how you light. Strobes, stands, sand bags etc cost a lot too. It starts to add up and companies that hire shooters have no idea what good gear cost. And keep in mind all of this shit needs to be moved. $400 and i got to pay $100 for an assistant? Really???
I own everything including 15 kino flo lights, but when i shoot music videos, or low budget horror films, i need to rent extra cameras and sometimes HMI hard lights. The prices are very accurate. check Samys LA, Band Pro and EVS if you dont believe me.
So when some of you guys email me wanting quotes on handjob scenes and I dont respond, thats because i spoke to 3 other content shooters and they told me that your budget was $150 per scene and you want all La Direct girls. Really???
Before you post "Need a content shooter" or you try and contact a content shooter with the thinking that "the economy is bad, I bet they will take the work" mentality. Why dont you call up LA Direct tell them what girl you like and ask them what they charge for a hand job or what they charge for what ever that is you want shot. Also when you are on the phone ask what the guys charge for what ever it is you want. See what is said then with that information you contact content shooters and make your GFY post about needing a content shooter.
