Michael McQueen Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 so i'm doing a few location scouts for a commercial shoot next month with an awesome company and they didn't ask me how much, they just said invoice them. and in the past someone else has usually did the scouting. but i'm scouting two locations today and we're only doing about 2 hours of time so i was thinking a half day labor rate? EDIT: oh, and i'm triple dipping today. working a morning shift at one company, location scout and then travel day this evening. so usually i'm not a fan of half day rates, but in this case i see it as OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 The topic of 1/2 day rates and such have been discussed quite a bit. My opinion is that if they asked you to go on the scout, then you should get your day rate. If they asked you if you wanted to go, but didn't require it, then charge what you feel comfortable with. It also depends on your personal relationship. It shouldn't matter to them (or you) that you are triple-dipping. Makes up for times you did something for free. If they have the money, don't feel bad about getting your rate. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormadeaudio Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 The topic of 1/2 day rates and such have been discussed quite a bit. My opinion is that if they asked you to go on the scout, then you should get your day rate. If they asked you if you wanted to go, but didn't require it, then charge what you feel comfortable with. It also depends on your personal relationship. It shouldn't matter to them (or you) that you are triple-dipping. Makes up for times you did something for free. If they have the money, don't feel bad about getting your rate. Robert +11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael McQueen Posted December 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 OK, so the two "studios" we went to were terrible. for both sound and camera. but i will be billing for a full day. I do agree with you Robert and was thinking that way as well. sometimes i just get too generous of my time and i need to quit that shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whit Norris Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Michael, I am with Robert on that. I would invoice them for 8hrs for each day of scouting. Whit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Gilchrist Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Michael, I am with Robert on that. I would invoice them for 8hrs for each day of scouting. Whit It should actually be on a timecard. But that's between you guys and the IRS. Best regards, Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whit Norris Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 It should actually be on a timecard. But that's between you guys and the IRS. Best regards, Jim Yes Jim you are correct! I used the term "invoice" in a generic way. Timecard would be the way to go. Whit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewFreedAudio Posted December 15, 2011 Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 I stopped doing half day rates earlier this year. Location scout takes as much of your time as any other part of the job. I figure that if I accept a half day shoot it prevents me from taking a full day shoot if it were to come up. Another change I have been doing lately is if/when I accept a low rate for myself and my gear I put down the full, normal rate on my invoice and then a separate line that says Discount with the reduction amount. I want the clients to know and appreciate the good deal they are receiving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted December 15, 2011 Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 You guys are lucky to be asked to go on scouts. That has really become a thing of the past around here for regular day-play work of all types. In music location recording the rule is go on a scout (paid or not) or get run over at the gig.... so I try to build it in to the whole deal. phil p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted December 15, 2011 Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 I only book half days from the afternoon before, in other words: last minute only. " a separate line that says Discount " YESSSSS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylormadeaudio Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 I always put scout days on my timecards, but it seems productions are less frequently inviting Mixers on scouts -- you know it's because categorically, we're the harbingers of bad omens... ...raining on their "this is the best (translation: cheapest) location in the world for your film" parade. Oh well: Sound Mixer / Guide Track Specialist... it pays the same, right? ~tt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toy Robot Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 I stopped doing half day rates earlier this year. Location scout takes as much of your time as any other part of the job. I figure that if I accept a half day shoot it prevents me from taking a full day shoot if it were to come up. Thank you so much for saying this. I'm just recently learning the true value of my time, and as it turns out this line of thought is paramount in succeeding in this business (perhaps any business). If I can make $XXX doing gig A, but you're booking me for gig B and trying to low-ball me, then I don't care how much you want to pay, you have to match or exceed gig A's day rate, otherwise I'm better off waiting for the better offer and taking it when it comes. And inevitably, it comes just after you book the low-ball. I like to think of it this way - Charge more, work less & get paid the same amount. And sometimes it's just - Charge more, work more and get paid much more. Either way it's a WIN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLucky Posted July 19, 2016 Report Share Posted July 19, 2016 On December 20, 2011 at 5:22 PM, Toy Robot said: Charge more, work less & get paid the same amount. And sometimes it's just - Charge more, work more and get paid much more. lovin this! Good stuff man... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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