We get to quote on non-wedding shoots once or twice a month. We only book about four or five a year, probably because I quote higher than my competitors. A recent quote to cover a two-day sporting event, gave two options, $6500 & $10000 - but I haven't heard back from them! Of course that was for three cameramen, five cameras, a ton of gear and the shoot was six hundred miles away.

 

The other day I made a quote on a non-wedding shoot that was quickly accepted. This was from a non-profit organization that helps kids stay off drugs, etc. They are just over 100 miles away, so my bid was for gasoline expenses only. After asking, in a somewhat suspicious tone, what kind of gas mileage we get (30mpg), the conversation quickly turned to the project.

Often, with projects like this, the video producer has to become script writer, acting coach, director, etc. Unfortunately, in all too many cases, the VP doesn't realize that he needs to wear all these hats. Instead, he just drives out on the appointed day, shoots a few talking head interviews, collects some photos and graphics to scan, then returns to his editing suite to patch everything together.

As if this isn't bad enough, all too often you can tell that the producer was not aware of his ambient sounds when he recorded the interviews (noise from outdoors, refrigerators, air conditioners, talking from other rooms, street traffic, etc.), perhaps didn't even mic his interviewees or narrator properly, didn't pay attention to his background, lighting, etc., etc.

But even worse than neglecting the technical issues, the VP doesn't advise his client regarding the content and make-up of the video. What do I mean by that? Well, first thing I want to do is learn the goal of the video. I'll ask the client specifically, "What do you want this video to do for you?". I'll continue, "By that question, I mean what specific actions do you want to motivate viewers to take?".

If you don't ask that question...well, let me give you an analogy...let's say you're an independent delivery company who has just been hired to deliver a package. The client hands you a package and says, "Go." But there is no address label!

Just how is that different from being asked to produce a video when the goal isn't clearly established?

Now, let's take our delivery story one step further. Let's say that your contact person does give you the address, and you rush off to deliver it. Upon returning to give the signed receipt to your contact, you learn that her boss wanted the package delivered elsewhere. Now what?

This often happens with video projects - the real person in charge doesn't get involved until the project is near completion, at which time you learn that they have different opinions and ideas than your contact person had.

We now have three major issues that you need to take care of early in the process -

For really low budgets (and aren't they all?), you should devleop contacts with drama teachers at local colleges, etc. Students will usually work on the cheap and will nearly always be much better than your alternatives.

Discuss with your client the fact that it is difficult to communicate ideas for a video, therefore they need to work closely with you to be sure you remain "on target", and that failure to do so will result in extra work for you, and extra money for them. Getting them to understand this at the begining can prevent problems or at least make the situation more paletteable if they occur.

I am posting some of the details of a non-wedding shoot I'm working on, so checkout the General Issues section of our wedding videographer forums - and good luck on your next non-wedding video shoot!

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Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.