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Once you’ve made the decision on your high definition video crew, make sure you’ve
gone through the HDVideoCrew.com Production Checklist
LOCATION: Where do you need video shot?
Throughout the US there are many freelance high definition video crews. So, before
selecting which one to use, you should narrow down the list based on geographic
location of where the video needs to be shot. Based on the quality you may opt to
use a crew based a few hours away or to use a high def crew that is completely local
to your shoot. Format also reduces your options for a local crew. Many smaller markets
do not have camera crews with high definition gear, or directors of photography
experienced with operating it. You can search the HDVideoCrew.com database for HD
Camera Operators and Video Crews in locations across the U.S.
QUALITY: How high is the quality of your video?
The first issue to be tackled is the quality of the video to be captured. With the
wide variety of high definition crews, formats, and camera equipment, you must have
a good understanding of the tools available and the difference in quality between
formats (HD DVCPRO, HDCam, HDV, etc.) See the format section for more info. Additionally,
every camera and brand name (Panasonic, Sony, etc.) are different and you can review
our HDVideoCrew.com HD Equipment Review for more information on each of these models.
The bottom line is that their is a inherent and obvious difference between lower
end formats like HDV, and the higher end ones like DVCPRO HD. However, these differences
are less likely to be noticed when down converted to standard definition.
What format will the crew use?
There are so many varying formats in the high definition video crew market and it
is sometimes difficult to know which ones to prefer. In addition, many freelance
video crews have a hard time deciding what they should offer. Clients request all
of these formats on a regular basis:
HD – High Definition – The highest quality video format available today. Cameras
are still very expensive. This format is perfect for very high end video footage.
It is being adopted for many uses in feature film work, as well as, major network
programming.
DVCPRO HD - DVCPRO is manufactured by Panasonic. Panasonic offers several flavors
of DVCPRO, including 25, 50 and 100. The DVCPRO that most television stations use
is the standard "25". Mostly the tape stock for DVCPRO 25 is yellow. Then, DVCPRO
50 is generally a blue tape cassette. This higher end DVCPRO shoots a better quality
image, but is still standard definition. Finally, DVCPRO 100 is generally shot on
a red cassette and is used for acquisition of High Definition DVCPRO. Although,
we've been reassured by Panasonic techs that you can shoot any of the formats on
the other colored cassette tape stocks. The only difference is the marketing and
amount shot for tape. For instance, a red tape that touts 1 hour will actually yield
4 hours when used with a DVCPRO 25 camera.
HDCam - HDCam is Sony's High Definition format used mostly by the F900. This format
is the direct competitor to the DVCPRO HD. Both formats are very high end and can
hold all the information needed for a quality HD image. HDCam is not utilized by
Sony's lower end products (that's HDV).
HDV - HDV stands for High Resolution Digital Video, not the widely assumed "High
Definition Video". HDV is a valid format for companies looking to produce a lower
end High Definition image, that is going to be down converted to standard definition.
It also is good for the second accessory shot... much like MiniDV of standard def.
Before selecting a crew it is crucial to ensure they can shoot on the format that
you need. Many times video crews own one or two formats and then rent any additional
formats.
What crew members are needed?
Every video shoot requires different staff on location. Many times it may be just
producer and camera operator. Other shoots may include make-up artists, production
assistants, grips, gaffers, electricians and other staff. Video crews normally come
in either one man band or two man crew. The one man band is best for smaller shoots
shooting primarily b-roll. In this instance the camera operator is responsible for
his camera gear as well as audio. The two man crew typically is referring to camera
operator with a sound person. Many freelance sound operators are talented in other
areas, such as lighting, that will help round out the crew.
What gear do you need?
Every high definition video crew will come with similar equipment (camera, tripod,
monitor, lighting, audio, vehicle, light grip gear). Many times the audio items
will be more robust if the video crew is two man vs. the one man band. In addition,
many video crews travel with additional gear that is billed only if used on location.
These extra items include wide angle lens, HMI lighting fixtures, and additional
decks.
Are you booking the crew “local” or “portal to portal”?
You can book a video crew “local” to your location or “portal to portal”. Booking
a crew as “local” means the crew is responsible for any mileage, meals, and travel
time to and from the first location. Therefore you do not need to pay for these
expenses. “Portal to portal” means the crew is billing you travel time, miles, and
other travel costs from their office to location and back. Many times crews from
one market will offer to work in a nearby market for free. This practice is referred
to as “playing local”. A crew in Charleston
,
SC
may also play local
Myrtle
Beach
(which is 2 hours away). Perhaps they have family in
Myrtle
Beach
or don’t mind the drive, or simply want to increase their range of clientele. At
any rate, they are offering you the opportunity to save money. You only pay this
crew travel related expenses from the first location in
Myrtle Beach
, not from
Charleston, SC.
Many crews “play local” in multiple markets, but rarely will they play local in
a market that doesn't have other video resources. In other words, don’t expect a
Charlotte
,
NC
crew to “play local”
Monroe
,
NC
(a small town outside of
Charlotte, NC
).
What other travel expenses are involved?
Most crews require travel expenses and/or a per diem for any work more than 50 miles
away form their home base. These expenses may include hotel room, mileage, and meals.
It is a common practice to offer crew members a per diem instead of paying for meals.
In this case you pay crew members $35-$50 per day for meals.
When are you booking your crew?
Many crews book shoots days, weeks or months early. It is always a good idea to
communicate with a video crew as soon as possible to give them a heads up of your
intended dates. Many times crews will accept a “standby shoot”. Standby is similar
to “Right Of First Refusal” or ROFR. This practice allows producers and clients
to ensure crew availability without limiting the crew from taking future assignments.
Once a crew is placed on standby they are responsible for communicating with the
client before accepting another assignment for the same day. Many times when you
call a crew and ask their availability for a specific date they may say, “I’m already
on standby for that day”. That means if you are offering them a “firm” shoot then
they will call the other client and either firm-up that shoot or be released to
take your assignment. This is a very common practice. It is beneficial to both client
and crew.
How long is your assignment?
Most video crews offer full-day rates and half-day rates. Make sure to specify with
the crew whether the full-day is 8 hour or 10 hour. This will certainly make a big
difference in cost if overtime is involved! If you book a crew at a half-day rate
for 5 hours and you roll over into 6, you are automatically billed the full day
rate. Full days typically start at first crew call of the assignment and end when
the assignment is wrapped, even if small breaks or lunch were taken in between.
Overtime is defined as any hour of work performed after the end of a full day. Overtime
is typically billed as time and a half for labor, but no extra charge for gear.
Many crews will offer discounts on travel and other items in exchange for multiple
full-days of work.
Will the crew handle transportation?
All video crews are responsible for the transportation of their gear and crew. However,
there may be additional charges for mileage. While many larger crew vehicles (like
Ford Excursion or Chevy Suburban) have room for other crew like a traveling producer
or reporter, don’t assume they will have room. Always ask the crew if they have
room for additional passengers, luggage, or equipment prior to arriving on location.
What information does the crew need?
It is very important to relay as much information to your video crew before the
shoot date arrives. Most established crews will ask for these details, but here is a brief list of what to provide:
·
crew call time
·
first interview time, event starts, or
air time
·
estimated wrap time
·
location contact information
·
other crew members' name and contact
information
·
directions, parking, and loading instructions
·
recommended attire
·
amount and format of tapes
·
shooting indoors or outdoors
·
special equipment needs
·
complete nature & purpose of shoot
·
end use of footage
·
billing information
How much will you pay for video crews?
Certainly high definition video crew rates vary based on region, market size, gear
included, and experience. A common rate for a two man video crew with the Sony F-900
or Panasonic VariCam video gear in an average size market is $2000-$2200. Normally
crews charge more than half for working a half-day, assuming that they will not
be able to pick-up the other half of the day for another client.
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