FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Typical price breakdown: Unedited Aerial Video / Aerial Photography: $100 per hour on-site. Edited Aerial Video / Aerial Photography: $200 per hour on-site. Unedited Ground Based Video Recording / filming: $100 per hour on-site, per camera, per location, 2 hour minimum per location. Video Editing, Synchronizing to Music, Titling, Compositing, Special Effects, etc: $50 per hour of work. Voice overs: $100 per every :30 seconds. DVD/Blu-ray combo copies: $25 each. Flash drives: $20 to $60 depending on size. Hard drives: Typically $100. Explanation of terms: Ground Based Video Recording can be done using my cinema camera or one of my drones mounted on a stand or in a handheld rig. Unedited is raw footage only. Raw video will be sent to client and will not have any coloring, graphics, processing, etc. performed prior to being handed over to the client. Edited video includes simple editing tasks including basic timing to music, simple static or basic motion titles, coloring, and transitions. It does not include animated graphics, explainers, capturing of websites, layered graphics, etc. Video Compositing / Advanced Graphics includes layered video elements, animated graphics, chroma keying, special effects, etc. Voice overs are completed by professional voice talents. Why does video work cost so much? Any professional video service uses high quality and relatively expensive equipment. Instead of cell phone cameras, or cameras that cost a few hundred dollars, our cameras and lenses typically cost several thousand dollars. We also use them much more often than a regular consumer uses their personal camera. In order to keep our equipment running well, and to keep up with the latest trends in our field, our equipment needs to be updated and/or replaced frequently, which is expensive. We maintain and repair our equipment far more often than the general consumer. The value of our equipment makes us targets for thieves and lawsuits, and we must carry costly liability insurance policies for every job. In a nutshell, doing video work is expensive for us, too.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I prefer to speak via phone and/or face to face to determine exactly what is needed and what the scope of work will be. I like to know as many details as possible before I get started, and I want the client to know as many details as possible so no one is surprised. Client satisfaction is my goal, and the best way to accomplish this goal is through thorough and effective communication by all parties involved. When it comes to aerial videos and photographs, I need some specific information before I get started. First, I need to know the exact location of the item that needs to be recorded. Second, if the aerial work needs to be performed at a specific time, I need to know that specific time. Before any flight takes place, I am required to check the airspace for any restrictions and then submit a request for authorization if the airspace is restricted. I'm also required to check the weather to see if flight is safe, and I need to check for any towers or other obstructions as I plan the operation. After the video recording or photography is done, I then bring the elements back to my computer for editing, processing, or delivery. If the video is being edited, I set up a Zoom meeting so that the client can join the editing process.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I'm a licensed Remote Pilot for Small Unmanned Aircraft (drone). I have over 25 years of experience in broadcast video production. Also, I'm fairly fluent in the Spanish language.