5 ms·

I'd imagine you'd have the best luck finding someone on Craigslist. You can always ask for links to work they've done for other events, and e-mail those organiz

I'd imagine you'd have the best luck finding someone on Craigslist. You can always ask for links to work they've done for other events, and e-mail those organizers to ask about how working with him was.

vrikhter 16y ago
Thanks Jay. I'll take that route if no immediate recommendations come through.
anigbrowl 16y ago
Seconded. I would do it for you but next week is very busy for me, and my main camera buddies are both out of town. Things to consider: lighting the area may require time. 'Good' lighting conditions are as bright as a cloudy day, which is very often more than you think. Take some exterior ooutdoor photos with a digital camera, then some of your stage area under typical conditions without changing the camera settings (ie no auto-mode). If it looks noticeably darker and turning on more room lights doesn't help, then you may need to rent and pay for some lights, which will add about $50 and an hour of setup time. Sound: do you have microphones for the panel discussions? If so then you may be able to just connect a stereo output from the mixer system to the camera. If not, participants will need wireless lapel mics, unless you want stands and cables everywhere (not a good idea). Again, this will up cost, but by about $75 for each two people who need to be given a mic. You may save by having a wireless 'baton' mic and passing it back and forth but that's going to kind of suck. Onboard-camera or boom microphones are generally inadequate for this purpose. What's the format - two people conversing in chairs or a long table with 5 or 6 panelists? In the latter case, you might want two cameras, unless you wish them to look very small in the frame, necessitated by putting the camera farther back in the room. Not an issue for sequential single presenters who can be given a baton mic or un/wired between presentations. Multiple mics require a mixer between the receivers and camera. Make sure the camera person has a tripod with a fluid head. Nothing worse than shakycam on a scene where the subject is sitting still, or jerky panning if the camera is moved from person to person on a cheapie tripod. Camera + tripod is going to run you about $75-125, each if you need more than 1. Format - if the camera guy just hands you a mini-dv tape, can you use it, eg by sticking it in a camcorder you already own? If not, ask for the footage on DVD, or loan them a USB drive. 1 hour = 13gb. DVD transfer will take about 2hours of work on the shooter's part, and run you another $50. If more than 1 camera, multiply. If it's for the web only, maybe they'll do it for the same price instead of DVD. Frame rate should be 29.97 or 30 (preferably the former) which will offer the best quality and compatibility for easy subsequent web compression. Avoid 24 frames/second, that's for art stuff. You don't need HD unless there's someone famous and you want to preserve it for the ages. A DVX100 or XL-2 will provide sufficient video quality. Mention this last (as well as the likely need for lights or microphones) in your ad to look knowledgeable, signal the quality you require, and avoid being ripped off. If appropriate, mentioning 'post event beer' will usually save a few bucks (~20%) by making you seem friendly and convivial rather than cold and corporate. Use the information here and guess at a likely total. Offer that upfront in your ad, which will attract more replies as people hate having to write quotes for clients who may never actually book the job. Payment is always on delivery of final media unless you negotiate other terms. Do not ask for credit on any job worth less than $1000, it's not worth the person's time even if that's your organization's purchasing policy unless you can honestly promise a regular gig. I would want $250-$400 for this gig, assuming you're a cool guy doing something that's not very commercial. If this is business/corporate, then I'd bring more stuff but expect at least $500. Legally you are commissioning a 'work for hire' and and laying claim to all copyright in the resulting material, from raw footage to final edited product (if different). This includes the master tape if you are getting it transferred to DVD. You need a release from the camera guy to this effect. Typically shooters don't want footage of events for their reel, but if they ask it's good form to allow it. If your panelists are even remotely famous you need a release from them authorizing the videotaping. It's also a good idea to put up a sign at the door of the event saying that by entering, attendees agree to being filmed and your use of the film in any context. You should also secure a release from the building owner, even if you work there - in that case have your supervisor authorize it. that seems like a bunch of unnecessary paperwork for something so informal, but it won't be if your video ends up widely seen and someone later claims you made a participant, attendee, or the venue look bad in some nebulous fashion.
- vrikhter 16y ago
  Wow, thanks for the info, this is superb! My setup will be 1 speaker, 4 panelists. Not sure about the lighting situation there, its inside (MacArthur Park Restaurant in Palo Alto). Don't care about the high-end quality, it'll go straight to youTube/vimeo/etc. This isn't corporate by any means, its a Georgia Tech alumni get together (first of its kind in this exact format). Attendance will probably be b/w 20-30 people. The reason I wanted it taped was that it would be a great initial way to get folks attending come fall when we start doing these once every couple months. Plus it could be an invaluable resource for undergrads. However at a cost nearing $500 (considering it'll be out of my pocket), its too high. I was thinking around $200, but I guess that depends on all the small details. Again, thanks for the info, this will definitely come in use in the near future.
  - anigbrowl 16y ago
    $200-300 is not bad if the scale is small, and for sure you'll get a discount for the non-business nature of the event. I'd offer $250 and mention it could be a quarterly thing, as well as the name of the college. Who knows, you might find someone who went there to learn video production and ended up here too!

vrikhter 16y ago

Thanks Jay. I'll take that route if no immediate recommendations come through.

anigbrowl 16y ago

Seconded. I would do it for you but next week is very busy for me, and my main camera buddies are both out of town. Things to consider: lighting the area may require time. 'Good' lighting conditions are as bright as a cloudy day, which is very often more than you think. Take some exterior ooutdoor photos with a digital camera, then some of your stage area under typical conditions without changing the camera settings (ie no auto-mode). If it looks noticeably darker and turning on more room lights doesn't help, then you may need to rent and pay for some lights, which will add about $50 and an hour of setup time. Sound: do you have microphones for the panel discussions? If so then you may be able to just connect a stereo output from the mixer system to the camera. If not, participants will need wireless lapel mics, unless you want stands and cables everywhere (not a good idea). Again, this will up cost, but by about $75 for each two people who need to be given a mic. You may save by having a wireless 'baton' mic and passing it back and forth but that's going to kind of suck. Onboard-camera or boom microphones are generally inadequate for this purpose. What's the format - two people conversing in chairs or a long table with 5 or 6 panelists? In the latter case, you might want two cameras, unless you wish them to look very small in the frame, necessitated by putting the camera farther back in the room. Not an issue for sequential single presenters who can be given a baton mic or un/wired between presentations. Multiple mics require a mixer between the receivers and camera. Make sure the camera person has a tripod with a fluid head. Nothing worse than shakycam on a scene where the subject is sitting still, or jerky panning if the camera is moved from person to person on a cheapie tripod. Camera + tripod is going to run you about $75-125, each if you need more than 1. Format - if the camera guy just hands you a mini-dv tape, can you use it, eg by sticking it in a camcorder you already own? If not, ask for the footage on DVD, or loan them a USB drive. 1 hour = 13gb. DVD transfer will take about 2hours of work on the shooter's part, and run you another $50. If more than 1 camera, multiply. If it's for the web only, maybe they'll do it for the same price instead of DVD. Frame rate should be 29.97 or 30 (preferably the former) which will offer the best quality and compatibility for easy subsequent web compression. Avoid 24 frames/second, that's for art stuff. You don't need HD unless there's someone famous and you want to preserve it for the ages. A DVX100 or XL-2 will provide sufficient video quality. Mention this last (as well as the likely need for lights or microphones) in your ad to look knowledgeable, signal the quality you require, and avoid being ripped off. If appropriate, mentioning 'post event beer' will usually save a few bucks (~20%) by making you seem friendly and convivial rather than cold and corporate. Use the information here and guess at a likely total. Offer that upfront in your ad, which will attract more replies as people hate having to write quotes for clients who may never actually book the job. Payment is always on delivery of final media unless you negotiate other terms. Do not ask for credit on any job worth less than $1000, it's not worth the person's time even if that's your organization's purchasing policy unless you can honestly promise a regular gig. I would want $250-$400 for this gig, assuming you're a cool guy doing something that's not very commercial. If this is business/corporate, then I'd bring more stuff but expect at least $500. Legally you are commissioning a 'work for hire' and and laying claim to all copyright in the resulting material, from raw footage to final edited product (if different). This includes the master tape if you are getting it transferred to DVD. You need a release from the camera guy to this effect. Typically shooters don't want footage of events for their reel, but if they ask it's good form to allow it. If your panelists are even remotely famous you need a release from them authorizing the videotaping. It's also a good idea to put up a sign at the door of the event saying that by entering, attendees agree to being filmed and your use of the film in any context. You should also secure a release from the building owner, even if you work there - in that case have your supervisor authorize it. that seems like a bunch of unnecessary paperwork for something so informal, but it won't be if your video ends up widely seen and someone later claims you made a participant, attendee, or the venue look bad in some nebulous fashion.

vrikhter 16y ago
Wow, thanks for the info, this is superb! My setup will be 1 speaker, 4 panelists. Not sure about the lighting situation there, its inside (MacArthur Park Restaurant in Palo Alto). Don't care about the high-end quality, it'll go straight to youTube/vimeo/etc. This isn't corporate by any means, its a Georgia Tech alumni get together (first of its kind in this exact format). Attendance will probably be b/w 20-30 people. The reason I wanted it taped was that it would be a great initial way to get folks attending come fall when we start doing these once every couple months. Plus it could be an invaluable resource for undergrads. However at a cost nearing $500 (considering it'll be out of my pocket), its too high. I was thinking around $200, but I guess that depends on all the small details. Again, thanks for the info, this will definitely come in use in the near future.
- anigbrowl 16y ago
  $200-300 is not bad if the scale is small, and for sure you'll get a discount for the non-business nature of the event. I'd offer $250 and mention it could be a quarterly thing, as well as the name of the college. Who knows, you might find someone who went there to learn video production and ended up here too!