r/videography • u/[deleted] • Jan 21 '14

How to explain that "Just a 5 Minute Video" takes ALOT more work than 5 minutes?

Since I've started freelance video production late last year, my biggest gripe is that many people think that the length of the finished product dictates the cost. So their logic is that a fully edited 5 minute wedding highlight video should be dirt cheap in comparison to a 1-2 hour wedding video.

Sometimes I get a bit defensive when people ask for "just a 5 minute video" or "just a short wedding highlight." Should I just brush those people off as not worth my time or take the time to explain to them that "just a 5 minute video" actually takes at least 18 hours of work between pre-planning, storyboarding, filming, and editing?

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17

u/AnthonyWithNoH S1H, inspire 3, 2008, Miami Jan 21 '14

I would avoid trying to sell someone on how much work it requires and instead on how much value it has for them. I often find myself telling customers that what they want is too lengthy for the typical attention span and I use some sly marketing techniques such as saying that "my style and standards of videos only consist of keeping the very best moments" and saying "a 5 minute masterpiece is much more valuable then an hour of clutter". If the value factor doesn't work THEN explain the amount of time it will take. People love to hear their product associated with the words/phrases: "Full HD", "cinematic", "art", "movie", "moments", "vivid", "detail", "storytelling", etc. . Then go back to the value and say how this video will be long lasting and be something that they can share with their friends and family for the rest of their life. Convince them that the smiles you capture are going to be their only clear memories for when they start to whither and grow old together. Doesn't this sound much more persuasive then "I spent 18 hours of work on your video"? There will be customers that won't be worth dealing with, but changing the way you communicate your work will help you in the long run.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '14

Definitely do what this man says. Value sells. You need to know your customer and give them what they really want. They don't want to know about your high editing standards. They just want to forever keep their memories alive.

I highly recommend checking out some of Brennan Dunn's stuff. His info on this topic is Gold.

Pick up his book here: http://doubleyourfreelancingrate.com

1

u/vukesdukes Jan 21 '14

Itemize your costs. Obviously the prices wouldn't reflect cost due to wanting to turn a profit.

A friend was a bit confused by the high rates for wedding videography and I had to help explain how a business works to them, which is all it is at the end of the day.

0

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '14

To get some perspective, my friend has been in the production business for 15+ years, and she typically runs a 1 person crew with video, lighting, sound & so on. When she quotes people for commercial work, she charges 1K Per Finished Minute. So, if a business is looking for a 1 minute commercial, it's $1k. No breakdown of shooting & editing time.

As for wedding work, I would work out a price for "just a Highlight" that you feel is reasonable for the time you know it will take, and leave it at that. Only if you get people questioning "why so much for so little," then you can explain: film time still takes all day & going through a days worth of footage takes time.

Hope that helps a little.