Ultimate Pricing Guide for Freelance Filmmakers and Videographers in 2024

I want to share everything I’ve learned about pricing in the last 15 years or so, working both as a freelancer and hiring hundreds of freelancers through my production company.

And I want to be as transparent as possible, because I felt like I was confused for a long time about pricing and no one would share this information with me.

First, let’s talk about how to actually charge for what we do.

In this business, people invoice based on “half day” and “full day” rates. Almost no one charges hourly for production. Hourly rates are common in pre-production and post-production. But I’ll keep this video mainly to production or shoot days.

The number of hours in full day depends on the type of product. For corporate and commercial type projects, it’s usually 10 hours from call time to wrap.

And for more narrative type projects and some commercials, it can be a 12 hour standard.

Half Day is 5 or 6 hours, depending on the project.

Typically, more seasoned people never offer any half day rates. They only have full day rate. They may have a half day rate for travel or maybe a location scout.

A big thing that I’ve noticed with newer freelance filmmakers is that they don’t separate their gear they bring from the labor. This is critical. You have to charge separately for your time and for your gear. Even if you don’t show the producer or production company the breakout, you have to keep track internally.

What I did was I just didn’t take jobs that provided the gear. I came with the gear. But I still charged separately for the two. Here is my labor rate and here is the cost of my gear rental. I’ll talk about gear rental a little later.

So how time is tracked and how labor and gear is invoiced separately has been the norm for as long as I’ve been doing this. And when I ask guys that are still doing this in their 70s, they tell me pretty much nothing has changed in that.

If you are doing it differently, it’s ok. Just know that it’s not the industry standard.

Now let’s get to the numbers. I’ve hired people in close to 25 states and have a little experience in Europe. So I’m using that as the baseline. And keep in mind, my experience is in corporate shoots and commercial work that is non union. For union work, the rates are usually higher and for indie film, it’s usually lower.

Your rate is first based on your roll and then your experience.

I’ll cover 7 common roles in any production for a 2 person to a 20 person crew.

If you are a solo filmmaker and you do the entire production on your own, I’ll share something for you in a few.

Here are the roles:

Production Assistant - Day Rate $250-$300
Grip - $600-$700
Gaffer - $750-$800
Audio Tech - $800-$900
Camera Operator - $600-$900
Director of Photography / Cinematographer $750-$1500
Director - $900-$1500 (Most directors have a project rate that includes pre-production and post-production)

For gear, it depends on the role. Some roles like audio tech won’t agree to work without gear. They usually charge a based line of $400 for a basic package.

Some DPs won’t work without gear. They charge based on what is required. A camera like FX9 package can be $400 per day.

Gaffers may want to use their own grip truck. That can be $400 per day just for the grip truck and gear and they charge for each light they add to the package.

So as a gaffer, you can make closer to 2k a day depending on how much gear your bring. Audio tech can make $1200-$2000 a day. DP can make closer to $2500-$3000 per day if they have a high-end camera package and bring in additional accessories like wireless video package.

If you are a one person crew and do everything on a shoot, you shouldn’t charge this way at all. You should charge as a video production company. That works entirely different and I made a video showing exactly how to price things if you do the entire production and are not a freelancer. Even if you are a freelancer but want to learn how production company price things, I recommend you watch that video next.

[smittytrill]

This gentleman is my go to for video production knowledge. No shucking and jiving just straight business!

[danabeldp]

First video I’ve seen that accurately displays standard rates and procedures. This would have been perfect when I was just getting started. Definitely took some trial and error.
Also, talking with other crew folks above and below you is a great gauge for standard rates in your market.

[JaimeAndresMedia]

Very helpful! My freelance (and now production company) has grown over the past year and your videos have been extremely helpful in my journey. Thank you for this

[PancakeLighting]

I’m in Portland Oregon and i can say that your pricing breakdown is on par with commercial rates in my city. For a Gaffer and a Grip tho you’re most likely getting a sprinter package and that gear estimate seems a little high. I own a sprinter package and my gear budgets are usually 600-1000. I know there’s a lot of factors at play here but this has been my experience. Thanks for the great video. I think more people need to be open about rates and finances.

[SahilGoesHARD]

Thanks for this - keep the videos coming!

[LuisCruz-ygrs]

Hello,
it will be nice to see a video on how to price jobs for solo filmmakers in different levels

[rebeccabransonjonesvideo]

Could you post the link to the video you referenced at the end? On the topic of pricing for a solo video producer. Thanks!

[skymakai]

Great info! Only thing I'd push back on is owner-operator day rates. For owner-operators it can be easier for clients to simply see one price including basic camera rig, mic, and a light or two.

[mradriiiian]

Very accurate! I should finally set up a internal pricing method

[KandidVision]

This one really helped, thanks for this!

[theloganpresley]

I know you literally just posted this and worked hard on it, but I'm looking for a video about the administrative aspects of directing a film. I'm working on a short that's near feature length and I'm wondering what kind of releases and NDAs to use, recommendations for organizing and categorizing certain information - you know - workflow outside of the video workflow. I know what I want to do on set and how, but I want to make sure I'm properly organized.

Thanks! And thank you for making this pricing guide!

[AndresArosemena]

Great video. Which one is the one you mention at the end that explains the same process but for a one man band production?

[AYWCMedia]

Where do you find your hires? I’m a videographer in the Chicago area always looking for jobs

[WinstonpStrategist]

Hey where can I find some examples of your work

[sebasnoland]

Thank you Saj, Is there any way to contact you ?

[DoitShakir-wq]

If your day rate is at 1500$ and you say that the day rate starts when you arrive on location and ends when you leave. So what if you have to drive 3h to the location and another 3h to go back to your office? How do you charge those hours? And what about gear preparation. If you need half day for the preparation of your gear, do you charge anything for it and if yes how?

[relaxwithme]

This pricing represents the old model which I do believe is going away. The new model is about 75% cheaper. Director/DP, 1 lighting person, maybe 1 sound person. Total cost 2500. I've seen dozens of commercials being done this way since covid. I saw a guy with a gimbal and A7SIII take over a client from a company that used to charge 30K/spot. He charged 2k. Troubling signs for us all. At least in the local ad / YouTube ad space. I believe clients have started to wise up to the fact that showing up with a grip truck is a red flag when the dude in a Civic Hatch and backwards hat gives you basically the same quality at a value/dollar price point that make it seem nuts to be paying big money for anything. Clients all want 4 - 7 cuts now - vertical x 4 versions, YouTube cut, broadcast cut etc. Models are going to need to change if we are to survive!

[SHVWNCOOPER]

these dp and director rates are a bit low my guy even for non union. dps should be bringing in min 1800 if they're good. 2500 to direct.

[SahilGoesHARD]

Hey Saj, i'm a Content Manager that works in esports. Currently, I work for the #1 Madden Player in the world. I do all his BTS, YouTube, and social media. If you were in my position, what are the big questions you would consider? Would love to chat about this or have a discussion around this.

[khairt]

So something is very off here.
If you're a studio that rents out equipment and staff for shooting then Yes, have a price racket.
BUT if you're actually creating the project from start to finish then youre supposed to charge based on value that you're giving the client and not the labor.