RE:Editor Needed for Band's US Tour Footage on HD

Date: 2008-07-12, 11:02AM PDT


Guys, you probably know something about music, but let me educate you a little about editing.

You're asking someone to take 200 hours of footage, edit 30 webisodes (5 minutes each), one trailer and one music video... and you need it in TWO weeks, paying TWO grand?

200 hours of footage is 4 full time weeks. (How could you even shoot so much in eleven weeks? Rolling camera non-stop 6 hours a day with no weekends?) Experienced editor will not sit and watch all of it, but even to familiarize himself with it and log properly he needs at least a week!

30 episodes, 5 minutes each make 150 minutes. It's over two hours of screening time, like big ass feature. You know how long feature film takes to edit? Two months minimum, and this is with script, camera logs, circled takes etc. You have random documentary footage, and you want it MTV style, that is 1/2 sec. cuts and staff? Multiply time by 4.

Music video is HUGE piece of work (if done right) as well as a trailer. Each takes 2-4 weeks of work.

But most you need to know is how much you should pay to someone, who knows the craft and has the equipment. The lowest CL rate is $25/hr, and this is to someone who is still student and will be learning as he goes (multiply your time by 3). Someone with experience will charge $40-$100/hr (DOE)

So, please change your unrealistic expectations or be prepared to fail miserably.

Clients, please read and don't humiliate creative talent with your offers.
Editors, don't pick up jobs which bring down prices and quality. We deserve to be paid well for our good work.

* Location: Venice

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Re:RE:Editor Needed for Band's US Tour Footage on HD

Date: 2008-07-13, 1:05PM PDT


I completely agree with you. The problem is there are so many editors that are willing to work for $10-$15/hour that brings the value of editors down. Of course they are amateurs, so the client will get what they pay for, but it actually hurts all of us. If we would all agree to work for a minimum amount then we could actually make a change. Just my two cents...