Hey everybody!
First of all, I love that this forum is here. I appreciate the idea of knowledge share very much.
Ok, a little backstory. I have been studying Steadicam Operation since the beginning of September from John Drop at the Savannah College of Art and Design film school. Since then, I have logged 100 hours of class time, plus set time on student sets. I estimate it at around 50 hours of actual suit time. I am now the TA for the undergrad steadicam lab class, and in that capacity I do all of the demo's as Prof. Drop teaches the new students. I performed one take of an impromptu move (Follow-->Pass by to 360-->Position 2 Lead) as a demo for a class period last week, and posted that to my Facebook. (Shadow Rig: Built out Red One, 35 mill Cine Lens, Preston Follow Focus, Position Two Monitor, Wireless Monitor Transmitter). My intent was to reach out to smaller production company's to generate a paid demo reel and continue to get more suit time.
My Goal was realized, and I have had several folks ask for my Day Rate based on the move I posted, and I was wondering what you folks thought of what I have drafted as a response. Please let me know what you think!
Mark
"Thanks for making contact! I have two day rates currently depending on the system needed to bear the camera load.
Up to 20 lbs (Fully Built) I can bring my own system. (Pilot or Zephyr) So the day rate there is $600 a day(10hr) for myself, the system, and an assistant.
Above 20 lbs, a Shadow System rental would be necessary, so assuming the rental expense is factored in to your budget, the day rate would be $500 a day (10hr) for myself, an assistant, and the travel. And if you wanted me to rent the system, it would be the $500 plus the rental fee for the system required."
