3D handheld....some info

[Pedro Guimaraes SOC]

Hi everyone.....

 

I know many of us work as Camera Operator/Steadicam

 

So I thought I would post the link to an article I just wrote up about Handheld 3D.

 

Might help some of you out, or you can just have a laugh!

 

 

On and side note: About rates.....You should also get a bump on your rate....handheld 3D operating is no laughing matter either!!!

 

My blog article on 3D hand held....click here

http://steadi3d.com/2011/09/handheld-and-3d-oxymoron/

 

[Sanjay Sami]

On " The Life of Pi" 'A' camera operator Lucasz Bielan did a lot of hand held with the Pace rig and 2 Alexas. I would help him get the rig up onto his shoulder, but he did some great work with it. Very heavy, but I think thats part of the job. I cant imagine asking for a bump in rate for handheld days.

[Pedro Guimaraes SOC]

nothing stopping you from trying.....if you never ask for it you'll never get it.

[Brian Freesh]

Sanjay, I can't imagine having that limited of an imagination! :P

 

It's certainly more than fair to ask, and more than fair to receive the bump. Unfortunately I can easily imagine being laughed at after asking. ;)

[Sanjay Sami]

Yeah, I want so many $ for operating with an Oconnor 2575C, but if its underslung on a Lambda I want a 25% increase. When we go on a dolly that will be 1% per linear foot travelled. On a geared head it will be 10% increase if its a Panahead, but 14% if its the Arrihead MK 2 because of the exchange rate on the Euro. If it hand held it will be ....

 

I can already hear the UPM's laughter as he picks up the phone to call the next operator.

[Brian Freesh]

nothing stopping you from trying.....if you never ask for it you'll never get it.

 

I think I managed to take away from the simple and obvious logic of the above message somehow. So I felt it should be repeated.

 

Not sure why this has to be treated like it's ridiculous, especially when Pedro was just trying to offer some helpful advice that can simply be taken or ignored. There's a nasty bug going around or something.

[Pedro Guimaraes SOC]

It's fine....laugh all you want....I have gotten the bump more than once for both 3D steadicam work and handheld.

 

Case in point the project I just wrapped this weekend.

 

I always say that about negotiation. If you don't value your work nobody else will that's for sure.

 

You'll never know how much more you could of made if you didn't try to negotiate all your deals.

 

If you just accept their offer you are not negotiating. If you take a stand on a rate you think is fair and you guys come to an agreement in my experience they will respect you more and treat you different.

 

Producers negotiate all day long. Most of the time they will not just "call the next guy" when you come back with a counter offer. They will work with you and it might get tense adn things can go wrong but for me it's worth the risk.

 

Besides most of the time I'm involved because someone has requested me. I am unique, I have unique qualities and abilities I bring to a production. In that sense there is no such thing as the next guy. If you don't think you are special you will NEVER be able to command a premium rate we all dream of....

 

thats my philosophy on sales and negotiation anyway....your market(location in the world) might be very different. So my theory might not always be correct. But it works for me is my point.

 

To put it simply....it's like I said.

 

If you never ask for it....you will never get it.

 

if you don't have the sales skills or just don't want to deal with it get an agent and give him 10%.

 

many have opted for this and are very happy. Frankly, I have considered it as well. As they say the good ones are worth the money!

[Sanjay Sami]

An agent is a good option, but I have no separate rate for different things. Its one rate. No negotiation, and no increase either.