Beijing Olympic Broadcaster

[Sven Joukes]

All, but especially the TV guys here,

 

I was asked by our national broadcaster (VRT-Belgium) to operate at the Olympics next year. They are using a large OB facilities company to do their staffing, since using their own people is too expensive for this type of projects, I guess. When I got their financial proposal, I fell right off my chair, so to speak.

 

I'm not sure if I should state the exact amounts, but these are the general lines:

 

° All days paid at a rate that is the general rate for normal (multi-)camera operating, not Steadicam operating.

° Two travel days going in and two going out at ONE half day rate, so one days pay for 4 travel days.

° NO per diem.

° Catering only on production days.

 

When I told them they wouldn't get anyone for Steadicam at these rates, they said they understood my point but they told me there are only two rate categories imposed by the Beijing Olympic Broadcaster: a high one for producer/director and a low one for all workforce (including Steadicam).

 

I would like to know if others have had this offer, or heard about these rates, or if someone's trying to make some easy money on my account.

 

If this is really the case, I think most of the Olympic broadcasts will look very 'Made in China', I'm afraid...

 

All the best,

 

Sven

[John Pappas]

Hi Sven,

 

When you said you were asked by VRT to do Olympics - is it on their behalf or for the Olympics Broadcast Organisation 'Host Broadcaster'?

 

I work regularly on the Olympics for both NBC and Seven - the Australian network - and have never had problems with rates / conditions etc - but this is working for Networks as apposed to the Host Broadcaster. It also was not with Steadicam.

 

John

 

John Pappas

Pappas Media Services

East Coast, Australia

[Sven Joukes]

When you said you were asked by VRT to do Olympics - is it on their behalf or for the Olympics Broadcast Organisation 'Host Broadcaster'?

 

John,

 

VRT has done coverage for the Olympic broadcaster for many olympics, usually football (soccer) and cycling, since they've built a name for themselves in covering these sports (cycling and football are the main sports over here, so they're quite good at covering that).

So I would be working for VRT, doing host broadcaster duty.

 

Sven

[JobScholtze]

Well, i got a call about rates. I gave it to them. Then the wanted to know my rates without my equipment. I gave them the exact same rate as with equipment. Never heard from them again. :lol:

[Norbert von der Heidt]

Hi guys :)

 

I've been trying to get an answer from anyone at BOB who speaks english well enough to understand what I want without much luck. If anyone has a direct number for Mr. Big in the hiring dept please let me know.

 

Everyone seems to be beating round the bush re: the rates that BOB are paying. Please, enquiring minds want to know before I waste more of my time and energy chasing my tail. Don't be shy!

 

Cheers

Norbert

[Mark Karavite]

I remember when the Olympics were in Atlanta, someone hired like 20 Steadicam Ops, requiring they worked as locals. When they all got down there, CP had donated 15 rigs, so they only offered to pay equipment rentals for 5 of the operators. I'm sure the labor rates were crap as well. I think most of the operators went back home, as they should. I'm not sure who was doing the hiring on that gig.

 

Bottom line is, get a deal memo signed before you ever get on a plane. That way you can't get screwed while you're 1/2 way around the world. I'm sure there are some reputable jobs on the Olympics, and some crap ones. I'm not familiar with the sports world besides a couple gigs for NBA films. It's just what I heard through the grapevine.

 

Mark

[Mike McGowan SOC]

I'm curious now... What is a normal rate (in U.S. dollars) for a ten hour day, for a steadicam operator on a broadcast of this nature? Is it anything like a commercial day rate?

[Sven Joukes]

Hello all

 

I got a call from what appears to be Mr. Quite Big in the hiring department of OBS (olympic broadcasting service). He gave me the same figure as the one I got from VRT (see first post). Apparently their hands are tied by the Chinese government, which is partner in the B.O.B. joint venture they have set up. He knows their rates are too low. I turned down the job.

Mr. Quite Big did tell me he was afraid they wouldn't be able to fill all positions at this rate, so they would have to reconsider the rate and then get back to everyone who declined at first.

 

Anyone who is interested in contacting them can PM me for details. I have a few contacts there now.

 

Cheers

 

Sven

[Mike McGowan SOC]

ok, now im really really curious?!? why cant we mention the actual rate??????????????????

[Janice Arthur]

Hi all;

 

I just saw on NBC news the other night China is looking to get into filmaking in a big way.

 

Sam Neill and some other big actors were there and part of the story was how the Chinese are using the "imported" crew members to learn from.

 

I wouldn't put it past the Chinese to do some quick study as part of the Olympics and get their own people going on the Steadicam slots.

 

If current trends are any indication the Chinese agressively attack any industry by figuring out how to do it in short order and they've got a year to learn in.

 

The Chinese culture is a very determined entity. Look at how many jobs they have taken from Mexico and we thought Mexico had cheap labor.

 

The Chinese government wants very strongly for these games to go well so look out at the possibilities.

 

(I'm with you all, we can't do this for free but don't be surprised at other possibilities.)

 

JA

[Mike McGowan SOC]

^^ if thats the case, some enterprising group could probably make a killing doing steadicam seminars in china... intensive month long sessions at 15 grand per head.

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Hi all;

 

I just saw on NBC news the other night China is looking to get into filmaking in a big way.

 

Sam Neill and some other big actors were there and part of the story was how the Chinese are using the "imported" crew members to learn from.

 

 

My Brother just came back from a 10 day trip to China to shoot the port city of Rizhao. The photos would be used in conjunction with the summer games. He said that they always had "observers" that had their own cameras with them at all times. He also said that after he would work an area for a while he would look over his shoulder and there were the "Observers" trying to shoot the same photos. Seems they are importing alot of western talent to "Learn From"

 

You can see some of his photos Here

[JobScholtze]

wow, he makes some cool pics there. I do LOVE number 2. I could hang that on my wall.

[Lukas Franz]

Chinese are smart people, always learning from the best. As we do too, don't we?

 

Of course, sometimes we (Western guys) describe it as copying. But as long it's copying something good and not something bad. Why not ;-)

 

We show them how to make good pictures, they show us Kung Fu :ph34r:

 

 

By the way, really good photos from your brother, Eric, indeed.

 

Cheers, Lukas

[Norbert von der Heidt]

Hi all

 

I finally made contact with the right folks at Beijing Olympic Broadcaster (BOB), from info given by Sven, and I'm set to do "outside races" for 20 days.

 

I have just received my 23 page contract for the Beijing Olympics and was wondering if anyone else had signed on and if they had any issues over some of the legal mumbo jumbo I'm now wading through. :(

 

Please email me directly if you wish to discuss details as there may be a issue with confidentiality.

 

Cheers

Norbert "Beijing or Bust" von der Heidt :ph34r: