I am currently not taking a directors fee for unsigned bands. For bands with label support my fees are between $1,000 and $10,000 depending on the scale of the music video

16mm Film Costs

Color Negative

$50 per 100 ft roll = 2.5 minutes per roll 

1 to 3 shooting ratio 25 minutes = 10 rolls = $500 plus shipping

(Subject to change by Kodak)

Color Reversal (Ektachrome)

$60 per 100 ft roll = 2.5 minutes per roll

1 to 3 shooting ratio 25 minutes = 10 rolls = $600 plus shipping

(Subject to change by Kodak)

Black and White

$44.00 per 100 ft roll = 2.5 minutes per roll

1 to 3 shooting ratio 25 minutes per roll = 10 rolls = $440 plus shipping

(Subject to change by Kodak)

Processing 

Color Negative 

1 to 3 shooting ratio 25 minutes 1000 feet $0.28 per ft = $250 FotoKem 

(This cost varies depending on if we have to do a push/pull process for some rolls and if client whats FotoKem to do prep and clean up for scanning via FotoKem.)

Color Reversal (Ektachrome)

1 to 3 shooting ratio 25 minutes 1000 feet $0.30 per ft = $300 Yale Film and Video

(This cost varies depending on if we have to do a push/pull process for some rolls and if client whats Yale to do prep and clean up.)

Black and White

1 to 3 shooting ratio 25 minutes 1000 feet $0.30 per ft = $300 Yale Film and Video

(This cost varies depending on if we have to do a push/pull process for some rolls and if client whats Yale to do prep and clean up.)

Scanning

Yale Film and Video

1080p = $250

2k = $450

4k = $500

Details

What 3 to 1 shooting means is for every scene we shoot we might need to take 3 takes. The more takes we shoot the more film we shoot and thus the costs go up. Also the cost goes up if we need to shoot something that syncs sound. The camera will need to roll for a few seconds in order to mark the scene.

Average cost for film stock, processing and scanning for 3 to 1 ratio filming is $1000 – $2000, but can be as high as $5000. These fees can change depending on where the client decides to get the film processed and scanned. For example FotoKem charges significantly more for scanning than Yale does. And a 1080p scan is going to be less expensive than a 2k or 4k scan. Also sometimes a different process per roll might be needed which can add cost to the project.

When I meet with a client we will work out the details of your project and I can give you a closer estimate of the costs depending on what we decide to go with.

One thing to be aware of is that when shooting with film there is no immediate playback. We will not have the full results until the film has been processed and scanned. If we get the footage back and the client is unhappy with the results, be it performance or shooting style re-shoots can be arranged for additional costs. A way to avoid performance issues is to set up a digital camera near the film camera so that the client can review footage on set. However this may add to shooting time and will require an additional crew member.

Other costs will also of course factor into your budget. Location rental, extra lights, props, dolly and crane rental all factor into the budget of a film shoot just the same as a digital shoot. The client may want to work with a producer to work out the details of these factors. I work mainly as a director and cinematographer and so the larger the scale of the production the more we may need a producer to coordinate the shoot.

One thing that is unique to shooting on film is the importance of color temperature for the lighting. First of all we will need to work out if you plan on doing your shoot outside in daylight or inside with movie lights or a combination of both. In pre-production we will have to work this out because it will mean we will have to buy different types of film stock depending on your shoot. Usually this does not affect the budget much unless we shoot on Color Reversal which cost $10 more per 100 foot roll.

Also note that often studio spaces for rent via Perespace that advertise themselves as a pre-lit set has lighting that is sometimes unsuitable for shooting film and the lights in such spaces are usually of low quality. Before renting such spaces I would advise that we insist on touring the facility before shooting to assess if the space has suitable lighting. If my own lighting kit will not be enough to light a space than we will need to rent additional lighting equipment. This is not to say that shooting at a Perespace over a more traditional (and thus expensive studio space) should not be considered, but it should be done with caution.

I will usually need at least one crew member to help me. A crew member can cost anywhere from $60 to $200 for an 8 hour shoot. To keep costs low I advise the client to be ready to load and unload, set up gear, props and lights. If for example we are shooting a music video and the band just wants to sit back and let a crew set everything up than we will need to additional crew members. Many jobs on set can be handled by unskilled workers so if a band is willing to lend a hand in setting scenes up than that can greatly reduce the cost of the project and cut down on set up and break down time.

A band or cast member will be expected to provide their own wardrobe and makeup and be camera ready at the time of the shoot. This might mean the client will have to hire hair and makeup artists if the talent wants a hair style or make up style that they cannot put together on their own.

During pre-production we will probably have many meetings leading up to the shoot. I am happy to rehearse with a band or client before production. We can even do test rehearsals filmed with low quality digital cameras or iPhones so that when the day comes you will feel confident and ready to give your best performance. 

A lot of work goes into any film shoot both in front of the camera and behind the camera. The more professional you are as a client the quicker and cheaper the shoot will be. Be ready to work hard and give the best performance possible, have your head in the right space and expect the unexpected.