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January, 2025

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My boss wants me to make a commercial for him

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EH_DUBS
Posts: 3080 - Karma: 969
he owns like this mini golf, go kart, bumper boating etc amusement place.

he's seen some of my stuff and likes it and now i am storyboarding it out and he told me we would go through it when im done and i can tell him what i want for it.

so i really have no clue what to ask for. I've never really been paid for making video before.

I was thinking $600 cnd. and his son in law who helps run the place and is really chill said he didnt think that was unreasonable.

I dont think I can go much higher than that but what do you think for a 4-5 minute video. with some graphic work and motion tracking titles and stuff.

here is some of my stuff so you can get an idea about how much experience i have filming and editing.

Project F.S.U. Teaser from Austin Wendenburg on Vimeo.



Jones Ad for Contest from Austin Wendenburg on Vimeo.



thanks, and feedback/critique is welcome. I know this should probably be in media and arts. but im talking to him tomorow morning or the next day so I want some answers.


Aug 19 2009 2:36AM
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Valind
Posts: 4358 - Karma: 17
the jones one is so awesome
Aug 19 2009 2:39AM
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gordie.
Posts: 2014 - Karma: 84
600 dollars for a small commercial is reasonable imo

Aug 19 2009 2:40AM
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Valind
Posts: 4358 - Karma: 17
go for the highest amount, the worst he can do is say no. if you offer 600 and he says yes then boom you have 600 but if you say 500 and he says yes, you cant then say ok what about 600. always start high.
Aug 19 2009 2:42AM
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tomahawk
Posts: 2006 - Karma: 53
Hey if you dont mind leaking the song used in your first video posted. please do, i've heard it on another video and thought it was sick. thanks man
Aug 19 2009 2:42AM
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1337
Posts: 31064 - Karma: 29,404
holy shit man, for the work you do and a 4-5 minute commercial i would go with WAY MORE that 600, your work is super high quality and is worth way more than that!!!
Aug 19 2009 2:49AM
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EH_DUBS
Posts: 3080 - Karma: 969
thanks guys.

the song in the first vid is something good by utah saints.

and yes i stole the idea of light streaks from mike benson who stole it from andrew kramer who copied it off an ipod commercial which the makers off probably copied from someone else. so did hundreds of other people.

if you wernt trying to be rude saying i stole the idea im sorry, i just heard alot of it already and even got some emails about it and i really dont care haha.
Aug 19 2009 2:52AM
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EH_DUBS
Posts: 3080 - Karma: 969
haha thanks! didnt see your post when i replied.

honestly i dont think they can afford much more than that but thanks for the comment, gave me a smile.
Aug 19 2009 2:54AM
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1337
Posts: 31064 - Karma: 29,404
aw man that stinks, but if its something you really like to do (it shows via a great product) than its 600 for something you might even do free
Aug 19 2009 2:58AM
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griffin.paisley
Posts: 1520 - Karma: 38
jones soda one would promote skiing alot
Aug 19 2009 3:05AM
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EH_DUBS
Posts: 3080 - Karma: 969
it won the contest it was in for votes, and i also got an award from jones as their best pick.

if it was being aired on tv i would know though. and if there using it on the internet somewhere i havent seen it yet. i hope they do though.
Aug 19 2009 3:07AM
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PeterWojnar
Posts: 3937 - Karma: 678
600 can is super cheap for a commercial.

photographers routinely charge between 1250 and 2000 for a single photo if it's in a magazine like SKI or Powder, depending on size. Selling photos runs along the lines of usage, target audience size, print size of the photo (2 page spread costs more than 1 page, which costs more than a small photo, for example), distribution, etc. I don't know what the basic price for a commercial would be, but it would depend on where/when he wants to air it, how often, etc.

Go find a professional video forum and do some research before selling yourself, and the whole industry, short.

When you sell something for too cheap, the buyer gets used to the price. He'll then expect a substandard price each time, and he will ruin both his and your reputations among other, already respected videographers.

Do your research, then give him a price. However, you can always choose to be that little runt selling the industry short to make a little cash...
Aug 19 2009 3:08AM
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EH_DUBS
Posts: 3080 - Karma: 969
well i dont know how soon he will want another one. its not like a huge place. there going to play it up front at the counter and on the website.

i get what your saying and agree, maybe not as harshly but anyway.

he's not even that sure he wants to do it. its more his daughter and son in law that think its a good idea. (they help run the place).

so i really dont think i can ask for that much more. i was originally asking if that was too much but aparently its not at all. thanks for the reply though, if i get the opportunity to do something like this i will check out a video forum and see some of the industry standards.
Aug 19 2009 3:16AM
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tomahawk
Posts: 2006 - Karma: 53
thank you man. i've only started photographing... but from an eyecandy's perspective. i like it dude
Aug 19 2009 3:17AM
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EH_DUBS
Posts: 3080 - Karma: 969
BUMP

so it seems like im asking too little. now they only want a 1-2 minute commercial and im talking to him about it today. they are paying all other expenses. like getting friends to do acting and paying for music rights.
Aug 21 2009 1:12PM
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C.Wood
Posts: 2524 - Karma: 180
solid work
i like the jones commercial
and good luck on making one for your boss
Aug 21 2009 1:17PM
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HamFaceGirl
Posts: 5242 - Karma: 2,684
just make sure you ask for the highest first
Aug 21 2009 1:22PM
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CS_Films
Posts: 468 - Karma: 466
I know the pain you feel. What your work is worth and what you will get paid for it is no where near what it should be. 600 is low but most likely over that and he wont do it. So the question is 600 worth the time for you? If it is then do it. If not then dont.
Aug 21 2009 1:22PM
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