From The Rate GuideThe business side of freelance production6 articles
The Field Manual
How to Negotiate Your Freelance Film Rate Without Talking Yourself Down
A practical guide to pricing the scope, handling budget objections, protecting your standard rate, and putting the agreement in writing.
By The Rate Guide StaffRates11 min read
Read the cover story
In this issue
Rates
- How to Negotiate Your Freelance Film Rate Without Talking Yourself DownA practical guide to pricing the scope, handling budget objections, protecting your standard rate, and putting the agreement in writing.11 min readCover story
- How to Charge a Kit Fee Without Giving Away Your GearA practical guide to separating labor from equipment, building a defensible rental rate, pricing consumables, and handling insurance, damage and multi-day jobs.13 min read
Quoting
- What Belongs in a Film Production QuoteA practical guide to quoting labor, prep, travel, equipment, expenses, deliverables, revisions and payment terms without hiding the real cost of the job.13 min read
- How to Charge for Prep, Travel and Wrap DaysA practical guide to pricing the work surrounding a shoot: scouts, equipment prep, travel time, mileage, per diem, media handoff and returns.14 min read
Getting Paid
- Deposits, Cancellations and Late Payments for Freelance Film CrewA practical guide to confirming bookings, writing cancellation terms, setting payment deadlines and collecting overdue production invoices.15 min read
- From Approved Quote to Signed Contract and Paid InvoiceA practical workflow for freelance film and video crew: turn an accepted estimate into a clear agreement, document changes, invoice accurately and close the project cleanly.16 min read