Budgeting

Answers to the following questions can be found by clicking on the question or scrolling this page.

• When do I need to budget for HMI's?
  
  
• When do I need to budget for Kinoflows?
  
  
• What is a Chimera and why should I budget for them?
  
  
• When should a scout be budgeted?
  
  
• How much time should I budget for set up and strike?
  
  
• How many grips and electricians should I budget for?
  
  
• How are rain days charged?
  
  
• How are cancellations charged?
  
  
• How are expendables charged?

When do I need to budget for HMI's?
HMI's should be considered when bidding programs that include exteriors, large interiors, or mixed lighting.

When do I need to budget for Kinoflows?
Kinoflows should be budgeted when soft, lightweight, cool, energy efficient, daylight or tungsten sources are required. For example kinoflows were used to light a commercial shot in a standard size elevator. Their size, weight, and quality of light made them the right choice.

What is a Chimera and why should I budget for them?
A Chimera is an accessory that fits many different lighting fixtures. It produces soft light that is easy to control. While the same quality of light can be produced in other ways, the Chimera is the right choice when multiple setups are planned or when space is at a premium.

When should a scout be budgeted?
A scout should be budgeted anytime you are considering a tie-in, multiple setups, or when you are uncertain about the physical constraints of a location.

How much time should I budget for set up and strike?
Set up depends on the size of your first shot. A Modest set up can take 30 minutes to a hour. A large studio shoot could take several days to set up for.

The length of time it takes to strike depends on the amount of equipment working. Planning the production so that only a few things are working at the end of the day will save you money.

How many grips and electricians should I budget for?
There is no hard and fast rule here, but common sense tells you that you need enough hands to make things happen quickly. Moderately priced shoots can usually be done with a gaffer and two electricians. As the scope of the production increases, so do your man power requirements.

How are rain days charged?
Cancellations the day of the shoot are billed at a 1/2 day rate.

How are cancellations charged?
Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice are billed at a 1/2 day rate.

How are expendables charged?
Pre cut gel, foamcore, showcard, beadboard, etc. that is used, but is not cut, faded or otherwise altered is not charged to the client. All fades, cuts, water and wind damage is the responsibility of the client.