Advice for freelance composing artists

mrbowes · 13th November 2005

I'm starting a freelance composing company with a good buddy of mine. We're in the process of producing professional quality demo tracks, ranging from classical to electronica, based on his work and my tools. We have close contacts with many local musicians with talents ranging from jazz, opera, and classical to hip-hop and electronica.

Based on the current market, what are some general estimate fees that production companies charge for the following:

1) a 20 second radio Christmas jingle
2) a score for a short (< 1 hour) film
3) a 30 second voice-over w/ background music commercial

Do you charge per hour or per project?

We understand that initially most work will be pro-bono, but we have to gain a clear idea of what the market is like for this kind of job. We also understand that location is a big factor. We will be marketing our work based out of the Triangle in NC (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area). We believe we can effectively work with remote clients.

If there are any resources available online that would offer guideance in this area, please inform me. I'm serious about investing time and effort into this project to make it happen, since I believe we have both the talent and tools to make it happen.

mrbowes · 15th November 2005

bump for some helpful suggestions.

joaquin · 15th November 2005

Hi MrBowes. Congrats in your new enterprise!!
IMHO, at the beginning, there's no standard pricing. Just charge what you think is fair. Get your demo reel going and send it to production companies in your area, develop a marketing strategy and advertise in local papers, film schools...etc.
About the pricing again...it'll depend on the client and the quality of the work required. For example: a sample based composition for an AD wont be as expensive as a Live string quartet... Also you can't charge the same to the starving student with his/her's short Film as the Multinational campaign for a Cigarette brand!?
There's also the issue with the "union"...I'm not part of it, but there's a lot of benefits and ...downsides...if you join.
I prefer, at my Level, to get paid out front (buyout, one time fee) and not get into the whole royalties issues, unless the contract requires it and is worth the legal hassle.
When the client does not have a budget...think how much time and people will take to get the job done, including yourself, and charge accordingly.
Hopes it Helps......................Joaquin.

13th November 2005	#1
mrbowes Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,452 Thread Starter	Advice for freelance composing artists I'm starting a freelance composing company with a good buddy of mine. We're in the process of producing professional quality demo tracks, ranging from classical to electronica, based on his work and my tools. We have close contacts with many local musicians with talents ranging from jazz, opera, and classical to hip-hop and electronica. Based on the current market, what are some general estimate fees that production companies charge for the following: 1) a 20 second radio Christmas jingle 2) a score for a short (< 1 hour) film 3) a 30 second voice-over w/ background music commercial Do you charge per hour or per project? We understand that initially most work will be pro-bono, but we have to gain a clear idea of what the market is like for this kind of job. We also understand that location is a big factor. We will be marketing our work based out of the Triangle in NC (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area). We believe we can effectively work with remote clients. If there are any resources available online that would offer guideance in this area, please inform me. I'm serious about investing time and effort into this project to make it happen, since I believe we have both the talent and tools to make it happen.

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15th November 2005	#2
mrbowes Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,452 Thread Starter	bump for some helpful suggestions.

15th November 2005	#3
joaquin Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: CHILE-Miami Posts: 1,199	Hi MrBowes. Congrats in your new enterprise!! IMHO, at the beginning, there's no standard pricing. Just charge what you think is fair. Get your demo reel going and send it to production companies in your area, develop a marketing strategy and advertise in local papers, film schools...etc. About the pricing again...it'll depend on the client and the quality of the work required. For example: a sample based composition for an AD wont be as expensive as a Live string quartet... Also you can't charge the same to the starving student with his/her's short Film as the Multinational campaign for a Cigarette brand!? There's also the issue with the "union"...I'm not part of it, but there's a lot of benefits and ...downsides...if you join. I prefer, at my Level, to get paid out front (buyout, one time fee) and not get into the whole royalties issues, unless the contract requires it and is worth the legal hassle. When the client does not have a budget...think how much time and people will take to get the job done, including yourself, and charge accordingly. Hopes it Helps......................Joaquin.