I mostly make videos of my family vacations and such as a hobby.
A distant family member liked my edits, and now wants to hire me to shoot a video of a professional conference. I haven’t accepted yet, and I’m reluctant to because I’ve never done anything on this level before. They’re quite desperate because they can’t find a “real” videographer for their budget ($500 USD for ~4 hour shoot). Money is not really a concern for me. I’d love to do this job, but I don’t want to let them down if something goes wrong.
I only have one camera - Fuji X-T3, and one lens decent enough to possibly work in low-light indoor setting - Sigma 16mm f/1.4. I’m worried about data loss since even though the X-T3 has dual SD Card slots, it only writes video to one of them. I also don’t own any lighting equipment aside from a GoDox flash (not even a remote trigger for it). I do have a gimbal for stabilization, but very little experience actually filming with it. And of course the fact that they’re extended family complicates things even further.
Not sure what else I should be worried about. Should I bite the bullet and take the job? I’ll be up-front with the client about both my (lack of) experience and limited equipment, of course.
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If you’re looking to expand this into a business, you’ll generally have to start doing things that are outside of your immediate level of comfort, enough to grow of course.
If this is something that you only like to do as a personal hobby, then I would hesitate, because the worst thing would be for you to agree to it, and then something goes wrong and/or they hate the product.
Then again, it’s not like a prom or wedding, something that’s really special and unique, it’s just a business conference shoot. So screwing it up would be bad, but not ruining somebody’s super special day.
Up to you, but if you don’t feel like you have a pretty high chance of delivering a product they will be proud of, that’s a good reason to not do it.
Also, there’s likely a reason they can’t find anybody to do it for less other than you. As a freelancer myself, when people come to you saying that they can’t find anything in their price range for a service, it’s usually because they are clueless about the actual value, or they are hardcore cheapskates. Both kinds of people typically are not good customers.
if you don’t feel like you have a pretty high chance of delivering a product they will be proud of, that’s a good reason to not do it.
I think I’m up for delivering something they will not absolutely hate :) I just don’t want technical issues to trip me up.
when people come to you saying that they can’t find anything in their price range for a service, it’s usually because they are clueless about the actual value, or they are hardcore cheapskates.
In this case they are well aware that their budget is too low for a professional. I’ll try to manage their expectations.
For $500 they get what they get. Get it in writing that they are accepting your results unconditionally.
That’s another thing I’m totally unfamiliar with. How do I even word something for them to sign? Are there any contract templates out there for this sort of thing?
If you’re in the US I’m assuming you’d be considered an independent contractor, in which case they would provide an agreement and you can negotiate from there if needed. It should specify what happens if they’re unhappy with the result, like requesting revisions. But as long as you fulfill the terms of the agreement in good faith, I don’t think you need to stress about it.
Not even remotely a lawyer and only have a little experience writing IC agreements for a small nonprofit.
4-hour shoot, but how many hours editing?
If money isn’t your main concern, explain to them what you’re worried about, and see if they’ll agree to pay on delivery rather than you guarantee a result. That way you both share the risk a little.
Do it.
You’ll be grand.
Everyone has to start somewhere, and nobody enters the professional end of things with a full-compliment of perfect gear.
But, you can often hire lenses and other equipment & there’s currently a healthy market for second-hand x-mount lenses, so if you did buy one specially for this, you’re unlikely to lose much if you sell it afterwards (though obviously research the situation and don’t just take a randomer’s word for it before laying down cash).
It sounds like they know you’re not a professional and that they cannot afford to hire one, but you’re correct to ensure they are clear about your experience & equipment & it might be wise to state that in writing as well.
Sure, do it. That’s how you become a professional.
If it’s something you’re interesting in doing, do it. You become a pro by doing. Good luck!
As long as they don’t ask you to be a fluffer…
