FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Our Standard Industry Practices
Is there a limit to where IMW can go to shoot video for a client?
Is IMW’s video broadcast quality?
What formats does IMW use?
What role does the IMW producer play?
What is included in a standard video crew package?
How much lead-time does IMW require?
How are IMW video crew fees clocked?
What is the difference between a “half-day” and a “full
day?”
How is travel reimbursement determined?
What is a ballpark rate for video crews nationwide?
No Limit On Geography
IMW brings 25 years experience to the broadcast news, 3D motion
graphics, web development, print media and corporate video production
arenas. We’ve developed solid, proven and reliable relationships
with video professionals worldwide. If your project scope requires
it and your budget supports it, IMW will go to the ends of the
Earth for you.
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Video Quality
Absolutely. Our standard format is high definition shot on our
industry's leading edge HDV cameras. We can deliver in any format
you desire, but you never have to upgrade to HD with us. It's
standard. In fact, in many cases, our approach yields even better
results than the video you are used to seeing on broadcast network
programming. Our DPs are selected because of their additional
expertise and experience in lighting. The professionals we work
with also go on assignment for major news networks, cable television
shows, major motion pictures and Fortune 500 corporate marketing
projects. Many of our photographers are also independent film
and documentary makers. They bring their cinematic eye to every
project, no matter what the budget size or scope.
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Formats Available
Our worldwide network business model means we can essentially
provide any format your project requires. While we shoot HD/DV
and MiniHD/DV as our standard, we can easily deploy other formats
both HD and SD. We provide crews and equipment proficient in
the following formats: HD (high definition), Digi-Beta (high
quality digital), Beta
SP & SX (still used occasionally in corporate settings and
some medium-to-smaller market TV and cable outlets), DVCam (medium
quality digital format for Sony products), DVCPro (medium quality
digital format for Panasonic products), DV or Mini-DV (medium
quality digital format for both Sony and Panasonic.)
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The IMW Producer
IMW assigns a dedicated project manager to every client engagement.
This is a single point-of-contact for the client and a highly
experienced producer that communicates with every member on the
production team. Many production companies will provide quotes
for services without including a producer. This means that the
client is responsible for ensuring that video crews capture exactly
what they want as well as any and all coordination involved in
keeping the project moving forward. Over the years, IMW has found
that nearly every client we’ve worked with simply doesn’t
have the time, expertise or desire to fill this role. Our project
budgets include all coordination, video shoot oversight, post-production
supervision and management of all deliverables from creative
consultation through the finished product.
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IMW Standard Video Crew Gear Package
Our standard video crew includes a Director of Photography (DP)
and his/her AD (assistant director/2nd cam ops), HD camera pkg,
viewing monitor, basic light kit, audio gear and minimal grip
equipment to each shoot. Our thorough consultation process will
identify what additional gear may be needed before your shoot
date so your budget avoids any “surprises”. Some
popular “add on” items are wide angle or fish-eye
camera lens, Glidecam vests, advanced lighting kits and teleprompters.
IMW can equip and crew simple b-roll shoots to large scale, complex
multi-camera events. We have experience in live events and satellite
feeds.
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Lead Time and Right Of First Refusal Policy
Essentially, we can deploy one of our local crews within the
Charlotte/Carolinas market within 24 hours notice. However, most
of our clients do have time to consult and prepare their scope.
As soon as we complete the creative consultation session, we
put the most appropriate crews “on hold.” If another
client requests one of our crews for that same day, we will give
the original client ROFR (Right of First Refusal.) This means
that the original client can immediately “firm up” or “book” the
crew, or allow them to take the next offer. Should this happen,
IMW will then work aggressively to book another crew for the
original client without impact to their project timeline. If
a client cancels or postpones a shoot after exercising ROFR,
there may be a cancellation fee to off-set the lost revenue incurred
by IMW.
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“Portal-to-Portal”
When an IMW video crew is booked for a full or half day, their
time clock starts ticking the moment they leave their office
for the drive in to the location. If a crew must drive three
hours round trip, they will have seven hours on site before the “full
day” limit ends and overtime begins. Sometimes, crews will
allow themselves to be booked as “local” which means
it’s close enough to their office that they will not charge
mileage, gas, parking, meals or other travel expenses. Outside
of a 50-mile radius, most crews will need reimbursement for mileage,
gas and parking. IMW negotiates the absolute best deal that will
be a win-win for both the video professionals and the client.
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Half Day and Full Day Shoots
A half-day is any shoot that falls between 0-5 hours, while a
full day is 5.25-10 hours. Overtime is billed at time and a half.
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Travel Reimbursement
If a crew must travel more than two hours and the call time is
before 8am (in the local time zone of the shoot), the crew, including
the producer, may require appropriate hotel accommodations the
night before. IMW follows the industry standard reimbursement
of $.55/mile for vehicle travel. IMW producers bill a flat travel
day rate of $250, no matter how many hours were required to travel
to the location. IMW’s video crews are located in every
major city nationwide, so depending on exactly how long the drive
is to the shoot location, travel expenses can be simply hotel,
gas and mileage or there may be an additional travel day fee
if they are unable to work for other clients on the day prior
to your shoot.
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Ballpark rate for video crews
In Charlotte, IMW charges $1950 for a full day crew, $1200 for
a half-day crew. You’ll notice that a “half-day rate” is
not exactly half of the full day amount. This is because, in
most cases, a crew cannot realistically book a second client
in the "leftover" time on that half day. In fact, there
is a trend in our industry to no longer differentiate between
full and half days due to that reality. Depending on market size,
average day rates can fall between $1300-$2400 for a full day.
Once a client’s creative consultation is complete, IMW
can aggressively scout and negotiate the crews needed in every
market the project requires. We guarantee that a client will
have a solid estimate before shooting ever begins. Certainly,
changes in scope and other variables can impact actual cost.
These changes are discussed, as they happen, to ensure the client
is always aware of the bottom line.
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