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
are available?
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?
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 and Formats Available
Our standard format is high definition shot on our industry's
leading edge Panasonic p2 4:2:2 broadcast 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.
Our worldwide network business model means we can essentially
provide any format your project requires. While we shoot 10 bit
AVC-Intra 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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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 as the day rate for our HD
video crew. This includes a two-person video crew, usually
DP/AD or DP/A1. Depending on the
scope of the shoot, additional day rates for producers, audio
technicians, grips, etc., may come into
play. IMW has a national network of professional DPs and, according
to their market size and pricing scale, average day rates can
fall between $1300-$2400. Your IMW producer will advise you
of your cost, based on your project specs, to ensure you are
well
briefed before work begins.
Please note this day rate is for the day-of, on-location capture
of the video only. This does not include
pre-production or post-production rates. Once you've discussed
your project with your producer
a customized proposal, with line item cost, will be presented
for your consideration.
You may also notice that we do not break our day rate into "full" and "half" days.
This is because, in most cases, a crew cannot realistically book
a second client in the "leftover" time on a half day.
In fact, there is a trend in our industry to no longer differentiate
between full and half days due to that reality. 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.
If after assessing your needs we determine that we can offer
a discounted day rate or waive other line item fees, we are
happy to do that to earn your business!
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