Author Topic: Is salary for models same for stock video and stock photos? (Read 5018 times)

mklrnt · « **on:** February 22, 2018, 02:01 »

Do you pay models same salary while shooting stock video and stock photos? How about in case if you shoot with models in same session video & photo. Hourly salary will keep same or how this normally works? Helen Fields & hotelfoxtrot type of footage were thought were people are actual models & actors not just friends of yours who would help around.

StockbyNumbers · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2018, 02:04 »

Potentially more for footage as being able to act well can speed things up and give better results. But overall I don’t think so.

cobalt · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2018, 11:54 »

I would definetly pay more if someone is a real, professional or even part time actor. It saves a lot of time.

But usually I work with amateurs, i.e. "real people" for both video and video, so there is no difference, one price for the afternoon or the day for all media.

SuperPhoto · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2018, 12:37 »

I'm curious - how much do you actually pay them?

cobalt · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2018, 13:00 »

It depends if they also get images and video for their own portfolios, or just money.

Most want material for their own ads as well (and to save on paying a photographer for that)

And if it is just two hours or 3 days.

Basically they tell me their usual day rate, we compare what the shooting of their own material would cost including post processing and then come up with something that makes everyone happy.

StockbyNumbers · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2018, 14:15 »

I usually do some combination of pay and in kind services as well. Usually around minimum wage wherever I’m shooting, all meals and transportation, and frame grabs from footage along with a few clips included.

In total the value of all of this for talent can be north of $500 per day. The cost / time for me to produce materials for them is less than this I figure.

I’ve had some great talent be excited for this agreement.

I’ve paid higher when needing a specific look or for more experienced actors. Or if I don’t want to take the time to correspond and deliver extra materials. In that case usually between $20 - $50 / hour.

I’d recommend doing at least a Skype introduction / audition beforehand and asking the talent to actually act some thugs out. While this may seem awkward, I think it’s really important to determine how comfortable they are being on the spot and on camera.

I’ve had an experience where I hired talent who had great headshots and a good reel, but was more of a model, so when we started shooting they were really rigid and unnatural. Made me appreciate someone with more experience.

cobalt · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2018, 16:40 »

skype audition is a great idea. I try to meet up for a very simple test shoots over coffee first. Also to see if the chemistry is there and to explain what RF really means.

However, I am very lucky that I know so many stock artists and teaming up to shoot saves so much money and you get better content because we assist each other and we know what to pay attention to.

rinderart · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2018, 17:18 »

I live and work in Hollywood, I can go to any corner or restaurant and find any Type I can Imagine. I have never paid any Model for stock work. Why? because I trade them For Images they can use. Fair Trade as far as Im Concerned. I shoot some for them and some for me. If they are modeling for a student. Then I pay $50 per hour for a 3 Hour Minimum. Much harder work. working with models is a Learned Craft. I prefer actors. Much larger Range.And they always need new Pics....constantly. No shortage here. LOL And yes a new person needs to know whats up. Most agents In this town with Drop an actor or model if they Know it's for stock..... There not stupid. I get paid Much More than I pay or can make doing penny stock...... Headshot Biz here is Huge. new Kids everyday. Much better Biz than selling stock.

angelawaye · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2018, 22:07 »

How do you guys find models? I posted an ad on Craigslist and got a couple responses but they never replied ...
I was going to pay $50 for 30 minutes.

mklrnt · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2018, 07:37 »

Quote from: rinderart on February 22, 2018, 17:18

I live and work in Hollywood, I can go to any corner or restaurant and find any Type I can Imagine. I have never paid any Model for stock work. Why? because I trade them For Images they can use.

This is understandable when talking about photos that certain people would be happy to work without getting paid in money but getting some photos to their portfolio instead. It will certainly still limit amount of types available to shootings and type of shooting it will be.

But how would you make this kind of arrangement with stock video while shooting actor? I doubt actor has much of use for stock videos or how this concept could be applied to video also?

$15 - $50 / hour might be standard in USA how about other countries for video where overall salaries are lower lets say Eastern Europe, Africa, South America, Southeast Asia etc.? Same rates go or rates adjusted to local income?

StockbyNumbers · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2018, 13:02 »

I've found that trading in-kind services has been really appealing for actors as well as models. I think it gives them a kind of moving headshot reel. I was approached by several newer actors recently about doing in lieu of payment altogether, looking for something just to show potential agents and casting directors until they had more roles under their belts. A few of them were coming from a theater background, so they could act well but didn't have a lot on camera yet.

I think the model vs. actor distinction is an important one though. Working with actual actors vs. models has been my preference as I don't shoot anything that is focused specifically around fashion or needing a professional model. Having someone that can act naturally, take direction openly, and adjust quickly has been really valuable - in my experience those who market themselves as actors specifically have been much better at all of the above.