Stock Video/Timelapse Question

[Tom Lowe]

I was approached via email by a fairly bigtime feature and music video director asking if he could buy/license a couple my night timelapse shots for a major-label music video he's shooting. I guess he just saw the clip on vuze or youtube. He asked if I had my clips at a stock house and I said no, but he seems to be willing to work me directly. He's in LA, and I told him I could deliver in basically any format, since I have the shots in RAW 3.5K now.

Should I consider hooking up with a stock website?

He mentioned that a "one-time worldwide" typical rate is like $300-400 per clip, or that sometimes people might buy a clip outright for something like $1,000. Is that about right? These clips are only like 10 seconds long. I guess if you sell the clip outright, then that person owns it flat out and you no longer own it, whereas with the first option, it's just sort of a "rental" that they can use once in this one video.

I've never thought seriously about selling my stuff as stock, so I wonder if any of you guys can give me some general advice? Does anyone happen to know a good stock house to work with?

Much thanks.

[Steve Murray]

NEVER sell you stuff as buyout for only $1000.00 unless you do not think you will ever sell it again. I had a stock house offer me a buyout of $1k per 15 sec clip but they were willing to buy up to $50K per month.

If you stuff is time lapse and really good I would think $750-1,000.00 per clip based on how many clips and the total buy. That is about what most stock house charges.

[Tom Lowe]

If you stuff is time lapse and really good I would think $750-1,000.00 per clip based on how many clips and the total buy. That is about what most stock house charges.

Can you clarify what you mean by this? Are you saying the one-time use fee would be $1,000, or a "sell" price of $1,000 per clip?

My timelapse stuff is a little bit unique in that it is almost all night star trails, which is difficult to do.

[Steve Murray]

Can you clarify what you mean by this? Are you saying the one-time use fee would be $1,000, or a "sell" price of $1,000 per clip?

My timelapse stuff is a little bit unique in that it is almost all night star trails, which is difficult to do.

Tom,

I would not sell these shots outright unless the price is right (see below). You have gone to a lot of trouble to produce these and they are very good.

What if you were injured and could not re-shoot them for a while?

I think you should ask for $1000.00 per clip for up to 10 sec. for one time non-exclusive use in one music video. If he comes back and wants to use them again give him a 25% discount on the 2nd use fees.

If he really wants to own them and you are willing to let him have them (don't do it man).... Then I would ask for $10,000.00 per 15 sec. cilp... that is what an agent would ask for and that is a cheap price to own these very fine shots.

Hell, I'll give you $1K each and then put them with my stock agent and make my investment back 10+ times in 4-5 years.

I get a nice check every month for shots I did 10-15 years ago.

Call one of the stock agents in LA and ask them before you do anything you will regret....

Unless you want to sell them to me and then I will deal with him..... And yes, I'm serious. PM me if you want to discuss.

Steve

[Tom Lowe]

Hell, I'll give you $1K each and then put them with my stock agent and make my investment back 10+ times in 4-5 years.

Wow, we might be able to strike up a deal here! :)

To be honest, I'm not that proud of these clips. All I see are the flaws. I'm 100% self taught when it comes to timelapse (a lot of trial and error), and it seems like every time I shoot a new one, it gets better. That's why I am willing to part with these.

Plus I don't like the whole business side of art in general, so it's easier for me just to do a one-time deal. I do appreciate everyone's input very much. I'll have to give it some thought.

My main goal is shooting 20-40 really awesome timelapses for my first feature, but none of the shots I have already are that great, IMO. For me it's just been a hobby and a learning experience.

[Mark Thorpe]

Plus I don't like the whole business side of art in general......

Understood mate but don't sell yourself cheap my friend. You work is very nice. Making my short films I see them over, and over and over again. I see all the flaws the same as you BUT other people don't.

Best of luck whatever you decide mate.

Best.
Mark

[Petr Dvorak]

Tom,

I would not sell these shots outright unless the price is right (see below). You have gone to a lot of trouble to produce these and they are very good.

What if you were injured and could not re-shoot them for a while?

I think you should ask for $1000.00 per clip for up to 10 sec. for one time non-exclusive use in one music video. If he comes back and wants to use them again give him a 25% discount on the 2nd use fees.

If he really wants to own them and you are willing to let him have them (don't do it man).... Then I would ask for $10,000.00 per 15 sec. cilp... that is what an agent would ask for and that is a cheap price to own these very fine shots.

Hell, I'll give you $1K each and then put them with my stock agent and make my investment back 10+ times in 4-5 years.

I get a nice check every month for shots I did 10-15 years ago.

Call one of the stock agents in LA and ask them before you do anything you will regret....

Unless you want to sell them to me and then I will deal with him..... And yes, I'm serious. PM me if you want to discuss.

Steve

I am with Enzo.

1. Your footage IS really good one, no doubt! (kind of NG, Discovery, IMAX level)
Dont underestimate yourself. If somebody well-known is contacting you and want to buy your footage,
then I am really sorry but you are in rank of PRO artists and so is your footage!!!

2. ABSOLUTELLY ALWAYS make good and exact content licence agreement (because now you are PRO artist )
so you can ALWAYS benefit from it in future and sleep well (dont forget specify penalty for misuse, etc...)
- learn and ask how other huge stock companies do it:
http://www.gettyimages.com/Corporate/LicenseInfo.aspx
http://www.gettyimages.com/Corporate...reements.aspx#
http://imagery.gettyimages.com/pdf/f...ores.en-US.pdf
http://www.corbismotion.com/About/Legal.aspx
http://pro.corbis.com/creative/terms..._EULA_v1.0.pdf
http://www.creatas.com/legal.aspx

3. You can find some price range if you act like music video director or producer and simply ask at other stock companies for cost estimate (but only at best ones in your case )
http://www.gettyimages.com/Footage/FootageHome.aspx
(you can see prices after registration)
http://www.corbismotion.com/SectionF...temporary.aspx
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_sear...Page=&within=4


4. ... sometimes you will find that is hard to repeat yourself and make that good footage or better again


5. I think that you can hardly find same quality footage at stock, so price should be higher

[Mark Thorpe]

Tom you also forgot to add:

My timelapse stuff is a little bit unique in that it is almost all night star trails and its stongkingly good, drop dead gorgeous and pant wettingly enticing, so buy it all now"

Or something along those lines at least!

Cheers,
Mark.

[Tom Lowe]

haha, thanks!

I just got another email from the director and he wants four clips. So should I sell them outright or one-time use? The shots are nice, but nothing I couldn't part with. Plus it would be exciting for me to see my clips actually used somewhere, since it's really just a hobby for me! :)

[BASSAM MSSALATIE]

Tom i will give you Advise ..do not ever insult your work by reducing its value
Ever ?? its from my expereince
as Enzo say's at least try to fixe your price (and keep some small space for bargain)
if you said 800 per clip to your director
dont accept less than 700 ...(very tied space do not jump too much)
good luck