TIEnTEEZ wrote:Hi,
I've been dabbling with purchasing custom videos and I have a few in the works.
But I have tons more ideas and I'd love to hear from some content producers about how the process works, how I, as a customer, can keep costs down, and how to get the most out of my custom video.
Please feel free to discuss the subject in any way that appeals to you, or if you need a little help, here are some questions:
1) What do you charge for custom videos?
Some producers charge by length. Others charge by content. Some charge by number of models. One producer I spoke to charges based on how specific your script is - in other words, the more vague it is, the less it costs. The way he explained it to me was that if he has more control, he can add in more elements that will make the video sell better and so I have to bear less of the cost.
These seem fairly fair. For us at Grace Productions with Samantha Grace, the rates are entirely dependent on the script. We can't know what it's going to cost to even make it without knowing what's going to be required. Studio fees, model fees, special effects, editing time can all affect the price of a custom. The best way to know is to send the outline of the idea (how many girls, where it would need to be shot, costume "musts", and details about the type of action involved (ie combat, stripping, traps, etc).
2) What's the best way to present my custom video idea?
Do you want a complete screenplay? Does it have to be in screenplay format? Does it matter? What about turning a story format into a video? I've been providing these Word document with descriptions of each scene, costumes, characters, etc. But some scenes don't really matter as much as others. So would it be good to simply list some key plot points for those? Do I have to spell it out when I write a scene that is deliberately vague and I expect the content producer to flesh it out?
For me, the more specific, the better. Also, it's a good idea to format it with certain elements stated right up-front.
For instance:
Scene 1:
Who:*Superpowerdgirlcharacter* wearing (insert costume here) and *evilseductresslady* wearing (insert costume here)
Where : (setting...)
Implements : (insert toys, weapons, ties or devices that will be used here)
Action: (Describe the scene in the order you want to see things happen, with dialogue notes or lines where applicable)
Sometimes we get customs that are ordered with the script written in book format (ie
Superpowerdgirlcharacter longed for the days when she was a quiet college student without the responsibilities that came with crime-fighting, but knew that... etc etc ).
These are nice, but un-filmable. It's best that you can describe the action or events in clear, concise terms, such as
Superpowerdgirlcharacter enters the lair cautiously, looking for the villainess. She remains quiet, staying close to the walls. Suddenly she is lit up by a spotlight and the villainess taunts her from a walkway nearby
Villainess: I see you fell for my trap, Superpowerdgirlcharacter! Now you will suffer at my hands!
The villainess throws a vial to Superpowerdgirlcharacter's feet and smoke rises from the shattered glass. Superpowerdgirlcharacter begins to convulse and choke... etc etc
This makes it easy to know what you would like to have happen without much guesswork, and is very easy to read and refer to when shooting.
If your idea is more vague, then we'll be "filling in the blanks" but it also means you may not be getting what you'd hoped for, just our best guess at it. Which is fine if you like surprises..
3) What are the best parts of making custom videos?
Do you like getting new ideas from customers? Are there really any new ideas?
There may not be "new ideas", but there's always something we haven't done before. Samantha Grace and I have done some Karate Ballet videos as customs that are a treat to do, because it's inherently fun (and funny), because it's not something you see every day, even if it is in-line with combat videos.
4) What are the worst parts of making custom videos?
What drives you crazy? Do you hate it when someone wants something really specific? Or is it worse if the story is too vague? Do most of your clients e-mail you too much and drive you nuts? Or do you prefer a constant give-and-take?
It's hard to say. Certainly the most difficult to do is decipher really complicated concepts that aren't clearly stated, and sometimes you can THINK you're doing what your client is asking for only to discover that an odd wording or very convoluted idea got misinterpreted. Obviously open communication can help, but when you don't know you're misunderstanding what's being asked for you can end up shooting what you thought they wanted and miss the mark, which is frustrating for everyone.
When it comes to emails, so long as it's not a daily "Have you shot it yet" when you've been given a timeframe we're still in, it's not really a problem. Understand, as much as we'd love to, we don't have too much time to chit-chat through emails, so if it's not about your order it may not get replied to straight away. Obviously, if you were told "3 weeks" and we're into week 4 or 5 for waiting, it's entirely fair to ask where your order is. At the very least, if it was already sent and Yahoo or Gmail shunted to notification to your spam-box, then we'd like to know so your order can be gotten to straight.
The other would be last-minute revisions, which Samantha Grace and I have a strict "Once we have received payment, the script is locked" policy on. More often than we'd like, the revisions involve activities that have to do with actress limits or would affect their rates (ie originally wanted topless, now wanting full-nude erotic with toys).
Thanks for any and all advice you can offer.
It's actually a great set of questions. Honestly, knowing how to best meet what our clients have in mind and whether it can be reasonably achieved makes our lives and yours MUCH easier. The less guesswork, the better.
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