I would really appreciate some advice on this one!
I just produced a short documentary about whale sharks, the docu won “Best short documentary film” as well as “Best conservation message” at the “Celebrate the sea festival” in Manila, in June.
Among the jury was Peter Scoones, BBC blue planet as well as David Doubilet.
There was several TV channels present as well and one, The underwater channel, showed great interest in my film and wanted to purchase it.
I thought, GREAT! but was somewhat surprised when I received an email from them the other day.
They offered to pay me 300U$ for it and a 50/50 percent share on advertising which is their ‘standard offer’ to independent producers.
They would also like a 2 year license for the film.
I spent weeks filming whale sharks not to mention the editing, the film is ‘only’ 14 minutes but took me a long time to make!
The entire film was shot with the Z1, Phenom housing.
Can someone maybe give me an advice regarding “standard rates” if there are any? 300 U$ just doesn’t seem fair, or?

VOLKER BASSEN

Dear Volker, that is interesting! It is very hard to evaulate the option about the advertising
and how much you can / will earn from it. I would definately give it a second go about the
$300 fixed rate. This is less than an underwater camerman earns per hour.

But on the other hand, my experience is, that negotiating the right price is everything in
this industry. You should ask for a contract draft and also define precisely where the movie
is allowed to be shown. Is it just Great Britain or Worldwide?

The right to sublicense your film is also an important issue.

PS: I would really like to see your movie!

EDIT: SORRY I MISREAD YOUR POST, THE UNDERWATER CHANNEL IS WEB-BASED, ISN’T IT?

Hello Andi,

Thank you for your reply, I’ll try to negotiate a better price from them. I plan to put my film on Y-tube once I get to Europe, will let you know once it’s up and running. The problem here in Kenya is that the net is very very slow! That will soon change since we are getting the optical cable within the year, let’s hope.
The underwater channel is web based, why do you ask?
Too bad you missed out on the 2007 tagging expedition, we broke the World record with regards of putting out PAT tags, a total of 17 tags were deployed, we also had a record 58 whale sharks in 12 days! Out of these ones, one dived to 1780 meters while one traveled 8000Km! Soon the trust will have a micro-light, then we’ll spot whale sharks on a daily basis, will invite you to come again when that happens, OK?

Best

Volker

volker bassen - 16 July 2009 08:28 AM

The underwater channel is web based, why do you ask?

I misread your first post and thought the BBC was interested in the footage.

I have no experience with The Underwater Chanel but I think for web-usage
the price is surely different. For television it would have been way too low!
For web-usage it might be okay and better than Y-tube, but you should watch
out that you do not give away the right to sublicense at that price and also
it should be a non-exclusive license.

volker bassen - 16 July 2009 08:28 AM

Soon the trust will have a micro-light, then we’ll spot whale sharks on a daily basis, will invite you to come again when that happens, OK?

I am very glad to read that! In fact I always regretted not taking the invitation.
Now I am ready as my son is now 8 month old and I got my antidotes on track!
Send me a private message and let’s plan something as soon as possible.