WHAT TO CHARGE?

I was sent an email from a fellow makeup artist wanting to know how much she should charge for her services.
It is always hard to know what you should charge for your services, you don’t want to charge too much or people won’t use your services and you don’t want to charge too little or people may not take you seriously.
For anyone offering services outside of the Film/TV Industry I suggest doing some research into what other Makeup Artists are charging for their services and what they provide for that charge.
Remember, “Google is your friend”.
Some Makeup Artists will have a rates list on their website, for those who don’t; you may wish to give them a call.
I have learned that, regardless of what I charge, the first thing that comes out of my mouth when someone asks me about my rates is, “What’s your budget?”
A lot of Makeup Artists don’t include a rates list on their site because it could have an adverse effect on what they could potentially charge. It is always a good idea to have a bench mark hourly rate though.
For the Artists working in the Film/TV Industry, you are governed by the “Motion Picture Production Agreement”. Everything you need to know is included in this agreement and most, if not all, productions use this as their guide.
If they don’t then they should be!!!
The current agreement for 2007 – 2009 is available at http://www.alliance.org.au/resources/film_%26_tv_technicians/ it is the third item down the list. Download it, make sure you read it and keep it as your Bible.
There is a new agreement being renegotiated right now for release later this year, to have your say on the MPPA call the Alliance on 1300 65 65 12 to be put in touch with your state organiser. Don't miss this chance to have a say on the way you work.