Using my Bus for a Movie Shoot

[VeDub18T]

I received a random request to use my bus for a video shoot in an upcoming movie. Im trying to figure out what to ask for as compensation.

I will have to drive 4 hours to the filming location, drive the bus during the shoot and then drive home.

Just wondering if anyone else has done anything similar, I was thinking about asking for $500

--Mike

[TDCTDI]

What's your hourly rate? What about fuel costs? Your drive time should be calculated at the hourly rate also. I'd double that $500. You also need to look over the contract to see exactly they want to do with your vehicle, you effectively sign away all of your rights until they're done.
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Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[saltypete]

Just depends if it is a low budget film shoot then $500 is reasonable. However if its a big Hollywood production I think $750-$1000 is great. It also depends on what they want to do. Are they riding inside and shooting talent or are you just a backdrop?
Let us know what happens. Good Luck
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71 Bay Window
Stock 1600cc
aka Hackasaurus

[jwold]

They should also provide you with a certificate of insurance. If you have to drive 4 hours, shoots are often anywhere from 10-14 hours long depending on what they're doing. Are they going to put you up in a hotel if they don't finish till late or pay you for travel time? Are they going to be mounting cameras on your bus or are you just background? You might need to ask a few more questions, saltypete is on the right track.

Most crew folks will treat your bus like gold, but not all, and scratches and accidents do happen so be clear ahead of time in case something happens.

[WM971252]

Ask them what they want to pay.... I got around $150 for a commercial back 25 years ago. I think $500 is low for what you are going to have to do.

I also work with crews for props. It is unreal what they will pay to rent or buy even for a low budget film ($1K rental for one day of a kiddie ride, happy to buy of $850 delivered all for a few minutes).

[67rustavenger]

I'd ask for the going IRS rate for mileage compensation. It should be somewhere around $0.54 per mile driven. Then Ask for an hourly rate for your driving time. Whatever you think your time is worth. If the shoot runs late, it would not be out of the question to ask for a hotel room for the night. Preferably one that has a secured garage. Also you gotta eat. So a per-diem for food would not be outlandish as well. Make sure to ask for a fair amount as you don't want to eat Ramon when you can eat a nice dinner of your choice at a comfortable restaurant. Don't go nuts but be fair with your self and your expectations with regard to your time and valuable vehicle.
Then since your driving your bus in the shoot, there maybe some contractual
compensation as well. I have heard in the past that if your face was on cam for something like 6 sec. you had a certain amount of compensation as compared to a 3 sec appearance. Make sure to read the fine print.
Remember, they have asked to use your bus in the shoot. You didn't go looking for them.
Have fun and damn your a lucky S.O.B.
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[coad]

Why is everyone so hung up on the money?

I would do it for free just to have a chance to hang around a film set all day and watch what happens, not to mention the chance that my car would be immortalized in a movie, even a lousy movie.

[enjoyther1de]

[hitest]

Ask them if they have some sort of authenticity certificate or something that can state your bus was used in the film- it might be fun years down the road long after the compensation is forgotten.
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[EverettB]

[WM971252]

If you just want fame then yes go free. I have been filmed a lot (local news type to major TV shows) but each time it was advertising my business, I got paid nothing except exposure (and it worked...).

[pyrOman]

The Dormy's first gig was as a prop for a German clothing catalog. IIRC it paid $200 for a couple of hours of "work". Two years later they wanted to do it again so of course I said yes!

The last gig was for Charlotte Russe clothing store. This was a 2 dayer. Did not get millage and such but they put me in a hotel on the night before the shoot, showed up at the site in the morning, they had me move the bus over here and over there etc., they provided lunch, done for the day and back to the hotel for the night. In the morning I showed up as scheduled, ended up taking a nap in the Dormy all morning as they were shooting in a different place on the site and by noon they said "We're not going to need you any more so you can just go."

The gig was for $350 per day so I was handed a check for $700 before leaving!


Should dig up my pictures and post them up here.
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Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise.

[Enkiel]

i did it once with my so42. The pay was roughly 1000$ (from memories), and i left it there for a day or two. That was 8 or 9 years ago.

Its kinda hard to figure out how much what they are asking is worth. If you ask too much, they'll find another.

If its 8 hours drive total, i'd definately ask for more than 500$. But on another hand, if you're not too worried about money, its all about fame!
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1964 Turkis Flipseat

[pyrOman]

FWIW, the green and white bus in the Movie "Almost Famous" was owned by Strictly Vintage 2s president at the time. Don't know how much he got paid for the gig but it took some time, weeks like. Also there are others here that have had recent gigs too but I let them tell their story.
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Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise.

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[enjoyther1de]

I didn't see a vw. So which side of the law were you on?
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HBB took me to BBV.

[turbo_g]

All my shoots have come through an agent, The Hatch gets $500/day, no idea what my agent takes.

Flat bed picks it up, then returns it. Only had one time where there was small damage on my bus.

If I'm taking my time to do the shoot, my time is worth $100/hr at least. Driving or sitting there, if they want YOUR bus, make them pay for the inconvenience.
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Turbo_g
66 TinTop Westy SO42
63 Sub-hatch Westy SO33
SV2s Member #425
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"Three out of four voices in my head say 'Go for it'."

[pyrOman]

This "site" has been used in a number of tv shows. Some of you may recognize it!

They took easily a couple of thousand pictures!!!

Yet, these are the only 3 they ended up using!

For more on this, go to my post in our club's deadsite's forums: The Dormy does Hollywood!
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Some people are so busy being clever they don't have time enough to be wise.

[Q-Dog]

[vwinnovator]

If you really want your car in the shoot, let them set their price and take it for the "five minutes of fame"

I doubt your the only one they have contacted, and from experience, the guy who's job it is to locate picture cars know's how to get them...

I was pd $350 for the use of my bus in a national geographic show-Job's vs. Gates, in which they only used it for about an hr.
rest of the day we just watched the process of the filming, ate all the free food provided, snacks, full spread buffet, all you can drink....

It was a fun day.

Best of all, my bus is immortalized on film with a couple trailers on youtube, a couple spots in the show, and 5 full second solo shot.

I have a great memory, pics / video of the shoot, and a great story to tell friends / customers....
the money pd was spent quickly, but the rest is good forever.