lampie2728 Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I am a lighting technician and have been working for the last 8 years as such.I am currently starting out as a freelance technician and I am after some advice. How to start? What to charge? (just a estimate but I'm not trying to undercut anyone.) Where to find work? Insurance? PPE? and everything in-between. Any advice and guidance would be fantastic. Also I have just gained my City and Guilds 2330 level 2 and moving onto level 3. this means I will nearly be a fully trained electrician. Do you feel these would be good selling points as a Freelance lighting technician. thanx Dan :** laughs out loud **: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiffy Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 Lampies that are qualified Electricians are great to have on the team. Lampies that are qualified Sparks that can climb are even better! As for what to charge, I believe its in the region of 200 to 300 quid a day in the UK, depending on what the gig is, Theatre, Rock & Roll, Corporate etc all differ slightly. You find work by leveraging your current contracts, and networking those into a larger set of contacts. It does of course help if you are 1. Good, and 2. A nice bloke to work with :** laughs out loud **: Insurance should be about 5,000,000 GBP of PLI, with your Health insurance etc on top of that PPE - Get your own, maintain it well, never lend it to anyone. (Hard Hat, Hi Vis, Steelies, Full Body Climbing Harness if you are a capable and willing climber - Insurance may need to be adjusted for work at heights) No doubt more will be along with more detail, and bear in mind that I've been away from UK for 8 years, and only returning soon. So I may be a bit off on some of those points, but from a personal perspective, thats my thoughts Good Luck Smiffy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomM Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 in the region of 200 to 300 quid a day in the UK, depending on what the gig is, Theatre, Rock & Roll, Corporate etc all differ slightly. I'd suggest that (unless I'm looking in all the wrong places), that you're doing very very well to keep busy and to be consistently charging upwards of £200. Starting from £150, as a tech, might be more reasonable*, but YMMV. T *well, common, perhaps. Reasonability is a different question! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiffy Posted September 9, 2010 Share Posted September 9, 2010 I stand corrected.... I'm amazed. It was about 150 to 180 a day when I was in the UK 8 years ago. Is it really that bad still? Cheers Smiffy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tokm Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 It was about 150 to 180 a day when I was in the UK 8 years ago. Is it really that bad still? Nothing's changed in the past few years, other than the slight trend towards lower rates if anything, or at least a freeze in the general increase. I know of one corporate LX company in London that hasn't 'upgraded' their freelancers pay rates in so long that they still offer £140 (no PD's) to people who regularly are on £190 + PD's and Hotels from other/better paying clients. Obviously I'm not talking about myself here ;) I'm sure these freelancers never take any of the work offered to them and are happy if that means they never get called! Anyway, £180's in the realms of 'good' for a general lampy, but yes, people still do only offer £150 a day quite regularly and expect those people to program/op and take all the associated grief, even on corporate jobs! I tend to ask a little more above that + PD's or production supplies catering/hotels, for all types of work (corporate/theatre/RnR - TV's another matter though!). Seems to be the fair rate in my mind and I have quite a few clients who are happy to pay that. Smiffy's got it dead on with regards to PPE, Insurance, etc. Just really make sure the insurance covers you for working at height, most seem not to. But make sure it isn't insurance for riggers (unless you want to do rigging!) or you'll be paying through the nose. Just something to cover you when your truss climbing to focus or something. Best of luck, the freelance market does seem to be picking up a bit so someone knew might have a chance so long as they have a few good contacts to get them started! T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seano Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 ... slight trend towards lower rates if anything, or at least a freeze ...Yup. Or, to put it another way for those of us whose main costs are fuel/travel, a fairly substantial cut. ;) ... insurance for riggers ... you'll be paying through the nose.Really? My last renewal was a couple of hundred quid (via Doodsons), is that much more expensive than a lampy's PLI? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumbles Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 ... insurance for riggers ... you'll be paying through the nose.Really? My last renewal was a couple of hundred quid (via Doodsons), is that much more expensive than a lampy's PLI?Adding rigging and no height restrictions to my policy cost me virtually nothing, adding plant added a little bit more, but again only a nice meal out in terms of cost. Needing employee liability was the killer though ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 Your price will depend on how useful you are - but although you might get £200 plus a day, you'll probably work for a lot less of that if you haven't got much work on. If you work for two days a week for £250 per day - you'll make £25K a year. If somebody offers you a ten week, 5 days a week job, they are not going to pay you £12,500 unless you're very lucky - they might offer £6K - which you'd perhaps take, or not - hoping other work comes in. Some people take the attitude that they have a daily rate and it's non-negoitiable. I don't. I see falling numbers of bums on seats, I see the productions getting cheaper, saving money where they can by downsizing and reducing costs. I see phrases on contracts and riders "at no cost to the production company" and I see the days of load of money vanishing. Music tours, having different funding arrangements seem better - but did you see the advert recently for a Musical Director - less than £100 a week! Obviously a ridiculous amount, but an indication of what is happening in some areas! If you can get a decent amount for a job - then it's your own definition of what is decent that is important. How much do you need from the job spread over the year? What kind of clients do you plan to work for? What is their expectation of what they wish to pay? How realistic is your business plan? Me? I have some regular clients who pay well, but the quantity of projects per year is quite low. I've others who give me much more work, but at lower rates. Balancing hats is my problem. Do I fancy a job that lasts a short time, gives me loads of power (and stress) and lots of money, or a much easier one, for less that gives me more satisfaction? I guess I have the advantage of a mortgage nearly paid off, no major regular outgoings I cannot handle and many contacts and the attitude that money isn't a major driving force in my life any more. I'm happy, and quite content. I do know that if I insisted on daily rates of the kind talked about here - I'd not be earning very much over the year! Being freelance is good for some people, but actually finding work for newcomers is hardly easy. If the question is would I take £100 for a local job that takes maybe 6 hours or so start to finish, the answer is yes - of course! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lampie2728 Posted September 10, 2010 Author Share Posted September 10, 2010 Thanx Everyone for your time and advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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