Performer / Producer
Matthew Ian Welch
RATES
TLDR - It costs $350 for me to show up and record your thing with one camera and good audio. All of the session-related fees are flat and quotable in advance.
You can choose how much to upgrade, if you want to upgrade.
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If you spend more money, the production value increases.
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You can add more cameras and lights.
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You can add additional audio channels.
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You get great audio and color-corrected footage from each camera, regardless.
Editing beyond that is $35/hr. That includes adding titles and switching between cameras.
Other hourly services are $35/hr unless stated otherwise. This includes everything else.
All of the available upgrades are described and listed below.
I can answer any questions you may have via email/over the phone.
Details
Below are my rates. You may customize your recording to include as much or as little as you need. I am happy to discuss any of the below and what I would recommend based on your stated priorities and constraints.
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Event Recording - The lowest priced options on the left/gray are $250 for audio or video-only, $350 for both audio and video. This is what I recommend for most people, most of the time. Descriptions below.
It's only $450 if you want event photography added (before and/or after/at a reception, etc.) as well!
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Recommendation for an Audition Video - GET LIGHTS AND A SECOND CAMERA - TRUST ME!
If you're here for opera or other audition videos, you can opt for the $350 baseline (single camera - it's still good), but I'd recommend the lighting upgrade ($75) and one additional camera ($75). With discounts, the price for that is:
$450 for returning clients. ($350 + $75 + $75 = $500 - 10% loyalty discount = $450), and
$500 for new clients ($350 + $75 + $75 = $500)
Spend an additional $100 and get a bunch of photos with the same nice lighting. Could be a new headshot, material for social media or a marketing website! (Spend $0 to pull screenshots from your videos ... but there will be more variety of angles and no intentional motion blur in these). You'll also get a small volume discount for projects with adjusted costs over $500.
** READ THIS - IT'S IMPORTANT **
(1) BASIC Video Recordings do NOT switch between cameras. You get separate videos for each camera.
If you want a multi-cam edit of your event, that is offered as a standard upgrade / editing package.
(2) BASIC Audio Recordings cover up to 8 channels that I record, myself, into a single field recording device.
Additional channels, devices, the remixing of someone else's audio, or requests to remix my own are all offered at an additional fee ($35/hourly for additional labor. Flat-rate line items for additional equipment. Quotes and labor estimates available before the day of the shoot).
(3) My processing times vary based on my schedule. They have been slow, but I'm working to improve on that.
Multi-camera edits take proportionally longer than everything else.
Rush processing is available for an additional fee.
Please let me know about any deadlines you may have in advance of our session.
(4) I am very flexible with weekday times, including the need to reschedule them at relatively short notice.
All weekend reservations require a $250 non-refundable deposit in advance. No exceptions.
ADDITIONAL NOTES & SERVICES
General Hourly - Most services not described elsewhere can be purchased for $35/work hour. I will provide an estimate of the number of hours required in advance, so that nothing comes as a surprise.
What is included in the BASIC Recordings - All audio packages will provide mixed and mastered audio of your event. All video packages will provide each camera's video with basic color grading and exposure compensation (if/as needed). All video+audio packages will sync the audio master with each video camera's graded footage.
Multi-Camera Video Edits - Like the general hourly rate, I charge $35/work hour for editing services beyond what is provided in the basic package. In general, expect 5-6 hours editing time per hour of finished content for a multitrack recording. In other words, expect to spend between $175-$210 additional per hour of your event if you want a multi-camera edit, titles, or other editing services beyond the basic. You are welcome to edit your own videos freely.
Lighting - Is not required or recommended for live events with an audience. For any recordings in which there is a single subject, like an audition video, it is *highly* recommended that you opt for this upgrade. I use special photography/videography LEDs and softboxes that not only add additional light (which most video cameras benefit from) but result in a significantly more detailed and professional look. Moreso than a camera body or even lens, a properly lit subject will look better on your iPhone than a poorly lit subject with my most expensive camera.
Recording Venue – Most clients secure their own recording location and we come to them. If you do not have a suitable acoustic environment in which to record, La Canada Congregational Church, where I am the bass section leader, currently permits their sanctuary to be used for recordings of classical music. The church asks a modest $100 flat rental fee. I also have a sound treated recording booth suitable for audiobook narration, voice acting, and studio style recording / multi-tracking. Recordings made in living rooms or other non-treated environments often have undesirable attributes that are either difficult or impossible to remove during post-production without noticeable artefacts.
Accompanist – If you require an accompanist (piano), one can be provided for you. Our accompanists charge $80/hr during the session. Some pieces require advanced preparation due to the difficulty of the orchestral reduction. That preparation time is also billed at the same hourly rate. All accompanists have either a Doctor of Music Arts (DMA) in piano performance or collaborative keyboard arts from a major music program/university, or equivalent credentials, and are well established professionals in the highly competitive Los Angeles classical music scene. Performers should provide their music to the accompanist no less than one week in advance of the session. Accompanists may be included in the video or not, depending on the preference of the performer.
Additional A/V Personnel – Speed up setup and load-out times considerably. Allow for multiple camera operators or hybrid liveboard/recorded audio setups. Additional personnel is not required for most projects, but required for the following circumstances: (1) large setups that must be assembled in less than 90 minutes; and/or (2) strict requirements to vacate a venue less than 60 minutes after the performance is complete. Additional personnel costs begin at $175/day per individual, depending on the professional and services required. Subject to availability.
Livestreaming – Clients may stream up to 4 separate video feeds and 1 stereo audio feed for an additional charge. Higher video channel counts possible with sufficient notice. Streaming is done via the Blackmagic ATEM system.
AVAILABLE DISCOUNTS
Most packages I offer qualify for some sort of discount from the starting retail price.
Below is a nonexhaustive list of discounts I currently offer:
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A/V Bundles – ($50 off the top) Basic audio includes an appearance fee of $100 and $150 for audio equipment and processing. Basic video includes an appearance fee of $100 and $150 for video equipment and processing. Purchasing both automatically applies a $50 discount. ($100 + $150 + $150 -$50 = $350).
+add a Photoshoot or event coverage (+$100) Clients opting for Audio, Video, and Photography will benefit further by relying upon the same appearance fee and enjoying a second discount of $75 off the price of the photography ($275 - $100 appearance fee - $75 discount = $100 additional. per session - up to 2 looks and 1 hour of shooting).
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Loyalty Discount – (10% off) – All returning clients receive 10% off all recording packages. If you have hired me to record you individually or your organization before, take 10% off the adjusted price.
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Student Discount – ($75 off, flat) Self-supported students actively enrolled in a qualifying academic curriculum may pay a lower rate. This rate does not apply to minors with parental financial assistance.
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Referral Discount – (additional 15% off next session) If someone else books a session with me as the result of a direct referral from you (and not if they were already familiar with my work), you will receive an additional 15% off your next session. This discount stacks with the loyalty and student discounts, but not the volume discount.
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Volume Discount – (various) – “The more you spend, the more you save...”
This discount applies to clients who wish to spend more overall on a single production or a few shoots in the same general timeframe (like a week with 2-3 different shoots). It is intended to incentivize and reward spending more overall. This discount does not apply to booking separate events in the same year or concert season at the lowest fee level in order to lock in rates effectively lower than my intended baseline fees.
This discount applies to the adjusted totals, and works incrementally, kinda like taxes.
0 - $500, adjusted total - no volume discount
$501-$1,000, adjusted total - receive a 5% discount on all amounts between $501- $1000
$1,001 - $1,500, adjusted total - receive an additional 10% discount on all amounts between $1,001 and $1,500
$1,501 - $2,000, adjusted total - receive an additional 15% discount on all amounts between $1,501 and $2,000
$2,000 and above - No additional discounts.
This discount stacks with the loyalty and student discounts, but not the referral discount.
Please note that we do not offer discounts to nonprofits, charities, or religious organizations solely on that basis alone. If you feel that you or your organization may qualify for financial assistance, please reach out to me and complete the following form https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/fw001.pdf documenting your financial situation. I would rather find a way to make it work than turn folks away due to budgetary limitations.