Matthew Ian Welch

RATES

The prices and descriptions below are intended to be current/accurate and are provided for reference and transparency, but these are not quotes and this is not a contract or an agreement from me to provide you with services at any time, at any rate.

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Please feel free to reach out with any questions Contact Me

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Please Note - All weekend reservations require a $325 deposit

This amount is applied to your final bill as a credit.

If you cancel after I receive your deposit, I will still keep your deposit.

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No Exceptions

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Music Recordings

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All music recordings include full quality audio.

The minimum price for recording music with video is $375 for most.

The minimum price for recording music with video for qualifying students and teachers is $325

Audio-only recording options are available. Please inquire directly for rates and details.

Volume discounting available when recording multiple students (save on setup and batch processing)

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Student Audition/Recital Package - $325

Includes an Academic Discount for Minors and Qualifying Adult Students

 (Auditions - Up to 4 selections)

(Recitals - First 90 minutes)

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Teacher Recital Package - $325

Includes an Academic Discount for Teachers and Qualifying Academic Institutions

 (First 90 minutes)

For minors and qualifying adult students

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Economy Location Recording - $375

Single Camera

 (First 90 minutes)

No customizations

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FULL QUALITY Location Recording (starting at  $500) 

Pristine and Modern Visual Quality

Multi-Camera Recording of Live Event

 Dedicated Recording Session

 (First 90 minutes)

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20% Academic Discount for all Fully Quality Location Recordings

Please note, this does not apply to other packages, as those already have discounts built-in.

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Film Production, Photography, and Special Event Coverage

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HEADSHOTS - $333

$333 FLAT RATE for up to 3 hours and 3 looks

Easy to remember. Excellent Quality and Value for Price

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Shoot for up to 3 hours, Up to 3 looks, with portrait lighting and light diffusion tools.

Natural light or Interior shooting, (or both!)

High Resolution (45MP) Stills Camera. 12-bit RAW originals.

Industry leading, purpose-made f/1.2 Canon prime, portrait lens with “background de-smoothing” for maximum separation and gorgeous creamy background.

Basic Color settings on all photos from the session; download 100 of the best, web-friendly JPEGs.

Full color and photo retouching on your top 3 picks an export to print quality.

 After 3 hours, an hourly rate of $150/hr kicks in for more photography ($500 for 4 hours, $650 for 5 hours).

Additional retouches at standard my hourly rate $44

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FILMS AND OTHER CREATIVE PROJECTS

(starting at  $500) ​Details Below

Everything necessary to produce a film (from a production standpoint!)

You bring the idea. I'll make sure we capture it.

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Dedicated Cinema Cameras and Anamorphic Lenses

Dynamic Camera Motion

Post-Production and Visual Effects

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Run 'n Gun options available when shooting speed is prioirty

Slower options for maximum quality when shooting environment is more controlled or for projects moving at a standard filming pace.

All projects meet meet Netflix requirements for approved equipment and settings.

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WEDDINGS

(starting at  $500)

Everything you need to capture your big day

Details Below​

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EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY / PHOTOJOURNALISM

 $325 (First 2 hours included, $125/hr thereafter)

Ideal when you need a photographer or videographer to cover an event like a reception, fundraiser, or other community event.  Note - this rate and service is not available for music performances.

Can switch between video and stills

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Minimal setup time / gear - Minimal setup – usually just 2 cameras (neck strap/handheld) and one tripod.

Basic audio setups (stereo room pair optional, Schoeps MK41/CMIT5 or premium handheld)

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LIVESTREAMING

Contact for Details

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I have been the technical director (more or less) for many livestreams, including Director of Photography for multiple Grammy Award-winning artists (Wynton Marsalis - Live @ Lincoln Center; Samara Joy, Royal Philharmonic, LA Phil), and I am the resident livestream director for the Pacific Opera Project.

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I recommend that most people do not attempt to (live)stream their concerts/performances.

There is a lot that can go wrong

I don't know your friend who wants to help with this

I will try to steer you away from this.

If I don't succeed, I will make sure your stream works, but that means we have to do things correctly.
 

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DETAILS

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• Below are the main details for each service/package.

• I would also be happy to answer any questions you may have.

• Sample invoices, quotes for Flat-Rate services, or estimates for projects involving hourly work are available upon request.

• Other information can be furnished/in writing upon request, however drafting such documentation incurs an houly fee ($44/hr).

• I am a very transparent person. It is my goal that you misunderstand nothing. If anything seems unclear, please ask me before we do anything together.

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Hourly Rate – Revision Requests, Post-Production & Miscellaneous

(default for extra work - beyond what is offered in any package)

$44/hr - Billed Weekly

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Student Audition Package

$325 FLAT RATE

First 90 minutes, $100/hr thereafter

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For minors and adult students actively enrolled in a qualifying program, the following is included for up to 5 musical selections / 25 minutes of finished material

• Single Camera (4K/UHD, CLOG3 Gamut, Smallest Media Files)

• 5 Schoeps microphones (Stereo Room, Stereo Piano, Mono Vocal/Instrument Spot)

• Audio Mixing and Mastering; Video Color Grading, Sync, Export to .mov and YouTube.

• A title introducing the artist and piece at the beginning of the video (optional)

• One key light and soft box

You will receive an mp3 and a .mov file of the session with the audio synced to the color-corrected video. The videos can have introductory titles or not (up to you).

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​Teacher or (Junior/Senior/Masters/DMA) Student Recital

$325 FLAT RATE

First 90 minutes, $100/hr thereafter

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For teachers and qualifying academic organizations and institutions, the following is included for recitals:

• Single Camera (4K/UHD, CLOG3 Gamut, Smallest Media Files)

• Up to 6 Schoeps microphones (Stereo Room, Stereo Piano, Mono Vocal/Instrument Spot)

• Mixing, Mastering, Color, Sync, Export to .mov and YouTube.

You will receive an mp3 and a .mov file of the session with the audio synced to the color-corrected video. This has all the editing necessary for archival and other purposes, but no additional discretionary work, like titles.

As there is only one camera, there is no multi-camera switching. Musical selections should be performed in a single, continuous take, since there will be no way to edit it seamlessly otherwise (cutting between the same angle is always noticeable in this context. Hard edits create a “jump” cut. Transitions create a ghosting effect).

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Economy Location Recording for Adults and Nonprofit Organizations

$375 FLAT RATE

For the budget conscious, I continue to offer this low, flat rate. It offers exceptional quality for value.

• Single Camera (4K/UHD, CLOG3 Gamut, High Dynamic Range - 12+ Stops, Smallest Media Files)

• Up to 6 Schoeps microphones (Stereo Room, Stereo Piano, Mono Vocal/Instrument Spot)

• Mixing, Mastering, Color, Sync, Export to .mov and YouTube.

You will receive an mp3 and a .mov file of the session with the audio synced to the color-corrected video. This has all the editing necessary for archival and other purposes, but no additional discretionary work, like titles.

As there is only one camera, there is no multi-camera switching. Musical selections should be performed in a single, continuous take, since there will be no way to edit it seamlessly otherwise (cutting between the same angle is always noticeable in this context. Hard edits create a “jump” cut. Transitions create a ghosting effect).

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Full Quality Music Recording for Adults and Organizations

(Starting at) $500

For professionals and others seeking a no-compromise approach to quality, this option provides a visual/resolution upgrade over the economy package, two cameras, and additional upgrade options.

• 2x High Resolution 8K (45MP) cameras in CLOG2 on fluid head tripods. These replace the single 6K camera in CLOG3 referenced above. CLOG2 offers more dynamic contrast (15+ stops).

  • Second camera can be a manned zoom at no additional charge.

• Additional static 6K cameras available for $100/camera rig.

• ​Additional audio channels beyond 6 are +$25/channel, up to 16 channels.

• Key light addition for $75, Full 3-point Lighting setup $125

Delivery is similar to the options above, except that you will get multiple videos. Each video will be synced to the same audio mix/master and aligned. These “clean versions” can be edited by you or others freely. If you want me to add titles or switch between the cameras, it is a separate, hourly charge. Please note, ANY AN ALL REVISION REQUESTS will incur additional costs. No exceptions.

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Film and other Creative Projects

(Starting at) $500

The equipment used for the services above is very modern and produces extremely detailed footage, using raw and logarithmic footage, for maximum quality capture. 

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However, there are measurable but subjective qualities that makes footage look more "filmic" or "cinematic." 

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Often, this is simply the way that a film is shot/framed and can be achieved with spherical lenses and hybrid equipment.

However, for the full "film" look, these projects are shot on dedicated cinema cameras, with the option to use exceptionally high-end lenses and other equipment at rental cost. Yes, we can shoot your project on Arri and Cooke lenses. However, I don't recommend that for most. More often, you're going to want more time on set than you have. Efficiency is REALLY important not just for the project, but for the vibe and stress level on set.
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** INCLUDED ** DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL CINEMA A CAMERA - Canon C70

Gorgeous, Soft, Cinematic Quality  - Best for Shoots with lots of lighting control

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For maximum dynamic range (more than 16 stops), I use the Canon C70. This camera shoots natively at 4K/UHD with a Super 35 sensor. It operates best in controlled lighting circumstances. It has autofocus and other typical Canon camera features. The footage is gorgeous, assuming the lighting is good. Other, similar cameras, with different features may also be rented*

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• For Extensive Low Light Shooting, or if a Sharper Cinematic A-Cam look is preferred - I can rent a newer C80 orl C400 for $175/$250 + travel / any additional required accessories. These offer 6K full frame native coverage and triple base ISO. The maximum dynamic range is actually lower than the C70. The rolling shutter is also better on the newer models. (Rates are from Samy's in Pasadena. Weekend rentals count as one day - Fri 3pm-Mon 11am). The C80 uses the same sensor and general technologies as the C400. The C400 has lower compression settings available and a few other benefits that mostly do NOT matter or justify the increased expense of the larger camera body.

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I also offer the following VERY COST-EFFECTIVE upgrades mostly AT COST for the rental (+ anything extra I have to spend to make the shoot day work with the different equipment, maybe some gas to get to Samys and back)

ANAMORPHIC LENSES

Cooke S4; Zeiss Super Speeds; Arri/Zeiss Master Prime; Leica; Panavision C – Series; Kowa; Angenieux; Canon; etc. (MARKET RENTAL RATE)

Cinema lenses are manually operated and have "a look." Preferences are very much stylistic and splitting hairs on gorgeous if properly exposed/nailing focus. Anamorphic lenses typically let in less light than spherical ones(!) but use a 35mm full-frame 3x2 sensor to squeeze the image vertically. The result is background blur that is assymetrical (instead of round bokeh, it's closer to a rectangle/oval). This is desireable in film. 

ALEXA 35 Xtreme / OTHER CINEMA CAMERA BODIES - e.g. Sony, Blackmagic (MARKET RENTAL RATE) - I can shoot with any camera! We just need to rent it. If you are insistent, I'll shoot with your preferred system instead of my own default. Using alternate systems may limit lens compatibility and autofocus support. Blackmagic, Red, and Arri cameras are intended to be decidedly "cinematic." I would recommend Red or Arri over any current Blackmagic offering.

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​STABILIZED CAMERA MOTION (Counterweight system or Motorized Gimbal Operation) - $175 setup upgrade to any qualifying package for first 30 minutes. $75/hr after that. Stabilized rigs offer smooth camera motion and allow a DP/Videographer to walk around, closer to the subjects, and get more cinematic shots than are possible with a tripod. Tripods can only pan (/rotate on a fixed axis left and right) and tilt (up and down from a fixed axis), smoothly (and cheap ones are not very smooth). Some lenses Zoom in or out, although that’s less common in film (usually, people use primes/anamorphic lenses that do not zoom). Stabilized rigs require at least 20 additional minutes to set up.

​All of these upgrades increase the cost, decrease the efficiency, and introduce the possibility of technical issues on set. They are not recommend for practicality or speed. However, I would not include them as upgrade options if they did not offer some potential aesthetic/artistic benefit, in the right context/application. These inefficiences are a labor of love and art. But, they make this harder, slower, will require more people on the crew, and will be more expensive. Careful planning, flexibility, and backups, are key.

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OTHER COMMON CONSIDERATIONS AND COSTS

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Recording Venue – Acoustic Performances (Sanctuary) - $100 Donation to the Church

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 for the duration of the session.

Recording Venue – Home Studio – Treated ISO Sound Both (No additional charge)

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. I do not charge extra for recordings made my studio. It’s a little Bohemian looking, but the quality is uncompromised.

Accompanist – Piano or Organ ($80/hr)

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.

Larger Crew / Additional Personnel

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Subject to availability. $55 per work hour, including setup and breakdown, but not necessarily the event itself. Most gigs are between 4 and 5 hours including setup/breakdown and bill between 3 and 4 hours for additional crew,

Additional personnel is not required for most projects, but they help to speed up setup and load-out times considerably. They also help with more complicated projects. Sometimes, you just need another person/set of hands, and the performers should not be the ones responsible for any production-related activities.

Additional crew is A REQUIRED UPGRADE if I tell you on the phone that the time you are budgeting for the setup and breakdown is insufficient.

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Weddings – YES, I SHOOT WEDDINGS - I'M VERY AFFORDABLE BUT WEDDINGS ARE VERY NOT

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Just so y’all know, wedding photography and videography is crazy expensive. Please click on this JPEG for recent data on rates. The professional average in LA is $3,500 to $7,000. I will charge less than $3,500, and you better believe I’m a pro. Specific rates will be determined by how much coverage is needed. For example, covering the rehearsal dinner and the wedding and reception and doing separate wedding photos and engagement photos is a lot more than just the wedding, right?.

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Here are the rates I've found 

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