FAQ for Filmmakers

Questions

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Answers

What is the MonkeySee Filmmaker Program?
The MonkeySee Filmmaker Program is a way for experienced filmmakers to earn money creating MonkeySee how-to videos. It consists of a national database of part-time and full-time professional filmmakers, independent video producers, production companies and hobby/amateur video makers who have agreed to create videos that meet our Video Production Standards for Featured Expert Videos Download PDF document. It's a great way to make extra money, and gain worldwide exposure for your talent - while helping millions of visitors answer their “how-to” questions.

How much can I make creating MonkeySee Featured Expert videos?
The fee schedule for producing MonkeySee Featured Expert videos is based on tiers according to the complexity of the project. The fee schedule for the simplest videos ranges between $200 - $500. Videos in this fee range should be able to be shot and edited by an experienced filmmaker in about a day. The fee range for more complex videos goes all the way up to $2,000. Videos near the top of the fee range typically require multiple days of shooting.

How does the MonkeySee Filmmaker Program work?
There are two ways for a filmmaker to participate in the MonkeySee Filmmaker Program.

1. Produce videos for experts in your area
Most experts who wish to create Featured Expert videos will require the assistance of a professional filmmaker. If they don't have an existing relationship with a filmmaker, they will need to find one. When experts register they are presented with a list of participating filmmakers in their area. By joining the MonkeySee Filmmaker Program, your name is automatically included on this list. Experts contact filmmakers directly, and negotiate to have their video created based on a fee schedule that filmmakers have agreed to follow. Filmmakers are paid directly by the experts.

2. Produce videos for MonkeySee
Periodically, filmmakers from around the country are hired to produce videos for MonkeySee directly. To obtain these assignments, participating filmmakers elect to receive emails with a list of available video assignments. These emails include details of each assignment, along with the fee that will be paid by MonkeySee for the completed video. Filmmakers indicate their interest in a particular assignment by recruiting and expert, and providing their expert's qualifications and a scheduled completion date to MonkeySee. Assignments are awarded based on a combination of factors that include the experience of the expert, and the capabilities and experience of the filmmaker.

To register as a MonkeySee Filmmaker, click here.

What is the Filmmaker Program Fee Schedule?
By participating in the MonkeySee Filmmaker Program you agree to adhere to a payment schedule that defines ranges of payments based on the experience of the filmmaker and the complexity of the project. In general, if you have been successful producing videos in the MonkeySee Featured Expert format, you may be able to charge more for your services than a new filmmaker. Also, as the complexity of the project rises, the payment schedule rises accordingly.

The Rate Structure is divided into four tiers:

Tier I: $200-$500
Videos in this tier consist of demonstrations or interviews that take two hours or less to for the expert to complete. This does not include shoot and edit time for the filmmaker, just the amount of time it takes an expert to complete the task. For example, baking and decorating a cake for a “How to Make a Cake” video, takes about 1 ½ hours (15 minutes for mixing the ingredients together, 45 minutes for baking, 20 minutes for cooling and 10 minutes for decorating). The total shoot time could average between 2-4 hours because of re-takes, getting coverage shots, etc, but the actual task takes under two hours to complete so it would fall in this pay tier.

Most videos produced for MonkeySee will be in the Tier I or Tier II categories. An average Tier I video probably takes 2-3 hours to shoot and 3-5 hours to edit. Most Advice videos (interview-style), with a normal amount of b-roll shooting fall into this category.

Tier II: $300-$750
Videos in this tier consist of demonstrations and/or projects that take up to a full day. This does not include shoot and edit time for the filmmaker, just the amount of time it takes an expert to complete the task. For example, painting a room could take six hours to complete (prepping the room, painting all walls, letting it dry, etc), but there will be significantly less actual shooting because of the long waits between steps.

A Tier II video shoot may take up to a full day to shoot, and might require more clips to be edited than a Tier I shoot. Advice videos (interview-style), with a large amount of b-roll shooting also fall into this category.

Tier III: $500-$1250
Videos in this tier consist of demonstrations and/or projects that are completed over multiple days. This is just the amount of time it takes an expert to complete the task, not the shoot and edit time for the filmmaker. For example, building a small shed might only require only 6 hours of shooting, but it could take two days to build because one step required a concrete slab to dry for 24 hours. Because the filmmaker had to come back to the shoot over multiple days, the compensation is higher

Tier IV: $800-$2000
Videos in this tier are the most complex shoots. A “complex” shoot requires several lengthy shoot days, numerous clips, an overly complicated task or project, etc. How to build a large deck is the type of project that might fall into this category.

Can I charge more than the fee schedule permits?
No. The MonkeySee fee schedule is designed to keep costs low for experts while providing fair compensation to filmmakers. However, the fee schedule is based on tiers according to the complexity of the project, and the fees within each tier fall within a range. As with any other occupation, filmmakers with good references and solid work examples can expect to be offered more jobs, and can often command fees at the higher end of the range compared to their inexperienced counterparts.

Additionally, after completing a Featured Expert Video, it is not uncommon for experts to have other video production requirements like video marketing pieces. Any additional work like that is a product of your introduction through MonkeySee is completely independent and is negotiated separately between you and the expert. Being introduced to new clients, and the opportunity for new work that comes with it, is just another benefit of participating in the MonkeySee filmmaker program.

What skills are required for filmmakers in the program?
While many MonkeySee filmmakers are full-time professional video producers, anyone with solid video production skills is welcome into the program. MonkeySee videos are unscripted, and filmmakers typically handle every production role on a project, from pre-production through to completed project. You'll need to own your own equipment, and should have experience shooting, lighting, setting up audio, and editing on non-linear editing systems. You should also be able to coach non-professional talent to produce solid on-camera performances.

What equipment is required for filmmakers in the program?
Only filmmakers that have the required equipment and experience are permitted to participate in the program. Required equipment includes:

3-chip prosumer video camera (16x9 capable)
Lavalier microphone
Tripod
Non-linear editing system

All MonkeySee Feature Expert videos must be shot with a 3-chip camera capable of shooting in Standard or High Definition (HD is preferred). Your camera must also be capable of shooting in the 16x9 widescreen format. It must also be capable of using professional-grade external microphones, as we require an external microphone for all audio (a lavalier is preferred). Audio from on-camera microphones is never acceptable. It is useful to have a light kit available, but supplemental lighting is not necessary if there is already sufficient light to produce a pleasing shot without the camera adding gain. You must also shoot on a tripod whenever possible. Finally, you'll need a quality non-linear editing system like Final Cut Pro, Avid Express, Adobe Premiere, or any other system capable of editing in the 16x9 format. For more information on required equipment, see our Video Production Standards for Featured Expert Videos Download PDF document.

Are there different filmmaker designations or ratings?
Not at this time. Experts are encouraged to interview filmmakers and review their work. Filmmakers can point to previous MonkeySee videos they’ve completed, and should be ready to provide references. Eventually, a rating system will be implemented that will utilize feedback from multiple sources, including experts themselves.

I've submitted a Featured Expert video, when will it be on the site?
A variety of factors determine how quickly Featured Expert videos can go live. That's because these videos are reviewed for quality and placed on the site through a manual process. In general, we attempt to get all Featured Expert videos up on the site within a few days of receiving the submission package. If there is something missing in the submission package, that could delay the process further,

Does MonkeySee own my video after it is submitted?
It depends. If the video was produced directly for the expert, the expert owns the video and gives MonkeySee the right to use it when it is submitted. If the video was produced directly for MonkeySee, we own the copyright to the video.

Can I use the videos as part of my work reel?
Yes, if the video was produced directly for MonkeySee. However, if the video was produced directly for the expert, the expert owns the video and you'll need to get permission from them.

Am I responsible for paying taxes?
Yes. All of the work you do is considered work for hire, and subject to taxation. For videos you produce directly for MonkeySee, you will be required to fill out a W-9 tax form Download PDF document.

What happens to my videos once they are submitted?
Once we receive your submission package, a MonkeySee staff member will review it for completeness. We will contact you if we have any questions or need anything from you.

What do I need to submit in order for MonkeySee to accept my video?
A complete listing of all required deliverables can be found in the Video Production Standards for Featured Expert Videos Download PDF document. The main things you will be providing are:

(a)DVD(s) with a full-resolution Quicktime file of each of your edited clips. NOTE: Be sure to burn your files to the DVD in a DVD-Data disc format, not the DVD-Video disc format!

(b)All necessary, signed and completed Release Forms and W-9 tax form which can be downloaded from the Filmmaker Resource Page.

(c)A completed Project Submission Checklist, which you can download from the Filmmaker Resource Page.

Can you choose not to accept my video?
If you've followed our video production standards, your video will be accepted. We don't ever want to reject a video, but we do reserve the right to do so. You can avoid common mistakes by reviewing the Video Production Standards for Featured Expert Videos Download PDF document.

When and how will I get paid?
For videos produced directly for experts, payment will come from the expert. In those cases, payment details should be agreed upon before the video is produced. For videos produced directly for MonkeySee, payment will be made after the receipt and review of all necessary deliverables. For simplicity and speed, payments from MonkeySee are made through PayPal. You'll need an active PayPal account in order for us to process payment.

What if I shoot more than one video for an expert?
Obviously, it is easier to shoot multiple videos in a single setup, so some accommodation should be made for shooting more than one video for an expert. For videos created directly for experts, that should be negotiated up front. For videos created directly for MonkeySee, that determination will be made prior to commissioning the project.

Do I need to sign a contract or get releases for videos produced directly for experts?
Keep in mind that MonkeySee is not a party to any agreement between experts, and filmmakers participating in out filmmaker program. However, we strongly recommend that experts and filmmakers enter into a written agreement detailing the terms of any video shoot. You should also make sure you get appropriate appearance and location releases for any video you produce. While MonkeySee does not require releases to be submitted with videos produced directly for experts, releases are necessary to insure that the expert owns the rights to all content in the video before submitting to us. For convenience, you'll find some sample documents provided on the Filmmaker Resource Page located on the MonkeySee website. There you will find generic appearance and location releases as well as a video production agreement. Experts and filmmakers should customize the releases to their particular video shoot.

Do I need to sign a contract or get releases for videos produced directly for MonkeySee?
In cases where MonkeySee is commissioning the video and the filmmaker is producing a work for hire for MonkeySee, there is a set of documents that MUST be filled out and submitted with your submission package. You'll receive these releases by email when you are awarded a MonkeySee-commissioned project. Filmmakers MUST mail in the original signed Videographer Consent and Release Form, Expert Consent and Release Form, Appearance Consent and Release Form, and Location Release Form. MonkeySee can not post any video without the appropriate signed release forms.

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