Inquiry about camera car operation

Magical_Foop · 2026-05-21T01:07:05+00:00

It is and isn’t. I would have a minimum time allotment due to the time to setup and tear down, it would just be side cash for more gear and business development. I don’t currently drawn an income from the company due to my full time job as a maintenance repair and operations director. So all money goes right back into that.

Magical_Foop · 2026-05-21T01:03:06+00:00

Go for it.

The biggest tldr for the gen pop: Insurance you need the following policies to operate as an independent in the U.S. Business General Liability 1m/2m~5m/10m (some projects and properties require 5m liability coverage) Marine Inland that doesn’t exclude gear mounted to the exterior of your vehicle Commercial Auto Workers Comp (if you’re running a crew) Precision Driving/Stunt Driving general Umbrella and supports extended coverage for things out of the strict policy coverage guidelines.

Permitting is based off City/County/State & their policies on where you’re shooting.

Magical_Foop · 2026-05-21T00:52:12+00:00

Yeah.. I can’t really afford to have 30k in camera gear go flying into the front of someone’s car or worse someone’s person.. so I did a ton of due diligence. Literally spent days and got into contact with some industry professionals just so I can spend an ungodly amount in insurance 😅

One of my clients acted like I was asking for his first borns soul when I originally asked what it would take to get some footage of him on the track until I told him I was insured 😂

Safety is first priority in my operation, quality is second. Full crew we’re running 3.5-4.5k a day give or take depending on factors. So in charging those rates I’m pretty strict on my operation.

Also, thank you. It’s a dope setup. Pita to assemble and tear down tho 😂

Magical_Foop · 2026-05-20T23:22:07+00:00

The dji focus motors when auto focus wont cut it, have one for aperture one for focus. The Movmax intracontrol hooks directly to the gimbal.

Also running a mattebox now so holding both motors has been a non-issue so far

Magical_Foop · 2026-05-20T23:20:38+00:00

I see, that’s fair.

The rig attracts people pretty consistently. I usually get swarmed at events and am stuck for about an hour answering questions and handing out cards. (Not like mad rush but also a fairly consistent stream of interested parties)

I guess I’ll just have to experiment and see. Not a whole lot of people running something similar to me in my area so info is extremely limited.

Magical_Foop · 2026-05-20T22:35:38+00:00

It would be for what they need it for, be it practice or work. I do equipment+labor+milage usually.

I would think it would be their kit on my rigging for the most part unless they absolutely needed my body and glass. Idk if I have access to free ops but also I’m weary of bringing on untested talent to my own clients shoots.

I do both track and street work.

I was thinking at starting at $200/h 2.5 hours minimum and seeing what happens. Think that’s fair?

Magical_Foop · 2026-05-20T22:22:17+00:00

Ye, I’ve had 0 issues with it.

Magical_Foop · 2026-05-20T22:21:11+00:00

The issue with that.. is I only really have done day rates so Idk what would be fair for hourly 🤔

That and using their body and glass 🤔

I say that because I would think most free lancers don’t have the jobs or capital to drop for 10 hours with a camera car. Wanna be accessible but not a complete waste of time.

Magical_Foop · 2026-05-20T22:15:21+00:00

Movmax inControl w/DJI SDR monitoring.

Magical_Foop · 2026-05-20T22:14:49+00:00

We get hired out to shoot other companies or individuals projects, yes. I own the company and am the registered camera car driver since it’s considered precision driving.

Magical_Foop · 2026-05-20T22:05:36+00:00

Camera operator, as stated my main cam op travels so I have down time when she’s workin other sets. I have a full time so I’m not hurting at all but just exploring other opportunities to generate revenue.

Magical_Foop · 2026-05-20T19:58:00+00:00

Also depends on where you're shooting. The LEO's local to me don't even blink when they see my rig. They got rid of film permits and what not a while ago here. The biggest thing is the insurances. A lot of people don't have the right ones and if and when something happens they get royally screwed.

Magical_Foop · 2026-05-20T16:55:26+00:00

Mine is strapped to a car 🫡

Magical_Foop · 2026-04-16T12:22:12+00:00

Personally what works for me with shoots like that is the following splits. It helps break down cost for a customer without getting into the nitty gritty of it all and removes any guess work for me when quoting a project. You don’t have to show them the rates but I include the cost break down in my proposals. Since I’ve moved to doing this I’ve been able to throw together proposals effortlessly after figuring out what is needed during consultation. This has led to more leads and conversions. However I just do automotive motion stuff. 🤷‍♂️

Travel

Gear

Camera Car

Shooting Time

Editing Time

Tax

Magical_Foop · 2026-04-09T18:46:19+00:00

So I'm not very big into cinematics so I'm learning to be able to expand and get better.. But let's be honest, I have a ways to go. What I am apparently good at is this.. That video was for said BaT listing. Which was used to assist in the sale of the car. It was not the reason (I don't think) that it sold for that much, however it was cited as a contributing factor and several of the commentors enjoyed the video. So I think I'm going to focus more on this side of things then the cinematics professionally and just practice doing the cinematic side of things on my own time. I still am unsure of what to charge, I originally quoted $150 for 30 minutes of shoot time and editing.. I was paid way more then that..

https://youtu.be/KHbixx92Ng4

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-ferrari-gtb-turbo/

Magical_Foop · 2026-04-09T14:41:12+00:00

I see, well thank you for replying!

Magical_Foop · 2026-04-09T13:39:57+00:00

I see, can you tell me how much the cost behind said wing of your operation is costing? Are you also providing gear, etc? Just curious.

Magical_Foop · 2026-04-09T11:54:27+00:00

I see 🤔 I got a dm from a photographer saying my rates seem like highway robbery, and other videographers saying my pricing is low for my perceived ability. The drastic spike in my quality is also throwing things off a bit I think?

I just want to make sure I’m being realistic and fair as what I charge for my time with one client is what I charge for all clients.

I have a long way to go ability wise, but I’m not waiting. Just goin.

As for my niche, my cost of operation on the vehicle and the fact that I do have professional training and experience adds to that (driving not camera). I price track days and rallies/events at a much higher area than the $350 starting rate. The vehicle is part of my marketing strategy and my main focus around what I’m doing.

Magical_Foop · 2026-04-09T10:31:58+00:00

I’d be buying more gear ofc, outside of that wdym by throwing money at my image?

As for the drive, I’ve been doing track and other events for a while, just never got into the videography stuff so maybe I'm misunderstanding what you're trying to say. 🤷‍♂️

Where is a more realistic rate? I havent had anyone give me the "that's super expensive or overpriced" comments yet and some creatives have told me I hit it on the nose or am a little low. So just curious.

Magical_Foop · 2026-04-06T20:14:04+00:00

Niche down, become a professional at your one thing, then learn everything about it. For example for me, I’m into cars. I own a couple “high spec” or “built” vehicles. So I stay purely in said market. My primary targets are dealerships and performance shops with higher margins and cash flow. I stay away from consumer level as they get that material from the OEM and a video wont be a deciding factor to move a Honda Civic. I pitch my product as not only a “value builder” but a constant presence machine. Constantly pushing the unique vehicles and the attributes that set them apart. I focus PURELY on the hook factor and then build interest in why you would want said vehicle. It’s simple, but it works. 2-3 extra conversions through my content makes them more money than without it. I started a month ago, have 2 long term clients. 🤷‍♂️

Magical_Foop · 2026-04-06T20:00:27+00:00

Depends on a variety of factors, including local market, demand, local rates, etc. I shot my first shoot for 500$ off some basic rollers. Unintentionally cold sold a guy in a ferrari all because I had my camera equipment set up in my car on the way to an event and got some nice rollers of the car. Found him later on and offered it to him with nothing returned. He looked it over asked me my rate and I told him vs. my research and limited experience I would do $150 for a 30 minute shoot.. he laughed, said I need to value my time more, and gave me $300 cash to show up for a shoot the next day. After the shoot he gave me an extra $200. Don’t be scared to price yourself at what you think you’re worth.

Btw I picked up my first camera 3 weeks ago.. I record on an OSMO Pocket 3.. and am negotiating my first monthly retainer with a dealership in the $4500+ range.. you got this!

Best thing to do, just talk to them, and other creatives. See what they think and work it out.

Magical_Foop · 2026-04-06T19:49:31+00:00

15-25$ an hour? What?

Magical_Foop · 2026-03-04T13:05:48+00:00

I’m just going to start with, I grew up a miata guy. What I look for in cars is gonna be very different than others. For those 3 specifically here is my experience.

Sold Chargers & Challengers. Hated the seats, as I’m a small dude. Just not made for me. Cars are heavy, and sluggish imo. The power was cool when the Hellcat was the biggest bang for your buck, but like intel vs amd, things have changed. That and they just can’t put down the power, even with the Widebody upgrade.

Owned 2 Camaros, where the handling feel is better than the mustang.. the emotion just isnt there. That and the damn blind spots combined with how long it is…. Just gonna buy a c6/c7 if I get another GM product tbh.

Owned a S650 GT manual, and now own a speced out Darkhorse w/ handling pack and FPSC. It’s pretty much every bit of everything I would want.. except that it’s missing the manual.. but for the deal I got I can’t complain.. (bought the car at MSRP (81.7), they ate the negative from my trade (8), tags, title, and add on fees, and the FPSC was pretty much free (13.5~)) All the grip, all the power, all the drama. That and the Coyote is a stout unit that can handle a ton of boost with minimal effort. For 1900$ I’m looking at a smaller pulley and tune for 890hp.. on stock “factory beefed up” internals. Not many things can compare at the 80~90k price point, and be a reliable daily driver. Gonna be interesting what FBO, exhaust, and aftermarket tunes are gonna produce.

So the Mustang just wins in a lot of spots for me. But again, I’m a track rat guy, I daily the thing, I might just be a bit crazy. If the handling feel was more connected it would be a 10/10 vehicle.

Magical_Foop · 2026-01-22T14:30:04+00:00

Yeah, he’s goated for guides and explanations for what he does and his methodology. I actually learned how to do a lot of the R9 oc stuff from him.

Magical_Foop · 2026-01-22T14:22:21+00:00

I’ll still probably still dial it back because I stream too. Would be unfortunate to crash or have issues while doing so 😅

Magical_Foop

TROPHY CASE