Navigating HDR: Cost Management for Operators on Set?

Posted by Tyler Morrison in Cinematography 0 views · 3 replies

Hey everyone, as a camera operator, I'm finding more projects, even smaller ones, are asking about HDR delivery. We recently shot a series of promos on an ALEXA Mini, and the client brought up Dolby Vision post. I'm trying to wrap my head around the financial implications of this on a practical level, beyond just the post house's quote.

Specifically, I'm thinking about the on-set monitor side. An HDR monitor rental (like an EIZO or a Flanders) can add $250-$500 a day to my budget. Then there's the 3-10% color budget premium for Dolby Vision, plus the inevitable extra time in the grading suite. How are you guys baking these numbers into your project proposals or day rates? Are clients generally aware of these costs upfront, or is it a conversation you're having to initiate more often now? I've tried to just absorb some of the monitor costs on smaller jobs, but it's not sustainable. What's working for you?

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