Charging by the Face

[stitches]

Recently, I face painted at a fundraiser. We charged $5 for a full face and $2 for cheek art. 1/2 the proceeds went to the charity.

From this, I picked up another job. Instead of my usual hourly rate, they want me to charge by the face again, only they want me to reduce my full face rate.

What would you charge for each full face design?

[SillyWilly]

hmm tricky one, I wouldn't go much less than double the single design rates for full face, it would demean the work to charge too much less at twice the work. It really depends on much you really want to raise, I have found it easier to charge by the face at fairs and the like as opposed to more private gigs where they get a package price. Charitites are awlays a little different though, I find myself charging them a fixed minimal rate for the use of me and my materials and they can set whatever price they wish on the individiual and facial designs, the price for me is usually minimal like what I figure to be cost of material, that way they can out more money into the kitty than in my pocket which I would rather see in the good cause of the charity anyway....

[Fitzwilly]

A few questions I would ask myself "Hi self, how are you feeling today?" Sorry.
1) How many full faces can you do comfortably in an hour?
2) How much would you normally make in an hour (full or reduced rate.?)
3) Take the amount from #2 and divide by #3

$5 for a full face is plenty reasonable. One problem I have is that they don't want to pay you. That means that they don't really value you or your work. For the prices that they are thinking they might as well have high school kids doing the work. I would suggest that you try educating them on the artistic value of your work and that you would be glad to charge a little less if they wanted to make up the difference. As an artist we need and deserve respect. And there are times when it falls on us as entertainers and artists to carefully explain to people that what we do is serious business. ***SOAP BOX ALERT*** ***SOAP BOX ALERT***
Don't think of yourself, or let others think of you, as "JUST" a clown. We are multi-faceted family entertainers and artists.

[Baloo]

hurumph, hurumph, hurumph.

[TJ]

I totally agree with Fitzwilly!

[Scruffy]

I confess the old "we can't pay you money, but will feed you" scenario most recently offered us by a restaurant is pretty tacky.
"Sure, Sassy and I will give up a Saturday; use our balloons, face painting supplies,and makeup. Burn half a tank of $2.89 per gallon gasoline, to drive 70 miles round trip to clown for your "Customer appreciation day". And be compensated with a free meal for each of us which we won't be able to eat while we are in makeup."

I really hate to sound like Mr. Grumpy pants. I just find it rather insulting. You know they are making a profit on what they are doing, yet they expect you to "Work for food". I would gladly go clown at a funfair, winter carnival, relay for life,etc. Am I making a dime? I confess no. But at least I feel like I am helping out and not being used.
My two cents.

[SillyWilly]

Hey if we can't talk the serious stuff with each other (our peers) then whom.... If it sounds grumpy, well so be it, at least we don't show that side to the public. I am always thrilled to hear my peers input, and even take heed of some of the ideas that are put forth. I appreciate that we have this oppurtunity to share our thoughts and ideas our likes and dislikes and we can do it in a friendly environment with people we trust to understand and help us to become better in our field of expertise.
I am truly impressed with the thoughts and response that I have gotten so far. On this and other topics I have already approached. It is truly wonderful to know that my thoughts are read and addressed in this area.. I promise I won't be agrrivated by anyone's entries in agreemant or rebuttal of my forum statements or queries. Keep em' smillin'

[SillyWilly]

BTW, great statement Fitzwilly, I fully concur on this!

[Chance Marmalade]

There's a lot of that "Work for Free" in Vaudeville. There is a small market for Vaudeville performers but there would be enough work for the few of us that do it to make a living at it, if they'd pay us.

Before I met Chumleigh I would go on Craig's List and see a couple vaudeville gigs available, usually 1-2 a week but you were lucky if they were going to pay you a dime. Most didn't.

A few months ago I didn't mind, I am still new to this kind of performing and I need the experience, but after meeting and hanging out with Chumleigh for a while I realized that taking those jobs (most weren't for charity organizations etc) is detremental to other performers trying to make a living in vaudeville. This includes me.

The "payment" I was to receieve was that I get exposure to the community or I'd get a chance to show off, which is not why I do it at all. I can do those things on my own without working on someone elses schedule and earning them money with my talents.

I've learned a lot since I considered these jobs. Mainly that we must create value for our profession and doing free gigs to "show off" is not the way we want to do it. Like any person in business we deserve to be compensated for our time, creativity and materials.

Most of these jobs are little more than ego strokers, and apparently we should feel priveledged that they'll get us an audience? I think not.

So now I don't work for free unless I find it a worthy cause. It may mean I will perform at less events but at least I may help myself and others show that we are valuable and not interested in giving out our services for free to any old group that wants us.

Ok, enough ranting outta me!

In closing, I think we should all be payed what we're worth and companies/people need to realize we aren't just playing around on a stage for an hour. It takes creativity, hard work and our time to make them laugh, we should be compensated for such a valuable service.

[stitches]

Originally Posted by Fitzwilly

1) How many full faces can you do comfortably in an hour?
2) How much would you normally make in an hour (full or reduced rate.?)

I can do 15 full faces in an hour. At $5 per face, I might make my usually hourly rate of $75 - HOWEVER - I am working with a girl whose normal rate is $100 per hour and will not work for less than $5 per face.