How those Local Hunting and Fishing Shows Operate - And why we NEED sponsors and ads

[wildside2014]

Ok so ive lost count as to how many threads ive now read regarding the 'crappy stuff' on wildtv....and how youtube based stuff is better. It sucks to read this stuff time and time again, that is obviously written by people that obviously have no clue (I don't mean that in a condescending way). Often the complaints are regarding the sponsor ads and in show tags. Unfortunately these are a necessary 'evil', and I'll do my best to explain why. SO....I thought id lay out my own costs associated, on an annual basis, within regards to what it takes for me to make a hunting and fishing show.

First lets take a look at what it costs me to utilize a quality film/production team. I personally use a qualified team of pros because I took feedback I accumulated off of this forum specifically, and didn't want the 'iPhone/gopro filmed presentation look. So, with that, I will openly state that to film an 8 show season - JUST FILMING/PRODUCTION & EDITING - by qualified professionals, will cost me (out of pocket) ROUGHLY 60k. Seasoned camera jockeys don't come cheap, especially if theyre using the latest greatest camera equipment. My show utilizes 3 camera mules. Each guy is a paid a daily rate....plus travel costs (as my team comes in from Yellowknife....8 times per year. I'm also responsible for their meals and lodging.....I haven't even touched on the biggest expenditure, which is collaborating with a top notch editor.....This is extremely expensive....Again, all out of my pocket.

So lets set a number aside of $45,000.00 - Only because I can already feel the naysayers claiming I'm full of you know what using such a high starting $$$ amount lol. But that's ok, Ill work this thread being EXTREMELY conservative and pretend the Ukranian in me managed to get rate cuts on production costs.

Next up lets look at actual hunt expenses, for a full team of 9 guys (6 Cast members & 3 production team members), 8 times per year, over 4 days. I use 4 days because typically that's what is required time wise to get 22 minutes of usable high grade camera footage. The general rule we go by is that 1 hour of filmed camera work equates to 1 minute of usable, show worthy footage. I'm positive everyone on this forum understands how pricey lodging, fuel and food would/is for a full 9 man team....in the bush....for 4 days. lets use a nice round, conservative number of $2000.00. (Based on a food budget of $40 per guy per day x 9 guys equaling roughly $1440.00 - Fuel costs of roughly $400, with two trucks shuttling the 9 man team, AND the final category of 'incidentals such as propane and so forth of we will say $160.00). I DONT cover licensing for my cast, ammo, booze, and so forth. I do cover what I would classify as essentials for the guys to be on the show. Where are we at? $2000.00 of 'employee expenses' X 8 times (number of filming trips per year) equaling $16000.00 for a seasons worth of hunt expenses for my team (Conservatively)

SO - $45,000.00 of upfront production costs PLUS $16000.00 of Hunt/Fishing expenses. We are at A VERY CONSERVATIVE $61,000.00....out of my pocket so far, to basically film myself hunting and fishing.

Now, I wont bring into the equation the costs associated with OWNING your own camera gear. Most show personalities own at least a bit, but in this case ill just classify it as the costs of doing 'business', so as not to 'whine' about it. But, for those interested, we own roughly 12k worth of our own production gear for those times when a camera mules NOT around and I see a good shot, or when I'm back in the bush and want a gopro shot or two without said camera mules around. But again, I wont factor these costs in.

Lets also look at the annual gear expenses - in a coles notes format. We are partnered with a couple decoy manufacturers, clothing and a call maker. BUT....ive never gotten one piece of free gear. This is the usual case for most Canadian based shows as well. We typically pay wholesale plus 10% on any gear we use, so yes, this also costs money as you all know. Lets say roughly $1000 a year for myself because the other guys typically buy their own gear unfortunately. Id love to pay for their stuff, but right now its no feasible.

Now we are at a conservative number of $62,000.00 to film 8 episodes.

Now lets look at the costs associated with airing your show on cable tv. Our local broadcaster is very costs effective, but most guys DONT realize we have to pay to play per say. So lets use another conservative number of 8k for me to air my 8 episodes on a national network such as WildTv.

We are now at $70,000.00......

I have yet to receive one cent or been paid to do what I do. It is purely for the love of the game. I do have HOPES that one day ill get to where Shockey, Rinella, Cam Hanes, Joe rogan are at and literally get paid to do this. But right now, its all out of my own pocket and straight up because its a fun project to work on day in and day out. Keep in mind I hold down a fulltime job and am not factoring in my own time. Which often equates to roughly 4 hours a night, 7 days a week, 365 days per year of home editing of promos, emails etc etc.....All while trying to keep my wife from leaving me and keeping my two young kids happy. I also haven't factored in canine costs. My dog works A LOT each season so yes food, canine gear and vet bills add up all in the name of doing it for the love of the game.

Those in show sponsor ads don't equate to cash money for most of us, but they do enable us to at least salvage some sort of savings on equipment, and provide our sponsor partners SOME ammo to at least share clips and vids on social media in hopes that ONE DAY we will get paid for our hard work. But that's a very big IF/MAYBE.

I'm ALSO not factoring in other incidentals such as donations. For example, Our team is donating a raffle prize of bring on our show over a 3 day filming period in support of my sons hockey team in Millet Alberta. We wont see any real benefit from it, but its supporting my kids team so I'm game....but tis going to cost me roughly an additional $1500.00 next season. Again, for the love of the game.

YouTube is apples to oranges boys and girls. YouTube has no broadcast costs associated, and MOST guys basing their delivery platform on such mediums such as youtube or vimeo are self filming and not operating as a 'business'. Meaning cash in and out usually isn't accounted for because those guys would be doing it anyways. That's why theres no ads on youtube. It costs next to nothing to do, and are often filmed using mid tier camera gear and gopro gear. Again, apples and oranges.

MY WHOLE POINT.....we need to support guys like myself. I do it for no other reason than to share my own experiences in the field. I do it for fun. Us film guys are in fact part of the same community of outdoorsman as every guy that comes on here and blasts verbal poop. I'm flabbergasted there isn't more support for local video products that manage to go mainstream.

I'm going to encourage questions here. Ask away. Lets make this an open discussion.

Jeff
The WildSide