I know I haven't been on here a long time, but I want input on this subject. I am a guide, on a Texas ranch. Here lately I have tried to promote our hunts. It seems I get interest in the TV show producers and such. Mind you, I have not asked them to film anything here at the ranch. They have sent me e mails and such. This year alone I recieved 6 TV type personalities, if one could call them that, that want to film a hunt. There has been a show(s) done here, more recenlty with Wade Middleton, 2 years ago. I have spoken too at least 2 people by phone, from these shows. Some I won't lie to you, I never in my life heard of them. I know what I am looking for, and they know what they want, so we see eye to eye there, for the most part. Has anyone here done such a thing??? What was your expierence and did you reap the rewards of it??? It can be costly, from my end also. Food, lodging, not to mention the animals they want to harvest. One guy asked if he could take a trophy from the high fence area.................................I really don't see that happening. I also realize these groups may be rather large, due to camera men ect ect. I did get insight from one person. He said his expierence was awful. They pretty much came in, acted like the ran the place, and only placed a very small amount of TV coverage on the show. He also stated they stayed and filmed for days, just for about 10 minutes of coverage, and took quite a few animals. Add all that and my time and food, drinks ect. If you have ever done this will you let me know what you think??? I appreciate it.
-
-
Sounds like a scam to kill some deer. If they can't be checked out and you get possitive intell, I'd tell them to film elsewhere.
Just my opinion. -
I can see how it would be very expensive on the outfitters part. The "show" hunting for "free" and promising advertisement/promotion for the outfitter through television coverage would not be worth it, IMHO. I don't know all the behind the scenes secrets of hunting shows but I doubt seriously that they are paying full price, if at all, for some of the game they take. A $20,000 deer can cut into a shows budget quickly. I don't really notice much promotion of outfitters in most shows. A mention at the first and something in the credits. That isn't worth much in my eyes. I notice that many hosts are hunting a "management buck".
I see the most promotion for the shows sponsors- guides, hunters wearing caps, shirts promoting one thing or another. Host mentioning gear or doing a product showcase in the middle of the show. Ted's show is one big infomercial. Nothing but product placement and promotion.
I want to hear some opinions on this subject myself. I have always wondered how this works. What are the benefits/draw backs for outfitters? Do show hosts expect preferential treatment and "free" hunts? Inquiring minds want to know.Comment
-
Easy enough, they will make a ton from advertisers when they air the show. Let them pay the going rates to hunt. You need to find out how much your promo is worth on the free market airwaves and subtract that much from their bill.
Tink can probably give you some better info.Comment
-
A few years back, one of my friends that was an outfitter did a show with .... oh, I hate to say this .... TTHA. Horace (whatever his name is) and Judy Jurek and the dude, did the hunt. Judy shot a nice axis, dude shot a big aoudad, and Horace was just tagging along ... I think. The ranch that they hunted gave them "a little" break, but ole boy footed the bill for the animals, etc. It ended up costing him several thousand bucks, but I guess that TV time paid off. He got flooded with calls after the show aired.
I would think that you'd just need to have some sort of contract that said that you would get X amount of TV time and your ranch would be mentioned X amount of times during the show, and that your contact info would be put up at the end of the program. I don't know about shooting them shooting the trophy buck ... they'd have to be a pretty big outfit to get something like that for free.
Good luck with whatever path you choose!Comment
-
I'm no expert....in fact I have no first hand experience with this type of thing. I would say that just like any other business decision, EVERYTHING that is important to either party should be in a written contract:
Number, type, and quality of animals to be taken during filming
Number of people from show attending
Number of people from show hunting
Duration of hunt/filming
Date of hunt/filming
Time frame that the show will air
Amount of coverage in show that ranch will receive
Number of times ranch name will be mentioned in show
If contact information for ranch will be given if so, when and how
Money exchanging hands either way
What is expected from the ranch should also be included:
Will guides be provided
Lodging
Food/cooking
Stands/blinds
The bottom line is business is business and the more that is put in writing in a signed contract the less chance there is that either party will walk away upset.Comment
-
Tell you what, I guide as well. I have done a show. I can tell you this, get what ever you need prior and in writing (about what they are offering you.) You know what your time/place is worth. An remember Advertizing aint exactly cheap.
As far as who it reaches--- that depends on the network the show is aired, and what areas. Might want to be sure thay already have a contract for shows to be aired, too.
There are scammers but on the whole its people trying to break in to the gig (the ones you dont know).
Now as far as effective--- I dont think I have had one person book with me from after seeing the show. Least they didnt tell me they saw me. (shown twice on outdoor channel). I have had plenty from adds, write ups, word of mouth, and internet. For me, it was what do I have to loose but a day and a half pay, fuel, and some aditional time. Do I like the product- yup it was fun.
Bit differnt between a fish guide and a hunting ranch. Are you going to recooup the money that could have been had from a client? THAT is the Question
First post on the new board for me, to bad I cant get my old post count back but it wasnt that high to begin with any way.Comment
-
Originally posted by Deerhunter30 View Post
The above is definitely important details that need to be in writing. I would want hunter's resume, address, phone # etc. and maybe even talk with them up front to get an idea of who you are gonna be working with. You stand to benefit only if the show is "aired" during peak viewing times as well. Basically you are paying (cost of animal, your time, etc.) for advertising. If you need the business and can put a pencil to adding hunters (availability) then do it. There are some hunter's "pro" that I might put influence in and other's (Jimmy Houston) that would turn heads the other direction. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do if you can. There are some up and coming hunter's that I would bet you could work with and be happy to be associated with.Comment
-
I also have no experiance in this but will throw in my .02.
What if you do get it in writeing and the show is not being aired in your general area. As In Texas,Ok,Louisiana,Ark, and so on. Are you going to get customers for that far away...New York City...Get -a-rope. LOL just kidding..
OR, They come back later and say ..Well the show went under.. We had to file chapter ^&^& so your show won't be airing . But were up and running again.. So you want to let us get in a new show on your place..
I would sugest that you check them out some how or send them on down the road.....
Just my .02Comment
-
You better have it in the contract to get copies of the film (show) that you could send potential customers.Originally posted by Birddog View PostComment
-
REAL tv shows/films/commercials PAY 100% or the going business rates for services. They pay you for the right to utilize your property, your space, your name, your location, your cars etc. etc. but you do have to get a contract DETAILING everything otherwise they will use you to their advantage.
Hunting shows-in my experience as a professional camera operator-EXPECT discounts for 'possible' promotions for the Guide/Ranch/Outfitters. They also expect us to give them discounted rates for our work just because we should be 'priviledged' to shoot them doing what we love too. Doesn't work that way in my opinion. Get their SPONSORS to cover your costs with a possible discount (10-20%) but you should still show a profit for your work IMO. If promises of 'future business' from their success is part of the deal, I'd let them walk. YOu should get an honest days pay for an honest days work.
When they call me thats whay I tell 'em. My work ain't for free.Comment
-
Originally posted by Pat Miller View Post
Thanks Pat. That is what I was wanting to know. I have heard unconfirmed horror stories about celeb hunters, their egos and off-the-wall requests.Comment
-
I greatly appreciate your opions and insights. I will say for the most part, the guys I have talked to want the whole deal"free". No money out of their pockets, at all. I didn't think about sponsors, as most of the ones I spoke with do have some very well known sponsors, so at least the say they do. They have never mentioned of the sponsors footing the bill. A couple mentioned they would take any type hunt, weather it be Javelina or Turkey, which our my lower end priced hunts, as most places. The Exotics and the high fence bucks are rather high, and I can't see us doing all that for free. We have a very nice lodge, with home cooked down to earth meals. The reason I bring this up, one guy said he would be glad to film our "chef" while he cooks. Sorry we do Sirloins, not caviar
I guess some of these TV outfits are use to the very best. I would also, more so If I didn't have to pay for it
Pat Miller sounds like he knows his stuff, and all of you have some very legitimate questions, I NEVER gave a thought. As one peson here stated he did a show, and saw no business. Same way when Middleton was there, 2 years ago. What can you expect when you don't put the correct phone number to book hunts, though. I may go with one in the near future, I just want it to be the "right one".
Comment
-
2 cents from the west coast.
Have them pay for the hunt, and agree to pay for advertising when they put the hunt on TV. If you give it to them free, you could be sucking wind when it comes time to have you contact info, etc. put on the video to be shown.
If you do it, get ahold of Wildman on TBH, he's a paralegal and should be able to help you with a written agreement, but what I'd do is ask them for a copy of THEIR contract/ agreement to have your lawyer review it. If they do not have one to email/ fax to you immediately, they're a scam.
I do technical contract negotiations all the time, but honestly I'd recommend somebody in Texas since I'm not a lawyer and I don't know Texas law.
I know Wildman will work for a hunt (and I get my finder's fee?
)
Comment
-
Hey Crooked sent you a PM.....Comment
Comment