Harford Cable Network

A. Preamble
The goal of HCN is to make its personnel and equipment available at the lowest possible cost to facilitate its mission of public access to the County's cable system.
In order to recover costs associated with the production of programming for clients, the following rates are hereby adopted.
B. Non-Linear Editing:
1/2 inch (S-VHS) post-production editing: $45.00 per hour or any part of an hour. This includes equipment and editor.
PROFESSIONAL CLIENTS may opt to edit their own work. See the Harford Cable Network Production Manager for this special consideration.
C. Videotape Costs:
1/2 inch videotape - $10 each, master on 1/2 inch tape.
D. Production Costs:
Producer or Director: $35.00/hr. or any part thereof
Technical Director: $30.00/hr. or any part thereof
Audio Engineer: $30.00/hr. or any part thereof
C. G. Operator/Loader: $30.00/hr. or any part thereof
Camera Operator: $30.00/hr. or any part thereof for each operator
Production Assistants: $10.00/hr. or any part thereof
Announcer: Negotiated Rate - at cost to client
Writer: Negotiated Rate - at cost to client
Scenic Craftsman: Negotiated Rate - at cost to client
Actor: Going rate - at cost to client
If professional Talent is required, HCN will recommend approaches to the acquisition and management of talent to fulfill the needs of the client. The client is responsible for all costs and arrangements for such talent, including but not limited to: transportation, upkeep, wardrobe, make-up, hair styling, meals and entertainment.
E. Videotape & DVD Duplication (Only)
VHS - $10.00 per dub DVD - $15.00 per dub (Some programs may require more than one VHS or DVD.)
Videotape cost is in addition to duplication cost.
F. After Hours, Weekend, Holiday Labor Rates
Labor rates are subject to increase after 5:30 p.m. and for any required weekend or holiday production unless otherwise stated by the HCN Producer.
G. Travel for Remote Productions:
Mileage charges door to door: IRS Standard Rate
Housing and meals - actual cost
Commercial transportation cost - actual cost
Travel time is chargeable labor: see labor rates
H. Unspecified Charges:
HCN reserves the right to recover other costs not described herein once they have been identified and discussed with the client.
I. Payment of Rates
Once projects are submitted and a commitment is made to complete them, the rates, as indicated above, will apply and the resulting charges will be the responsibility of the client. Fifty percent (50%) of the cost must be paid in advance with the other fifty percent (50%) due upon completion, before airing. Special financial considerations can only be made by petition to the HCN Board.
All non-payments will be turned over to the Harford County Treasurer's Office and subject to any and all collection fees.
J. Promotional Cost
All promotional needs relating to programming will be approved and handled by a MEMBER of the HCN STAFF. Any associated cost is the responsibility of the client. The cost for standard promotions will be assessed based on length of program and number of playbacks per week. Standard promotion includes Program Guide, press releases, and Electronic Program Guide. Fees may be subject to change without notice.
Special promotions ( i.e. photographs for press releases, special mailing, etc.) will be charged separately and based on cost.
K. Cablecasting
If the MEMBER of the HCN STAFF determines that a submitted, pre-produced, program exhibits high production values, they may request that the client's tapes be distributed in and outside the State of Maryland.
The client will have the right to approve the distribution of the tape(s). All costs associated with the distribution will be the responsibility of the client.
L. Right of Refusal
The HCN Rules and Regulations for Cablecasting policy addresses the screening and technical standards for airing on HCN.
M. Management of Projects
All projects are managed by a member of the HCN Staff, who will serve as your project coordinator. It will be the coordinator's job to schedule facilities and move the project from stage to stage until completed. This person will also track your costs, and ultimately, generate your final bill.
All expendable supplies, including sets, will be the client's responsibility and expense. It is the responsibility of the client to remove all sets promptly from the TV Studio each day immediately following the production. Client's may use props already available to them, if so desired, but are responsible for lost/broken props. HCN may make special arrangements for storage, if deemed appropriate by Harford Cable Network.
N. Copyright
As indicated in the HCN Rules and Regulations for Cablecasting, the client must secure all copyrights for airing, if applicable. All legal fees, searches, licensing, duplicating, mailing costs and phone charges associated with obtaining copyright permission will be the responsibility of the client. The client MUST show proof of secured copyrights.
O. Mobile Production Van Charges
Van rental includes one (1) Director, three (3) camera operators and one (1) production assistant. Additional crew can be available at additional cost to the client. (Please see additional charges above to include tape costs, duplication fees, mileage, etc.) Production positions can be substituted by the client to reduce HCN rate, if client can supply qualified operators. The HCN Director cannot be substituted. Time charged will include time for set-up, travel time and a $50.00 truck roll charge.
Approved by Harford County Council on 04/19/05