Everything on this page is fictional. The show, the candidates and the prices are invented to show the format. They are not real editors or validated market rates.
The brief
Version 2, after the client confirmed they need editable project files.
Show
‘Operator Notes’, a fictional weekly B2B interview show
Format
Video interview podcast, two cameras
Volume
4 episodes per month, up to 75 minutes raw each
Clips
12 vertical clips per month, 30 to 60 seconds
Captions
Burned-in captions on clips
Turnaround
5 business days per episode
Project files
Needed
Budget
Up to $1,200 per month
Step 1
Initial quote review
The first written quotes, as received. They don't yet describe the same job.
Illustrative initial quotes from two fictional candidates
Scope item
Candidate A
Interview-show portfolio with similar two-camera work.
Candidate B
Mostly talking-head channels; one long-form interview example.
Against the current brief
Not yet comparable (missing project files)
Not yet comparable (raw limit and clip selection gaps)
Quoted price
$1,100 / month
$300 / episode
Pricing basis
Monthly
Per episode
Episode volume
4 / month
Priced per episode
Raw footage per episode
Up to 90 min
Up to 60 min
Camera count handled
Unknown
Unknown
Turnaround
Unknown
Unknown
Clip selection
Editor proposes
You choose
Captions
Included
Included
Revisions
2 rounds
1 round
Editable project files
Not included
Included
Trial fee
$120
$90
Confirmed in writing
Yes
Yes
Candidate A
Interview-show portfolio with similar two-camera work.
Against the current brief
Not yet comparable (missing project files)
Quoted price
$1,100 / month
Pricing basis
Monthly
Episode volume
4 / month
Raw footage per episode
Up to 90 min
Camera count handled
Unknown
Turnaround
Unknown
Clip selection
Editor proposes
Captions
Included
Revisions
2 rounds
Editable project files
Not included
Trial fee
$120
Confirmed in writing
Yes
Candidate B
Mostly talking-head channels; one long-form interview example.
Against the current brief
Not yet comparable (raw limit and clip selection gaps)
Quoted price
$300 / episode
Pricing basis
Per episode
Episode volume
Priced per episode
Raw footage per episode
Up to 60 min
Camera count handled
Unknown
Turnaround
Unknown
Clip selection
You choose
Captions
Included
Revisions
1 round
Editable project files
Included
Trial fee
$90
Confirmed in writing
Yes
Candidate C: quote pending.Relevant portfolio, availability confirmed. Not counted as a shortlist option until a written quote arrives. Nothing about C's scope is assumed.
What this review flags
A is monthly and B is per episode. At 4 episodes, B's headline is $1,200, but B also excludes clip selection.
B's raw-footage limit (60 min) is below the brief's 75 minutes. Overage terms are unknown.
A doesn't include project files, which the brief now requires.
Questions sent to each editor
A: can you add project files, and at what cost?
B: what do you charge beyond 60 minutes, and can you select clips?
Both: please confirm the updated quote in writing.
Step 2
After clarification
Both editors answered in writing. Both quotes are now priced per month for 4 episodes of up to 75 minutes, so they can be compared. Items an editor hasn't confirmed are marked Unknown. Still fictional.
Illustrative clarified quotes from two fictional candidates
Scope item
Candidate A
Confirmed project files can be added.
Candidate B
Confirmed overage rate and offered clip selection.
Against the current brief
Meets the $1,200 budget: qualifying
Comparable alternative, $160 over budget: does not count
Candidate C: quote pending.Relevant portfolio, availability confirmed. Not counted as a shortlist option until a written quote arrives. Nothing about C's scope is assumed.
Where this search stands
A meets the stated monthly budget. B is a comparable alternative but exceeds it by $160, so it does not count toward the agreed minimum under the current brief.
Candidate C's quote is still pending, so it doesn't count either. The search remains open until another qualifying quote is received, or the client accepts a smaller shortlist or revised budget in writing.
If the client accepts a revised budget in writing, every quote is checked again against that revised brief and its other requirements.
"Unknown" means the editor hasn't confirmed it yet. Nothing is assumed.
Once the shortlist is complete, the client picks one for a paid trial on a recent episode they authorise. Price and scope fit are not the same as editing quality; the trial helps with that.