Quote Template:
Editorial Direction Proposal — Brand Film Campaign
ESTIMAKER
PROPOSITION
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## Editorial Direction Proposal **Prepared for:** [Client Name] **Project:** [Project Name] **Project start:** [Date] **Delivery target:** [Delivery Date] ## Project Approach This proposal covers editorial direction for a brand film campaign built around a clear narrative, confident pacing, and a consistent visual point of view. The work will shape the story from initial footage review through final picture lock. I will establish the editorial structure, identify the strongest interview and visual moments, and guide each cut toward the intended audience response. Review rounds will be focused, with clear notes and consolidated feedback from your team. ## Scope of Work - Review available footage, creative references, brand guidelines, and campaign objectives. - Develop a story treatment and editing roadmap before the main edit begins. - Build and refine the hero film through assembly, rough cut, fine cut, and picture lock. - Direct pacing, music direction, graphics timing, and narrative continuity during post-production. - Deliver a final master edit and approved social cutdowns in the agreed delivery specifications. ## Deliverables - One editorial treatment and story structure document. - One hero brand film master, up to three minutes in duration. - Three vertical social cutdowns, up to thirty seconds each. - Up to three consolidated client review rounds during the editorial process. - Final delivery files prepared for [Primary Distribution Platform]. ## Working Terms The schedule begins once source media, brand assets, and consolidated stakeholder feedback are received. Feedback should be provided by one designated client contact to keep approvals efficient. Work outside the scope above, including substantial concept changes after picture lock, additional versions, new filming, animation production, stock licensing, color grading, sound mix, or voice-over recording, may be added through written approval. All project files and final deliverables will be transferred after final approval and payment. ## Acceptance To proceed, please confirm acceptance of this proposal in writing and provide the project materials, approved brand assets, and primary point of contact. Thank you for the opportunity to shape a focused, audience-ready film for [Client Name].
Editor-Director proposal template: Editorial Direction for a Brand Film Campaign
This Editor-Director proposal template is built for editorial leads shaping the narrative, pace, and final cut of a brand film campaign. It gives freelance editor-directors, post-production studios, and creative consultants a clear structure for quoting editorial direction before production or post begins.
Use it to price creative treatment development, script and story review, edit supervision, cut notes, client presentations, and delivery coordination. The proposal separates your editorial fee from production, post-production vendors, travel, music, and usage costs, so the client knows exactly what is included in the campaign scope.
Why use this Editor-Director proposal template
- Define the editorial role clearly. State whether you are leading creative development, directing the edit, overseeing multiple deliverables, or serving as the bridge between agency, director, and post house.
- Protect the revision process. Set the number of review rounds, feedback deadlines, and approval milestones before a “quick note” becomes a new edit cycle.
- Price campaign complexity accurately. Account for hero films, social cutdowns, launch assets, alternative aspect ratios, versioning, and stakeholder presentations.
- Separate fees from pass-through costs. Keep your editorial direction fee distinct from offline editing, color grading, sound mix, motion graphics, stock, music licensing, and travel.
- Create a client-ready scope. A detailed brand film proposal makes it easier for marketing teams and producers to obtain internal approval and compare deliverables against budget.
What the proposal template includes
- Project overview: The brand, campaign objective, audience, core message, working title, and planned film deliverables.
- Editorial direction scope: Your responsibilities, such as reviewing the brief, developing the editorial approach, refining story structure, guiding tone and pacing, and supervising the post-production narrative.
- Deliverables: The hero brand film, director’s cut or master cut, 30-second and 15-second cutdowns, social edits, vertical versions, teasers, or regional versions where applicable.
- Editorial workflow and milestones: Treatment review, script lock, pre-production input, assembly cut, rough cut, fine cut, picture lock, and final delivery review.
- Fees and rate structure: Project fees, day rates, weekly rates, edit review sessions, and fees for additional deliverables or extended timelines.
- Revision policy: Included rounds of consolidated client feedback, turnaround expectations, and the rate for revisions after approval or picture lock.
- Assumptions and exclusions: Editing labor, finishing, animation, sound, music, talent, location, travel, expenses, and usage rights not included in your fee.
- Payment terms: Deposit, invoicing schedule, payment due date, kill fee, cancellation terms, and late payment conditions.
How much to charge for editorial direction on a brand film campaign
Editorial direction is commonly priced as a project fee, day rate, weekly engagement, or a combination of fixed creative fees and billed review days. These are North American market ranges to adjust for your experience, campaign scale, agency involvement, timeline, and number of outputs.
- Editorial strategy or treatment development: $1,200 to $3,500 per assignment for brief analysis, narrative framing, deck feedback, and a defined presentation or treatment deliverable.
- Editor-Director day rate: $1,200 to $2,500 per day for edit direction, director/agency review sessions, cut notes, and post-production supervision.
- Weekly editorial direction: $5,000 to $10,000 per week for an active campaign edit with recurring reviews, multiple stakeholders, and close post-house coordination.
- Brand film campaign project fee: $6,000 to $20,000 or more for end-to-end editorial leadership across a hero film and a planned suite of cutdowns.
- Additional revision rounds or new versions: $1,200 to $3,500 per day, depending on whether the request requires new story work, a re-edit, or additional client presentations.
For a quote to stay profitable, specify the number of hero assets, cutdowns, formats, feedback rounds, and review days included. A 60-second hero film with two approved review rounds is not the same scope as a campaign requiring 20 social versions and feedback from a global brand team.
Who this template is for
- Freelance editor-directors leading story and post-production creative for branded films.
- Senior editors asked to provide editorial strategy, client-facing direction, or campaign-level cut supervision.
- Creative directors and film directors offering editorial direction as a separate service.
- Boutique post-production studios quoting creative oversight alongside editing services.
- Agencies hiring an independent editorial lead for a launch film, manifesto film, product campaign, or content series.
- Producers who need to define an editor-director’s scope before bidding production and post-production vendors.
Frequently asked questions
Should an Editor-Director quote a flat fee or a day rate?
A flat project fee works well when the film length, deliverables, review rounds, and schedule are defined. Use a day rate or weekly rate when the campaign is still evolving, when shoot dates may move, or when you will support an open-ended post-production process. Many proposals use a fixed fee for the core scope and a day rate for overages.
How many revision rounds should be included in a brand film proposal?
Two consolidated rounds after the first substantial cut is a practical starting point for many brand film campaigns. Define who consolidates feedback and state that changes after picture lock, new stakeholder requests, or a revised brief are billed separately. This protects the editorial process from conflicting or piecemeal notes.
Are editing and finishing included in an editorial direction fee?
Usually, no. Editorial direction covers the creative and supervisory role: story, pacing, cut notes, approval guidance, and communication with the post team. Offline editing, assistant editing, color, sound design, mix, VFX, motion graphics, captions, and mastering should be listed as separate line items unless you are providing those services directly.
What expenses should be listed separately?
List travel, accommodation, per diem, shipping, rush charges, screening costs, and approved production expenses outside the editorial fee. If you are attending shoots, remote edit sessions across time zones, or client presentations, clarify whether those days are billable. This avoids absorbing campaign costs that do not belong in your creative rate.