Free Videographer Timesheet Template
Video production projects involve pre-production planning, shoot days, and often lengthy post-production editing phases, all of which need to be tracked and billed accurately. A timesheet that separates these phases helps clients understand why a professional video costs what it does and prevents disputes over scope. It is particularly useful when revision rounds or additional cut-down versions are requested beyond the original brief.
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What should a videographer put on a timesheet?
A videographer timesheet records hours by shoot, editing phase, and deliverable, with the date, the task, and the time spent. Note the project, whether the work was pre-production, a shoot day, editing, or revisions, and the deliverable. Phase-based records support an invoice and separate long shoot days from desk-based editing time.
Typical line items
- Date of work
- Project or client reference
- Phase (pre-production, shoot, edit, revision)
- Deliverable or film
- Hours worked
- Revision round
- Hourly or day rate
- Running total for the project
How the work is charged
Videographers often charge a day rate for shoots and an hourly rate for editing, logging time against each phase. Shoot days are usually recorded separately from editing, and extra revision rounds are tracked so they can be billed on top.
Payment terms and deposits
A timesheet supports an invoice rather than collecting payment itself. Many videographers bill in stages, with a deposit and a balance on delivery, so keep phase and revision entries dated and clear for the client.
Tax and compliance
If you are registered for sales tax or VAT, that applies on the invoice the timesheet supports, not the timesheet itself. Confirm the rules where you work.
Frequently asked questions
How do I bill for a shoot day where the recording time was short but setup and travel were extensive?
Log the full shoot day including travel, setup, recording, and pack-down. Many videographers charge a minimum day rate regardless of recording duration. If you charge hourly, describe each activity block separately so the client can see that a professional shoot involves far more than the minutes of footage captured.
Should I charge separately for colour grading and sound design?
Yes, if these are distinct services with meaningful time investments. Separating editing, colour grade, and audio post-production on the timesheet makes the invoice more transparent and helps clients understand which production elements they are paying for.
How do I handle additional cut-down versions requested after the main deliverable is approved?
Log cut-down versions as separate entries from the project start. If they were not in the original brief, note this in the description and raise it with the client as a potential change of scope. 'Social media cut-down, 30 seconds from approved three-minute film, post-scope addition' makes the situation clear.
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Read the complete timesheet guide to see how to log hours and turn a tracked timesheet into an invoice.
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