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Ugh! It’s a lot of work for producers; especially with the all too common short timelines. It’s not common, but some ECDs want to see more than three bidders. If you’re being asked for 3+ bidders, demand more time.
Subject Expert
I always screen a ton of reels of directors who are available when we need to shoot and hand over a list of the top 15 to my creatives. I ask the creatives to rank the top 6 to approach. Directors can pass or get booked during this time. Either way, we will always have 3 that can bid the production. No one likes to scramble during this time.
This seems like a sensible approach!
Always try to hold the line on no more than three. Treatments/bids are expensive to put together. If there is some special circumstance in which there are more than three, make sure all bidders are aware and onboard / be ok with the very real possibility that companies may back out. It’s disrespectful to our vendors and hazardous to our ongoing relationships if we are not transparent.
Full agreement on this.
I always push for double bids if I can. 50/50 shot.
Unless there’s a creative need, or pressure from clients, the budgets are tight enough already. No need to make our partners battle to the death.
Subject Expert
No. And why are you?
Subject Expert
In my 25 years of producing, I have NEVER had to bid more than 3 directors.
That’s a lot of asking folks to work for free. (Yes put me in that camp.) More than 3 - what’s the reasonable criteria for evaluating the bids then?
I can explain. When there is a cost consultant, procurement, or client mandate to have 3 bids before award call, no matter what / non-negotiable (this exists I swear), then you choose 4-5 favorites, approach them all. If none drop out (I just had one drop out after a creative call) then you reduce to top 3 and keep the fourth just in case. It's a protective measure to not have to scramble & get a bid from someone in 2-3 days just to get a 3rd bidder. But if your clients are all reasonable, & understand that if one drops out you only get 2 bids - then bravo & amen. So it depends.
Sometimes the 4th is presented, yes. Best practices is to have 4 chosen - and if there are 3 that are strong & all agree on as best, do not get a bid nor treatment for #4. But you save some time having a 4th selected earlier if forced to have 3 bids before award. Timelines are often non-negotiable. And yes, sometimes they have to bid in a shortened timeframe. It's absurdly clear that commenters here don't agree with this approach of more than 3 bidders and lucky you all to be in charge of the production process, protocols, and telling everyone how it's gotta be done - so, do what you all believe is best/right. And stay in a job that believes that the producer is the boss. It's not the case everywhere...as it used to be.
Most clients expect at least a double bid. If there’s a quick turn around, we get single bid approval.
Subject Expert
Yeah, if it’s super tight, I have created a single bid exception form that the client and agency sign.
Bid three.
Never bid more than three unless absolutely required (which no one should require). I never have.
If time is tight, get a single bid exemption waiver and put that time into development and prep.
If a bidder drops out, make sure your team and client are fine with having only two bidders. Don’t preemptively bid a 4th or 5th “just in case.” It’s unfair, disingenuous, and a waste of everyone’s time. Definitely have other directors you love in mind, in case they’re needed.
Once you’ve gotten your treatments, share your favorite with the client as your reco. Maybe have the backup treatment on standby if the client needs to see it. Maybe present two. Rarely have I presented three. This is a convo to have with your team well beforehand.
And coming from an agency producer, for gødddssake, pay your non-awarded bidders a small fee if you’re able. Treating a job is expensive. Get Agency/client alignment on this and build it into your estimate.
Ok 👍
Oh gods, why would you do that to yourself, let alone do that to them!
No it’s rude
Please no. With timelines these days, 2 is sometimes a stretch. Most major companies only require 3. It’s not worth bidding more than that, and really a hit to production’s resources
I find this happens when someone is forced into the triple bid by client that no one likes, or when you have an old school creative who insists on wedging someone in after the day to day teams have selected three other directors. It’s really shitty to production companies IMO
Double or triple is typical and a good practice if you have time for it. Just narrow down your list more.
Or if there are non-negotiable protocols in place for 3 bids, or no award / unhappy clients procurement cost consultants.
Agencies don’t like doing it, clients don’t really care. They want to nickel and dime.
OP - why are you asking this question? Like what are you seeing that is making you post this? Please elaborate.
I understand the need for three treatments. Four and five is a waste of everyone’s time, resources and money. As the producer, you should push back on that. I usually go in with five reels, then have calls with the top three and have them all treat it. I’m also open with the production cos that I’m bidding two other directors in the spirit of transparency. It’s up to them if they want to engage.
3 max has been the norm for me. God bless the producers who double and single bid.
Bidding more than 3 directors is ridiculous. Triple bid is the general way.
All strong producers try to have backups to their backup plans.
Bidding 6 directors isn’t a backup plan