Short film question

[prexdealer]

LOL. One reason not to ask for free help. CL Ad - sounds like what some people do when they mess with Nigeria scammers but at least then they are trying to tire out thieves but wasting the scammers time. But this below was sort of mean I think. Just don't agree to help!

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...101087098.html

ATTN: ALL Photographers/ Videographers Professional (Anywhere)

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Date: 2012-06-25, 4:28PM PDT
Reply to: [email]bzrxq-3101087098@gigs.craigslist.org^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

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Dear fellow Professional Photographers and Videographers,

Are you tired of being asked to work for little or no pay at all? If so, then please read on:

I was recently contacted by someone who needed a photographer to shoot a special event. After hearing about how exciting and cool it would be to shoot, I was told that they weren't paying anything. Given that I had nothing to do that day, and yes it did sound fun, I agreed since it didn't sound too demanding. The next day I was contacted by her again to go over the logistics of the shoot and what they "needed" me to cover. Again, no pay but OK. Finally, before the shoot I'm contacted once again (this time late at night) with a more specific shot list of what they needed covered. It was at this point I told her to get someone else, thus disrupting the shooting schedule and forcing her to find someone else at the very last minute, which I doubt she was able to do.

If you are tired of not only submitting to greedy demands but working for free so they can profit off of your labor, then here a few simple things you can do to help educate them:

1. When contacted for the job, let them know that you are very excited about their project. Spend a lot of time talking about it and commit to the job but cancel at the last moment forcing them to find someone at the last minute.

2. If #1 is too extreme (and sometimes it is) go ahead and cancel at the last minute, but let them know your doing it for a "Paid Job". They can't expect you to work for free when we all have bills to pay.

3. Let them know that this "Paid Job" is offering XXXX amount of $'s, but you would still rather work for them if they could at least match that amount. If not they're again forced to find someone else.

4. Go ahead and commit to the gig and do the best job you're fully capable of doing. Once they see how much equipment you bring down, the professionalism and the beautiful work you have created you know they won't be able to wait another second before they get the pictures! So at this point you can ask for whatever amount you feel like you're worth. After all you did work for free, right? You weren't being paid! No budget? Too bad! Let them come up with it, otherwise you keep full rights to all the images and sell them to whoever you choose.

5. Last but not least! NEVER sign a contract that obligates you to work for free!!! IT IS ILLEGAL!!!

Good luck and remember to keep the professionalism alive!!!

[Carcaridon]

I don't think asking for free help is a bad thing, but it is getting way misused. I see a lot of it on CL with posts asking for all sorts of high cost gear, years of experience, must see an outstanding reel, only to see "there is no pay, copy/credit/meal." I think copy/credit/meal is a given, not a perk. My first project had a lot of people helping and donating. As time has gone on, I've been able to pay more and more, but it's all still self financed. I think just be straight and up front and see what happens. I know all the gear I've assembled to be a DP/director/editor is expensive, but if the right project came along, I'd do it for free if the people were good and the script was amazing. But never skimp on food. If you have an extra buck on the budget, throw it there and make it the best you can. For that first project, if my call time was 8am, I was up at 5 making food. And not sandwiches, I was cooking all sorts of gourmet stuff because people were donating a day to help, they deserved the absolute best I can do.

But best of luck and work that script into magic. If you have no budget, it's all you've got to offer.