Craig's list post poking fun at ludicrous requests for free work

[Jawa Ex Machina]

The issue is this, a lot of these "free" gigs are for webcontent that is making the "client" money. If its a short film, sure freebie is ok sometimes. However a lot of these are for small companies doing things for their websites and whatnot. If you had any idea how many MTV web promos were shot for free.....

When I was 26 and just out of screenwriting school, I did four weeks on the set of Tim Burton's Corpse Bride for free as a runner. That cred opened a lot of doors for me.
If I was looking for doors to open now, shooting a few MTV web promos might be good for my CV too?

 

[TimurCivan]

No not really.

In ny everyone releases a sigh whever you get called for a MTV gig. Slow to pay, long hours, low rates.....

 

[Jawa Ex Machina]

No not really.

In ny everyone releases a sigh whever you get called for a MTV gig. Slow to pay, long hours, low rates.....

Maybe. But it's MTV, right? They do have a certain standard, don't they? I mean, they require a certain amount of quality on their web promos because they're MTV. So if I have a few of those under my belt it will say a certain quality on the material when I look for other (paying) work.

 

[dcarstens]

If I was looking for doors to open now, shooting a few MTV web promos might be good for my CV too?

The doors that open may be useful if you're just starting out, but I'd recommend rotating it off your CV as soon as possible. When producers know others have been able to secure you for peanuts, they'll know that they can too.