First few weeks

[XCheck]

Okay - I got the camera and I LOVE it. I've worked out the workflow, got Raylight, imported to Vegas, looks great on an HD TV/PC monitor.

Now is the time to put the camera to work, and that's where my trouble starts. I used it on a shoot last week. The camera worked great, the workflow was spotless, everyone was impressed. It led to another shoot in a couple of weeks. The problem is, people seems to be interested in the camera, not me. That is understandable because I am an 'unknown quality' in the business, but I want to make sure that this eventually lead to better gigs.

Right now, the attitude I am getting from producers/directors is "we'll rent the camera and... okay - find a spot on the crew for you, if you insist". It's not money I am after, (I am not exactly your starving artist), it's that I really want to learn and grow, and being relegated as something that comes with a cam rental doesn't fit that path.

So, I am facing a dilemma: should I go with the flow, be happy to get a couple hundred bucks for the "rental" and get the job of offloading cards to a laptop, or put my foot down and say: "this is my rate as an operator with own equipment, take it or leave it". I have a feeling it should be the former leading to the latter, but really need to sort out at which point it should be the latter only. I know my stuff, from past projects I can say I am on par with most DPs as far as understanding the 'camera' stuff - optics, depth of field, framerates, exposure, color balance adjustment, etc. Lighting is a different story, I have tons to learn in that department, so ideally I'd like to work very close to the DP.

I am sure there are folks on the forum who have gone through a similar experience - do you mind sharing your opinions?

Thanks,

Jerry

 

[4mat]

Take any money you can get !
Show people your work, if they like it they will book you for it !
Take any money you can get !
Network with the people you meet !
Take any money you can get !

 

[darwinandpaine]

I guess it really depends on how much you need the money. I'm doing some things right now for free, just to build up a reel with the new camera, and to get some practical experience with it without having the presure turned up so high. But, I'm also taking whatever work I can get, cuz I need the eggs. Do what you can, want to, have to.

 

[TedRR]

If you have the camera skills, demonstrate them and hire a Lighting Director to compliment your work.
I don't get why you are getting that attitude of your work is on par.

Don't forget, the way you handle yourself is almost as important as your work. Maybe your clients are not taking yourself serious because you don't present yourself as confident, professional or something else is missing???

As posted, take any roll you can rather then let it go elsewhere, but I suggest take a good look in the mirror and see what they are seeing. If you like it, tell THEM to trust you and make sure you please them.

I'm not the best shooter or editor around, but customer service is tops here and it's kept me and my studio in Business for over 9 years.

I wish you luck!

 

[pheboglobi]

So, I am facing a dilemma: should I go with the flow, be happy to get a couple hundred bucks for the "rental" and get the job of offloading cards to a laptop, or put my foot down and say: "this is my rate as an operator with own equipment, take it or leave it". I have a feeling it should be the former leading to the latter, but really need to sort out at which point it should be the latter only. I know my stuff, from past projects I can say I am on par with most DPs as far as understanding the 'camera' stuff - optics, depth of field, framerates, exposure, color balance adjustment, etc. Lighting is a different story, I have tons to learn in that department, so ideally I'd like to work very close to the DP.

If you feel comfortable doing that, by all means do it. Personally when faced with this situation, I've always told them flat out that I didn't buy this camera (or whatever piece of gear) so that other people could use it, and that I bought it so I could use it. If they want to have person X operate, then they should get a rental camera from a rental house. Owner/operators are not rental houses, they rent out their gear with their services, and that's their business. If they don't feel the same way, then I politely decline. About half the time this has happened, they see my point of view, hire me out and I do a good job, and the other half, they give me a snotty response and I'm glad I didn't work with them.

Now this isn't to say that I never rent out my gear, I do, and I've made a good amount of money doing so. I rent only to operators/DPs I know very well - my friends basically, but I usually don't show up on these sets either.

Good luck,
Garrett

 

[The Sarlacc]

If you feel comfortable doing that, by all means do it. Personally when faced with this situation, I've always told them flat out that I didn't buy this camera (or whatever piece of gear) so that other people could use it, and that I bought it so I could use it. If they want to have person X operate, then they should get a rental camera from a rental house. Owner/operators are not rental houses, they rent out their gear with their services, and that's their business. If they don't feel the same way, then I politely decline. About half the time this has happened, they see my point of view, hire me out and I do a good job, and the other half, they give me a snotty response and I'm glad I didn't work with them.

Now this isn't to say that I never rent out my gear, I do, and I've made a good amount of money doing so. I rent only to operators/DPs I know very well - my friends basically, but I usually don't show up on these sets either.

Good luck,
Garrett

Bingo.

 

[XCheck]

Hey guys, thanks for all the responses - it's reassuring that my philosophy is somewhat similar to the posted responses...

As far as the 'on par' comment. I wasn't being arrogant. You know when you talk to someone and you understand what they say, and they don't trash you when you say something back. You know, the general 'understanding' kind of thing.

Of course, understanding is not the same thing as skill and experience, and that's exactly what I was getting at. Feeling that I have the understanding, I really want to make the next step and get the experience and develop the skill.

Just thought I would clarify...

Anyhow - anybody looking for an HVX200 operator with own equipment? :beer:

Cheers,

Jerry

 

[The Sarlacc]

If you want the skill and experience you may have to whore yourself out to some freebie stuff, just to get a reel going.

 

[Justyn]

Jerry,

I had a similar situation with a guy a little more than a week ago. We had a meeting and I showed off the cam.. footage I shot and all that. We then began talking and discussing my rates and such... And then the guy actually said, I don't want you... I just want your damn camera.

Now, he went on to say that he'd put me on his insurance and all of that.. but I came away with probably much the same feelings that you are having..... and Garrett said it PERFECTLY in his response...

Garrett I'm gonna use what you said next time.. I pretty much just politely didn't respond and told him I was too busy to rent it out and all that. I usually would have said that my DICKHEAD detector went off and I'm not working with him... or anyone I don't want too.

I think that renting out your gear is a lot to deal with. You have to make sure they have insurance... that they put you as additionally insured.. that they have the right kind of insurance... and most of the time if its rented gear there's rental insurance...

Also what happens if they do kill your camera? Like it happened to me and I was without a piece of gear for almost 2 months until it got repaired.. The guy did me right, but I was still without the gear...

I think rental houses are there and let people deal with them. Use your camera to make your skills better and its an owner operator situation...


I was also horrified that this guy who I met thought he was doing me a favor by renting the camera, p2 cards, p2store, sticks, lav, mike all for a whopping 200 a day.... I did laugh at that...

Man, maybe I should call him up tomorrow and call him a dickhead.


Later.. stand firm. You are what you tell people and how you present yourself. I like Garret's take on it... THat's the way to go and you won't get ahead cash wise as a rental... but as a DP with the camera, I'm sure you'll be able to get a grand or more a day...


Good luck and stay strong... This forum helps us all to realize that we aren't alone and a lot of people are going through the same crap... With this HD its something new.... Like a new baby, everyone wants to grope and fondle... Mollest maybe too...