Get a load of this Craigslist ad.....

The way I look at it is something is better than nothing. And when you broke, unemployed and hungry. 125.00 a day seems like you hit the jackpot. Not to mention, if you like editing, and finalcuts your thing, heck it may be a way to network, improve your skills and have some fun. Obviously the guy seems a bit over the top, but this is the film industry where most are.
 
You guys are crazy. I could see if this was a PA gig, but for an editor, this is ridiculous. And when you're broke and take a job like this, it brings down the entire market in the area . These guys say they're producing "cutting edge tv" with trailers, "all sorts of cameras, vehicles and even aerial drones". If they have the money for all of this production equipment, they have the money to pay a decent, industry standard day-rate. Just another company looking to underpay working professionals...
 
Anyone broke and hungry will think your crazy. People do what they have to do to survive. Think of a young kid just out of film school paying back loans, and eating ramen noodles. Whats the harm in getting paid 125.00 a day + food, travel, and the opportunity to network. After all your only worth what your capable of earning period. Heck, most guys are interning for free to make connections and improve their craft when their starting out. Is that bringing down the market? nope not at all. Knowledge almost always has a price.

Right now the econonmy is horrible. I have talked to guys that have been in the industry for years, and some have said it's so slow that their working for the same amount just to keep working. As far as them making high end productions, and having loads of gear doesn't mean they wouldn't try to get somone as cheap as possible. Any company that does not have to pay a prevailing wage does that. Why do you think there's so much out sourcing going on.

People have a choice, they can stay broke and complain about not having any income, or they can work for whats available to them. The people that think their better than that wage can stay in bed. Those that don't can put a few bucks in their pocket. it's that simple. I have always felt something is better than nothing when you want to eat
 
ryan brown said:
You guys are crazy. I could see if this was a PA gig, but for an editor, this is ridiculous. And when you're broke and take a job like this, it brings down the entire market in the area . These guys say they're producing "cutting edge tv" with trailers, "all sorts of cameras, vehicles and even aerial drones". If they have the money for all of this production equipment, they have the money to pay a decent, industry standard day-rate. Just another company looking to underpay working professionals...
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Unless the equipment and vehicles came via sponsorships, or they spent their entire budget on that.

There is only so much money in any production, and for people who don't have a network of contacts or several years of experience or need to get into a union or are fresh out of school, this is what work is like. You take low- or no-pay gigs to build up your resume and make contacts.
Nothing crazy about that. It's great you can survive on higher paying gigs, but can these people compete with you on those?
 
ryan brown said:
And when you're broke and take a job like this, it brings down the entire market in the area .
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So you're saying if I'm broke and out of work, my first concern should be how taking this gig might affect everyone ELSE'S pay opportunities? I don't think so. My first responsibility is to take care of my family, and I will do whatever work I can get in order to feed them and keep a roof over their heads. If that makes me 'crazy', then so be it.
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
So you're saying if I'm broke and out of work, my first concern should be how taking this gig might affect everyone ELSE'S pay opportunities? I don't think so. My first responsibility is to take care of my family, and I will do whatever work I can get in order to feed them and keep a roof over their heads. If that makes me 'crazy', then so be it.
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It's funny how fast some people's outlook changes when they move out of moms basment, and actually have to pay for the electricity it takes to run the xbox.
 
I'm with jscott -- the caps kinda red-flag it for me. I've been on road trips with crazy people, don't need to do that again. Just because someone says you will get paid doesn't mean you actually will -- if there's enough unchecked crazy in the management team, all kinds of ugly things can happen. I took a SxSW gig a few years ago even though I knew there were some red flags in the proposal. The 'film-maker' who had put the deal together turned out to be totally out of control, the crew mutinied four days into a seven day shoot. Nobody got paid & I drove home with a bunch of damaged equipment. 'Turns out the guy had so many people standing in line for money that he was basically judgement proof.
Maybe the fact that I'm an old phart has taken away my sense of adventure, but this guy sounds like an adrenalin junkey to me. I'd at least check references before I went off on a gig like this. Find out where he is from and check his courthouse to see if he's stiffed people before. Smart money say he has.....
 
maranfilms said:
It's funny how fast some people's outlook changes when they move out of moms basment, and actually have to pay for the electricity it takes to run the xbox.
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A bit of an unnecessary dig. I'm sure there are less personal ways to articulate your point.
 
NVentive said:
I'm with jscott -- the caps kinda red-flag it for me. I've been on road trips with crazy people, don't need to do that again. Just because someone says you will get paid doesn't mean you actually will -- if there's enough unchecked crazy in the management team, all kinds of ugly things can happen. I took a SxSW gig a few years ago even though I knew there were some red flags in the proposal. The 'film-maker' who had put the deal together turned out to be totally out of control, the crew mutinied four days into a seven day shoot. Nobody got paid & I drove home with a bunch of damaged equipment. 'Turns out the guy had so many people standing in line for money that he was basically judgement proof.
Maybe the fact that I'm an old phart has taken away my sense of adventure, but this guy sounds like an adrenalin junkey to me. I'd at least check references before I went off on a gig like this. Find out where he is from and check his courthouse to see if he's stiffed people before. Smart money say he has.....
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Well that's why you meet the people, get to know them, and look for signs of insanity before you commit to joining the team. Right?
 
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