getting Gigs?

[Vidman77]

Just wondering how everyone was doing getting shooting gigs?

I live in Nashville, and 98% of every gig is advertised as no compensation. I have enough for a demo reel and I cannot take off work to do any non-paying gigs (vacation days are valuable hehe)

Do most of you have day jobs that pays the bills until something worthy comes in ? Just wondering how everyone is doing it, eg making a living as a camera op. Guess I am just looking to be working in a camera op job rather than working my normal "chore" hehe

Cheers!
-Jake

 

[Capt Quirk]

Read Craigslist and Mandy, and ignore those who want it all, but don't want to pay at all. Hang out with local musicians, befriend them, and convince them you'll make them a killer deal to shoot them. They also can come in handy when you need music for one of your projects.

 

[Daniel J]

Looking back over the first year and a half of business a good portion of my paid gigs were from family and friends. It is tough, but you have to draw a line (like mine is 30% off for friends). I was able to get around 30 gigs in one year with only $125 in advertising (=1,500 biz cards). I have 5 posts that I constantly renew on craigslist which direct them to my site with all my packages/pricing/demos/accolades/etc. That is how I have done it anyways. Hope that helps.