emretufekci
Well-known member
I wasn’t sure where I wanted to post this but User Films seemed like a good idea.
Few month ago I got a mass email from one of the professional organizations I am a member of stating that a few of the members were going to work on a ultra-low budget film and they were looking for help. The budget was a mere 50K and they were open to any assistance they could get.
I had not heard of these filmmakers but two of the volunteers were people I had business dealings in the past, thus at least putting some sort of a common thread between myself and the producers.
I contacted them and told them I would be willing to help out with their indie film and they forwarded my contact info to the Producer and Director of the film.
I read the script and liked it. I offered my services as a Steadicam operator, my rig, wireless video, remote follow focus, monitors, radios, silks, overheads....etc. I probably had around 70-80K worth of equipment I would supply for free. I also offered get a very experienced AC as well as a few helping hands.
The only issue we had was that they were shooting with the RED camera and my Sled required a power cable for Camera and a downconvertor. I got quotes for the units and cables which was a total of $700. This would be their only cost for 6 days of filming from me. I also arranged a back up operator (who is also a very experienced op) just in case I could not make any of the dates or had the cancel. They still would have access to all my gear, they just would be working with somebody else.
We had a meeting and discussed the scenes, challenges, equipment, schedule and roughly locked in a few dates. (I had also worked out a deal to get a full line of Panavision lenses for free for the duration of the shoot but didn’t mention it to the filmmakers until I knew for sure it would come through).
As the dates started getting closer I sent them an email to follow up with confirmation of the dates....no answer
Sent them another email to see if the project was going on as planned?.....no answer
As the dates got closer I left them voicemails and sent another email....no answer
I saw on their website that they were filming as scheduled but decided never to inform me that they didn’t want my help.
I was very pissed, not because of all the time and effort I put into setting up all the stuff but that they would not even have the simple courtesy to say "we won't be working with you, thank you for your time".
I was embarrassed to the AC, Other OP and to the rental house. I didn't want to lie to them, I just had to come out and say I had picked a few deadbeats, it was my fault and apologized for their time wasted.
I am not saying that I will NEVER EVER help any other young filmmaker but it sure made me draw away from lending a helping hand to anybody for a loooong time.
I am just venting and I think these people represent only a small margin in a market full of enthusiastic young filmmakers that deserve the help they need so desperately. Unfortunately they ruin it for everybody else.
One thing I learned in my business is that you should never burn your bridges, you'll never know who you'll meet again under what circumstances.
Few month ago I got a mass email from one of the professional organizations I am a member of stating that a few of the members were going to work on a ultra-low budget film and they were looking for help. The budget was a mere 50K and they were open to any assistance they could get.
I had not heard of these filmmakers but two of the volunteers were people I had business dealings in the past, thus at least putting some sort of a common thread between myself and the producers.
I contacted them and told them I would be willing to help out with their indie film and they forwarded my contact info to the Producer and Director of the film.
I read the script and liked it. I offered my services as a Steadicam operator, my rig, wireless video, remote follow focus, monitors, radios, silks, overheads....etc. I probably had around 70-80K worth of equipment I would supply for free. I also offered get a very experienced AC as well as a few helping hands.
The only issue we had was that they were shooting with the RED camera and my Sled required a power cable for Camera and a downconvertor. I got quotes for the units and cables which was a total of $700. This would be their only cost for 6 days of filming from me. I also arranged a back up operator (who is also a very experienced op) just in case I could not make any of the dates or had the cancel. They still would have access to all my gear, they just would be working with somebody else.
We had a meeting and discussed the scenes, challenges, equipment, schedule and roughly locked in a few dates. (I had also worked out a deal to get a full line of Panavision lenses for free for the duration of the shoot but didn’t mention it to the filmmakers until I knew for sure it would come through).
As the dates started getting closer I sent them an email to follow up with confirmation of the dates....no answer
Sent them another email to see if the project was going on as planned?.....no answer
As the dates got closer I left them voicemails and sent another email....no answer
I saw on their website that they were filming as scheduled but decided never to inform me that they didn’t want my help.
I was very pissed, not because of all the time and effort I put into setting up all the stuff but that they would not even have the simple courtesy to say "we won't be working with you, thank you for your time".
I was embarrassed to the AC, Other OP and to the rental house. I didn't want to lie to them, I just had to come out and say I had picked a few deadbeats, it was my fault and apologized for their time wasted.
I am not saying that I will NEVER EVER help any other young filmmaker but it sure made me draw away from lending a helping hand to anybody for a loooong time.
I am just venting and I think these people represent only a small margin in a market full of enthusiastic young filmmakers that deserve the help they need so desperately. Unfortunately they ruin it for everybody else.
One thing I learned in my business is that you should never burn your bridges, you'll never know who you'll meet again under what circumstances.
