Money or Morals?

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Reith tv-films

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Hi,
I wonder what folk here would do when faced with the following situation;
I got a call form a friend who was offering to pass on a job He could'nt do (did'nt want?)
It was for fairly modest pay, and would be for lighting-camera/director on a drama-doc.
As it is, I have enough (non-film) work to keep Me busy until the Year's end, but My friend knows that I'm 'in the market' for any film/tv work as may come along, hence the call, but this was rather different, as the subject is a murderer, Who has been released from gaol. also, the producers require that the film reflect this Man favourably.
Well, even if the money had been fantastic, I still would have turned this one down, mainly because I would feel very uncomfortable doing it, but also - in a related way - because I give 100% commitment to any work I do, I would'nt be able to offer a fraction of that, to a project that I did'nt 'believe in'!
I'm not saying it should't be done, as 'difficult' subjects often make for the most compelling and enlightening viewing, but
as the saying goes 'everyone has their price'! but the moral 'price' for Me, personally, is a little too high.

so, how do others here deal with moral dielemmas?
 
I think you answered your own question: if you feel uncomfortable with it, don't do it.

I don't think "money or moral" is a mutually exclusive thing. When you separate yourself from it and it becomes "just a job" then things can become very simple. For example, many of the attack ads produced during the last presidential campaign were ugly and blatantly untrue, but are the people who shot and edited those ads sell-outs? Do they personally believe in what they're saying or are they just working to feed their families? Everybody has a line they're not willing to cross but usually it's better to be flexible.
 
I'd do it, but I'm broke. It's hard to direct something you don't believe in, but the other jobs wouldn't be an issue. It's good to keep in mind how future clients might view you.

Before you decide you disagree on something like this, though, make sure you know the guy's story and see why the producers made that decision. It might not be at all what that short description makes it sound like in some cases.
 
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if you're not comfortable with something, don't do it. it's not worth the stress.
 
I have to say choose your morals. You can always find other work, but it's hard to re-build your self-respect. And depending on where it is shown, you could lose the respect of others who cannot see past the subject matter despite you doing your job 100%.

I have had many offers (lucrative ones, IMA) to shoot "adult entertainment" and I have turned down each one, flat. I don't want my name, or my company's name in any way associated with that industry. So, we each have a "line" we must draw as to what we would do and at what price. If you asked me to shoot a "glamor" piece about, say NAMBLA, I would say, very politely, "thank you but I am not interested, but if you have a different subject matter that needs to be shot, call me to discuss." Same if you wanted me to shoot a "Feel-Good" about Manson. I wouldn't be your person.

But bottom line, how much is your self-respect worth. That is what you have to ask yourself. This is not meant as a criticism of those who said they would do it. I am just commenting on the OP's dilemma.

And no, I won't refer those calls either.
 
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It's possible that you're worrying more then you need to... that story has some holes that you may be able to fill... as in, WHY do they want him portrayed favorably? What is the point of this project? Why was he released? Why did he commit the crime in the first place? What is the released felon's attitude about his release? Do they want him portrayed favorably as a reformed criminal... or a hero with no remorse?

There are a lot of questions I could ask before flatly turning the job down.

In my opinion... work is work. As long as what you're doing isn't hurting anybody (including the friends and relatives of the victim... another good batch of questions would surround THEM)...

I don't know... I say ask some of these questions and go from there. You can probably find some rewarding reasons to do the project if they can give you some good answers about the person.

If they don't want to answer any of that then I say forget 'em.
 
I'd say money personally, and work as a ghost if you don't want to be attached to it. But I worked on wall street for a bit. So my idea might be slewed. Haha.

But before passing, I'd at least hear the whole story. Just because someone is labeled as a murderer, if you don't know the full story, who's to say he is totally guilty or not.

Just something to keep in mind before you pass judgement. Don't judge a book by its cover. Words to live by.
 
I am a totally different person then you so don't take this personally. My personal beleif is that if tiny things like that get in the way of your dreams you need to for lack of better words man up and do it. It is unfortunatly the only way to get anywhere in the film industry today. Again I am a different person then you and this may seem rude but that's my best suggestion.
 
MattinSTL said:
It's possible that you're worrying more then you need to... that story has some holes that you may be able to fill... as in, WHY do they want him portrayed favorably? What is the point of this project? Why was he released? Why did he commit the crime in the first place? What is the released felon's attitude about his release? Do they want him portrayed favorably as a reformed criminal... or a hero with no remorse?

There are a lot of questions I could ask before flatly turning the job down.

In my opinion... work is work. As long as what you're doing isn't hurting anybody (including the friends and relatives of the victim... another good batch of questions would surround THEM)...

I don't know... I say ask some of these questions and go from there. You can probably find some rewarding reasons to do the project if they can give you some good answers about the person.

If they don't want to answer any of that then I say forget 'em.
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I'm with Matt on this one... why do they want him portrayed favorably? Ask a lot of questions before turning it down outright. Personally, if it was something to the effect of how this guy was a complete thug and now he's a reformed stand-up dude who's going try and make a difference blah blah blah I might be intrigued. If it's about "just another guy being oppressed by the Man", I would say forget it.

Basically, my line would be "I'm not making a film glorifying a murderer. Convince me why in the world I should". Especially if you feel you would need to give 100%. Remember, the folks looking to hire you don't have to wake up and look in the mirror at yourself in the morning. You do.
 
Thanks for all the replys guys!
this is of course merely an academic question, as I have already passed up the work, with no regrets, but not before a conversation detailed enough for Me to know I make the right descision.
From what I've been told, the producer is this Man's Layer and seems to be
trying to make some sort of 'name' for Himself, off the back of His client's release.
As for pay, it was suggested that 'only' £100 p/d was available, and I can
beat that just doing specialist refurb. work in people's homes, so the money was no sweetener, even if I had no other objection to it..
I posted this experience, not looking for any justification of My decision, but merely as an example, because it made me wonder what experiences others have had of 'moral dielemmas' generally speaking.
 
Huy Vu said:
When you separate yourself from it and it becomes "just a job" then things can become very simple. Do they personally believe in what they're saying or are they just working to feed their families? Everybody has a line they're not willing to cross but usually it's better to be flexible.
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Then again, the SS Nazis were "Just doing a job" - does it really matter if they personally believed the job was morally sound? In my opinion, portraying a murderer in a positive light is supporting what he has done.
Suppose he was just on trial for murder; thats a different story - he easily may be innocent. However to be convicted, there must be no chance, no possibility, no "reasonable doubt" that the wo/man is innocent. And having been convicted, serving his time in jail, and not having been released early due to a technicallity or newly-found evidence, it's almost safe to say he's guilty.

And in that sense, I think giving off a positive vibe to murder is almost as attrocious as murder itself.

Capt Quirk said:
Work is work, as long as it pays it has a purpose.
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Hitmen get paid to "work." Nazis got paid to "work." Hell, even this murderer may have gotten paid to "work."

I think to say work is work is an astoundingly ignorant statement; no offense.
 
You have to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything.

Productive work should be a labor of love. If you don't love what you're doing, you're doing the wrong thing (for you). The saddest thing in the world is someone stuck in a job they hate. If you're morally conflicted about your work, get out of that work.

Put another way, and I don't remember who said this, but: "Your talents are God's gift to you. What you do with them, is your gift back to God."
 
Barry_Green said:
You have to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything.
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Hear, Hear!

Capt Quirk said:
How well is it paying? I could live with myself if the price is right.
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And people wonder why our culture and economy are going to he||. When you lose your moral compass than what's the point? If your ultimate goal is to feed your family, and you don't have morals, why not just steal food, or rob a bank, or mug old ladies for their pension checks??
 
I've edited everything from bogus messages from the president to shows that exploit God on TBN to straight up porn. I'm an alcoholic and make my living today by making beer spots for Anheuser-Busch.
Morals have nothing to do with editing. Paying bills is how we stay in the business. That means pushing buttons on content we care nothing about more often than not.
 
I was just offered a feature being produced and directed by a particular A-lister whom I can't stand; no names but let's just say he's been on camera with unpleasant things to say about women, certain minorities, and people whom he believes cause all the trouble in the world.

The money is good, the schedule appealing, the work interesting, and it would certainly look good on my resume. I politely told the person who invited me onto the project that I'll suck molten lead through an iron straw, before I'll help the particular bastard in question make a penny.

Gotta have standards.
 
I have my moral standards, and I am also selective on what projects I've worked on that I show people as well....

I am going to echo Barry... you have to have some standards, and if your standards make you feel uncomfortable what you're doing, get out, before it gets comfortable, and you slowly give in...
 
grinner said:
I've edited everything from bogus messages from the president to shows that exploit God on TBN to straight up porn. I'm an alcoholic and make my living today by making beer spots for Anheuser-Busch.
Morals have nothing to do with editing. Paying bills is how we stay in the business. That means pushing buttons on content we care nothing about more often than not.
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How'd you feel about cutting Triumph of the Will II, or perhaps Weekend at Der Jude Suss, since the proceeds could likewise cover bills?
 
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