People don't read.

[Azmyth]

I really thought that by being honest and completely up front with people about my budget constraints, it would filter out all the people who I don't want in the first place. Apparently it doesn't matter what you put these people will still reply.

I posted an ad on Mandy looking for a DP with his own camera. I stated that it was a low/no/deferred gig, and even stated that there was a possibility of being paid at the end of the shoot, but there was no guarantee. Now, I understand that not paying people sucks, and I would much rather pay people. I also know that "you get what you pay for". But, I knew what I wanted when I posted. I'm not all that experienced in this stuff, but I can at least READ.

So far I have had 10 responses....

all of them but one have been something like this...

Hi, Mr. Director. I'm interested in working as DP on your project. I have a RED ONE (or insert extremely high end camera), a lighting package, and more. I have (insert years of experience) of experience and would love to be able to work with you on this project. Please see my resume and website at www.badasscameraguy.com for more information. Look forward to hearing from you.

then, they list this lengthy resume with a buttload of credits, and a fancy website.

So your thinking AWESOME! right? WRONG.

I'm new, but there are several things that don't take a rocket science to figure out.

A. noone with equipment that nice is going to work on your movie for little to nothing, or for free. Just isn't gonna happen.

B. This guy didn't read my ad at all. Or if he did, he ignored where I said "lo/no" and he ignored where I said it was in South GA.. and he's from.. across the country.

C. While it would be great to have someone that had this kind of stuff willing to do what my original ad stated. I know better, and wasn't looking for such. I was looking for someone with a DVX or XL1 or something who doesn't have a whole lot of experience, who WANTS some experience. I realize that you get what you pay for and thats what I wanted. I guess the lesson learned here, is that Mandy is the wrong place for that.. and they won't read your ad anyway.. so its pointless to try to filter people that way.

 

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

I really thought that by being honest and completely up front with people about my budget constraints, it would filter out all the people who I don't want in the first place. Apparently it doesn't matter what you put these people will still reply.

I read your thread, despite the subject line...

But I believe that a number of people have bot responders to various websites, like 'craigslist'. So the 'bot' is just looking for keywords, such as DP, or variations thereof... and sending out a bot form letter...

When I needed actors form my short last fall, I got the same sort of responses... yeah, I was looking for a 'military', in particular Marine military guy, a Marine wife type woman (and I don't mean Rachel Welch...)... etc... I got all manner of respondants... and from the images, most of the guys... 'could not do a 25 mile run after breakfast if their life depended on it' (heck not even a 50 yard dash for the potato chips...)

 

[Azmyth]

I read your thread, despite the subject line...

But I believe that a number of people have bot responders to various websites, like 'craigslist'. So the 'bot' is just looking for keywords, such as DP, or variations thereof... and sending out a bot form letter...

When I needed actors form my short last fall, I got the same sort of responses... yeah, I was looking for a 'military', in particular Marine military guy, a Marine wife type woman (and I don't mean Rachel Welch...)... etc... I got all manner of respondants... and from the images, most of the guys... 'could not do a 25 mile run after breakfast if their life depended on it' (heck not even a 50 yard dash for the potato chips...)

I've been lucky there. Of about 15 submissions from actors, only 3 were overly qualified, or didn't fit at all for what I asked for.

Whats funny to me is how these people (mainly crew members) get all uptight and rude with you when you email them back and explain to them AGAIN (since they didn't read it the first time) that they might not get paid, are they sure they want to bring their 8000.00 camera 2 states over, to work on a low budget zombie with a bunch of people that have never done any other filmmaking before. They act like I'm the one who do them wrong, when it was just clearly their lack of reading and understanding that caused the problem.

I'm always up front about everything I do. I won't say its all bad though. I've have a few people who are legit, and still wanted to work with me despite the low budgetness of it. They read it the first time.. and responded as such.

"I wouldn't have responded if I wasn't interested" is the answer I get from them.. which is always nice to see.

DISCLAIMER: I don't think its ok for people to work for free. As a matter of fact I probably wouldn't work for free either.. unless A. I liked the project B. was closeby and not doing anything else. C. thought it might lead to something else. Having done both pro wrestling and touring bands. I know that entertainment in general requires alot of "paying dues" so I'm used to it by now. I'd much rather work on a movie set for free.. than get slammed in the head with a steel chair.

 

[RockmanX3]

That would be AWESOME if someone with a RED camera would work for free!

 

[Martay]

Get used to it. Every extra casting call we did had dozens of How much does it pay responses when it clearly said in EVERY notice NO PAY for these gigs.

Plus, I love it when someone emails without a pic or note about experience and expects you're going to call them.

Better is when you identify WHEN you need extras and they respond at 6pm the day of the shoot and wonder why they didn't get a response 2 days after you've shot it.

You're right...lots of folks do not read...but there are some who do.

-M

 

[Mattykins]

Did you touch base with the DP? Or did you just post this assuming he didn't seriously want to work for free because he has a nice camera? There is a potential that talented people will work on projects they believe in for little or no pay.

 

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Did you touch base with the DP? Or did you just post this assuming he didn't seriously want to work for free because he has a nice camera? There is a potential that talented people will work on projects they believe in for little or no pay.

....
Whats funny to me is how these people (mainly crew members) get all uptight and rude with you when you email them back and explain to them AGAIN (since they didn't read it the first time) that they might not get paid, are they sure they want to bring their 8000.00 camera 2 states over, to work on a low budget zombie with a bunch of people that have never done any other filmmaking before...

LOL (I mean given the premise of the thread and all)

 

[Mattykins]

Well I did read that, but he didn't say anything about if they were willing to work, just they got uptight and rude. I didn't want to make an assumption. So I asked for clarification.

 

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Well I did read that, but he didn't say anything about if they were willing to work, just they got uptight and rude.

I took from it that he'd been through the cycle of heavy hitters submitting, then contacting them to make sure they knew what the gig was, then them bailing or complaining.

I didn't want to make an assumption. So I asked for clarification.

I knew that's where you were coming from, but given the thread title, I couldn't resist going there.

 

[Mattykins]

Haha, I know. I kinda set myself up for that one didn't I?

But I'm still pretty sick, so most things aren't making sense to me today. (Yeah, I played the I'm sick card to get out of it, don't judge) :zombie_smiley:

 

[Azmyth]

to clarify...

this is my post roughly summarized...

"We are currently seeking a Director of Photography with his own camera to shoot a Low/No budget feature horror film in South GA. We are looking for someone with a SD camera (DVX100, CANON XL1 or equivalents). We would love to shoot in HD, if you have an HD camera even better. If you are interested you can find more information at these links. This is a no/deferred payment gig. If we make money, you will make money. If something changes where we can pay you up front, we will.. but there are no guarantees.

Thanks"

I had several responses where the person either..

A. didn't leave anywhere near the project, some more than 2-3 states away.
B. Had NICE equipment, some even had full grip packagers and lighting and everything. One had a RED ONE.
C. Extremely high profile resume with alot of high profile work.

I didn't reply to any of the ones from other states, because well. I wouldn't even ask someone to fly or drive here for what we are doing. Its not that I don't respect my project.. I do. But I respect them enough to not ask something that outlandish of them for no/little pay. We will mainly be shooting on weekends because all of us have day jobs. I'm sure this is a "JOB" itself for most of these people. It still doesn't change the fact that they didn't read, else they wouldn't have even need to reply. But, I do respect people for trying to make a living.

The only one I contacted back was from the same state as my project. He had a really nice camera (not the RED ONE, but close) and had alot of good reel material, and he was closeby. So I figured, probably not.. but at least worth a try.

Luckily I was glad to see he emailed me back, and said that he understood what I was doing and didn't mind. In fact, he'd never shot a horror film before and loved horror films and would love the opportunity to do so!

So, as you can see.. there's always the exception!

 

[JonathanLB]

Yeah

Yeah

Oh this stuff happens constantly. That's not surprising at all. Every time I post, even if I clearly say the pay is $300/day or whatever, I get people asking, "What is the pay again?" Uhh, read, you stupid morons. If you can't read I don't trust you to operate a camera.

I love it when people argue with you too, though, it's just so ridiculous. This one jerk sends me trying to give me a lecture on how DPs deserve to be paid properly, blah blah, and I'm some huge jerk for trying to hire a DP as a cameraman to do behind-the-scenes work with his HVX200 for $300 for a day. I'm just like yeah buddy, I'm sorry that's not enough money for you, but given that I got 50 responses of people who were willing, evidently the pay wasn't that bad after all.

I know the guy probably just was having a bad month in business or something and felt like taking it out on someone, so whatever.

But I do get ticked when people simply do not read and apply to something completely inappropriately. It's retarded.