Rant!!!

[aaron_wade]

Maybe others on the board have experienced this.

People actually have the nerves to ask me if they can "borrow" my DVX100a or "would I shoot something for free." First of all, I didn't spend $3500 to let someone "borrow" my camera. That just wouldn't be logical. And shooting for free is in the past. It's hard (for me at least) to actually get the point across to people that I offer a service. People don't go to McDonald's and say, "Can I have a burger but I don't want to pay for it." It's time for me to start laying the foot down. If you can't afford to pay me that's fine, go find someone else; it's not personal just business. And I'm tired of the age old statement, "You'll get credit in my film, copy of it and lots of exposure." And another thing, people want these "great" films but aren't willing to pay $.01 to make it happen! That's a whole other topic...I won't discuss that.

*Keeping your crew happy is crucial; they're all you have. If your not going to pay them, please fill up their gas tank and make sure they don't go hungry at the very least!

Thanks for reading my rant...I needed to get it out.

 

[stinkpot]

Amen bro.

 

[c.g._eads]

I know what you're saying but I can see the other side too. There's just a nice way to go about it and there's a disrespectful way. As you know, movies cost money. And it's hard to cut down costs enough to actually shoot something. If you have your producer's hat on, and you're a smart guy, you're going to try to get something for little or no money. Obviously this isn't the case with you but there are D.P.'s out there with a DVX who will work for nothing in order to get credit and experience. But how would we know unless we asked?

But if they're asking you like they're doing you a favor, yeah, then that would piss me off.

 

[Mark Harris]

I offer to shoot for people for free and loan my camera/gear all the time. that's generally how I get them to work on my films for free in return...

 

[J.R. Hudson]

It depends on the sitChee

My lead worked for an effin sandwich on Dissonance and then now has asked if I can DP something for his buddies The Lot.

I said of course I would do it (It turns out a scheduling issue of my wife leaving town put me in a position of not being able to and I only got notice Wednesday)

My point is:

It depends. You scratch my back, I scratch your's, ya know ?

 

[Huy Vu]

I feel you bro. When I first got my camera a ton of people started coming out of the wood work asking me to film stuff. When I ask about the price their answer is always the same "We're a nonprofit organization/club/charity, you tell us how much the price is." It's bad enough they expect me to do it for free, but they are actually implying that I'm somehow an immoral person for charging a NONPROFIT, gasp!

 

[Noel Evans]

I offer to shoot for people for free and loan my camera/gear all the time. that's generally how I get them to work on my films for free in return...

Do this all the time. Usually I dont lend my gear out without me though.

I never do a free / cheap gig for non profit ORGANISATIONS. When friends put together a charity event, such as live gig to raiise money for tsunami victims etc where the bands arent being paid, the venue isnt charging (apart from drinks) and basically every cent is being sent off to the cause Im always happy to sign on.

 

[Rick Meyer]

Maybe others on the board have experienced this.

People actually have the nerves to ask me if they can "borrow" my DVX100a or "would I shoot something for free." First of all, I didn't spend $3500 to let someone "borrow" my camera. That just wouldn't be logical. And shooting for free is in the past. It's hard (for me at least) to actually get the point across to people that I offer a service. People don't go to McDonald's and say, "Can I have a burger but I don't want to pay for it." It's time for me to start laying the foot down. If you can't afford to pay me that's fine, go find someone else; it's not personal just business. And I'm tired of the age old statement, "You'll get credit in my film, copy of it and lots of exposure." And another thing, people want these "great" films but aren't willing to pay $.01 to make it happen! That's a whole other topic...I won't discuss that.

*Keeping your crew happy is crucial; they're all you have. If your not going to pay them, please fill up their gas tank and make sure they don't go hungry at the very least!

Thanks for reading my rant...I needed to get it out.

Aaron-

I totally hear ya. I had a lady at work expect me to film her sons wedding last minute 4 peanuts. i.e Hundreds of dollars. When I gave her a quote, and I mean LOW LOW LOW, she sighed and said, "oh, I was kinda hoping you would cut me a break"....even after I explained to her that the price I was charging would have cost me money to do it in time and gas money....

nervy people. I told her to find somebody else because I couldn't budge on that.

So, were you just on a rant or did something happen to spurn this vent? If so, the story might be interesting and rouse out some "amen brothas"...

Rick

 

[aaron_wade]

I totally understand the whole "scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." It's a great way for people upcoming to gain experience and do a couple of free gigs. "But" it comes a point when it's time to turn your talent into a business. That's when people view you as someone they can go to for free work. Then when you try and progress and make a living from your talent, they shut you down and say they wanted you to do it for free. I guess it's just a point in my life where I'm not down for free stuff anymore and I'm demanding my rates per hour.

One example that started my whole rant is when an old client called me and wanted me to spend my Saturday night shooting a band. He told me the location, time and etc.. Then I quoted him a price and he responded by saying, "Oh I wasn't expecting to pay, I was thinking of you to do it for free." That really pushed my button right there. How could someone actually call you and say can you drive 45 minutes out the way, waste your tape, put minutes on your tape heads and waste your personal time and shoot something with a pricey camera. They wouldn't dare approach businesses like that, so don't approach me like I'm some person that'll come running whenever someone wants something shot.



By all means if you see an advantage of shooting something for free do it. Just don't let people try and screw you over. That's my whole point.

 

[kyle.presley]

My thoughts: Clients pay, friends don't.

 

[Terry_Lasater]

I totally understand the whole "scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." It's a great way for people upcoming to gain experience and do a couple of free gigs. "But" it comes a point when it's time to turn your talent into a business. That's when people view you as someone they can go to for free work. Then when you try and progress and make a living from your talent, they shut you down and say they wanted you to do it for free. I guess it's just a point in my life where I'm not down for free stuff anymore and I'm demanding my rates per hour.

One example that started my whole rant is when an old client called me and wanted me to spend my Saturday night shooting a band. He told me the location, time and etc.. Then I quoted him a price and he responded by saying, "Oh I wasn't expecting to pay, I was thinking of you to do it for free." That really pushed my button right there. How could someone actually call you and say can you drive 45 minutes out the way, waste your tape, put minutes on your tape heads and waste your personal time and shoot something with a pricey camera. They wouldn't dare approach businesses like that, so don't approach me like I'm some person that'll come running whenever someone wants something shot.



By all means if you see an advantage of shooting something for free do it. Just don't let people try and screw you over. That's my whole point.

Growing wise in the way of the Force you are...

 

[DC]

Aaron,

I totally hear you on this!

We have invested thousands of dollars in our gear and we've been perpetual students honing our skills. Why work for free? Of course, if you spot a great opportunity (i.e. shooting your favorite band or getting your name attached to something major) that's unpaid, go for it. Sometimes the experience could be more valuable than a paycheck.

Once people find out what you do and what you have, they'll be knocking at your door asking/hoping/expecting that you'll hook them up with your services for free/peanuts. I don't mind doing the ocassional favor for friends and family but don't let anyone take advantage of you. And yeah, sometimes I'll work for free for someone if they'll do the same for me.