Should i shoot a free comemercial..

Saharanturtle

Saharanturtle

Active member
For my local sub and pizza shop? I really like thier food and the owner seems like a cool guy. .Reason I'm saying for free is because this would be my first "real" shoot and the only thing I've shot so far is just a short action video shot on a whim with my younger siblings as the actors..I'm not a complete noob though, I do a lot of reading on film making, but I've yet to actually do[/] any film making. any tips or advice appreciated. EditSorry for the jumbled up text, I'm posting from my phone and it won't format properly
 
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Sure, most folks do their first jobs pro bono/for trade/heavily discounted, usually to build up their portfolio so they can start charging real money later.

Unless you don't have the time or think this will be more trouble than it is worth, I don't see why not. Its an investment.
 
I've done narrative stuff for years, but when it came to my first corporate project, I did it for almost nothing. Because I had nothing to prove I would do a good job in a corporate setting. I still don't charge as much as I should for corporate work, but I consider myself to still be building my portfolio. When I can point to a body of work that's really well done and professional, then I'll start charging what I think my services are actually worth.

So yes... if it was me, I'd do it for free or almost nothing. I'd do a really good job and invest some time and effort into it. And when you're done, you'll have a project you can show other clients when they want to know why you're charging them what you are.
 
Yep do it, but just keep in mind a pizza place would probably never buy a video in the future, so as far as promo pieces go...offer to industries that are likely to book again I would say. Maybe have fun and do a documentary / cooking show as more of an entertainment piece vs. PSA/corp. commercial.
 
Question, what is corporate work? I always hear people talk of it but I have no idea what type of work a corporation would request from a film maker or how people go about getting those types of jobs
 
Saharanturtle said:
Question, what is corporate work? I always hear people talk of it but I have no idea what type of work a corporation would request from a film maker or how people go about getting those types of jobs
Click to expand...

Currently shooting a pile of 3-5 minute video clips of real world scenarios in a childcare environment, all greenscreen. These will be used by the company in new product. You should learn "corporate" as its usually far more regular than agency stuff. How do you get it? Thats the tricky part.
 
I would do it. Having some good ol' meat and potatoes stuff on your reel can't hurt. Try to work in an in kind deal and get free pizza for your next narrative short shoot.
 
corporate work:
- videos companies make to communicate directly to shareholders. sort of "state of the organization" kinda things
- safety videos. nearly all hazardous manufacturing locations have to make all plant visitors watch some video to inform them of emergency procedures
- larger companies often produce orientation videos to give new hires to familiarize them with the breadth of the company
- marketing pieces to inform business partners or clients of some new product, service or technology.
- the list goes on...

its not very glamorous. but corporate work is some of the higher paying work you'll find.

NOW on to your freebie pizza spot. yeah. many people get their foot in the industry with a good free spot. but FOR GOD'S SAKE. MAKE A GOOD ONE!

DOs and DONTS

DO use their employees
DONT use their ugly or dirty employees

DO shoot a lot of FOOD
DONT shoot overly lit food from directly overhead.
i find the best budget-friendly way to shoot food is IN the environment and lighting in which its consumed. if the place has a dining room. set up a fresh pizza on a table. the typical single overhead incandescent bulb is often fine. set the camera at about chest level (if you were seated at the table) and shoot across the table. maybe a night time shot with the window and a frosty cold beverage (and maybe a set of boobs if its that kinda joint) in the background

DO feature some kind of call to action "come in today. say you saw this add and get one 2topping pie for half price"
talk to them well beforehand and explain to them the value of the offer / gimmick. just ask little ceasars!

DO shoot their kitchen process
DONT shoot their kitchen process too wide or for too long

be careful showing product logos (coke, budweiser, etc) unless the client tells you its ok - ASK THEM dont just assume

LESS IS MORE. you dont have to show a cut for everything thats said.
example. just because they say "PIZZASALADSCALZONESPASTA22BEERSONTAP" doesnt mean you need a cut of each. a couple different shots of a table with any three (or fewer) of those listed usually works pretty well

if customers are on location TELL THEM what youre doing. if theyre cute ASK THEM if they want to be in the ad - GET TALENT RELEASES SIGNED!

find rights managed or royalty free music. dont thinkyou can just use whatever kanye west cd you have laying around. no-cop. no-stop can work. BUT ITS RISKY!

if youre using a DSLR:
DO remember its a DSLR
DONT wield it the same way youd wield a video camera. no whip pans or super quick moves!

your job is to make a TV SPOT. NOT an art piece! remember a local ad has two jobs. raise awareness and SELL PRODUCT. make people hungry and keep the name / logo prevalent.

i could go on. but ive rambled enough
 
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All great stuff from WGZN.

Make it as nice as you can, take your time, create a spot you're proud of.
Also, get some free pie outta the deal. The day/eve of the shoot AND Some free take out at a later date. They should have NO problem with this if they're not paying for the video work.
 
Great points. I'd say do it for free too, especially as a young guy getting into the business. My first gigs were either pretty low paying or freebies for friends and friends of friends. The main thing I took from it was that a) I was able to build up my reel and b) learn from my mistakes. People not paying you any money will still expect quality work, but definitely with an understanding of that fact they're not compensating you. Maybe you've already got your formula for these videos, but if you're like me, it took a bit to figure things out (then again, we're always 'figuring things' out in my opinion...anyway lol). So do it. And then let us know and show us how it went :p
 
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