So I answered an ad for a company seeking videographers and heard back from them last week. Good stuff. I have had trouble finding work lately so I was excited.
Then I got the details.
The man I spoke to is the owner of the company and said that he was interested in taking me on as a freelance video producer for the company. I would have to shoot content, then he would send me a couple hundred dollars to pay myself and the talent. The more I shoot, the more money I make. It would be up to me to find all talent, use my own equipment, and set-up the shoots.
But...
First I have to shoot a "scene for hire." Again, I do all the leg-work and then submit the scene to him. If he likes it I am hired as a freelance videographer. As far as I know there is no money for me or the talent for this scene for hire. Big strike there. I have to shoot at least an hour of raw footage in addition to over 200 still photos at various points of production to use as publicity.
I thought more and more about this and my gut told me something really was wrong with this scenario.
First, I'm doing all the work, probably for nothing.
Second, there's nothing to stop him for saying he doesn't like my work then turning around and using it to make a profit.
Third, I don't see why I have to essentially audition for the chance to be the company's "freelance videographer." It seems like a contradiction in terms to be a freelancer for a company. Maybe I'm wrong.
Fourth, should I pass the audition, I would be doing all the work. The company would simply be bankrolling me a small sum of money. I think that's my biggest drawback. I love money too much to work for peanuts.
To add to all this, he emailed me the other day because I hadn't updated him on what I was doing. He added that maybe this isn't for me. I said I have been busy and unable to find talent in the short amount of time. He said he will forward an actress' info to me but then I would have to shoot an even longer scene. I agreed and he sent the contact info to me. I saw the actress' work and let's say she is not choice.
I also found his distribution method. He uses one of those "upload your clips, we'll sell them and give you 60% of the profits" sites to sell the footage. I realized I can do the same under my business' name (as his part in this would just be a bankroller) and keep all the profits.
This all just ain't right isn't it?
Then I got the details.
The man I spoke to is the owner of the company and said that he was interested in taking me on as a freelance video producer for the company. I would have to shoot content, then he would send me a couple hundred dollars to pay myself and the talent. The more I shoot, the more money I make. It would be up to me to find all talent, use my own equipment, and set-up the shoots.
But...
First I have to shoot a "scene for hire." Again, I do all the leg-work and then submit the scene to him. If he likes it I am hired as a freelance videographer. As far as I know there is no money for me or the talent for this scene for hire. Big strike there. I have to shoot at least an hour of raw footage in addition to over 200 still photos at various points of production to use as publicity.
I thought more and more about this and my gut told me something really was wrong with this scenario.
First, I'm doing all the work, probably for nothing.
Second, there's nothing to stop him for saying he doesn't like my work then turning around and using it to make a profit.
Third, I don't see why I have to essentially audition for the chance to be the company's "freelance videographer." It seems like a contradiction in terms to be a freelancer for a company. Maybe I'm wrong.
Fourth, should I pass the audition, I would be doing all the work. The company would simply be bankrolling me a small sum of money. I think that's my biggest drawback. I love money too much to work for peanuts.
To add to all this, he emailed me the other day because I hadn't updated him on what I was doing. He added that maybe this isn't for me. I said I have been busy and unable to find talent in the short amount of time. He said he will forward an actress' info to me but then I would have to shoot an even longer scene. I agreed and he sent the contact info to me. I saw the actress' work and let's say she is not choice.
I also found his distribution method. He uses one of those "upload your clips, we'll sell them and give you 60% of the profits" sites to sell the footage. I realized I can do the same under my business' name (as his part in this would just be a bankroller) and keep all the profits.
This all just ain't right isn't it?
