What the hell is wrong with Craigslist

Elmy

Elmy

Well-known member
Ok, So I'm budding film maker from south florida =P. College student, just looking for small random jobs to build work. I use to look on craiglist and reply to posts, but I've started to notice how screwed up those postings are. I dont know how it is in other parts of the country on there but is it just me or do people take us for granted? I could care less if I personally get paid for small gigs, or atleast could care less how much, however these posts ask for Professional DOP's, and crew to do long days for little, to no pay, usually stating they will provide lunch.

It just bothers me that people advertise how professional they are, yet can't pay people the compensation they deserve, If you can't pay for it, you might as well settle for someone without all those years of experience and will work for credit...anyone else feel the way I do? I realize the industry is tough and mean but come on...
 
Any suggestions of other places to look? websites, ect.? It's just the ease of CL that is attractice but the quality is little to none =/
 
It is everywhere, but Craigslist really seems to draw out the worst. I was just cussing out some sleazeballs this morning over an ad for Graphic Artists for a "Record Company". They want skilled artists to work on CD covers, fliers, posters, etc., for free as an "Intern". My @$$! A graphic artist is still a professional position, bottom scale pays between $10-$15 an hour. Interns run the stuff between the departments for a college credit.

People will also expect a "Pro Videographer" to spend 8 hours shooting their wedding and reception, then edit it and hand out 50 DVDs for $60, but have no problem paying a Photograher $1,500 for stills. People are scumbags.
 
I hit-up local colleges with flyers...local filmmaker groups...community theatre groups...and most of all, word-of-mouth with actors I've already used (use). For younger actors I ask the drama teachers at local High Schools.

I've also found people right here...Alex Whitmer has connections to actors all over the world & casts: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/album.php?albumid=16


***Edit - I've found a few good contacts for work, but use it mostly for finding talent.
 
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Every now and then I'll pull something good out of Craigslist. Don't bother responding to anything unless they have an acceptable rate. If you know what you're doing in your respective field, you know what an acceptable rate is, and if they aren't offering one, then you sure as hell know they don't know what they're doing.
 
It's everywhere, and as Capt. Quark pointed out, not limited to TV/Film production. I've seen ads for graphic designers, photographers, and web builders that are a joke. Once in a while you find that pearl, and I see some where they just flat out say "we're broke and poor and doing this more for fun and expect the same from you" type stuff... but it's really insulting what people want will pay you for the quality of work they're expecting you to provide.

What I want to know is, do people post ads in response ridiculing the cheapskates elsewhere, or is that unique to Seattle?
 
I know a few top trailers houses that recruit assistant and online editors thru craigslist. those are legit gigs.
 
I've only had one good thing come of CL, I got on a film festival crew, first work with proffesional equipment, was great. Haven't found one good thing since =/.
 
I get a few paid jobs there. Like Dingo said, try mandy, too. And sometimes, if I have nothing to do, I might pick up a one-day free job for professional exposure (mine) purposes. (Just pay my gas, and feed me).

But the project has to really interest me and a lot of questions have to be answered first.
 
As a student filmmaker, on the other hand, craigslist is also just as brutal.

We try and find local student actors (we're talking little to no experience) to work on our films, yet flaggers love us. We state how we're student filmmakers, we have tuition to pay for, we don't have jobs (because of school), we're not looking for proffesionals, etc. yet everyone hates us! It's frsutrating and annoying. We get the simple "pay your actors you f*cking c*nt" response. I get it, you want work, and I'm sure I'd find it frustrating too, but IMO students are at least at allowed to ask for freebies. We can't really hold jobs, we have more than just the film (on film stock) to pay for, and here in Canada we aren't allowed to take out grants for our films.

After all, where are newbies supposed to get experience anyways? I mean I've taken a few free gigs on craigslist just to meet people and learn. I'm new to all of this, and I've gotten lots of contacts by doing this. Through the contacts I got a paid gig on a feature and a tv pilot.
 
I gotta say, I did a free job on craigslist 2 years ago and now I'm doing paid work for the same guy- I think you just have to use discretion on who to get involved with.
 
In all honesty, there are a few good jobs with ok pay. But they are posted by people like us... decent hard working folk. Then you have the Company, who makes a boatload of money on a deal, and want to give some dumb ass an internship to do the work for free.

I am really leaning towards responding to these "Free" jobs. They want a free videographer? Ok, I'll show up, but not with my gear. I may be free, but my gear is not... I'm sorry, didn't I mention that when you hired me? Where is your camera so we can start this job... Oh, and at the "Free" level, I'm not exceptionally loyal either. If that hot chick smiles back at me again, I'm going to be taking a break.

You get what you pay for, exposure and all.

And yes, I know I'm a huge Dick.
 
If you're in college Craigs is a great way to build a reel. Of course once that reel is built you may want to gravitate away from it.

-Nate
 
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