I will work for free - Sydney Australia

[Kacey Baker]

Hi Guy's

I am a keen 33 year old male aspiring to make it in the Film Industry.

I aspire to write and direct Hollywood blockbusters. I know thats cliche and far fetched, but I wont beat around the bush.

I have enjoyed an award winning lucrative audio engineering career to date but I was made redundant last year (I thought that only happened in the movies), giving me the opportunity to chase my suppressed dreams of shooting movies.

I'm willing to work for free within Sydney to get my foot in the door in the Film Industry, while I study at AFTRS when the next Cinematography intake is announced. I actually am a lecturer at AFTRS myself and have seen many of my students show up in the Industry, so I hope being a student in another department lends promise to my goals too.

I don't have formal training and education, just the music videos which I have shot, light, edited, graded and well done everything myself - please look up http://vimeo.com/kaceybakerfilms/videos. Hence willing to start at the bottom for promise of growth.

Hope not to offend anyone as well, every industry has its jokes and bitter outlook on the young ones willing to work for free, unfortunately for me 33 is no longer young, so you can imagine time economy and stream lined learning is priority for me.

Please get in contact with the guy Bazmark Films continue to ignore, I thinnk they may be sending a restraint order shortly to my email address.

Kacey www.kcbproductions.net

 

[Tony Covell]

I wish you well, Genuinely, BUT 45 years in the biz has taught me one thing. Never ever work for free!!
You will be taken advantage of.
Kindest Tony Covell London.
I know I am going to regret posting this comment!

 

[Kacey Baker]

Never ever work for free!!
You will be taken advantage of.

Thanks. I'm passionate enough to make the offer but smart enough to know when to speak up.

I share your sentiment though Tony, my profession is in broadcasting and the recording industry... seen many young enthusiastic kids burn out quickly from cold hearted execs.

 

[Kip Kubin]

Tony is correct.

We all have to start somewhere...most people remember that they too were in your shoes at one time. I'd suggest finding a mentor to help guide you and teach you. That teaching has value and for that you'll work for them...someone kind and who has the heart for it...establishing your not cheep or free will make that eventual compensation one in keeping with industry or local standards.

 

[Kacey Baker]

I'd suggest finding a mentor to help guide you and teach you. That teaching has value and for that you'll work for them...someone kind and who has the heart for it...establishing your not cheep or free will make that eventual compensation one in keeping with industry or local standards.

Thanks for your thoughts mate.

Getting online and offering my time for free was not an easy one, in fact it's a last resort after 6 months of getting no where. This is a hard industry to break, no one wants a bar of a new guy... believe me.

It's an awkward belittling position when your wife asks you how you went today breaking the industry and you , yet again, have to shake your head and say 'still no luck'/

Finding a Mentor is not as easy as it sounds, I'm here putting myself out there to find a mentor or potential employer. It's amazing, I watch 18 year olds out there expecting everything to be done for them, down loading music for free, downloading movies for free, they want everything for free, and instantly... they are a generation whom most appear to want everything on demand and at the touch of a button - and here I am offering my time and effort for free, good old fashion 'prove myself first' approach and receiving negative feed back for it. I feel like a dodgem car stuck spinning. I dunno.

 

[Darryl Wood]

Damned if you do damned if you don't! Go for it Kacey but beware of the wolves!

There may be a swag of Westerns being made in the not too distant future and I would be happy to have your enthusiasm on set rather than someone just there for the money. And it would be paid of course! IF I can fit you in I will.

 

[Philipp Straehl]

I recently applied for a so-called 'practicum' job at a movie production company. It's not payed, I would work three months for free. I mean, three months! I would get hands on Alexa and Red cameras, lights, etc. That's why I would 'pay' three months of my life to get in touch with professional digital cinema equipment.

They have not responded yet. I can't say that I'm unhappy, because three months is a lot. If they don't respond at all, well, it's their fault. I'm good. I know it.

Kacey, from what I gather you are good, too. If no-one's interested in your offer, just keep on with your work while flipping burgers (or something like that) to pay the rent. Equipment is getting affordable, buy your own, and play independently. That's the way to go I think.

I admit I'd prefer to work in a team, but reality tells me that this is not the appropriate time for it. You must be very lucky to get the dream job, it is possible. But very rare. That's why I recommend to stay independent.

 

[jimhare]

Hi Kacey,

I have mentored a few people in your position. Some of them now run multi million dollar companies, others are still working for free or cheap after several years on the belief their talents will be recognised and rewarded.

Nothing wrong with working for free, I've done it many times, and do a lot of pro bono work for good causes. You just need to know your own worth, where you're going and keep to your plan.

You should come over sometime and have a chat. I have many interns that help out with shoots that quickly turn into paid positions.

Send me a PM or an email at jim (at) harebrained (dot) com.au

Good on you for putting yourself out there. Keep your wits about you to ensure you aren't being taken advantage of and you'll do fine.

Cheers,

Jim Hare
Sydney

 

[Tony Covell]

Since posting a couple of days ago I just came across an instance of what I meant.
A huge Multi million epic is being shot in the UK just now. They are employing loaders at £3.75 an hour which is £4 under the national minimum rate.
They work up to 16 hours a day Home to Home. Guys are queuing up to sign on. Most last maximum a week as they are exhausted and dissolusioned and suddenly realise that they will get absolutely nowhere in their career by doing this job.
Others are answering National adverts for Runners at NO Pay for 12 weeks at a time. The adverts say " Work in the Exciting and rewarding Film & Tv Industry" They end up doing everything and then they are fired when they ask for the pay they were promised, if they last the course. Its a Scam! Our unions and trade organisations are trying to stop. However its endemic the world over. Too many Student graduates who have been on a 12 month course and all come out keen as mustard but with 10 or more for every job. Its a crisis IMHO.
Cheers Tony Covell London.

 

[Kacey Baker]

Thanks Tony - I see your point and a great insight to what you mean. Not a healthy time.

Thanks Jim & Darryl, I'll be in touch shortly.

KC

 

[Tom Greenberg]

Too many Student graduates who have been on a 12 month course and all come out keen as mustard but with 10 or more for every job. Its a crisis IMHO.

There is definitely a lot of competition out there, at least here in the US (and I'm sure that's true in both Australia and the UK). But as someone who is training students on a daily basis and preparing them to work in the industry, I have to say that those students who work their asses off, and are willing to go the extra mile are still finding jobs...good entry-level jobs where they can learn more aspects of their craft and start to move up the career ladder. A good work ethic, heart and desire, attention to detail, promptness, and a pleasant and helpful demeanor will pay off. I guess what I am saying is, stick with it, Kacey...IMHO you are showing that you have what it takes to make it. Good luck, mate!

 

[Kacey Baker]

I wish you well, Genuinely, BUT 45 years in the biz has taught me one thing. Never ever work for free!!
You will be taken advantage of.
Kindest Tony Covell London.
I know I am going to regret posting this comment!

Tony, I actively sorted thru old posts just to find you and tell you I got caught up in exactly that. I regret not taking advantage of your post when I should have.

Seems there are always sharks swimming around ready to pounce on the small fish.

Thanks mate!!