Pride or Ethic?

[Andy Corleone]

I have this situation that is bothering me for the past few days.
I have two good big Corporate clients, they keep me busy most of the year (They are not perfect but they pay on time and normally what I initially request, etc... an most important keep me busy)

They Normally hire me for specific projects (the give an script, or setup interviews, or ask me to shoot an event, etc) Some people may be familiar with this but there is a lot of Corporate bullshit on this kind of work... in my opinion some of their request are not exactly what I will do on my own projects, So at the end their project been not 100% Me.

So. in this particular occasion I decide to tried my luck and take a subject (with in one of the two Clients) and do all my own way, I told the client I taking the risk if you like what I do I will sell it to you. So it was sort of a documentary style I did shoot on location in a full day and edited on 3 days.

The project ends up been really nice and I love, Initially he love it too BUT... He requested some particular changes: for example all the Broll is on Black and White and interview are in Color (My creative decision) , So he wants me to do some sort of selective color (Which I think will destroy the organic feel of the piece) also wanted to use some footage from other days showing some things that he believes need to be show ( I honestly think this is also unnecessary and corporate bullshit that won't change or add any positive to the project) He also asked for a few other changes that are OK for me.

Something inside me tell me this was an honest project that is in a small way bellow to me, so I feel making those changes I selling out my self, in the other Hand I don't wanted to create a big deal and I may end up losing the client, To be honest that won't be the end of the world I think I won't be doing this stupid corporate thing for too long (money is good but at the end of the day it doesn't feel right) sooner or later I will try more focusing on my own work but prefer to end in good terms.

What you guys think? Should I say NO to the changes, Or eat my love and pride for the project and do what they asking me to do? any input are really appreciated

 

[Jim McKinney]

Make your client happy. Save your original for your reel to show others more of "you."

 

[Jon D Kline]

Yeah, Jim's take is right. If they are going to pay for it, it's their right to make tweaks. I would say about 90% of client notes can end up making projects worse. Sometimes, with a good relationship and open communication, you can get your clients to shift from telling you what to change to telling you why they don't like it. That usually makes for a much easier re-edit.
It sounds like you should be working on a short or feature on the side that IS 100% you, so you can let your creative side out and not feel as down when a client decides to dilute your work.

 

[Zach Love]

Agreed with the above posts.

Make the client happy, get a check, pay your bills. Then when you want full creative control, do something on your own.

But what takes real talent is to be able to work with a client over a long term & form a good relationship where you start making products they love & you're extremely proud of too.

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

What you guys think? Should I say NO to the changes, Or eat my love and pride for the project and do what they asking me to do? any input are really appreciated

It looks like you are bothered with your explorative artistic choice for a corporate client.

If you explained your standpoint, intent, pros and cons of both routes, checked if it's possible to meet in the middle, and he still insists, it's his project and your creative intent in this case is secondary. Clients sometimes butcher creative work. That comes with the job.

Regarding the formulation "Pride or Ethic", the answer should be obvious.

 

[Sidney L. Plaut]

dont loose your client, but make a "director's cut" instead you can have on your reel.

explain your opinion and why you feel the film should be as you made it, and if he disagrees still, do the changes he wants and Print. Master. Invoice. Next job.

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

Yep, tell him your artistic reasoning, make the changes he insists on, then go deposit the check and don't look back.

 

[Andy Corleone]

Thanks Guys I Really appreciate your honest input

 

[Troy Bakewell]

Great advice here. I agree, always make the client happy and keep cahin those checks.

Just one of the many reasons why I love reduser.

 

[George Butterfield]

What you guys think? Should I say NO to the changes, Or eat my love and pride for the project and do what they asking me to do? any input are really appreciated

Make the changes ... you'll always have, 'The Directors Cut'.

One of my very first jobs was assisting this still photographer who was a real 'artist'. The Client went with us to the machinery and said very specifically, "Make sure you show this label, 'cause that's the whole point of the campaign". My boss took all kinds of artistic creative shots, at the end of the day I said, "We got to take a shot showing that label". My Boss said, "Na, that doesn't matter". I absolutely couldn't believe it!