Working for free to land a bigger job

[christopher witzke]

I know... Thank goodness he's not putting my name in the credits.

For what it's worth.... It was kind of fun shooting so quickly and without any help... I lit, composed, boomed in the mic, and carried all my own gear for the 12 hours of shooting. Good practice I guess.

 

[N_Villers]

I dunno - I do know where your coming from - did a low money vid clip yesterday that just sucked really hard. But on the other hand I did a freebie student film that was accepted into this years Cannes film festival. Had a blast at the festival and even though we didn't win a Palme d'Or :violin: you never know when something will have an unexpected success.

-noel

 

[Leo Ticheli]

If an advertising agency asks you to shoot something for no pay with the promise of future, work, you should politely refuse unless:

They have been true and loyal friends and you want to help them.
or...
It's a charity project which you feel is worthwhile.
or...
You want the worst possible outcome, which is that they will treat you even worse in the future.

I do what I consider a lot of pro bono work; it makes me feel good and, I hope, makes the world a little better place, but I know all too many stories where the outcome of "help us get this account and you can have the work," is not a good one.

The only thing not so terrible about Christopher's experience, is that only a little time was lost. As the cost of life's educations goes, not so expensive.

Stay on the high road my friend; you'll find much more worthy companionship there.

Good shooting and best regards,

Leo

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

Oh my god!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyYTRvEN_OM&sns=em

I just found the revised trailer this guy did.... My work is the first part of the trailer all the way to the slide transition.... I can't believe this guy thinks there is no difference between the production value of what I did for him and what he did with his hvx. Looks like he couldn't even see when the lights were in the pictures on the wall! I feel redeemed!

I doU realize thet what I shot and edited for him is lame as well.... I had no idea what crap I was getting involved with. I'd only had my red for a few weeks and was itching to shoot anything.... And I guess no mater how lame. To me, the only redeeming footage I could use is the bus scene.

Haha. I started watching and going "Wow, actually the cinematography is really pretty amazing for an HVX and a know nothing DP. Then I got to the switch and went 'Ohhhhhhhh, I must have skimmed his post too fast.'"

On the bright side--he just wasted a ton of time that will never pay itself off.