Premium Members Jessica Lopez Posted February 20, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 Student gigs are awesome to get experience on. So much room for learning. But if the production plans to distribute the final cut and make a profit, well that operator and production just devalued all of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Lars Erik Posted February 20, 2014 Premium Members Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 I have to say, this guys ad isn't the worst I've seen. At least he has the smarts to demand certain issues that must be met if he's to work for free. Question is, if he did get work, will he follow through? Let's say a production company does contact him and say they agree to his terms. What if the acting DP says F 1.8 when the rig is up, will he walk away? What if when he arrives on set, the producer said there was a problem with the camera deal, so they're shooting on a DSLR? What if the scene gets delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, or just plain old lack of experience? Will he take his rig down and walk away? If he does not, then his words mean nothing. I've been in the industry for 16 years now, and I have walked off set twice in all those years. So I know how hard it is to walk away, most of us are dedicated towards our work and want to finish what we started. Now the US ain't my market. But undercutting is a fundamental problem that crosses international borders. I have done some school projects for free. And other projects for friends/close colleagues for a lower rate. In some cases I could give 100% discount on my gear. But I never gave my time up for free. Why should I? If someone comes to you and asks to give up your time with your family & friends, and not get anything for it, just seems mad to me and in the longer run, I do believe it devalues our status. Your spare time is worth something, regardless of your experience. Period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiel Michael Eulberg Posted February 20, 2014 Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 It's not inherintley wrong for someone to do this, but stuff like this does hurt us newer folks a lot. The people that are learning now and will be producing later will not understand or respect our rates as easily. I can almost guarantee the newbie DPs that "include" steadicam in their package will indirectly lose me money someday, and in all likelihood already have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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