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Stuck in a rut !


Matt Burton

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:unsure:

 

I seem to be stuck in a rut at present !

All i'm doing is music videos that lead onto other music videos and so on.

Has anybody got any advice for me i'm just not sure what to do at the moment.

Cheers

-matt

 

:unsure:

 

Matt;

 

The only sure way out of one "genre" and into another is rate.

 

The next time someone calls you say, "Boy love to help you out and do the job but you know I've changed my rate. It is now -----." This way you test the market threshold for money; make more; or simply price youself out of the music video business.

 

If you fish around for info about the job before you commit they will be pissed off.

 

The rate thing says 'I can afford to pick and choose;' therefore I'm better and I'm in demand.

 

One thing, you must be able to afford to say no to a few jobs.

 

(In the long run you get better PR in the industry because people know you are doing better jobs.)

 

Hope this helps.

 

JA

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Consider the alternative: Not working......... As in: Not working............at all. It's temporary. Temporary working is a whole lot better than temporary NOT working.....

 

 

Onward and upward, be it DJ, Missionary, linear or 69.........................

 

Cheers!

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  • 3 weeks later...
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Hey Matt,

 

Do you have a good demo reel put together? If not, I would suggest cutting a new reel, and spreading the word to the kind of clients you want to be working with. I agree with Janice that a certain rate demands a certain respect from clients. Don't be afraid to ask for a good rate, and be familiar with what your intended clientel is used to paying.

 

The fact is that different jobs can afford to pay different rates. A low budget music video will never be able to pay what a national commercial can. Having a higher rate will put you in the game for the higher budget gigs, and you can always take less for a lower budget job that tickles your fancy. If you stay at a lower rate, you will never be considered for the higher budget jobs. It's perception. A UPM will think you're not good enough for his project if your rate is not high enough.

 

As far as circulating your reel, you may want to take advantage of the Steadicam Operator's Association demo reel service. The service is only around $75 per year. This way you can market to many potential clients via email, by attaching a resume and a link to your online demo reel. I'd still recommend a personal call and DVD to the higher profile clients, but emails to the masses is easy and cheap.

 

Good luck,

 

Mark Karavite

A Camera / Steadicam Operator

mkaravite@comcast.net

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Hey Guys,

Thanks for the advice, a new reel is definatly in order (just gota keep pestering for that footage I guess).

I've recently started turning down low budget anythings and although it's not getting me work at present I don't feel like i'm wasting my time as much.

Anybody got any specific tips on sending out reels to the right places etc.

Cheers.

-matt

 

PS heres a link to my last ever low budget music video i'm working on (I hope).

The video

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