Handy Chart: Should You Work For Free? at DVinfo.net

Chris Hurd · January 15th, 2011, 01:00 PM

You're known as the person with all the video gear. You have a growing reputation as
a creative type with technical know-how. So go ahead and admit it -- more than once,
you've been asked to "work for free." If you're somebody who still struggles with
making the decision of whether or not to work for free, Jessica Hische has a
handy flow-chart that will help you to make the right choice.

Check it out at Should I Work For Free?

Pete Bauer · January 15th, 2011, 02:18 PM

Wow, that about covers it, eh?

BTW, Jessica obviously has too much time on her hands to create all that, and you, Chris, have too much time on your hands to dig that up in the huge minefield that is the internets!
;-)

Kell Smith · March 1st, 2011, 12:44 AM

Hilarious...and so true.

Mary Crowley · March 1st, 2011, 06:31 AM

Brilliant!

Lori Starfelt · March 6th, 2011, 01:37 AM

Whenever things get slow, we'll always find a good project to work for free. With only one exception, it's always led to more paying work. The time to do it is when you don't have anything else going on and when you're going to meet people who can send you paid work. One of the best moves we ever made was cutting a pilot for a film school grad who had Russell Simmon's attention. Russ didn't pick the project up so we didn't get paid, but a few months later, he had a meeting with an experienced filmmaker with a movie in the can. We wound up cutting that and it paid very well. The producers then hired us to cut three more feature length project - again, union wages. Four projects and a year of well paid work from one gratis two day edit. I enjoyed not worrying about the bills.

Again, you have to find worthwhile projects to throw in on, but they're out there.

January 15th, 2011, 01:00 PM	#1
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Handy Chart: Should You Work For Free? You're known as the person with all the video gear. You have a growing reputation as a creative type with technical know-how. So go ahead and admit it -- more than once, you've been asked to "work for free." If you're somebody who still struggles with making the decision of whether or not to work for free, Jessica Hische has a handy flow-chart that will help you to make the right choice. Check it out at Should I Work For Free? __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 15th, 2011, 02:18 PM	#2
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	Wow, that about covers it, eh? BTW, Jessica obviously has too much time on her hands to create all that, and you, Chris, have too much time on your hands to dig that up in the huge minefield that is the internets! ;-) __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

March 1st, 2011, 12:44 AM	#3
Kell Smith Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Posts: 436	Re: Handy Chart: Should You Work For Free? Hilarious...and so true.

March 1st, 2011, 06:31 AM	#4
Mary Crowley Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ireland Posts: 31	Re: Handy Chart: Should You Work For Free? Brilliant!

March 6th, 2011, 01:37 AM	#5
Lori Starfelt Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles, california Posts: 228	Re: Handy Chart: Should You Work For Free? Whenever things get slow, we'll always find a good project to work for free. With only one exception, it's always led to more paying work. The time to do it is when you don't have anything else going on and when you're going to meet people who can send you paid work. One of the best moves we ever made was cutting a pilot for a film school grad who had Russell Simmon's attention. Russ didn't pick the project up so we didn't get paid, but a few months later, he had a meeting with an experienced filmmaker with a movie in the can. We wound up cutting that and it paid very well. The producers then hired us to cut three more feature length project - again, union wages. Four projects and a year of well paid work from one gratis two day edit. I enjoyed not worrying about the bills. Again, you have to find worthwhile projects to throw in on, but they're out there.