To charge or not to charge, that is the ??

[Lalo Alvidrez]

I shoot a benefit weekend event every year that a country singer puts on. I am hired but at a deep discounted rate. well I receive a call from his publicist needing some live footage for some promotional video that they want asap. Do I charge for the footage or just let them have it and use it as they please? If I don't charge should I ask for them to give me credit and send me a copy of what they put together? Give me your thoughts.

[Battle Vaughan]

If they want promotional footage, it's to further their financial interests. You are due proper compensation for your work. Just try taking "credit" to the supermarket. Somehow, everybody wants something for nothing, and while that's common in the arts, it's not fair to you or the next guy this publicist wants to exploit. Just my 2 cents.

[Lalo Alvidrez]

thanks for your 2 cents Battle.

[Seth Bloombaum]

I think Battle's points are entirely valid and appropriate, they deserve consideration when we're approached for pro bono work. Devaluation of professional media production has become all too common.

OTOH, only you can decide what you want to volunteer for. Are you doing this work, contributing your time, because you believe in it?

[Chris Davis]

If it's footage to promote a charitable organization, and I believe in that organization (read: would donate money otherwise) then I'd let them use the footage free. If it's footage to promote the singer for business purposes, then I'd want some cash.

Credit is worthless. In fact, I generally do not want to be identified in projects unless I have complete control of the final product. If they end up doing a crappy job editing, or throw some other crappy footage in, I don't want my name anywhere near it.

[Lalo Alvidrez]

Well come to find out it was promoting the artist and the charitable organization as well so I decided to not charge for the footage. I did ask for credit even though I may be taking a risk on that but in the past it really hasn't paid off in helping my business out. Never hurts to try though. thanks for you input on this subject.

[Allan Black]

I'd have charged them for your footage, maybe at a discount ... if only in case that side of it escalates.

Once your material 'gets out' you don't want to be worried about where it ends up, that could eventually sour your relationship.

And I'd decide now, what you tell any other organisation which finds out and contacts you about similar generous contributions.

Good for you though Lalo, it's great to help charities ... as long as it doesn't get beyond your control.

Cheers.

[David W. Jones]

As someone who is married to a fundraiser for a charity organization, I can tell you that most employees of charities are paid very well. In other words... They don't work for free!

I will donate my time and money to help different charities, but I don't WORK for free.