Ridiculous Job Offers / Demands!!

[James Emory]

Movin' on up! They can't pay YOU, but...., may decide to shoot 16mm film (doubling the cost) instead of video. How great it must be to have such options.


"This would be great for someone who has Key PA'd or PA'd lots of times and is looking to move up. Non-paying, however. Projected shoot schedule is 4-5 days. Will receive credit, a copy of final edit and be fed. Must be capable of doing ALL the things required of an AD. Current version of script is 7 pages and MAY be no more than 10 pages after final revisions. Right now, planning on shooting digital video but MIGHT shoot 16mm. Also looking for a Props Master/Mistress. Send resume(s)."

[James Emory]

I don't know if it's ridiculous but it sure is comical. I wonder why it's half price in Georgia?

"We shoot low budget music videos for $500 in Georgia, $1000 in Florida, $1000 in Alabama, $1000 in North Carolina, $1000 in South Carolina, and $1000 in Tennessee."

[Greg Boston]

Originally Posted by James Emory

I don't know if it's ridiculous but it sure is comical. I wonder why it's half price in Georgia?

"We shoot low budget music videos for $500 in Georgia, $1000 in Florida, $1000 in Alabama, $1000 in North Carolina, $1000 in South Carolina, and $1000 in Tennessee."

I'm guessing they are based out of Georgia and therefore don't need as much in the way of travel related production expenses.

[James Emory]

Yep. That's a possibility but I would hate to think that much went to travel/accommodations instead of the production.

[James Emory]

These clowns are at it again. You would think they are backed by a major studio with all of the listed responsibilities and departments except for one thing..... at the very bottom on the last line it says, deferred payment until March 2006!!!!!! Translation, no pay!! You've done all the work and they disappear. They tried to get me to shoot with my gear under these terms last year. Someone actually took the time to think all of this up and then type it out. If you have to define all of the positions of a crew, you are already in deep trouble. Unbelievable folks!!!

"Assistant Directors - primary responsibility will be assisting the Director of “The Xxxxxx,” including but not limited to the following: location consulting, scheduling, preparing shooting schedules, filling out production paperwork, summoning and serving as a liaison between the director and actors or other production crew members, rehearsing actors, organizing crowd scenes, maintaining order on the set and some casting.

Production Assistant – These needed individuals will assist the Production team/crew during shooting/filming. They assist in all needed duties during filming. These individuals will report to the Assistant Director. Some production experience is good but not required.

Location Manger – This individual is responsible for ensuring locations are obtained for shooting/filming. Other duties include working with Producers, Executive Producers, Screenwriters and Directors to ensure locations are secured, location contracts are created and presented. Strong management, scheduling and organization skills are required, coupled with excellent communication and writing skills. Human Resources or project management skills required.

Camera Persons (4 positions) – These individual are responsible for shooting/filming during filming/shooting season.
NOW until May 31, 2006. Experience using a Canon XL1s is required and you don't have to have your own camera. Must have experience working on a series type production.

Production Coordinator
– This position is an integral part of the production process and team.
This individual works closely with the Director and Executive Producers of The Xxxxxx ensuring production dates and filming/shooting dates are met on time or in a timely manner. Other duties include working with the Location Manager, Producers, Production Crew/Team, and Talent to ensure everything is on point when it’s time to film/shoot. Excellent time management, scheduling and organization skills are required coupled with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Talent Director
– This individual must have a charming personality and a very sharp tongue.
This individual works closely with the Director, Production Coordinator and Executive Producers of The Xxxxxx ensuring Talent is on point to film/shoot during scheduled filming/shooting days. Other duties include managing the Talent in a soft but firm hand. Keeping Talent informed of all events pertaining to the Talent’s filming/shooting schedule, contract items or issues, conflicts, concerns, etc. Excellent people skills are required coupled with time management; scheduling and organizational skills, as well as, excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ideal position for an individual with a Human Resource background. Must be able to provide charming firm criticism to Talent.

Producers
– These individuals are placed on the front line to greet our customers/public so a charming personality is required. Duties include receiving a scene and working with other Producers, Location Managers, Executive Producers, Screenwriters and Directors to ensure assigned scenes have everything required/needed to guarantee the completion of a successful shoot. These individuals work closely with the Production Coordinator of The Xxxxxx. Excellent people skills are required coupled with time management; scheduling and organizational skills, as well as, excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ideal position for an individual with a Project Management, Sales or Team Leader background.

Customer Specialist
– These individuals must have a friendly charming personality to greet our demanding customers. Responsibilities include handling customer request and complaints, troubleshooting customer’s orders and resolving customer conflicts. This position is designed to fully charge our customers with a warm and fuzzy from Xxxxxx Xxxxx Productions. Excellent people skills are required coupled with time management, scheduling and organizational skills, as well as, excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must have experience with MS-Word, MS-Excel and emailing. Must be able to make toll call throughout the country. Ideal position for an individual with Customer Service skills.

Sound Specialist
– this individual must have proven track record for producing and obtaining quality sound from a shoot. Responsibilities include setting up sound equipment, reviewing sound quality, providing sound advice, troubleshooting sound quality problems and sound conflicts. Excellent teamwork is required coupled with time management, scheduling and organizational skills, as well as, excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Compensation: DEFERRED PAYMENT UNTIL MARCH 2006. START IMMEDIATELY..."

[Dylan Couper]

Originally Posted by James Emory

Camera Persons (4 positions) –
NOW until May 31, 2006. Experience using a Canon XL1s is required and you don't have to have your own camera.

Next ad I put out will read:

"Camera operater wanted. Must be able to use focus, zoom, and iris. Must be able to operate tripod."

[Mark Utley]

I have a friend who has done on-air interviews for a TV show for 3 years and he hasn't received a penny. In his 3rd season, he even filled out a contract but still nothing!

Older people who scam young people are absolute scum.

[James Emory]

I agree with you 100% about the scamming part. That's one reason this thread was created, to shed some light on these knuckleheads. However, scammers are the young and the old and unfortunately becoming more of the young as they learn from the old. But they can only scam if people fall for their crap and let them do it. Unfortunately, there's a steady stream of young and naive people, especially college kids, willing to fill these positions with ambiguous pretenses that could actually happen but more than likely won't. I've been duped, but that's how you learn. It's the one's that don't learn after a short few times that I'm worried about.

Well, if your friend has a contract, he at least has something to hold them to. What good is the contract if he doesn't enforce it? If he was getting some pay, that would be better than nothing, especially in this hard to find a job industry. But he's not getting anything. So he has nothing to lose by enforcing the contract or walking! What are they going to do, send him home for a week with NO PAY or even worse, fire him for insubordination for wanting to be paid? I don't have much sympathy for folks who have nothing to lose but stay in a bad situation anyway. As it is, it sounds like he has enough for legal action.

[Bill Zens]

Here's one I saw today.

"Filming is from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. most days. Filming will take place in Monroe WA (about 45 minutes from Seattle)
The pay is $50/day ($250 total). (Plus meals, screen credit, and a copy of the movie on DVD when it is finished.)
We had a cinematographer signed on for this movie. Due to a sudden health situation in his family, he had to abruptly leave the project. So we're looking for a replacement on short notice.
Would love to find a DP with his or her own high def equipment. "

Let me see...They want you to work 10 hours a day, @ $50.00/day, or $5.00 an hour. BTW, minimum wage in Washington is $7.00 an hour...
Oh, if you can bring your own equipment. We'll provide you some cheap sandwiches and a DVD...
I certainly understand why the current cinematographer had a health situation in the family. Someone probably starved to death.

[James Emory]

And don't forget to bring your Hi Def gear! They may give you an extra pickle on your FREE sandwich for that.

[Dylan Couper]

Filmmakers suck.

[Dylan Couper]

Originally Posted by Dylan Couper

Filmmakers suck.

Ohh.... I should get a T-shirt made of that.

[Craig Seeman]

This is an INTERNSHIP!? This last staff position I had which involved those skill paid about $80,000. Mind you, this isn't a no pay Doc or student film, it's a PRODUCTION COMPANY. This isn't for the Tape Library, it's computer troubleshooting, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc!



Production company needs an editor intern for part- or full-time. Some of the duties include troubleshooting with MAC, logging, burning DVDs etc., and may be working on projects, such as tv shows, short films, commercials, documentaries, etc.

MUST have experience in the following:

- MACs
- Troubleshooting w/MAC
- Final Cut Pro HD
- Photo Shop Illustrator
- Multimedia
- Web Experience

Skills in the following are a plus:

- Deamweaver
- Flash
- HTML
- FIP

This is an unpaid internship, but may lead to a paid position. Please send cover letters and resumes to Karen at the above Craig's List email. NO ATTACHMENTS please. Thank you!

[James Emory]

"I am attempting to complete a portfolio and need a skilled amateur phtographer who fully understands lighting and how it affects photography.


Job location is atl

Compensation: 75 p\h plus I will pay for any needed accessories such as film."

[Josh Bass]

75 an hour is too low for you? I knew anything about photography, I'd take it!