Comments on: 10 Ways to Get Cheap/Free Labor for Your Shoot Without Being a Mooch http://boilingsky.com/2009/08/10-ways-to-get-cheapfree-labor-for-your-shoot-without-being-a-mooch/ Short Films, Digital Strategies, and Discussion Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:41:58 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: david zietz http://boilingsky.com/2009/08/10-ways-to-get-cheapfree-labor-for-your-shoot-without-being-a-mooch/comment-page-1/#comment-83 david zietz Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:19:29 +0000 http://boilingsky.com/?p=215#comment-83 Great article! I think it always comes down to honesty and gratitude. When you really know the value (in terms of expense in all it's forms) of the work you're doing, you'll appreciate the effort that others are putting in as well. Great article! I think it always comes down to honesty and gratitude. When you really know the value (in terms of expense in all it’s forms) of the work you’re doing, you’ll appreciate the effort that others are putting in as well.

]]> By: David http://boilingsky.com/2009/08/10-ways-to-get-cheapfree-labor-for-your-shoot-without-being-a-mooch/comment-page-1/#comment-76 David Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:20:09 +0000 http://boilingsky.com/?p=215#comment-76 I am still working on that myself. I will let the world know when I've figured it out! In general, keeping a ledger of the value (see that chart?) people bring to the production means that you can definitely reward them financially, when honorariums start rolling in, but be sure to count your value as a director as well, and set aside money for yourself, and reward people more or less evenly to avoid hard feelings and accusations of playing favorites. Also, DON'T promise this kind of compensation package before production starts to anyone. You got them to work on the project because you were respectful, they believed in it, and you've afforded them some tangible career benefits. Splitting up the winnings is just a fair result of that respect. I am still working on that myself. I will let the world know when I’ve figured it out!

In general, keeping a ledger of the value (see that chart?) people bring to the production means that you can definitely reward them financially, when honorariums start rolling in, but be sure to count your value as a director as well, and set aside money for yourself, and reward people more or less evenly to avoid hard feelings and accusations of playing favorites.

Also, DON’T promise this kind of compensation package before production starts to anyone. You got them to work on the project because you were respectful, they believed in it, and you’ve afforded them some tangible career benefits. Splitting up the winnings is just a fair result of that respect.

]]> By: Nikol http://boilingsky.com/2009/08/10-ways-to-get-cheapfree-labor-for-your-shoot-without-being-a-mooch/comment-page-1/#comment-65 Nikol Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:29:33 +0000 http://boilingsky.com/?p=215#comment-65 While you briefly grazed it, I would be interested to hear what you think about the deferred payment issue in more detail. True, that money is not there and it shouldn't be expected. But I have always wondered how people should set things up beforehand to properly pay the people back who have helped them in the rare case that something does happen with their project. As a director, let's say your film wins a small competition. Maybe you win 5-10K. You didn't pay any of your crew or cast. Do you then adhere to the day rates they would have gotten? While you briefly grazed it, I would be interested to hear what you think about the deferred payment issue in more detail. True, that money is not there and it shouldn’t be expected. But I have always wondered how people should set things up beforehand to properly pay the people back who have helped them in the rare case that something does happen with their project.

As a director, let’s say your film wins a small competition. Maybe you win 5-10K. You didn’t pay any of your crew or cast. Do you then adhere to the day rates they would have gotten?

]]> By: David http://boilingsky.com/2009/08/10-ways-to-get-cheapfree-labor-for-your-shoot-without-being-a-mooch/comment-page-1/#comment-63 David Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:17:22 +0000 http://boilingsky.com/?p=215#comment-63 Thanks for the praise, Eric! I've been on the other side too, in marketing and distribution. Because of that, I'm usually skeptical that taking an equity stake in a film will result in a return, ever. There's also the tax and contract issues of taking equity in an LLC for the film - but that's a bit beyond me. I only got 2 days into the 10-Day MBA. The larger question here is: where will the profit come from? If you manage to solve that, I know a few hundred filmmakers and distributors who would give you a keynote spot at Independent Film Week. At the end of the day a talented indie director still might not be able to pay people, but they can at least make the set a positive place where everyone gets some experience moving up the ladder. Thanks for the praise, Eric!

I’ve been on the other side too, in marketing and distribution. Because of that, I’m usually skeptical that taking an equity stake in a film will result in a return, ever. There’s also the tax and contract issues of taking equity in an LLC for the film – but that’s a bit beyond me. I only got 2 days into the 10-Day MBA.

The larger question here is: where will the profit come from? If you manage to solve that, I know a few hundred filmmakers and distributors who would give you a keynote spot at Independent Film Week.

At the end of the day a talented indie director still might not be able to pay people, but they can at least make the set a positive place where everyone gets some experience moving up the ladder.

]]> By: Eric Brodeur http://boilingsky.com/2009/08/10-ways-to-get-cheapfree-labor-for-your-shoot-without-being-a-mooch/comment-page-1/#comment-61 Eric Brodeur Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:44:35 +0000 http://boilingsky.com/?p=215#comment-61 I think your comments are spot-on. Your opening statement about ownership is particularly relevant. Want someone to work cheap/free? Give them equity and a voice in the production. This may need to be balanced against job responsibility (i.e: craft services vs. D.P. or Editor). What you have essentially described is a professional production. Professionalism comes with experience and therein lies the problem. Earlier this year I worked on a self-funded indie feature from an established director. During one of our conversations he proposed the idea of sharing ownership equity to offset low pay because of low budgets. He felt it was the future of compensation for small productions. I think your comments are spot-on.

Your opening statement about ownership is particularly relevant. Want someone to work cheap/free? Give them equity and a voice in the production. This may need to be balanced against job responsibility (i.e: craft services vs. D.P. or Editor).

What you have essentially described is a professional production. Professionalism comes with experience and therein lies the problem.

Earlier this year I worked on a self-funded indie feature from an established director. During one of our conversations he proposed the idea of sharing ownership equity to offset low pay because of low budgets. He felt it was the future of compensation for small productions.

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