10 replies to this topic

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

Okay, I've had several other jobs in television. Some of them have been late in payment before, but they at least paid. (That project did eventually pay me, though a couple weeks late. Belated thanks for the concern.)

But I haven't had a descent consistent job since, when was it? July of last year? And all the jobs I've had since were these very spotty janitorial jobs and some freelance work. My last editing job was August of last year. I still work for my local church as paid child care staff, but that usually doesn't cover the entirety of my monthly college loans. I make good impressions on everyone I work and network with in the local film/television industry, but the problem with that is that the "local industry" is located in the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina, U.S. I can't afford to move out to Wilmington, NC, where most of the TV/film jobs used to be, and I hear all of those are moving to Georgia anyway.

But just today I did get an offer to work as a Production Assistant for a local film studio in Wake Forest, NC (15 mins from my house, quite a feat considering that I live in the middle of nowhere surrounded by tobacco fields, and everything else is about an hour's drive). The issue with that is that being a Production Assistant pays absolutely nothing. I get free meals, a film credit (which honestly would be nice), and a letter of recommendation (if applicable). It's only slightly insulting seeing as how I've been paid camera operator for TV pilots, but I haven't worked in the industry for so long that the only thing keeping me from jumping at this chance is that I need to pay bills next month. Production lasts from the 18th of April to the 30th of May. If I do get another janitorial job during that time, I wouldn't be able to take it to actually pay off some loans. I hate this uncertainty, I hate the fact that I have to choose between a career that doesn't pay and waiting for possible mundane yet paying jobs that may or may not come anyway. It's down-right humiliating, and I'm already used to being humble in my life-styles and work ethics.

WHY ME?! Once in a while, can't God choose someone else?

[Bakuda]

Three simple words here my friend, you're not alone. I haven't had steady employment since August of 2009. Since then I've been traveling around the country (mostly in the west) giving seminars on family togetherness. It's something I do with my Mother in connection with my church and we also perform music we've written together. Right now we're working on recording a demo to approach a few small record labels with. At the same time, I'm working on getting into a media music program at a school in Utah that only accepts 10 new students a year (yikes!). So yeah...when the bills come around and you're asking "How am I gonna pay for this?!?" it can be rough. I hear ya man...I hear ya...

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

Wow, dude. Hope everything works out for you. I'll be praying.

Well, now that I've slept on it, I'm realizing that I shouldn't be having to make these kinds of decisions right now. Back when I was just out of film school stuff like this was cool. But as it stands now, I've already attached my name to other projects and have gotten screen credit and things like that. In fact, I've been assistant editor, camera operator, assistant live-feed editor, post-production editor, After Effects compositor/animator, all of which I was well compensated for. My real issue is the location I live in doesn't offer a lot of paying work anymore. I really need to stick to finding a steady job as I've been doing for x-amount of months and try to relocate myself to an area where I can continue to find paying film jobs as I used to work. And I can't do that if I'm working my butt off for over a month for an industry in my locale that used to pay me.

So, I guess that's my decision. I'm well past the point of free TV/film work, and shouldn't even consider this job any longer. It just wouldn't be such a tough decision to make if I didn't go through such a long dry spell.

EDIT: And strangely, I feel better now that I've made this decision.

[Bakuda]

And strangely, I feel better now that I've made this decision.

That must mean it's the right decision for you then. Hope everything works out for you in the future.

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

Thanks. I'm gonna make some mailers within the next few weeks and print out some DVD labels so I can send my demo reel to other local studios. Editing seems to have been my best gig so far, so I'll pursue more of that. It'd be a better idea to spend my left-over hard-earned money that way then to see if I can last a month working for free.

[Vlad Yvhv]

Just remember to be polite and explain the nature of your needs to those who offer you non-paying jobs. You may be able to work something out where you could get a paying job that way. And if nothing else, you'll at least look professional and probly part on good terms.

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

Yeah, I've been doing my best not to burn bridges. I've left some bridges all together (some guys I worked with during college were busted for selling drugs, and another dude was busted I believe for rape), but I've always left on professional terms when needed.

[Bakuda]

Thanks. I'm gonna make some mailers within the next few weeks and print out some DVD labels so I can send my demo reel to other local studios. Editing seems to have been my best gig so far, so I'll pursue more of that. It'd be a better idea to spend my left-over hard-earned money that way then to see if I can last a month working for free.

SWEET...DEMO REAL!!!!!

Pretty good work. The live action anime was pretty interesting also. "Hey....it's a pointy haired villain freak....I hate pointy haired villain freaks!" HA!

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

So, I was actually interviewed for two positions last month for this project by three different departments of the same studio. I got an e-mail from another one of these departments offering me a job to work on the same project, but I'll be shooting and capturing behind the scenes footage and interviewing various directors, actors, and crew members. I will be getting free meals, screen credit, AND BE VERY WELL FINANCIALLY COMPENSATED FOR THE PROJECT! My compensation will be $450.00 a week for a six-week shoot. I will put most of cash toward a used Panasonic HVX200A (or something along those lines) so I can sell my expertise as a videographer/cinematographer in other projects, getting me more freelance. (The lack of something like this has hindered some of my freelance work to only editing.) It would also allow me to get my own personal projects film off the ground.

FRIGGIN' YES! I KNEW I WAS BETTER THAN FREE WORK!!! It just took a while to find something is all.

[Bakuda]

CONGRATS!!! You held out and something good came your way. I hope this leads to more jobs along the way. And......I want that camera

[FreakyFilmFan4ever]

As do I. I've heard you can find it used for 2 Grand. So I'll be shopping over the next few months.