IMDB Postings!

They've just raised the pricing on my IMDB-pro. An increase of twenty-five percent (25%) and they sent a notice that it's going to start being paid out of the credit card I have on file at Amazon. That's not the reason for this blog, I actually endorse IMDB-pro if you are in the business and need to reference actors and agents. It's also a good place to post pictures of your accomplishments and/or resume. One of the new perks is they allow up to one hundred pictures posted on your IMDB site. I've got to admit, I took advantage and it makes my site more impressive.

I also like to read the postings on the message boards. There's a job site posting where scam artists and wannabees hang out and bitch about the lack of work and beg for money to make a project. There was a posting today entitled "Stop working for free." He goes on to mention all the horror stories you can find when working for a copy, a meal, and a credit. I've been doing low budget a long time (26 years) and there are horror stories no matter what you're paid. On rare occasion the fee matches the headache. When I first started out in film I told a producer I would work for free. It was the only way to start to build up a resume. To his credit he did offer a nominal salary and to mine I saved him up to five times my salary during my term of employment. I eventually moved up and started receiving more per project and even a piece on the back end. Most people on IMDB frown on back end deals. I say, it all depends on the person you are making the deal with. If you can learn something or believe this person is trustworthy or you are passionate about the project do what you need to do. Scam artist are scam artists.

I've had a few people tell me they will work for free on my projects. They never have any credits or experience. I allow them a place where they believe they will gain experience. They work with someone who has experience and are not the front line person. If they are good they are offered a position or they can at least attach a distributed film to their resume. I believe this is a good practice. I've even had people that started out with my production team and when I went back to them a few years later their day rate had gone way up. Yes, you get what you pay for! But sometimes you can find a diamond in the rough. Talk to the producer or director and see if he's someone you want to work with. Find out the budget, is there money for you to at least make expenses.

If it wasn't okay to work for free, the Screen Actors Guild wouldn't have come up with the SAG contract allowing their actors to work in shorts under forty minutes with no pay if the production budget is under $50K. The actors make their own choice. If they like the role, they take it. They don't, they pass. It's the same for crew. No professional likes to work for free. It doesn't pay the bills. In most cases we've already been there and done that. Checks bounce too and most of us have had that happen in low budget films as well. Hell, I've had a producer of a major film bounce a check on me. When I think about it, I didn't really trust him and it was my fault because I wanted the credit for my resume.

The person on the IMDB posting made some comparisons to electricians, plumbers and other laborers working for a credit which was just stupid. It was like comparing a doctor handing you a bill for his fee after he saves your life when you have a heart attack in the stands at a baseball game or at a traffic accident. You either want to do it or you don't. It's your choice. Just make sure you're not exploited. Be smart, research the director, producer, production company and use an additional resource other than IMDB.

.....and cut!