Re: Deferred Gigs (from LA Producer List)

Dear LAProds-

First, if you wish to respond to Todd's posting, requesting for recommendations for camera and audio for his doc in Bali, please do it off group. Secondly, I realize that I am hard on those who post for deferred payment projects and there is good reason. Because, I too have, back in the day, had been one of those who was intimately involved with them and can attest from experience that nothing good came of them.

Although involved in a creative capacity, and at the time, unaware of the business handling's of the producers, I was still involved and people who trusted me, were hurt

It left a bad taste in people's mouth and the trust I had worked hard to build, was marred. For some, to the point of being irreparable. Since I am one who never misses an opportunity to draw historical correlations to Hitler during the Wiemar Republic, my involvement was not unlike a member of the SS who found themselves on the wrong side of things declaring: "Well, how was I to know?"

While I did not know everything that was going on, I was no less guilty than those who I associated with. And much like the ex-smoker who fervently proselytizes against smoking when the occasion arises....

In the film: *The War Room*, James Carville, said that "Other than time, the most precious thing we can offer someone is our labor." When we are involved with projects that are dear to us, our judgement
becomes clouded. Particularly as we evade the facts that there is a lack of financing and substitute it with romantic superlatives, higher moral hyperbole and the all too prevailing stream of nonsense that promises our project is good for the career of those we are abusing.

Whether it is the thrill of being creative or simply pure unadulterated ego, the potential for a disconnect from those around us, to be present is always lurking. This disconnect fabricates the base justification of using someone's time and labor to benefit
ourselves without penality of moral repercussions. Sure, we justify it is for a 'good cause', for the benefit of all-mankind. Sure, we intend to make it up to them on the next one. But seriously...

Although I have worked long enough to have reversed that blemish upon my career, my conscious, thankfully is there to remind me that the future cannot engage in making the same mistakes as the past.

For any of us.

Therefore, I have to admit that I am finding it challenging that those of you who responded to the query for Shooters and Audio in Bali, that you would recommend your contacts, friends and people that you have built relationships with, to a project that only guarantees payment upon selling of the pilot- particularly a project that is travelling to a foreign country. Yes, I realize it is Bali and not Mogadishu, Although the lure of going to Bali would be tempting to anyone- myself included, however, the lack of salary immediately raises questions as to whether there is the ability to facilitate the financial burden of travel, housing and food for the crew, while in a foreign country, without a financial safety net should there be the need of
one.

Hey, I am not omniscient, and perhaps there is a knee jerk reaction on my part, however ask yourself is this worth risking your contacts for- and as equally as important, is this worth risking your reputation for?

Sincerely,

Co-Moderator,

"Nick"

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Wed Nov 4, 2009 11:58 am (PST)

From a composer who recently turned down a deferred gig, which had
"allegedly" no money for music, I offer this:

Today I visited Abbey Road to see the score for that film being
recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Take from that what you will.

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I love how producers cry about 'no money' when we're in production, and then brag about how cheaply they made the film when it's in distribution. "We made this Feature Film for $15,000." Right. By begging and borrowing and using other people's equipment and skills and supplies and labor for free.

I have nothing against struggling filmmakers trying to make their shows and I've helped quite a few, but they've been honest about it. As long as we have people willing to work for free, producers will continue to take advantage of it.

Good group policy. Thanks.