Comments on: Professional Actors Should Work for Free… Sometimes http://colemanphotographix.com/professional-actors-should-work-for-free-sometimes/ Headshots for Actors that Work! Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:03:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Nick Coleman http://colemanphotographix.com/professional-actors-should-work-for-free-sometimes/comment-page-1/#comment-1705 Nick Coleman Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:03:42 +0000 http://colemanphotographix.com/?p=1410#comment-1705 Hey Michael! I'll reply by email... hard to answer specific questions via comments! Hey Michael! I’ll reply by email… hard to answer specific questions via comments!

]]> By: Michael Tudisco http://colemanphotographix.com/professional-actors-should-work-for-free-sometimes/comment-page-1/#comment-1696 Michael Tudisco Tue, 31 May 2011 19:32:10 +0000 http://colemanphotographix.com/?p=1410#comment-1696 Hi Nick my name is Michael Tudisco I am from Rochester, NY. I came across your site today by chance while I was researching headshots. I learned quite a bit of valuable info from you. I am starting at the absolute begining of the bottom. I could use any and all advice. It seems you really have it down, I especially liked the buisness of acting where it explained to be a entrepeneur and niche markets. I think it is brilliant. Like I said I am starting at the begining and info like this is trully idea inspiring and very helpful. So I thank you and maybe some advice for someone here in Rochester, NY? I would appreciate anything. I will continue to watch for and read your articles. Hi Nick my name is Michael Tudisco I am from Rochester, NY. I came across your site today by chance while I was researching headshots. I learned quite a bit of valuable info from you. I am starting at the absolute begining of the bottom. I could use any and all advice. It seems you really have it down, I especially liked the buisness of acting where it explained to be a entrepeneur and niche markets. I think it is brilliant. Like I said I am starting at the begining and info like this is trully idea inspiring and very helpful. So I thank you and maybe some advice for someone here in Rochester, NY? I would appreciate anything. I will continue to watch for and read your articles.

]]> By: Nick Coleman http://colemanphotographix.com/professional-actors-should-work-for-free-sometimes/comment-page-1/#comment-869 Nick Coleman Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:48:19 +0000 http://colemanphotographix.com/?p=1410#comment-869 Thanks Melissa! Every artists has a threshold after which working "for free" becomes a bad idea... it took me a long time to learn why. There's nothing wrong with working for free, but knowing when and why is key. I'd love to hear some examples of when working for free was a great idea! Anybody? Thanks Melissa!

Every artists has a threshold after which working “for free” becomes a bad idea… it took me a long time to learn why. There’s nothing wrong with working for free, but knowing when and why is key.

I’d love to hear some examples of when working for free was a great idea! Anybody?

]]> By: Melissa Center http://colemanphotographix.com/professional-actors-should-work-for-free-sometimes/comment-page-1/#comment-867 Melissa Center Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:42:23 +0000 http://colemanphotographix.com/?p=1410#comment-867 LOVE this! Thank you for breaking this down. Too often we artists devalue ourselves. At some point we need to stand on our 2 feet and say "We deserve to be properly compensated for our time, energy, and work!" No more starving artists! LOVE this! Thank you for breaking this down. Too often we artists devalue ourselves. At some point we need to stand on our 2 feet and say “We deserve to be properly compensated for our time, energy, and work!” No more starving artists!

]]> By: Nick Coleman http://colemanphotographix.com/professional-actors-should-work-for-free-sometimes/comment-page-1/#comment-865 Nick Coleman Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:25:27 +0000 http://colemanphotographix.com/?p=1410#comment-865 Films are funny, aren't they? I once did a project where AFTRA "forgot" to require a bond--the only person that got paid was the generator operator! :) Films are funny, aren’t they? I once did a project where AFTRA “forgot” to require a bond–the only person that got paid was the generator operator! :)

]]> By: pamela munro http://colemanphotographix.com/professional-actors-should-work-for-free-sometimes/comment-page-1/#comment-864 pamela munro Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:14:18 +0000 http://colemanphotographix.com/?p=1410#comment-864 It's about time that someone took this one on - My rule of thumb is do free projects only is you are getting something out of it. Sometimes it is good to have developed a character which you can whip out quickly for a commercial or film audition - & you do get to do in-depth work on a play, which could substitute for an acting class. And I must add that sometimes you just need a recent credit! If things have been very SLOW, then a freebie could indicate some movement (you don't have to TELL everyone is for nothing) & keep you alive. I think it's worse when you do films for no $ - because, trust me - everyone else is getting something....(that maybe true elsewhere, too) - that is a a RED FLAG. Unless you are dying to do the part, because it's a great one - you may very well be taken for a ride & not even get the footage at the end. I did a project for a friend's buddy & that happened to me - a great character & I couldn't even get the raw footage to see if there was anything I could use - & believe me, I begged. Nowadays, I have to be paid SOMETHING - or they don't honor my years of experience. But I must add, that I did do a very low budget film a few years ago that went unexpectedly to Sundance & helped my career a LOT. It’s about time that someone took this one on – My rule of thumb is do free projects only is you are getting something out of it. Sometimes it is good to have developed a character which you can whip out quickly for a commercial or film audition – & you do get to do in-depth work on a play, which could substitute for an acting class.

And I must add that sometimes you just need a recent credit! If things have been very SLOW, then a freebie could indicate some movement (you don’t have to TELL everyone is for nothing) & keep you alive.

I think it’s worse when you do films for no $ – because, trust me – everyone else is getting something….(that maybe true elsewhere, too) – that is a a RED FLAG. Unless you are dying to do the part, because it’s a great one – you may very well be taken for a ride & not even get the footage at the end. I did a project for a friend’s buddy & that happened to me – a great character & I couldn’t even get the raw footage to see if there was anything I could use – & believe me, I begged.

Nowadays, I have to be paid SOMETHING – or they don’t honor my years of experience. But I must add, that I did do a very low budget film a few years ago that went unexpectedly to Sundance & helped my career a LOT.

]]> By: Nick Coleman http://colemanphotographix.com/professional-actors-should-work-for-free-sometimes/comment-page-1/#comment-863 Nick Coleman Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:12:43 +0000 http://colemanphotographix.com/?p=1410#comment-863 Great example Dyan! Know your worth, and what you want from every business opportunity... it only helps! Great example Dyan! Know your worth, and what you want from every business opportunity… it only helps!

]]> By: Dyan Kane http://colemanphotographix.com/professional-actors-should-work-for-free-sometimes/comment-page-1/#comment-862 Dyan Kane Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:08:49 +0000 http://colemanphotographix.com/?p=1410#comment-862 Dallas: Thank you for clarifying. We are sooooo naiive that we think every notch on our belt buckle will lead to the next opportunity somehow. I worked for free on so many projects at the start of my foray into the world of acting that when people began offering me actual $$ for my efforts, I almost felt guilty. This is ART, right? If it is PURE ART, $$ has no place in it, right?? WRONG. THIS IS A BUSINESS, and we can live HANDSOMELY fromit if we are SMART. I recently said YES to a lead in a production HERE IN THE HEART OF HOLLYWOOD because I'd been "visualizing" myself as a LEAD for a year, so when the offer came, WOW! Well 3 months (yes, 3), a broken down car, and a depleted bank account LATER I had NOTHING but ANGER to show for my efforts: Anger at myself first, anger at my peers who seemed to have nothing better to do with their time and therefore were never anxious or sullen when rehearsing or performing, ANGER at the DIRECTOR, who had us basically REWRITE his entire script through the ENSEMBLE/workshop/rehearsal process (instead of flushing it out on his own time BEFORE he asked us to work for FREE). What could have been 2 weeks of rehearsal with 2 weeks of a run literally turned into 4 weeks of rehearsal with a 5 week run, and an entire month of getting off book BEFORE we started (we changed everything anyway, so what good did it do???) I kept trying to look for excuses, but in the end, I vowed NEVER, EVER to work for free again. It hurt in more ways than financially. It HURT my spirit my confidence, and my relationships with all involved to sell myself so short. I am WORTH more than working for free. Working for free is for newcomers who need to build their resume, meet people, get into the union, etc.. I guess THAT was what doing that show taught me. Another recent example: I was offered a role in a film I recently returned from. At first, the contract stipulated I'd get paid a Sag Modified Rate for the 6 out of 15 days of shooting. They wanted me there for an entire 20 days. However, The role was substantial, opposite some heavy hitters in the industry. I'd be home with my family (back east). The credit would shoot me to a new "level". But I knew it would be financial suicide. So I sent the producer my Flat Rate, a figure HIGHER than what I thought they'd agree to. They not only AGREED to THAT RATE, but they reimbursed me for my flight!! LESSON: KNOW YOUR WORTH, and DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS. BE WILLING TO WALK AWAY KNOWING SOMETHING BETTER IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. The moment you put yourself "there" in a positive way, the world you "see" yourself in will see you as you DESERVE to be seen!!! Dallas: Thank you for clarifying. We are sooooo naiive that we think every notch on our belt buckle will lead to the next opportunity somehow. I worked for free on so many projects at the start of my foray into the world of acting that when people began offering me actual $$ for my efforts, I almost felt guilty. This is ART, right? If it is PURE ART, $$ has no place in it, right?? WRONG. THIS IS A BUSINESS, and we can live HANDSOMELY fromit if we are SMART. I recently said YES to a lead in a production HERE IN THE HEART OF HOLLYWOOD because I’d been “visualizing” myself as a LEAD for a year, so when the offer came, WOW! Well 3 months (yes, 3), a broken down car, and a depleted bank account LATER I had NOTHING but ANGER to show for my efforts: Anger at myself first, anger at my peers who seemed to have nothing better to do with their time and therefore were never anxious or sullen when rehearsing or performing, ANGER at the DIRECTOR, who had us basically REWRITE his entire script through the ENSEMBLE/workshop/rehearsal process (instead of flushing it out on his own time BEFORE he asked us to work for FREE). What could have been 2 weeks of rehearsal with 2 weeks of a run literally turned into 4 weeks of rehearsal with a 5 week run, and an entire month of getting off book BEFORE we started (we changed everything anyway, so what good did it do???) I kept trying to look for excuses, but in the end, I vowed NEVER, EVER to work for free again. It hurt in more ways than financially. It HURT my spirit my confidence, and my relationships with all involved to sell myself so short.
I am WORTH more than working for free. Working for free is for newcomers who need to build their resume, meet people, get into the union, etc.. I guess THAT was what doing that show taught me.
Another recent example: I was offered a role in a film I recently returned from. At first, the contract stipulated I’d get paid a Sag Modified Rate for the 6 out of 15 days of shooting. They wanted me there for an entire 20 days. However, The role was substantial, opposite some heavy hitters in the industry. I’d be home with my family (back east). The credit would shoot me to a new “level”. But I knew it would be financial suicide. So I sent the producer my Flat Rate, a figure HIGHER than what I thought they’d agree to. They not only AGREED to THAT RATE, but they reimbursed me for my flight!! LESSON: KNOW YOUR WORTH, and DON’T SETTLE FOR LESS. BE WILLING TO WALK AWAY KNOWING SOMETHING BETTER IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. The moment you put yourself “there” in a positive way, the world you “see” yourself in will see you as you DESERVE to be seen!!!

]]> By: Nick Coleman http://colemanphotographix.com/professional-actors-should-work-for-free-sometimes/comment-page-1/#comment-829 Nick Coleman Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:05:41 +0000 http://colemanphotographix.com/?p=1410#comment-829 Thanks David! Thanks David!

]]> By: David J. Hahn http://colemanphotographix.com/professional-actors-should-work-for-free-sometimes/comment-page-1/#comment-828 David J. Hahn Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:56:32 +0000 http://colemanphotographix.com/?p=1410#comment-828 Hi Nick - Well said! Hi Nick – Well said!

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