-
My post on Craigslist
So I was just stepping through craigslist and there are so many creative jobs on there that pay little to no money but want tons of experience. I love going on that site and reading all the RE- posts like RE-graphic designer wanted or RE- video editor needed for feature film. So I decided to post one of my own. It’s not a RE- post but I decided to create a original post. So here is the link to my post and below is the body copy from my awesome craigslist post if you don’t want to go to the link.
http://orlando.craigslist.org/tfr/1289325530.html
This is to all employers, designers, freelance creatives, anyone doing video and motion graphics or someone wanting to hire somebody for these type of projects. Before you look for someone to do a project for you for a low rate (ex: $100-$200) pleases realize you are going to get what you paid for. Cheap pay = Cheap work! You should not expect to pay anything less than $450 a day for someone to shoot a project for you and this will not include editing or anything else and this is a low rate. For good work expect to pay upward of $600 a day for shooting only. How are the high costs justified you ask? Just take a look at the cost of software and hardware these guys need to do your $100 job.
Camera (production quality SD or HD) $3000.00 - $8000.00
Tripod ( sure there are cheap tripods at walmart but every time the camera moves you will see how cheap it is) minimum $600.00 - $2500.00
Editing Software (the stuff needed to add music and piece the video together) $1000.00 - $2000.00
After Effects (the program used to make all the fancy flying graphics and titles you all want for $50 or so) $1000.00
Photoshop ( needed to edit the photos and graphics you want in your video and brochure) $700.00 - $1000.00
Illustrator (the software needed for every time you say “Make my logo bigger” and it makes the fancy swirls you know you love) $600.00
Plus you need to add in the persons time and what it’s worth. Remember if you pay them cheaply they won’t care if they show up on time or do a good job and put in the effort.
So what about interns? In reality they should be paid but not necessary. However you can’t expect them to be really good at what they do as they are still students or recent graduates. The purpose of the internship is for the intern to learn and get a feel for what it is like working in the industry. So don’t hire an unpaid intern if they are the only ones working for your company or the only one at your company that does the type of work you hired them to do. Overall, you really should be paying them anyways. Everyone has bills to pay.
Please also stop using the “great project for your portfolio” excuse not to pay. Most the guys that fit the profile you seek are professionals and already have great paid work in their portfolios or can do personal work for their portfolio that would be just as good but most likely better than the project you want done for free. So just don’t ask.
Conclusion
Please stop asking for free work, cheap work or work for trade. It’s not fair to the designer, videographer, editor, motion artist or creative professionals everywhere.
Also to all you creatives out there, please also say no to free work or cheap work. It’s not only hurting other designers and creative professionals but hurting your future as well. What’s going to happen when you decide your work is worth more than nothing or $100? You might have steady clients but now you can’t charge them or they might go some where else. So please just don’t do it!
