There is a debate on Reddit about whether this is real or just a troll having some fun. It seems a little too “inside baseball” to be real, but sadly it could be legit. Craigslist is full of these no pay or “pay someday” ads by people who simply expect outrageous things from filmmakers.
“Work with 90 hours of footage, the footage is in a “variety” of different formats, random unsynced audio, you need 5 years experience, you need to backup the footage, you need this specific software, you can’t do any paying work at the same time, and you’re working for free… oh and make sure that free screening room you provide is “comfortable.”
Sadly, many young editors take on these projects. You may say, good let them learn the hard way, but that also has an effect on how professional filmmakers are paid and what is expected from them.
Martin with The Self-Confessed Geek created a “glossary” of Craigslist filmmaker roles and terms to help decipher these ads for the uninitiated newbie.
- Producer wanted = need someone to get money for us
- Good for student, recent grad or enthusiast = you won’t get paid
- Credit & copy = you won’t get paid
- We don’t have much of a budget but this gig could lead to more lucrative work = you won’t get paid now or in future
- Wanted: camera operator with own gear = director/DP just found out how much camera package rental is and think they can get both you and your gear for next to, or absolutely, nothing
- Wanted, editor to complete this project: 75% complete = we thought we could do it ourselves with a pirated copy of FCP but we’ve messed it up so bad we’ll never get it done
- Ground floor opportunity = you won’t get paid
- High profile festival potential = we’re submitting it to Sundance along with 25,000 others – they’ll accept it right?
- Will be a great addition to your portfolio = you won’t get paid
- Deferred Payment = you won’t get paid
- Simple gig, 30 minutes tops = we’ll pay you for 30 minutes work, not your traveling time, prep-time, setup time, break down time, waiting around time – pencil in the day, here’s your $30 – now you will be editing that for us won’t you?
- Experienced director = I’ve read The Idiot’s Guide and watched Extras
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One Comment
Sadly its the nature of the beast. Since I cant pay anyone and thankfully actors are always so vain that they’ll flock to opportunity, I end up learning the whole thing myself. But it has to suck for someone before it gets better.