What do artists want out of their employers???

[Hugh]

As someone who is working on a couple of unpaid projects at the moment, here's my take on it.....

I'm happy to work on an unpaid project with the following conditions:


Nobody else is getting paid - at least the person running the project isn't
It's the kind of project that could, if it goes well, get a lot of exposure - for everyone who worked on it
I get on with the people I'm working with


At the same time, I'm not at the stage where I can easily get a job in the industry - or at least I'm in the process of trying to get a job, so I'm after as much exposure as I can get at the moment... It is probably completely different for people already working...

[Asorson]

I think it's funny that everyone automatically assumes that artists "love what they do" so much that the satisfaction of doing the job is payment enough.

Working as an artist is a job like any other. It's not uncommon for a construction worker to build an addition to his house in his spare time, or an auto-mechanic to build a hotrod in his garage. These people "love what they do" too. Yet no-one ever walks into a garage and asks for a free brake job, at least not if they expect to be taken seriously.

Why is that?

[laparaguas]

I agree. I own my own animation company and have done some work for free in the past. my honest advise is to judge it very carefully.There usually is someone getting paid.I dont like the idea of free work.As was said on the post above you wouldnt expect it of anyone else in a different profession.

[Atherium]

Erik, what if it were a group of guys working on the same car together?

[Asorson]

Originally posted by Atherium
Erik, what if it were a group of guys working on the same car together?

Well yeah if you knew a couple guys from work or some friends you might ask em to help you out, and they would do it because they are your friends and because most likely you've done stuff to help them in the past. Just like when you move into a new house and you need help hauling furniture upstairs or if you get thrown in jail and you need someone to spring for your bail money. Friends and family help each other out because they feel a social obligation to do so, and because they are compensated for their act in other ways, like feeling good about helping someone out, or enjoying the company of a companion, or knowing that there will be someone there to help them in return if they are ever in a jam.

I just think that you have to earn favors, and when you post a request for free work on the internet you've done nothing to earn it. Also by not offering any compensation the party who is offering the work alieviates themselves of all responsibility to the worker. They could lose interest in the project at any time, or decide to change directions, or just dissapear completely and there is nothing that can be done. That is what happens to most nonpaid internet projects, they just fade into oblivion about 3 months after they start.

I think that collaberative projects are best left to people who know each other. I have a few people who I know and have worked with in the past that I would consider working on something with for free, but these are all people that I've spoken with in person, and spent a considerable amount of time with, people that I know I can trust. They have earned my trust, where-as the people posting the 1000 requests for free work per month on this and other message boards across the internet have not.

[Atherium]

So what would be some suggestions from you guys as to incentives or compensation for the team?

[Simon]

in my opinion free work Isn't such a bad thing.

Its hard to get the best jobs but free-work is the best way to start.

You can get great references for doing free work, because it gains you friends and respect.

and great references get you great jobs!

:surprised

And if your not making friends or the work is impossible... You don't feel any guilt, when you tell them where to stick their job. :thumbsup:

simo

[mikewebb]

You most likely get what you pay for.

My thoughts.

Mike

[Asorson]

Originally posted by 99sproth
in my opinion free work Isn't such a bad thing.

Its hard to get the best jobs but free-work is the best way to start.

You can get great references for doing free work, because it gains you friends and respect.

and great references get you great jobs!

:surprised

And if your not making friends or the work is impossible... You don't feel any guilt, when you tell them where to stick their job. :thumbsup:

simo


References can be a very useful tool for proving your worth and experience when looking for a job, but only when they come from a reputable source. Anyone can write that they worked for "joe schmoes house of 3d and waffles" on their resume, and practically everyone does. It is pretty much worthless, especially when the potential employer tries to contact your reference and is told by his mother that he's grounded for looking at internet porn :P

[Ancient-Pig]

lol

[Simon]

hahahahahahahaha

hahaha lmao


ok back to da point

I did some free work for www.dtmedia.co.uk as a work exp. Ive now got links in the industry and a job when I finnish my Exams (hopefully)!

And all I made them was one model! http://www.turbosquid.com/HTMLClient/FullPreview/FullPreview.cfm?ID=199593&Action=FullPreview

Ok so i did build it and texture it in lightwave under 4 hours! The 3d studio max guys were shocked, they said the usually take weeks! (but then they are paid per hour! lol)

Although, on the tedious projects, it is hard to stay motivated with out any green insentive. (white if ure a brit!) :rolleyes:

simo

[Atherium]

The perspective I have on the friends side of the employment is that friends tend to fell that it is ok to slack off and fall behind a schedule because you are friends "dude I know I was suppose to get that done but Mike called, we hit the bar, and I was like hung over all weekend. We'll get it done, don't worry." This is the last thing I want comming up.

Some suggestions for compensation would still be sweet here everyone, I am really drawing a blank as to what more I can do.

I want the project to be really rewarding and inspiring for the artists.

[Asorson]

Cars, boats, rare coin collections, computer hardware, big screen tv's, services, free concert tickets...

[Ancient-Pig]

women....

[Simon]

women? doesn't that count as services?

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