I’m an investor. I joined because I’ve seen an increase in great artists giving AAA quality work away for free more than ever. They do this for the “exposure” because some silky tongue person convinced them it’s the next great idea. I want to explain why this is hurting yourself and the industry, and why you should consider your talent your investment, and guard it accordingly.
First, investment 101 for the artists: Most investment around the world is funded through loans. I, as an investor, go to my bank and ask for a specific amount of money, placing myself and my assets on the line. I use that money to fund a project, which should provide a return on my investment. Take a land developer, for example. A land developer gets a loan to build ten homes. Each of those homes sells for a small profit. The developer then goes back to the bank and asks for more money for more significant projects, continuing to build his report as an investor and relationships with banks and builders. All while managing his profits appropriately, this is the same system for every industry, from car manufacturing to film.
Now, say someone like a random person named Z comes along and promises you exposure because he works with X. You work with Y, but are impressed with the work of X and Z. You fall for it. You spend the next several months or even years working on this person’s project, and when it’s released, it’s as high of a quality as a person would expect to come from you and the people involved. Great, you gave away free work for exposure to create a high-quality short.
I still can’t invest in you or it, ever. For me to spend, I have to get that loan and place my assets on the line. That loan has an interest. I know I can cover that interest for ten months or I’ll run out of money. I know Z can’t commit to a schedule of 10 months because he isn’t sure you or everyone else who worked on the team will make the project their highest priority. Your plan and efforts are dead. I won’t risk spending money on people who aren’t 100% into my investment. At that point, all your hard work, efforts, become just another demo reel for someone else to take credit for how they were able to tell you what they wanted to do so well.
Stop giving away free work! Consider yourself an investment. Guard your investment. Protect it. Dedicate your investment to a company that you believe in or your own company, but don’t give it away. You are only hurting yourself and your industry, and making it impossible to invest in.