More and more these days, as creatives, we are asked to work on speculation, or for no money. You know, “Let’s see what you can do first, then if we like it, we will hire you.” Or, “There is no money now, but once we get it published, then you will be compensated.” “I can’t pay you, but you will get free advertising out of our arrangement.” I am truly sickened by this sort of thing. Chances are, if you are an illustrator, graphic designer, or the like, you have heard it at some point.
Well this guy, Harlan Ellison, who is a writer, and has written for many shows, including Babylon 5, Star Trek, etc., really hits it on the head here. He is referring to the writing business, but it really relates to any creative field. When I saw it, it really hit home, and I thought it would be great to share. I could not have said it better.
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8 comments:
I linked to this video once as well. The "spec" thing is the bane of any creative profession. For some reason people tend to think that since you create your art using your brains and your hands it's somehow not worth anything up front.
It’s really beyond me, that people have the audacity or gall, to ask you do to such a thing - just from a common sense point of view.
Also, I think certain people, sometimes think, oh, he/she is an artist - that’s not a real job, that’s something we did as kids for fun. That carries over in their dealings with artists as adults - hence, there insidious actions.
We, the creative minds, need to be taken more seriously, just like any other profession. A skill is a skill, and out of mutual respect, you should ALWAYS be compensated.
YAS
Wow, I agree, selling good ass freakin wine is same thing, jah know, I am a sommelier, and am always teaching people about makes a wine better quality, just like artwork and/or Diggety, word slick, that guy was raw! and of course, eeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyass!
Hungaski'08
I think my blood pressure just went up.
Great Post Jim.
Thanks guys.
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