I have complained about this before, but people still don't seem to be getting it.
Yes I am an artist and yes I can draw and you can't, so if you want me to draw something for you, you have to pay for it. Got it? Good!
A work colleague told me that she used to ask the local plumber for his rates and then when someone asked her to do an art project with no idea how much to pay, she would quote the plumber's rates, and that is a good idea.
Would you say to your local plumber, mechanic, doctor, roofer, contractor, or other; I can't pay you, but it will be great exposure? No! Especially if said professional has over 15 years experience.
Look, to my friends, I am happy to do a drawing for you on occasion, it is easy, it is fun, but you then can't expect me to do it for free all the time, or make a gazillion changes to my free drawing for you. Yes this happens to.
I get this all the time...."OOOOOHH I love your work, will you do a drawing for me? Please?" and then I do and it fucking comes back with notes? Seriously people.
Recently as I posted on my FB, I was contacted about a traditional animation job and I heard the pay was lower than normal and was asked my rates. I gave them the LOWEST rates in the industry, and I am talking LOW, so low that 5 years ago people would turn down work at these rates and even now, in desperate times, more people would rather collect EDD than work for these rates. In Africa they would be insulting, in Asia people would be shocked and in Inida they would tell you that your Karma would surely get you for paying this badly. Let's just say, they are NOT high. So, I quoted him these crazy low and insulting rates, and he came back with . . . and I could not make this stuff up. . . .
"$200! Well it is only two characters, which you will have the freedom to design ( which means, I HAVE to friggen' design them) and there is only about 2600 frames (Hello? only 2600 drawings? of TWO characters? Someone needs to do some math and realize that is a shitload of work), and you will be doing character animation, clean up and color.
?????? Yeah, again, ??????? so I suggested that maybe, just maybe we do it in Flash or limited animation, NOT that even in Flash the TWO HUNDRED dollars I was offered would be worth it, but nooooooooo he wants, "Disney" style.
I almost had no words the day that email came in, and I'm a writer, so that says a lot.
Here is the thing. I don't need exposure, however, I do need money and my time is worth a lot, so pay up.
Just sayin'!
Yes I am an artist and yes I can draw and you can't, so if you want me to draw something for you, you have to pay for it. Got it? Good!
A work colleague told me that she used to ask the local plumber for his rates and then when someone asked her to do an art project with no idea how much to pay, she would quote the plumber's rates, and that is a good idea.
Would you say to your local plumber, mechanic, doctor, roofer, contractor, or other; I can't pay you, but it will be great exposure? No! Especially if said professional has over 15 years experience.
Look, to my friends, I am happy to do a drawing for you on occasion, it is easy, it is fun, but you then can't expect me to do it for free all the time, or make a gazillion changes to my free drawing for you. Yes this happens to.
I get this all the time...."OOOOOHH I love your work, will you do a drawing for me? Please?" and then I do and it fucking comes back with notes? Seriously people.
Recently as I posted on my FB, I was contacted about a traditional animation job and I heard the pay was lower than normal and was asked my rates. I gave them the LOWEST rates in the industry, and I am talking LOW, so low that 5 years ago people would turn down work at these rates and even now, in desperate times, more people would rather collect EDD than work for these rates. In Africa they would be insulting, in Asia people would be shocked and in Inida they would tell you that your Karma would surely get you for paying this badly. Let's just say, they are NOT high. So, I quoted him these crazy low and insulting rates, and he came back with . . . and I could not make this stuff up. . . .
"$200! Well it is only two characters, which you will have the freedom to design ( which means, I HAVE to friggen' design them) and there is only about 2600 frames (Hello? only 2600 drawings? of TWO characters? Someone needs to do some math and realize that is a shitload of work), and you will be doing character animation, clean up and color.
?????? Yeah, again, ??????? so I suggested that maybe, just maybe we do it in Flash or limited animation, NOT that even in Flash the TWO HUNDRED dollars I was offered would be worth it, but nooooooooo he wants, "Disney" style.
I almost had no words the day that email came in, and I'm a writer, so that says a lot.
Here is the thing. I don't need exposure, however, I do need money and my time is worth a lot, so pay up.
Just sayin'!
If you do the job, I'll slap you... as a favour. Been there, done that and hated myself for it. It's that kind of behavior from starving artists that makes a**holes think they can get it all for nothin'. (I could say more but I'm not as PC as you are - on this subject!)
ReplyDeleteHahahaha I will NOT do the job.. I am writing a novel, two screenplays, and developing two tv shows..if I work for free it's for me for my future not some idiots!!! Besides I can borrow $200 bucks if I need it that bad! LOL...THANKS for the support!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteActually, it's them what needs that there slappin', not you!! I love that you spoke up. Too many amazing artists just stuff it in the Biz Bag.
ReplyDeleteFYI, blog comments really need to be editable by the author 'cuz typos happen!