Filmmaking / Directing : Are you REALLY willing to work for free? by Joshua Tucker

At the professional level it is still about the individual - some will work for free for the right person if their schedule allows, some will not. There isn't a generality or a "climate" or about the "market" - it really, honestly is about the individual. Since professionals make their living doing this, taking time away from their paying job to work for free can be difficult. That doesn't mean no one will ever do it. The only way you will know for sure is to ask. I have found that working professionals are more willing to do a favor for a person they believe in rather than do a favor for a "project". One thing to consider is for you to work for free on several projects. There you will meet people on a more personal level. And professionals are often willing to return a favor - you work for them for free, they work for you for free.

Johua Im new to this also and looking for "almost" anything what r u looking for and where are you located?

Joshua, if I were you, I wouldn't limit myself to collaborations with "professional level people, who've worked in the industry for a lot longer" and who are willing to work for free. Other options are (1) work with not-yet-professional but very talented people who are trying to build experience and a better portfolio, as you are I presume, and (2) professional level people who are willing to work at a lower rate. I'm finding good results so far both being among, and collaborating with, the people from that first option category. I've also found it worthwhile to take chances on that second option. An excellent case in point: As an up-and-coming songwriter, I worked with other up-and-coming songwriters on a social network to develop material, get feedback, and gain experience. One day, one of those not-yet-professional but very talented collaborators asked me to co-write some songs for yet another not-yet-professional but very talented singer. One of the 2 songs we worked on was kind of a Disney Princess theme song kind of thing (the singer was just 9 years old at the time). I had heard the singing voice of "Anastasia" on my kids' video of the animation of the same name, and decided that was the voice I wanted for this song. It belonged to Tony-nominated Broadway singer/actress Liz Callaway, who had also done the singing for the character, Jasmine, in the 2nd and 3rd Aladdin films by Disney, as well as Odette in "The Swan Princess". I contacted her and told her my story and about the little girl we were writing this song for, and Liz agreed to do the song for much less than she would normally get. As a result of all this, I've stayed in contact with Liz and even worked on another collaboration with her and another singer, as well as received great feedback from her on theatrical songs I was developing. In addition, my not-yet-professional co-writer and I licensed one of the 2 songs to the little girl singer's parents, and she ended up becoming almost a household name when she came in 2nd place on America's Got Talent a year later, and has been working with David Foster, selling gold and platinum CDs, touring the world, doing benefit concerts, appearing on Oprah and Jay Leno, and on and on (her name is Jackie Evancho). So I very much believe in just working with talented people, no matter where they are in the "statusphere" of the entertainment industry. If you're open to that, it may really pay off for you. I believe it will for me.

Great story Paul.

Thanks for your comments guys! Really helpful stuff. Paul, your very right. I ment it more in the sense that a lot of people on here are professional people, or at least trying to become more professional and move away from the 'Studenty' production. I know I am! And Rik, your also right. I suppose its down to person and project. Aimee, I'm putting together a production soon - still in it's very early stages of development. I'm in the north of England, just outside of Leeds. Looking for cast and crew at the moment, but like I said, it's very early stages...

Joshua, If you do nothing else you have inspired and that my friend is true talent. If you are ever this side of the states please give me a shout I would love to work with you!

Joshua, I know a few people in the West Yorkshire area who may be willing to help. When you have a project ready to shoot and you know exactly what you need let me know. I might be able to put you together.

Hi Joshua, If you're looking for a short film screenplay to shoot I have a 5 pages screenplay. It's my first screenplay and I'm not looking for any pay just credit. I uploaded it in my profile so feel free to read it and let me know if it interests you.

Hi Joshua, I graduated about five years ago and have kept on directing films since then. I've made a number of shorts, and a web-series, where people have had to work for free. My answer to you is yes, people are willing to work for free. No matter what stage they're at in their career. The key, is getting them excited about your story and movie. I have gotten very talented people to come on board and work with me simply because they want to be a part of seeing a film made. My one word of caution: keep your crew as small as possible. Make sure everyone, all the way from the bottom up (the grips to the DP), are working on your film because they are excited about the story. Not because they want to "help you out." When you get people doing personal favors for you, it is much easier for them to lose stamina when the going gets tough (and it will on an indie film shoot). You want people who will be enthusiastic about the actual film, so that when challenges present themselves, they will do whatever they can to overcome. Hope that helps! Don't stop making movies!

Good people will work for free, but you've got to have talent flowing out of every part of your vision to attract their attention.