Jaya Jacqueline Lewis: Producer, editor and production assistant in Brisbane, Australia.

Background: I'm a long-time 'student' of film, having made two grassroots documentaries, and at least 100 short films, plus taught film/photography in the Arab Emirates ie. I'm no slouch to the process and work involved in making a film. I have done most tasks in my life (and I've been in the Arts since a child, spanning 50+years - theatre, singing, film). I'm new to a small community I've just moved into (in Queensland), and I am basically unknown here. I have a Bachelor of Arts (majored in Music; Screen Production) and a Graduate certificate of Film & Television, which was a very tough Uni Course to get into, let alone complete with good marks; plus a lifetime of knowledge in the Arts, including 15-years in film.

Question: I posted my skillset on a local FB forum seeking employment opportunities, and have been approached to make a short 3-minute film - the subject matter is fairly intimate, on a wholistic healing level. I don't have a big camera at present, and will be filming on 1080p on a Google Pixel Pro phone camera (which she is fine with); and I will also set up my iPhone for cutaway shots (ie. two camera's). I edit using Adobe Premiere. The client has sent me a mood board for the colour theme. This event will be filmed across two days (petrol will be negligable), for about 3 hours in total. The edit will be around 6-8 hours of fiddling, music included, some text of course.

Being new to this area, I asked the client what her budget is for a 3-minute film, and she wrote back and said, 'I'm on a very tight budget for this event, so my husband and I would like to offer you $300.' I have two thoughts - 1. 'Take the job, you really need the money' (yes I do, I've just moved house and I'm so very pinched for money!); 2. Really feel down, as $300 is so paltry for my time, and... 15 years of film knowledge. Tight budget or not, this is WAY underpaid, and this woman will be getting a great film for tuppence.

If you were in my shoes, what would you do?? I don't want to get a bad reputation in a small community, for refusing the job due to that low offer of payment ie. And that I charge more than people have to spend here; yet, I don't want to shortchange myself either, and set myself up as being a 'cheap' filmaker.

Your thoughts would be greatly valued on this.

Hi Jaya. I'm RB, Founder and CEO of Stage 32. As a screenwriter, producer, actor and filmmaker, I know first-hand the challenges all creatives face finding work, landing representation, launching projects, securing funding and simply making the connections that will make a difference in their careers. That's why I created Stage 32. Since our launch in September of 2011, the community has grown to 1,000,000+ members representing every country on the planet making Stage 32 the social network uniquely populated with the most creative people on Earth.

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Thanks for joining the movement and for being a part of this most talented and inspiring community. I very much look forward to your contributions.

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RB

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Hello Jaya -

Welcome to the community! I'm Amanda Toney, the Managing Director at Stage 32. Since 2013 I've been proud to oversee Stage 32's Next Level Education, which provides you the most up-to-date tools necessary to become a better creative.

Over the years Stage 32 has worked with over 500 industry executives and professionals to teach online webinars, classes and intensive labs exclusively for you - our Stage 32 community. We bring you instructors who have worked directly on some of your favorite films, TV shows or theater productions to teach you in-the-trenches information that you won't find anywhere else on producing, directing, financing, writing, packaging, acting and more.

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I encourage you to take the next step to continue learning and expanding your career by clicking here, or clicking "education" on your top menu bar.

I'm grateful you've joined the Stage 32 community. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Amanda