As An Actor – Should I Work For Free?
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This is the only profession where it is expected of you to begin your career by working on for free. It is an excepted practice for new Actors, Crew Members, Directors etc. The purpose is that it allows you to gain experience and develop a demo reel for paying jobs later on. Should you work for free? I think that what you have to do is redefine the word calling it barter. The fact is that if you are not being paid, the savings to the producer is huge. For example a non-union paid actor will receive anywhere from $150 - $300 per day on a film that has a budget of more than $ 200,000 and less than $500,000. The fact is that if you are working on a film where the budget is less than $50,000 , there would be no film if they had to pay everyone. I don't excuse this practice and sure don't condone it however it does have its place. Most actors work for no pay and ask little questions because they are desperate. This is understood ! In fact allot of actors that work for no pay were at least promised a copy of the movie for their portfolio but never received it. So why work a film where you are getting nothing from it but a large ego. If you feel you must work on a film for no pay place a value on your time when speaking to Producers. Have a written agreement or a deal memo in place where you both sign off, stating the conditions. 1) When you will receive a copy of the movie 2) any distribution or promotion that is planned and 3) a reporting or notification schedule which forces the Producer to update you monthly. This is important because he will then place value on your time and respect you as an actor.