Logical?

[Alwaysnfocus]

Is it really all that great for a potential employer, who is a private production company, to basically demand that you come to them several states away to do a demo for a full time position, basically all on your own dime?

[Icarus112277]

Is it really all that great for a potential employer, who is a private production company, to basically demand that you come to them several states away to do a demo for a full time position, basically all on your own dime?

Only if they agree to pay for all travel and your time (at your regular day rate).

Actually, thats not that logical to them...but it would make sense to ME.

[cameradog]

Is it really all that great for a potential employer, who is a private production company, to basically demand that you come to them several states away to do a demo for a full time position, basically all on your own dime?

From their perspective, it's a good idea. They need to know you're what you claim. Having you work with them can show that. Otherwise you might show up and be some assclown who screams and pouts and offends clients, and THEN what the hell can they do? Especially if it's a smaller company, a bad hire can seriously hurt them.

They should, however, pay for your travel and put you up somewhere at the very least.

[pre-set]

I didn't realize you were doing volunteer work. 'Cause that's what it seems like to me.... You pay to get there, work for them for free, then pay your lodging and way back home.... And they don't have to do anything except "consider" hiring you!?!?


I wonder how many times they pull that particular scam when they need a freelancer!!!! That's a great hussle!

[f11vid]

I'm sorry.I'm as cynical as pre-set.IF you do this "Demo",take your OWN tape ,pop it in the recorder,shoot the demo,show it to them,and leave with the tape.

[shootercub]

that sounds like crazy town! screw that...

[A/B roll]

A place that would do that is probably a place you don't want to work for. If they do this for the interview imagine what they'll do if you work there.

[Necktie Boy]

If the employer is not willing to pay for all or part of travel and lodging fees, it may not be a good deal after all. I would at least ask them to pay half the fees.

[cameradog]

A place that would do that is probably a place you don't want to work for. If they do this for the interview imagine what they'll do if you work there.

Which part? I see two objections raised here.

One is that they want him to come to them on his own dime. If it's just a couple of hours drive away and can be done in a day, I don't see a problem with that. If it's several hours or will require a flight and/or an overnight stay, then they really should pay for it.

The other objection is to the "demo." I think a lot of people are jumping to conclusions as to what this demo is. Are they just asking him to set up a dummy shoot, or are they asking him to shoot one of their own projects for free? Even if it is a real shoot, I have interviewed at television stations that required me to go out with the chief and a reporter and shoot something for them, which later aired. I know producers who have had to write material for newscasts as part of their interviews. What's the real difference here?

Further, the scam seems unlikely to me. If you work at a television station, ask your boss how many people he has scheduled for interviews who simply didn't show up. It would the the height of stupidity for a production company to schedule a shoot with a shooter you don't know, who you aren't paying, and upon whom you're depending to show up on time in an unfamiliar place at his own expense, without making any of his travel arrangements yourself. What if he doesn't show up? Do you cancel the shoot?

My point is that we don't really have enough info to make all these judgements that are flying around. Maybe they're trying to scam this guy out of a free day's work. But maybe they're really just covering their bases to make sure they don't hire a moron.

I still say unless it's a relatively short drive, don't spend your own money.

[Alwaysnfocus]

There has been some discussion of a typical freelance rate being paid for the demo work. This is in one of those places in the US where there is no shortage of freelancers to take spots at places locally. An out of time zoner like myself is apparently the exception to the rule. This place shoots for some pretty well known clients, so I wouldnt think it would be a big issues to do some assisting in the costs, especially since THEY are the one who wanted me to come there. I'm going to try and do more negotiating. It's a catch 22. I'd like to go to that part of the country, but they have the advantage of plenty of folks to fill the spot there and if not, a decent pool of people who would jump at the chance, even if it cost them.

I can't blame them for wanting to verify my abilities, but then again, how many people really dont show up for an interview? (And it's one of those places you would want to go even if the interview took some time)

Thanks for your help all. I welcome more input if you desire.

[A Step Above Productions]

Don't do it...

... Unless they pay your way. It isn't worth it, your time is worth money. I don't expect them to pay your daily rate to go (I have never been paid for an interview). But they should pay for you to get there aswell as a hotel.

This has been said many times before - If they are so chaep as to not pay for you to get there, how cheap will they be once you get there and work for them?

[Icarus112277]

At they VERY LEAST they should pay for your travel, lodging and a per diem since THEY are asking YOU to come to them to shoot a demo.

Personally I wouldn't do it even if they did pay for it...but if you have so much interest go ahead.

[Stoney]

Have them pay for gas and expenses. It's a tax write off for them and they need to prove that they are a professional company. If they don't want to, I would walk away. Sounds fishy if they won't pay to get you there. This is standard practice, not a bonus or freebie.