One of the worse CL ads of all time?

[svp]

I know we've all seen some bad ones but this had to be one of the worst...and it pays!!! Look at all the requirements, including wearing a suit, and then check out what it pays and the terms at the end.

Professional Videographers (throughout DFW Metroplex)

Date: 2011-07-13, 11:31PM CDT
Reply to: gigs-wcd4j-2493323495@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

Hi !

Please respond if you already have professional video experience and own (or can quickly acquire):
• Your own professional level camera (sorry, an inexpensive $1000 camera would not work for us).
• A high quality fluid head tripod for smooth, viscous movements in all directions.
• A very recent model high quality major NAME brand DVD recorder (not a computer drive).
• A dependable tape backup REQUIRED to be used during every second of every job.
• A portable audio mixer with at least 6 identical microphone inputs.
• A 5" to 10" color CRT type (regular television type) monitor (not an LCD, unless it's designed specifically for use as a professional video monitor, although those are much more expensive).
• A good quality professional light (such as a Lowel Omni) with a stand of at least 8' in height.
Also needed are:
• At least 5 as a minimum (and highly preferably 6) balanced wired lapel microphones (we don't use any wireless for these jobs).
• The only additional item needed for most of our clients, is a collapsible backdrop. We typically use the convenient 6'x7' type that pop open in about 10 seconds and stand on their own (by leaning it against the wall), and then fold back up into a relatively small flat circle pack in about 20 to 30 seconds. (If you don't have one, the assignments we could give you would obviously be limited.)


Obviously, no, we are not looking for studio broadcast people with hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment, and while having HD is okay, it wouldn't be used for this application. In fact, your camera MUST be able to directly send out a 4:3 SD signal to the DVD recorder, WITHOUT having to down-sample later. The level of professionals we're seeking are those, for example, who would have the normal gear for shooting nice quality weddings, interviews, etc, and possibly a couple of other inexpensive but good quality components, as described above. (This is particularly ideal for professional wedding videographers, as this work is during the normal weekdays, while most weddings are on weekends!)

The work for new people is sporadic for now, and is expected to eventually increase. We need people who are totally available and flexible (without frequent scheduling restrictions) during the normal Monday-Friday work week, and are 100% dependable with quick response in communication and follow through at all times, as well as always very neatly and professionally groomed, and are fine about wearing a suit to all these jobs, since our assignments are with high level business professionals. A friendly, smiling personality is a must to go along with excellent PR skills and cooperation with our clients!

Some jobs are short, but we will pay a 2 hour minimum, even if the job cancels after you are set up and waiting. In a rare case when you arrive and are told it cancelled prior to setting up, we will still pay one hour to cover your drive time. Most jobs last from 2 to 5 hours, and some may occasionally run most of a day, however, we often do not know this until we're at the location. Jobs may be anywhere in the Metroplex, and if further, we will also off-set your mileage costs beyond the outer edge of the Metroplex.

THE SET-UP IS STATIONARY, AND NOT AT ALL HARD WORK! Of course, we do, however, require professional quality control at all times, including the smooth following of the subject every minute for proper professional composition, as well as perfect video and audio levels. Other than that it's relatively easy by professional standards! We pay $35 per hour (on a contract basis) from the time you're scheduled to arrive (which is 30 minutes before start time, although most all our people are always conscientious enough to get there 45 minutes to an hour ahead), until to 20-25 minutes (for packing up) after the job ends. Of course, we also reimburse your parking expenses and we furnish all the blank media.

The work is on an as needed basis, according to our client's needs and the overall volume to fairly spread among our videographers. Certainly, all around performance, quality, dependability, adhering to our technical and dress expectations, etc., would yield you more work as you rate higher on the totem pole by meeting the above!

Let us know if this all fits you, and please furnish a list of your applicable equipment, including model numbers, as well as your professional experience. We look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks, and smile for a terrific day!!


Location: throughout DFW Metroplex
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Compensation: no pay

[Terry E. Toller]

I don't believe it! these people act like they are doing you a favor for allowing you to spend $50,000 for equipment, working for years fine tuning your craft just so you can work for chump change. Someone suggested that we start flooding these poster's mailboxes with replies and make deals with them without showing up. The more the I think about it, the more I like the idea...

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Hmmm...and who is supposed to be riding gain and deciding which of the six hardwired people go on what channel as you provide perfect audio and video levels with your eight hands?

All for less than $350/day...AND you have to wear a tie! I'm movin' to Dallas!!

[The Thing on The Sticks]

This defiantly one of the more bizarre ones as many of you know I also do a lot of work as a sound-man here in dallas and I can say with certainly that I have can count on one hand the times I use 6 channels not counting reality tv jobs which I do very few of. And of those times I never wanted to hardwire all 6 mics and mind you I actually like hardwiring as often as not. The requests are so random and odd that it makes me wonder if this is just an equipment thief scamming for peoples equipment list to go rob them. Oh wait scratch that you could end up working for them and be robbed as well when you look at your pay after expenses.

[FeedingFrenzy]

Looks like a low pay lawyers video deposition job. 4x3 tape w/DVD back up. That's exactly what most video deposition companies look for. Funny thing is the lawyers I've worked for, in this capacity, get around $1700 for a video depo, no matter the length, plus lawyers hourly fees. I always got my standard daily rate since they never knew how long the depo would take. On short 30 minute depos, AWESOME pay. On longer shoots, I still got paid. Very easy work, inside and seated. VERY BORING unless you get a higher profile case, but you still can't discuss it outside the office. No editing. Just hand off the tape & DVD and go home.
I still keep a PD150 and a stand alone DVD recorder, just for this type of work.
The people in the CL ad obviously don't plan ahead. Most lawyers offices schedule these depos weeks in advance. Very few last minute requests, but when they call and you have the time.......its still your daily rate and that always helps the bottom line.

[Tom Servo]

from the time you're scheduled to arrive (which is 30 minutes before start time, although most all our people are always conscientious enough to get there 45 minutes to an hour ahead)

Think that's my favorite line. "We expect you to be conscientious enough to show up an hour before the shoot, but don't expect us to be conscientious enough to pay you for it."

Tools.

[SoMissTV]

Yup, legal depositions. I used to do them. It was easy money (and a lot more than what these jokers are offering). They'll make a killing on skimming the actual rate.

I don't get the monitor, though. It's a friggin' deposition; why a CRT monitor?

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Given the nature of the ad, probably so they can be sure to micromanage every aspect of the framing. And somewhere, they likely got the idea that a CRT was superior to an LCD monitor. That, or they just like watching the poor shooter lug the extra weight around.

[Icarus112277]

Here's a good one:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/tfr/2500260843.html

Date: 2011-07-18, 11:43AM EDT
Reply to: job-qrdau-2500260843@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

OnlyOneTV is hiring unpaid interns for our new global internet television network. We have over 30 shows already in production, and we need reliable and hardworking people for the following positions:

The following internships could lead to a paying position within our growing company. Recent experience is a definite plus. Please send a resume, portfolio, and/or reel, and we will call you for an interview.

Executive Assistants
Personal Assistants
Technical Producer
Production Coordinator
Production Assistant
Comedy Writers
Comedians & Actors
Sound & Audio Crew
Lighting Crew
Makeup Artists
Pre- and Post- Production
After Effects & Chroma Key
IT (Information Technology) & Networking
Web Developer
Sales Professionals
Motion Graphics
Market and PR (Public Relations)


OnlyOneTV Studios
290 5th Ave, 5th Floor
New York NY 10001

[zac love]

Originally Posted by Icarus112277

Here's a good one:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/tfr/2500260843.html


OnlyOneTV is hiring unpaid interns for our new global internet television network. We have over 30 shows already in production, and we need reliable and hardworking people for the following positions:

Yeah, good luck with that.

Convinced that many unpaid internships violate minimum wage laws, officials in Oregon, California and other states have begun investigations and fined employers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/bu.../03intern.html

[gwedits]

Illegal in Nevada:

"I called the labor board to confirm. All interns must be paid at least minimum wage unless the employer has a signed agreement with an accredited college or university and the internship counts directly toward course credit. If anyone is offering an unpaid/under paid internship - flag them down. Legit internships get filled through schools. Don't let the cheap bastards take advantage of you."

[Run&Gun]

Not to sidetrack this, but unpaid internships, true internships through school, are a fact of life. I received no monetary compensation for my internship years ago. What I received was invaluable and helped me to be farther ahead in my career in my early 20's than I ever thought possible walking through that door that first day.

[The Thing on The Sticks]

Originally Posted by Run&Gun

Not to sidetrack this, but unpaid internships, true internships through school, are a fact of life. I received no monetary compensation for my internship years ago. What I received was invaluable and helped me to be farther ahead in my career in my early 20's than I ever thought possible walking through that door that first day.

true but in in many states a unpaid internship not done through a school is illegal. I have seen several companies take interns that had already graduated or just wanted to change professions and not pay them for work preformed. That is illegal and predatory the reason why colleges get away with it is because you are working for college credit. Plus there is an intern supervisor who follows what you are doing and if it is not considered educational ie being used purely as free labor without supervision etc, they can cancel your internship. And black list the company involved from getting students from that college.

[DvMan]

I've been considering getting into the deposition thing. I already have the gear...anyone have any advice about that industry? Do i need to get certified or anything and what kind of $$ are we talking about making...thanks for your input. I'm in DFW

[cyndygreen]

This one is from ProductionHUB. Everyone gets paid except the guy at the end of the production line.

"We have completed filming a 10 page pilot of a hilarious sitcom and looking for a talented editor to put it all together.

The good news, shortcuts were NOT taken in the production of this pilot, with quality of production and talent being on par with top shows/features! The bad news, we spent our entire budget for the pilot, and need an editor who is willing to work for credit/reel material.

Please keep in mind, that though there is no budget for editing, we still need to see your work before bringing you on this project, as we need to make sure that we continue maintaining high quality. We know that once you see the footage, you will WANT to be attached to this project.

Once you see the dailies/sample cuts, you'll understand why this project has legs to go very far, and the right editor will very likely get attached to future work on this project.

It's also important to know that the footage and sound is well organized and labeled, with indication from the director which takes to use.

We're excited to check out your work! Please email us your samples and/or reel."

[svp]

Go dig up funding for an editor and then we'll talk.

[cyndygreen]

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cwg/2578005529.html

Have a good belly laugh on this one.

[mkay]

Cyndy, that is priceless! "you get bragging rights." wow!

[Sean-1966]

Not only bragging rights you get to drive them all over California. WOW!!!!

[The Thing on The Sticks]

Originally Posted by Sean-1966

Not only bragging rights you get to drive them all over California. WOW!!!!

Seems to me that could be great and even something to brag about in the right company. Especially if you decide to sever the relationship somewhere on the side of the road in the mojave desert.