On 19 Apr 2002 12:58:36 GMT, notjustjay
>> Wouldn't it be just a shame you found out later that there was money in a
>> budget to pay you? Most of the time there is. But I won't tell. Although
>> it's not in my nature to "use" people I'm capable of it. And why not? Those
>> who give away their so-called talent are insecure about what they do.
>> Do you think the other half of the world doesn't recogonize a sucker when
>> they see one?
>So, you're the president of a non-profit organization, and I've just
>joined the board. The organization's $30,000 annual budget clearly
>indicates that they spend pretty much exactly what they receive, carrying
>over a balance of no more than $2500, some years even taking a loss. I
>come along and I say, "Hey guys, I've got a great idea! Why don't I make
>us a promotional video! And a series of training tapes! But of course I'll
>charge for the service!"
>
>Doesn't that seem just a bit callous to you?
This is a different situation... If you sit on the board,
part of your contribution (in addition to board-duties)
may well be the offering to *a* video for the organization
for free (and non-board members may "raise eyebrows"
if you are sitting on the board and also "draining resources",
unless there is a specific need for the services you
offer, you are uniquely able to provide those services, and
your price is suitable for those services...), but if you
go out and provide similar services to other organizations
in your area, you *are* depriving other producers of video
in your area of legitimate income and a good source of
entry-level work for getting into video production
professionally. I've had this same discussion with local,
often very talented, students who offer to produce tons
of photographs for clients at $5/hour + expenses, which
seems fine to them ("Wow, pay for doing what I like to
do, anyway!") until they try to break into photography
professionally in the area, but can't because they and
others like them who come later have "killed" the markets
leaving everyone unable to make an exceptable income...
The work may be "fun" at first - but low/no pay *will
not* pay the bills if you get serious about getting into
the field - but meanwhile the potential entry-level
clients that would normally allow you to start are now
used to getting useful products for free, or nearly so...
As I pointed out earlier, most organizations have grant
or other resources (and/or have "benefactors") to pay
at least a reasonable fee for services, if those services
are really useful to the organizations. If they are not
useful, go make videos for yourself for fun... This is
not to discount the value of occasional "free" work,
when it is appropriate and not harmful to others trying
to make their way in the field.