|
I am writing this because I am pretty disgusted at the ads I see for video production personnel on Craigslist. However it is truly buyer beware on Craigslist. I have hired some good people but have also had some really bad ones. It can be a wonderful resource but you need to do your homework and actually do some research on these individuals before hiring some of these folks.This article does not put blame on Craigslist but condemns the advertisers that place ads on Craigslist to hire video professionals in our industry.I don’t know If I should laugh or cry when I see some of these posted ads by advertisers, that want to pay $250 for a two day shoot or an ad I saw for an HD shooter for $125 per day or another that wanted the person to travel around Colorado shoot for 10 hours a day for 3 days straight and the pay was $350. Most of the pro guys don’t use Craigslist because they have established clients, but even for the guy that is just starting out or even with someone with some experience this pay scale is outragious. The main point to this is that by these advertisers wanting to pay third world wages in our industry, is that it devalues our talent our creativity and our industry. Video Production must have a standard just like doctors and dentists or any other professional, this is what diffirentiates us from uncle Harry with his camcorder and the software he bought for $50 online. I have a baccalaureate degree in broadcasting, I have worked in this industry for 18 years and have invested over 170K in equipment . I truly hope that no one is that desperate to take these jobs at these rates and shame on these advertisers that actually think someone is going to give them a quality product at these rates. We are not in the fast food industry and don’t let us become that. You need to reply to these advertisers and let them know what the industry standard is which is usually $75 per hour and up and let them know that what they are offering is not an acceptable rate. We are not the fast food industry we are made up of a group of very talented and experience indivduals, let them know that when you reply to their ads. I actually think Craigslist should charge money for advertising, it would filter out these Wal Mart advertisers that are looking to find that next bargain. Do me a favor go clip your coupons, go visit the dollar store but don't expect to get a quality individual with your sub standard wages.
Author:
Victor Sieff has over 18 years of experience in Video Production and is the owner of VS Video Productions based in Denver, Colorado.The company specializes in corporate, commercial, training and events. Some of the lates clients are Nike, Comcast, Time Warner,Lego, Yelllow Book, Oracle.
www.vsvideoproductions.com
|
|
