One of the benefits of being an unemployed writer is that people always offer you writing work. It's rare that a week goes by that I don't field some sort of offer to ghostwrite a book, pen a screenplay, assemble a television pitch or rewrite dialogue. They've always found me through LinkedIn or MediaMatch or Variety's the Biz.
This week's contestants:
1. Person #1:
Respectful, returns emails, inquires about my rate, is eager to discuss the project.
2. Person #2:
Offers me work on an "exciting project" that happens to be their screenplay. Does not inquire about my rate, tells me "it's all there except the story." When I discuss payment am simultaneously told that a "writer" should work for "art's sake." Explain that landlady is not willing to be paid in half-finished screenplays and discuss my hourly and project rate. Receive an email in return insisting that they can hire the guy who works at the gas station for $5 an hour. Respond saying that I hope to see him and Union 76 on the Oscar stage next year.
I'll let you guess which offer I receive more frequently.
I've done some writing work for causes I believe in, but that's a case where I've intentionally donated my time in a volunteer effort. But why do people expect writers (and artists, and web designers, and filmmakers, and bloggers, and etc. etc. etc.) to work as a hired gun for no money?
Do you work for free?
...
Me to Will, last night:
You know what I think one of the secrets is to a healthy relationship? You hate the same people.
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Elsewhere around the web:
- I am anti-education. (See the comment on the left, and my response.)
- Will has Things To Do on a Friday Night.
- I can only offer you things to do on a Saturday night: BetheMarriage LIVE! (On Ice!) will be headed your way Saturday night, 9PST. Check it out at Stickam.
- Tomorrow night The Doctor is In with yours truly.
- When Good Things Happen to Good People: My friend Tomas' movie The American Mall is almost upon us - and is already in Sears!
- When Good Things, Part Two: TC gets into Moorpark College's Exotic Animal Training Program!
- Piglet reviews our first LiveCast.
- I've got stuff going on over at Antisocial Networking. No really, go see!
