Interview for PA work
We have been checking the Michigan Film office website, and craigslist everyday in search of opportunities. I came across one which I decided to follow up on, and send a resume. I set up an interview. In the posting it explained that there was not a big budget, however I assumed this meant the pay would be low. The interview was at a coffee shop. I met with the producer and director. They were very honest and upfront explaining that it was a small film that they had hoped to use to later in the future secure better backing.
They explained that the P.A.’s would not be getting paid.
This puts me in a great dilemma. On one hand, I do not have much experience out of college in actual production. So is this a new opportunity I could gain experience from.
On the other hand, I do not want to get pegged as the “girl who works for free.” I am not a young teenager, I have a car payment, and bills to pay.
Maybe they figure they will get a bunch of young kids that are so excited to work on films and that is enough.
It is unfortunate that Detroit/Michigan’s artistic community often goes unpaid for their endeavors. There are so many little films around town, and until now you have had to work for free on these films in your spare time, while having to balance a job. I guess I was hoping that with this tax incentives would be changing this way of doing things. I have constantly run into this in the underground performance and burlesque community as well. So many young girls just willing to perform for the fact they will get attention. It drives down the value for the rest of us that reinvest into their art, and actually want to put quality into our performance by taking classes, and getting exciting costumes and props. These things all cost money.
I returned back to my day job after the interview (still in my two weeks notice…) and my one of my favorite clients was in the room. He is a VP for a local media production company. I asked him what he thought, about working as a P.A. and not getting paid. He said it was B*ll S**t. “Those guys are getting a 40% tax rebate. They could pay you something. “Oh what, your supposed to be just honored to work on their film.” Later that week he asked for my phone number, and email. I think he is considering hiring me for P.A. work in the future.
So even though we have put our moving plans on hold because of a possibility of a screen actors guild strike, I understand. Even though my TV shows were cut short and mostly repeats this year due to a writers strike, I get it. There is a giant pie people are getting, and you have to fight for your own slice. I guess I see it like these people are setting a precedence that will benefit me in the future when I work in the industry. It is just unfortunate that it effects everyone else surrounded by it.
But I am also not too proud, or egotistical. I realize this is all new, I realize I am new, and coming from nowhere. On the other hand, I don’t want to get taken advantage of. I have some thinking to do if this will be beneficial, and I am going to keep looking for other opportunities.
