Turning down work goes deeper than just losing a paycheck

A few months ago, we offered someone the chance to come and run camera for us on a production for a speaking engagement.  We needed two camera operators, one primary operator and another secondary camera operator, for a client who was delivering a speech in a medium sized room at a convention center.  The job of the secondary camera operator was really to help out the primary and also man the wide-shot camera.  It was a paid job and the rate was not small.  The person that I offered the job to turned it down – because it was not commercial work.  It wasn’t “exciting” to him.

That same person, two weeks later, was given the opportunity to assist on a wedding for my buddy’s wedding company.  Again, he turned it down.  This time he stated that he, “didn’t do weddings.” This was also a paying job and he would have made close to $150 for two hours of work.

In the span of two weeks, this one person lost close to $500.  However, it isn’t the money that is the issue here.  This person lost the opportunity to make two valuable contacts in the local production community and in this business you don’t often get a second chance.

The economics of local video production

Let’s look at it this way.  You are a graduate of an accredited institution that teaches film and video production.  How many people are in your graduating class?  100?  200? That’s just YOUR school.  How many schools are in your city? Here in Orlando there are two technical schools that teach production, two junior colleges and one major university.  Let’s just say that each semester these schools have a minimum number of graduates – 100 each.  That means that there are 500 people being dumped into the workforce.  Now let’s look at how many production companies and television stations are in the local market.  Using a conservative estimate, there are at least five broadcast outlets (television stations/cable networks) in town and maybe 15 – 20 production companies.  In the last three months, there have been less than 10 positions offered by these companies.  So where does that leave you?

A tale of two graduates

Taking the example from above, let’s compare two recent graduates and see how this situation plays out in the real world.  By the way, this is EXACTLY as it happened, I’m not making this up.  My production company offered Graduate A a job running backup camera at a convention.  It’s a stand-at-the-back-of-the-room kind of job with very little skill required, just some basic knowledge of composing a shot and understanding how a camera works.  Graduate A turned it down.  His reason was that he “didn’t do event videography.” Graduate B was called next and responded with an, “absolutely! When do I show up?”

Fast forward to today.  We just did a job for the local university that required a three camera shoot.  Our third camera operator was Graduate B.  In fact, we have used Graduate B quite a bit over the last few months, both shooting and editing.  Graduate A happened to be there too.  Only he was not working as a camera operator . . . in fact, I don’t think he was doing production work.  He was however, much nicer to us and more interested in future work . . . of any kind.

So what did we learn?

It’s not about the job that you’re doing.  It’s about the experience that you’re getting from each job.  In my case, I started out as an intern for a production company.  I did my fair share of “lowly” jobs as a PA, teleprompter operator, lighting assistant, coffee fetcher, cable wrangler and even a tape labeler.  In almost every case, I learned something new . . . ok tape labeler wasn’t much of an educational experience, but it connected me with the producer AND the tape operator AND the director.  The point is I worked again . . . and again . . . and again.  Each time climbing the ladder until I was doing the jobs that were interesting to me.

One other thing to note.  Please remember, production is production.  Just because you want to write and produce the next best television series, documentary, award-winning film, sci-fi thriller or action film . . . you have to start somewhere.  Your work in college or film school doesn’t qualify as experience, so go get some.  Get it from any source that you can.  Shoot sports, shoot weddings, shoot conventions, shoot news . . . just SHOOT!  If it’s editing that you enjoy, ask to help out at a small event videography outlet.  You will really learn how to hone your skills, and in most cases, you will get paid – well.  Remember, you learn by doing.  No one will fault you for wanting to get some major experience under your belt.

The tip of the day

Speaking as a person that now hires freelancers and employees, I can honestly say that I understand when you have other obligations.  In fact,  don’t miss out on a family vacation simply because you’re afraid that if you turn down my job offer, I’ll never call you again.  So here’s the tip of the day:  Don’t simply say “no.” Offer your sympathies for not being able to handle this particular job and then ask if there’s anything that you can do to help in the future.  Also, if you know of someone that might be available – offer that person’s name and number for me to call next.  This shows me that you are a problem-solver and that you are willing to help me in the future.  Believe me, it goes a LONG way!

The morale of today’s post: Never pass up an opportunity because you’re too good for it.  You will always learn something new AND meet the people who will provide you with your next job.

Photo by: Bomba Rosa