Most of us are perfectly aware of how often we, as artists, get asked to do jobs for free in exchange for “exposure” and new credits on the résumé. You have likely read numerous Facebook statuses written by your peers who have just gone through the unfortunate “asked to work for free” situation, and decided to post about their experience. This is usually followed by a passionate debate regarding the unfairness of this practice and consequent possible solutions. The truth is that, in my understanding, to avoid these occurrences, there needs to be a basic individual sense of self worth that has to start within every artist and will eventually lead to a stronger industry as a whole.
So what separates a fair opportunity for growth from something that is undermining the value of your talent? First, it’s important to express that I can only voice what works for me as an individual, and what I have learned by making my own mistakes over the years. There is no magical formula to always make the right choice, but keeping certain ideas in mind will keep you from falling into certain traps.
I believe that in certain occasions it is totally acceptable to donate your services. I’ve done it from time to time and will continue to do so, as long as there is an ethical sense of agreement and understanding of what is at stake and what will come out of a certain project for both collaborators.
An Actor on Whether or Not You Should Work for Free The first thing that will help you is to remind yourself that your skills weren’t acquired over night. It took endless effort, sacrifice, and commitment, and in most cases a lot of money to get to where you are, and this is the main reason why your services are being requested in the first place.
Always aim to do some research before getting involved in a project. Do not be afraid to ask about the budget, and the person requesting your services should be able to discuss these aspects in a clear and honest matter. Whether you are a dancer, actor, choreographer, or creative director, if an established label or production company approaches you, then you will be right to assume from the start that you should be charging an appropriate amount for the services you are providing. I always look for advice from more experienced people in the industry on what to charge to make sure I don’t accidentally undercut others in my field. When you sign with an agent this will, in most cases, be handled by him or her.
The main thing to keep in mind, I would suggest, is that you avoid at all costs providing free services to someone who clearly has a budget to compensate you. It can be tough, as some jobs may present themselves as the perfect opportunity for exposure, but if you ever fall into this trap you will not only be hurting yourself but also the whole industry. It’s OK to negotiate, find common ground, and keep a good relationship with clients, but always allow yourself to say no if you feel like something is not right. This should not hurt your career but strengthen it. Take your time and make an educated decision.
Naturally, every situation is different. If another artist approaches you directly for a collaboration and it is clear that a budget is not available, then it is totally OK for you to make your own decision. Are you doing it to practice your craft? Will this collaboration end with something that can build your repertoire? Are you doing it to help a friend or a fellow artist who genuinely needs you to grow? These are all valid reasons just as long as you make these decisions from an artistic value point of view and nothing else. I have worked with numerous semi-professional theater companies in New York that have enhanced my career in many priceless ways. This has allowed me to challenge my choreography skills, to explore my work amongst actors, and eventually led to the renewal of my artist visa. I’ve taught many free classes for charities. Additionally, many cinematographer friends have filmed my projects in the name of teamwork. Collaborations are great and can take you very far. But it is important to distinguish between healthy collaboration and being taken advantage of.
Avoid traps such as “exposure” or “this one is unpaid, next one will be paid” by those who are clearly profiting from your work. You can always use YouTube to achieve your own exposure by promoting some of those collaborations you worked on with other artists.
Ambition is natural and a great attribute to possess, but never let it dictate the value of your artistry. And most of all, remember that those who have a budget to hire you should and will be happy to pay for it. Know your worth and your industry’s worth because it will eventually pay off for everyone involved.
The views expressed in this article are solely that of the individual(s) providing them, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
