Letter to Video Shooters Around the World

Hey Izzy,
You know, I think your on to something. I have the equipment, and a lot of knowledge, (never enough) and would love to do something like this. Now, heres a question for you. Do you know off the top of your head of a site that folks with ideas can reach folks like us to do just what your asking? In other words, where can we find them? I’m all for it. So if you know of the means to find these people, that would be great. I’m in the Tampa Bay area. Also, while I have your attention, I would like to see more video on FCE-4. I’m new to the “IZZY FAMILY”, and happy to be aboard. Keep up the great work.

This what I do, and I love it, thanks to my one or two collaborators who already had large audiences, active newsletters and are out in public a lot, but the problem remains marketing/getting the project noticed. Putting up a video on Youtube is NOT marketing.

Somebody’s got to have a plan, a lot of time and motivation, and the means to get the word out to those who are most likely to be willing to part with some cash for the project, or to even just see it if it’s the promo value that’s important.

Otherwise, it’s good practice, or a good way to get your foot in some doors, and it may be fun or inherently interesting, but without that typically missing ingredient of marketing know-how (usually a totally unrelated skill or interest for either the talent or the video-maker), it’s little else.

So, I agree it’s a great idea, but consider carefully how the word’s going to get out about your project, and ask yourself how much time, effort and/or money YOU’D be willing to put into that part of the deal. Oh, yeah: and how you’re going to actually keep track of any income the project might generate. Good ideas on any of these not very video related issues very welcome, Izzy!

I have been doing video for years.I am in a camera club,and I have tried to get people interested in video,and have had trouble doing that.Everyone seems to have a video camera and they shoot lots of video,but they don’t care to edit or put it into a nice story with music etc. I have a small group that seems to be interested. Just wonder if you Izzy,have lots of people signed up with you…..Anyone in Olympia Wa area? I am not a member yet,but will be soon.
Dottie Hall

I agree with Jeff, at the top of this page. I’ve done these “partnership” productions in the past. None of them have ever worked for me. Not one. I mean, I’ve lost money on all of them. I don’t do them anymore. I will never do them again. If the business person has such an amazing idea that is a sure success than they should fund it themselves. I’m not interested in being a partner to someone else’s business. I’m interested in making money in my own business, doing exactly what I love to do… making killer videos and getting paid for it.
cheerfully,
Danielle

Hi Izzy,

Greatfull to read your letter. Its realy true what you says about GIVING AND YOU WILL BE GIVING
….as the words come from the Holy Bible, as you now. That is all the POWER in Your work and
my work as new video worker. Your instruction video’s are great and powerfull, thanks for that dificult hand and head-work.

With special kindly greethings from the Netherlands

John Markus Wedding Photographer
MARKUSFOTO http://www.markusfoto.nl [ tel : 06 11101277 ]
Affiliatet to the SVFN [ Samenwerkende Vakfotografen Nederland ]
Working with Nikon D3s, Nikon D300 and Video camera Canon XHA1S with wide angel objectief
Support KIKA [ Child Cancer Organisation ]
Be in learning my video job by Master in Video : Master Izzy Hymann and two club organisations
in the Netherlands: Videoclub Zaanstreek-Noord and De Ronde Veenen [ Utrecht ]
Izzy you are the best optimist and smiling man I met.

Spiderman says “With great power comes great responsibility.” Those of us with the video capability should help those without but using sensible judgment and NOT doing everything for everybody. Volunteering is obviously good advice for starters and even a bit on the side for established production companies. But business is business and healthy, sustainable income (if you’re fully self-employed) is essential for continued service. As always, thanks Izzy!

Izzy, this is a great idea, even though I am a relatively nascent videographer with limited resources.

There is a whole lot to be said on the positive side for Izzy’s article and following his suggestions is a wonderful way to increase, expand and diversify one’s skills. On the opposite end of things, for those who try to make a living at this, there are far too many people who, as can be found everywhere on Craigs List) who want you to use your years of hard learned experience and thousands of dollars of equipment for free for projects that really only benefit themselves or their business. In addition there are so many who get their first system and then try to undercut anyone just to see their names in the credits. Watch this viral video to see what I mean and have a great laugh while you’re at it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2a8TRSgzZY
Steve

That is definitely one fine take on the meaning of life. If you see a worthwhile cause, go for it!

Hello Izzy and All,

Thanks for this inspiring article. It’s good to help for free, but I have some reservations. Two points:

1) There are many young certified video professionals out there who are entering their professional careers and can’t make a living. These youngsters have spent 3 or 4 years at art school, being “good” boys and girls, doing their homework, stressing about exams, taking on additional jobs to pay the school fees, etc. etc.

I believe that these professionals deserve to make a decent living when they graduate and finally enter the job market. Because they want to do what adults do: found a family, buy a home, build up some minimum wealth. You cannot do this if you have no income.

So, let’s be careful about educating the market to expect everything for free.

At the other side of the age spectrum, I observe comfortably off, sparkly, motivated retirees who have gathered enough wealth to work when it suits them. They are out for FUN. They invest in increasingly sophisticated but accessible video gear, train themselves (after all they have the time and are clever enough) and then offer their services to organisations that rather spend the money on stuff they cannot get for free: churches, associations or even small businesses.

And as, indeed, the end result is good enough, why ever hire paid help? And if I really must, why pay full rates?

2) The second point is based on my own experience. I am helping a small start up with some video, the idea being to split possible profits at a later stage. Making the video was fun for both parties but the problem lies in the DISTRIBUTION. Even an excellent clip is no good to man nor beast if it sits on a webpage that gets no visitors!

Online distribution is a whole new world. Some competencies are essential for any organisation that wants to have video: basic knowledge about website creation, being able to apply small modifications to HTML code, a grasp of business concepts and models, for ex. do we sell one off via a shopping cart or recurrent via a membership site?, which program to use/how much does it cost to set up the shopping cart/membership site?, an inkling about social marketing. And on the concept side, a sound understanding of Internet related marketing and selling processes is highly recommended. The above is important even (or especially) if you outsource the work later.

In my case, we had fun doing the video but then there was no time, interest, money for taking the next step. I finally took over the distribution part as well, for free of course, because I would like to see the video be successful.

Conclusion: when you offer your video creation service for free, make sure you don’t forget to talk about distribution.
———————-

Reading through the comments, I see many agreeing with you 120% – that’s good, and a few being less enthusiastic – and that’s good too. Makes for a healthy exchange :-)

Best regards from Doris in Geneva, Switzerland

Hello Izzy and All,

Thanks for this inspiring article. It’s good to help for free, but I have some reservations. Two points:

1) There are many young certified video professionals out there who are entering their professional careers and can’t make a living. These youngsters have spent 3 or 4 years at art school, being “good” boys and girls, doing their homework, stressing about exams, taking on additional jobs to pay the school fees, etc. etc.

I believe that these professionals deserve to make a decent living when they graduate and finally enter the job market. Because they want to do what adults do: found a family, buy a home, build up some minimum wealth. You cannot do this if you have no income.

So, let’s be careful about educating the market to expect everything for free.

At the other side of the age spectrum, I observe comfortably off, sparkly, motivated retirees who have gathered enough wealth to work when it suits them. They are out for FUN. They invest in increasingly sophisticated but accessible video gear, train themselves (after all they have the time and are clever enough) and then offer their services to organisations that rather spend the money on stuff they cannot get for free: churches, associations or even small businesses.

And as, indeed, the end result is good enough, why ever hire paid help? And if I really must, why pay full rates?

2) The second point is based on my own experience. I am helping a small start up with some video, the idea being to split possible profits at a later stage. Making the video was fun for both parties but the problem lies in the DISTRIBUTION. Even an excellent clip is no good to man nor beast if it sits on a webpage that gets no visitors!

Online distribution is a whole new world. Some competencies are essential for any organisation that wants to have video: basic knowledge about website creation, being able to apply small modifications to HTML code, a grasp of business concepts and models, for ex. do we sell one off via a shopping cart or recurrent via a membership site?, which program to use/how much does it cost to set up the shopping cart/membership site?, an inkling about social marketing. And on the concept side, a sound understanding of Internet related marketing and selling processes is highly recommended. The above is important even (or especially) if you outsource the work later.

In my case, we had fun doing the video but then there was no time, interest, money for taking the next step. I finally took over the distribution part as well, for free of course, because I would like to see the video be successful.

Conclusion: when you offer your video creation service for free, make sure you don’t forget to talk about distribution.
———————-

Reading through the comments, I see many agreeing with you 120% – that’s good, and a few being less enthusiastic – and that’s good too. Makes for a healthy exchange :-)

Best regards from Doris in Geneva, Switzerland

Video is the most powerful medium after being there in person.

As in any art form, there are things worth doing that may not pay.

If you aren’t getting paid at the moment to do video then personal projects are a great way to hone your skills while doing some good.

I try to keep a policy of 5% of my time pro bono.you meet lots of interesting folks doing interesting things. Sometimes people you’ve known for years

Izzy,

Good stuff and I couldn’t agree with you more. Video is a hobby that I would Like to “Develop” into something more, makes sense right since I enjoy it. Basically, you have used my plan of attack, do it for FREE if it sells then pay me. I see it as as win, win. If nothing else I gain experience and as I say, Practice doesn’t make perfect but it does make permanent!!

I’ve really enjoyed reading through these comments. Lots of opinions here, which is completely fine! :-)

If you read my letter closely, you’ll notice that I recommend doing these projects in your spare time, in addition to your projects you do with a “day rate”. I’m definitely NOT recommending you work on projects for “free” with no percentage of profits.

From a business perspective, it wouldn’t make sense to take a percentage of profits if you don’t think there will be any. :-)

What I mean is — if you have the chance to help someone create something awesome, you might want to do it, even if you’re not getting paid up front, but with a percentage of profits later.

I understand what the veterans are saying here, too. A while back I was browsing through Craig’s List, and I saw people saying things like, “Need a video shooter with high definition camera, lights, professional microphones, and will work for free. Please send me a copy of your demo reel.” I died laughing when I read that. You want me to donate my time and gear, and you want me to send you a demo reel so you can choose which one you want to use? I think that’s quite funny. :-)

That’s NOT the kind of project I’m talking about. I’m talking about the kind of project that’s a great idea, with a lot of potential, but they don’t have the funds up front, so they’re willing to split profits with you later. I’m not saying donate your time and gear.

Unless you want to. Then that’s up to you. :-)

Izzy, you are a rich man. Because you have given richly. I have gained much from your videos. Especially the enthusiasm. I am with you. It’s an investment in creating a better world in ways that cannot be measured in dollars and cents. But it makes sense.
Thank you
Martin

I like the letter Izzy, it is very inspirational. I already did one, it is my documentary on exposing illegal dorado fishing in Mexico and how the fish are illegally imported into the United States. It cost me a boat load of money out of my own pocket not to mention time. If you ever have a moment take a look at it. This documentary took me all the way to Washington D.C. and to the head of offices of NOAA. We are actually preparing a law suit against the federal government if they continue to allow all this to happen.

http://sancarlos.tv/portfolio/illegal-fishing/

And if you ever find yourself in San Carlos drop me a line.

Great idea Izzy,

This is something I will make sure I share with my final Cut Students in class. I also see this as a 2 x way street for them to get experience and as well as put the skills the currently have to good use. I am very happy to put a link back to your letter page from my tips site.

In this dog eat dog world we are too focussed on how much we will earn – your open letter puts things into more balance. I believe that 5-10% of what we do is to return something to the community. Be that in terms of straight cash handouts or in this case in a more subtle way by donating our services.

Always remember it feels better to give than to receive. So who is the winner here – win -win, don’t you think?

http://www.videoeditoz.com.au/FCP/FCP_Tips/FCP_Tips.html

Thanks to Steve for the youtube link… very funny and true. As to what Iggy was saying in the article, I do something similar. I do some video for someone who owns and distributes a small newspaper. In return I get advertisement for my business in his paper.
Paul

As always Izzy, you have great ideas that get everyone’s creative juices flowing. I love it!!! I know I fall into the less-experienced-but-want-to-gain-knowledge category of folks so the “volunteer” model is a great way to gain experience especially if video shooting is not the job that pays the bills.

Keep posting ideas like these.

Terry aka @QueenGeek

Not working in a cosmopolitan city hasn’t been easy, I was in the printing industry with still presses and they’re not doing all that great these days so I took off to do video because I’d done 20 some yrs of hobbying. Its interesting for my story that as friends and family and such, it was terrific experience but then as I started my own biz, my market never seemed to fullfil my vision as people/real life clients expect way more for way way less, oddly enough they will turn around and if they have a bigger bugdet shoot, will then bring out their saved coins I’ve assisted in giving them help with and spend it 3-5 times over which is very disconcerting as I’m trying to create a better world with bartering and them some to help and it bites me back!! I may not be selling myself at full value which probably de-values my work so I’ve cut back on “assistance” for the always needy clients that can actually most always pay but only when they decide to crack the wallet fully open…just a bit peeved because believe me Izzy, I’ve gone done this road and its left me holding the proverbial bag so to speak…looking for serious clients that can pay, tired of the abuse!!! That’s why I’ve turned to get some advice on proceeding with my passion that is just a bit tainted at the moment…THX for the amazing work you do IZZY, much appreciated ; r )

Izzy, an interesting article. I am all for ‘just do it’ but we have to be a little careful. Legally, splitting profits can be costly to set up and messy to administer. Some people I’m sure will have their own anecdotal evidence about how well it has worked for them but it still may present problems. Secondly, in my other ‘world’ of work, people offering services for free drive down the rates that professionals have worked hard to establish a strong business model and we have to protect this side of all of our businesses… otherwise we’re out of work. Fellow professionals in your locale may also get a little frustrated and your business model could receive some local negativity. Moderate rates, meet clients halfway… but limit the free work, time not filming doesn’t have to be ‘wasted’.

Great post Izzy!!

I do this on a regular basis…it keeps you fresh and loving what you do.

I’ve also always believed in the saying:

“Work for Full Price or Free, Never Cheap”
http://lifehacker.com/5567336/freelancers-work-for-full-price-or-free-never-cheap

Hi Izzy,
Great thinking!
There are a couple schools of thought on this idea. And one problem.

The first thought is the cynical: “All I ever got from doing free work is the opportunity to do more free work.” This IS a possible outcome, so some care is needed in choosing what projects to take on. Nevertheless….

The other is positive: the opportunity or potential for developing new revenue streams that are essentially passive–a share of the profits. It also lets you cast a wider net for other new business. The person/company you “partner with” will likely pass your name along to other people, and those can turn into paying gigs. You just never know. I know a couple of good sized production companies who do pro-bono or work like you describe. And are proud of it.

Personally, I like potential. While few of us can do a lot of free work, it can be a great way to add some different things to your portfolio and expand the types of things you can shoot. That adds skill and versatility, which make one a better videographer.

In my case, I’m expanding what I do (which has been exclusively in one industry) to doing other things, and your idea is one that I’d already planned on pursuing. One piece that’s in the can but not edited is a volunteer shoot I did for a non-profit. It was not only huge fun to shoot, it has the potential to lead to other work, because many people in the organization are decision-makers who could pull me in for work at their respective companies.

Now for the problem:
We’ve all likely been affected by average consumers and even companies shooting video with their Flip cams or whatever, thinking they are Jerry Bruckheimer or Ridley Scott. Some even do OK edits in programs like iMovie. But they don’t know squat about lighting, audio, shooting and using b-roll, setting up shots, or telling a story with their video–all the stuff we bring to the party. So that mindset is the competition for this kind of work. We have to differentiate with our skills in these areas, which can sometimes be hard to explain to potential “partners.” This is where our portfolio can really help–someone can see they’ll be working with a pro.

Heh Izzy its really good that you share all your stuffs…I have a basic camera MD10000 and i am ready to help anyone in this world to make the film or the video look better…