What attracts YOU to a project?
MUSIC ARTISTS & VIDEO CREATIVES -
I want to make music videos and collaborate with new people! So now it’s a case of attracting great talent to get involved. I don’t have a roster of music projects behind me yet so I’d like to know how I convince you to build your portfolio with me, so:
1 • what convinces you to get involved with a project?
2 • what do you look for in new collaborators?
3 • what do you hope to get out of a collaborative project when there’s little/no budget?
4 • Are there any red flags that immediately put you off?
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Thank you in advance x
Replies11
- @Matthias Djan thank you! Great to have your insight. How long have you been a DOP? Have the answers to these questions changed as you’ve extended your experience?
- Hey Poppy,DOP here1. People, I tend to jump onto any project being run by a director or producer that I enjoy working with, or I rate their workAlso if a close collaborator of mine is already on a project and tells me good things about the project or director, I’m likely to join them on the project2. Likeminded people that I vibe with and have similar taste to, and are fun and friendly to work withAlso talented people who I feel are creating great stuff that I’d either love to consume or love to be a part of making3. Connections with talented people that can provide good paying jobs in the near future4. Control freaks who are also very inexperienced
- @Alexandra (Lex) Hearth Great to have an artist’s take on this, thank you! Love your suggestions for work examples and the hell yes barometer!Do you think that lots of artists nowadays are developing their own independent methods of promo? Possibly an obvious question, but what motivated you to want to make your own content?
- passion
- Hey Poppy,I'm about to release my first tracks as an artist so have answered in general, but with a bit of that hat on!1 • what convinces you to get involved with a project?I have to feel it's going to benefit me in some way and is a stronger option than creating something independently.2 • what do you look for in new collaborators?The collaborator/their portfolio has to be more interesting or better quality than anything I've done to date.3 • what do you hope to get out of a collaborative project when there’s little/no budget?Learning and or visibility4 • Are there any red flags that immediately put you off?I kind of subscribe to the, 'if it's not a hell yes, its a no' mentality. So if I'm not super excited about something, I wouldn't do it.I definitely don't think you need previous work examples but I would find a way to display examples of the type of work you'd like to make - whether through related creative you have worked on OR "things I wish I'd made" or something to showcase your taste and ambition?Sounds like an exciting time!! Lex x
- @Anca Badita amazing, thank you so much for your input!
- @Poppy Jermaine Hi Poppy, I have been DoP ing full time for three years now, before I was camera assissting and occassionally shooting something for my showreel. Normally a producer would contact a few DPs on behalf of the director, unless the director knows the DP in which case they might contact them directly. I don't really mind who approaches me. I am happy to talk directly to directors.
- @Anca Badita thank you so much for such a comprehensive breakdown of your expectations. How long have you worked as a DP? Do you usually look to be brought on by a production company? Or do you spark conversations with individuals too? Thanks again!
- Hi Poppy,I am a cinematographer and here's my perspective.1. What convinces me to get involved is whether the project lends itself to me doing something visually interesting. I also care about the director's previous work. They don't have to have done a huge amount fo work but if I can find one short film that clearly shows that they know how to tell a story or one music video that shows me they're doing interesting things then I will want to meet them in person. After the meeting whether I accept a job depends on whether I got the impression that we're on the same page and we would get along well.2. What I look for, as above, is potential demonstrated by their previous projects. Basically, they don't have to be a fully formed visionary director but I have to see something that makes me think this person could be doing excellent work if they had more experience and opportunities. If I see potential I am willing to be part of their journey.3. No budget is a no go. Parlty because I need crew and I do not like asking people to work for me for free and partly because I am a DoP. I need a budget to get some lighting equipment, some grip gear etc. I cannot work without equipment and I am not interested in just showing up and pointing the camera at the space as it it. I want to light. A low budget is fine if I think it will realistically allow us to do what we're aiming for. What I hope to get out of a low budget project is either a new collaborator who I think will do great things in the future or a new piece of work for my showreel that is unlike what I already have. So if you looked at my website and said I want you to make my project look like that thing you did I would not be interested, but if you said let's shoot this new thing, you have my attention.4. What puts me off: no budget whatsoever (see above), no interesting prior work, some of the things Michelangelo mentioned like lack of punctuality, forgetting about work calls, that kind of stuff makes me think this person is not serious and I don't want to work with amateurs. People's personalities can be offputting. I can't really say why but there are certain people my personality is simply not compatible with. That's why I like in person meetings. If I don't like spending an hour over a tea with you I'm probably not going to want to spend long days on set together. Big egos are also offputting, especially when they're not backed up by an impressive portfolio. Unrealistic expectations. People asking me to provide all the kit needed for the shoot for free. I am not a rental house. I own some kit but not everything I will need, this is what rental houses are for. Anyone who thinks the DoP is the person who brings you free cameras, or who thinks that camera will make your work look good and not what the DP does with their lighting, framing, operating skills. Anyone who doesn't actually know what my job is (I've seen job postings looking for a DP proficient in sound- that's what sound recorders are for). Anyone who is a control freak who doesn't want to let me contribute creatively, but thinks that I will just show up and do as I'm told.
- @Michelangelo Torres this is so useful!! Thank you so much for your input! Couldn’t agree more about communication/ showing up for collaborators - integrity is crucial!
- 1 • what convinces you to get involved with a project?Two aspects mainly: an interesting storytelling and the chance of working on something new in order to have a more eclectic portfolio2 • what do you look for in new collaborators?Clarity and punctuality in communication, personally I can't stand those who forget job calls, I find it very unprofessional3 • what do you hope to get out of a collaborative project when there’s little / no budget?Low-budget projects can attract me if they stimulate me from a creative point of view or if the collaboration can become continuous (for example a short-doc series or a series of music videos for the same artist for the promotion of his album) with the chance that later the budget grows: the artsta becomes huge or the series finds a publisher that finances, for examples. It's a matter of potential, basically4 • Are there any red flags that immediately put you off?No budget and lack of professionalism. As mentioned, forgetting about a job call is a Big Red Flag for me.
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