Harlan Ellison -- Pay the Writer
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- A memorable (and timely) rant from the upcoming feature documentary on Harlan
Ellison, "DREAMS WITH SHARP TEETH". Go to www.dreamswithsharpteeth.com for
more excerpts!!
See the full trailer here: • Harlan Ellison-DREAMS ...
At a Writer's Conference (sometime in the 90"s), Harlan Ellison offered to send very person there a free copy of his iron-clad writing contract (worth thousands of dollars in legal work), just so that they could get paid for their writing. I was in the audience....All you had to do was give your address. So, I provided my address (on a self-addressed stamped envelope) and he sent it to me. And, I have always been compensated for all my writing for publication. (I'm afraid not to charge for my work...he'd probably haunt me from the grave.) Underneath it all, a very generous soul. (btw-Susan, his wife, told me that I was the only person who had put a stamp on the envelope....and he still sent the contract out to anyone who asked for it - even if he had to pay the postage....) I noticed that his contract had an address on it - so, I sent him a "thank-you" card, too. it was never returned, so I assume it reached him. Listening to just one of his suggestions will make a person a better writer.
Hey uhhhh you still have that contract? I'd be very interested in a digital copy if you have one
@@SlainOracle Are you going to pay for it? 😉
So, in other words, he gave away for free what other attorneys get paid to do.
@@scottorama2002 yes contracts are subject to Copyright Protection, depending if he had the rights to it would be a deciding factor. Harlan Ellison could be allowed to share it or own the rights to it we don't know.
Thank you for the anecdote. I agree with "Literally Lucifer", my interest in a digital copy of this contract is piqued.
"You'll get great publicity" is the biggest con that inexperienced creatives fall for. Destructive for all creative industries.
This guys has quite an impressive rant, but valid commentary.
I agree that if one is an artist then any publicity is good publicity but there comes a time when somebody needs to start paying the artists.
Sadly this is how Publisher scares authors out of self-publishing.
Look, if you want to do something for free, do it because you want it made yourself. Not because you expect something from it. Publicity is always included in your resumes. You did a job? It goes there.
Actually, you WILL get great publicity for working in showbusiness for free. That's how many people have got famous and gone onto fame and fortune. Harlan didn't do it that way and doesn't understand. Bless him.
That's how I want to remember Harlan---cranky, cantankerous, and spitting indisputable wisdom and truth. R.I.P. Harlan Ellison.
Speaking as an illustrator who gets casually asked "Can you draw me a---" on a routine basis, by people who just assume "Art" is goofing around and not like a real job anyway, so why should I expect to be paid for my time, my skills, and my effort... Every word of Ellison's speech here, is pure gold, music to my ears. Thank you for saying this, sir.
This is why I pay for commissions, unless an artist volunteers work. And I -still- want to pay them, especially if it's work that I like. I never make art requests unless I have the money first. - I'm a struggling content creator too. I'd never ask someone to work for free, knowing the struggle.
can you draw me a picture of harlan ellison saying "Pay me". I'm a busy millionaire so I can't pay you but I can give you exposure :)))
Great stuff! I put a few of Harlan's stories in front of my brother when he was 16 and he insisted on driving to Harlan's house when we were in LA to pay him a visit. Harlan came to the door wearing only a towel, but he didn't kick us out. He was gracious and kind, despite our intrusion. He's righteously indignant, and he's a classy guy.
Thanks for this wholesome story
As a musician, I have found when you play for free you get treated like an idiot, rescheduled, cut and left wondering why you do this. When you charge a nice fee, someone will be called to help carry your guitar when you arrive as you are offered a glass of wine. It does not pay to give valuable things away.
Alexander Sack Agreed but please read my above comments to Freja
+Alexander “'Xander'” Sack I agree. Art is something that should be valued by more than just applause, especially if the person who produces it makes a living with it.
Excellent advice and observation - !!
+Alexander “'Xander'” Sack Now that being said, in the beginning, you are not a polished professional, and like I beginning mechanic you might be getting your practice on a couple of free tune ups until you really can do it like a pro.
That is true Alexander - bit I am wondering - "free" or "introduction special" - or free in exchange for referrals (if you like the results)?
I'm a writer myself and I am frequently astonished at the horror and shock exhibited by people who seem to think my labour should be free.
***** Why, thank you.
Azazel Acheron Please tell me that this is sarcasm...
Azazel Acheron So you weren't seriously saying that. Just checking. Many people believe that creative skill is worthless.
Azazel Acheron It's okay. The reality is so ridiculous that the satire sometimes seems genuine.
Kris B I always give the same answer: when my mortgage provider will accept exposure as payment then so will I.
This is exactly the same with painters and drawers. Actually it's just as problem with artists in general. People want us to work for free, and promise us we'll get exposure, but the exposure they're babbling about isn't worth a penny.
And everytime an artist works for free, it hurts every single other artist out there, may they be a writer, singer etc. because when you work for free, you're saying that this is not a real job, this is just a hobby, when it may in fact be some people's main source of income.
And even if you can do a sketch in five minutes, you should still get paid for it, because you have to also count in all the years of studying and practising you've gone through to be able to make that sketch in five minutes.
Never do work for free, because you're hurting everyone, not only yourself.
***** Mate, I write as well, I know how tough it is, but visual art is just as tough.
valcaron Ugh I just recently heard about that, I absolutely agree!
It's complete and utter shite that a painting can sell for that much purely because of a name instead of the actual painting!
Freja Rößle Start being a salesman/businessman and stop being a chump. Can't let people use you.
heyitsablackguy That's exactly my point, and Harlan's too I think. It's a tough world and mommy's not gonna protect you forever, gotta stand up for yourself unless you want to get stepped on repeatedly.
Freja Rößle People are naïve to think they are going to become a Sir Paul overnight but Yes they should get paid something . Even the Super Bowl didn't pay Bruno Mars . AND he did a Masterpeice ! Yet I personally know somebody who waited on a Supergroup and for all her fetching and hustling they left her nothing but an Autograph because their attitude was " You had the pleasure of waiting on us ." At least 15 percent would have been nice .
"It'll be great exposure!"
Bitch, YOU called ME.
+Akeche I'm also a designer and I had designed some work that was seeny by hundreds of thousands of people from around the world during the 2010 Winter Games. Everywhere I looked, people were holding my work in their hands, my work was everywhere. Guess how many phone calls for work I got... zero. Exposure means nothing.
+Cory Hamel All that time spent waiting for the phone to ring . . .
Ripley King One day...
Cory Hamel It's because your work got exposure. Not you, the artist.
"Hey, it'll be great PR for you. Think of all the exposure you're getting!"
"Lady, people die from fucking exposure"
I think that every writer should start their day with a Harlan Ellison 'rant.' There's so much pressure to give away our stuff for free that we constantly have to be reminded that what we do is indeed valuable. Most people don't write very well because writing involves a set of skills that you must work hard over time to develop. Like any skilled specialist, good writers should be paid for what they create. End of story.
Hard work over time to accomplish skill. - That is kung fu. We should be paid for our kung fu. :D
Rest In Peace Mr. Ellison.
"I dont mind you thinking that im stupid, just dont talk to me like im stupid"
Harlan Ellison
Haven't read through all 1,751 comments so perhaps this has been suggested elsewhere: Harlan's advice is so good that we should be paying Harlan (and his heirs) for viewing it on CZcams.
+Peter McLaughlin He's not dead yet.
+djmips He's getting better!
+Monica W Hysterical!
+Peter McLaughlin if that were true, this post would be locked out, like many serials on YT.(until you paid for it of course)
I think as an excerpt from his film this would qualify as advertising for said film. Hard to price a 3 minute belly ache.
This dude is a fucking boss
R.I.P. Harlan Ellison. Thanks for all of your memorable work. My condolences to the Ellison family.
I show this video to all developers and designers that I mentor. The very first time that I saw it back in 2011, I was on the floor with laughter gasping for air because I was doing freelance work at the time. As the name 'freelancer' says, people want you to work for free. Like it is some how noble to provide services and not be compensated for your time and skills. It is important for everyone to be compensated fairly for their work. Charity is giving of your time and money to help people outside of your profession.
Same. I've shared this a thousand times since. Last time, only yesterday when some clown calling himself a producer advertised for a feature writer for a romantic comedy. No pay, just a credit! So I posted this video in response.
@@Gozyization "I've shared this a thousand times since."
Did you pay for it?
Oh my god, I've watched this half a million times in the past 13 years and it only gets better every time.
Ironically, no one was paid for it.
Perfect time to reminisce on this right now..
2019 called... and said it's still hilarious. And true. Miss you Harlan.
2021, and all of your 3 statements are still true.
I'm not even in the arts, i work in education and i still relate to everything he said. They'll offer me "learning opportunities" instead of fair pay and expect me to give my heart and soul for their institution and their own success.
this is still one of the greatest clips in the internet. R.I.P harlan
This dude spent his life walking that tightrope between genius and insanity.
This is how EVERY WORKER should think!
As a photographer, I frequently refer other photographers to this video. So many are so pleased to have their work published in a magazine that they just give it away without thought to the damage that they do themselves and all photographers. Thank you, Mr Ellison, for putting it so well.
Where can I get a shot of that attitude, please.
Lisa Colorado if you want more of that attitude just read his non-fiction volumes. I recommend “Sleepless Nights in the Procrustean Bed”, “The Harlan Ellison Hornbook” or “The Glass Teat”.
A hard knock childhood will give ya that sort of grit.. Its deeply ingrained from early experience.
@@applejackpho3771 I discovered all of those in my college library in the mid '90s. Really life changing reading.
God, I miss you Harlan. "I sell my soul, but at the highest rates."
I still come back and listen to this amazing rant from time to time. It's astonishing how much better my life got when I started working with this mindset in my professional life. "Well we're not a big company, Steve doesn't complain about not getting paid time and a half over 40 hours." Cool...1) Steve is an idiot. 2) Sounds like you'll be calling Steve in this weekend unless you can find the money to compensate me properly.
...and it has nothing to do with being charitable in your life. I don't send my son a bill for driving him to school, and I don't charge my friends for the dinner I bring buy when everyone at their house gets the flu and they just need an easy night off from cooking....because OF COURSE your interpersonal and private relationships should be based on kindness and helping each other out...
...but f*** business people who try to convince you to work for free so that they can take all the profit....and f*** your coworkers who do that stuff for free because "the boss will notice me". Suckers.
Still the greatest "pay the artist" video of all time. Thanks for fighting for us professionals, Harlan!
Rewatching this in honor of the WGA Strike
"Cross my palm with silver"
Warner Brothers with an eyepatch and a tin cup on the street corner
You can tell he's a writer lmao.
unbelievable way of saying that.
consummate professional.
And now he's gone...what a shame. But as a writer myself, I can relate. Totally and absolutely.
word up, thanks for noting that phrase, beautifully used here by this grand wordsmith
As a writer who just turned in a piece to a major magazine and didn't get paid a cent for it, THANK YOU, Harlan Ellison!!!
It's nothing compared to the rant he'll have when he finds out how many people have seen this video for free.
Very appropriate and prescient in light of the current writers' strike!
What a great rant. Thanks to Scott Stratten for sharing it with me.
SO true and what I needed this morning :)
Damn that was good! Thanks for posting the comment to G+.
Reminds me of the video I have bookmarked -
fstoppers.com/fck-you-pay-me-a-guide-to-contracts-for-the-creative-professional
Kathy Drewien great video as well.
I love him!!! Being a photographer every friend and relative wants or expects work for free, especially if someone is getting married. I tell them I don't do weddings for under 10K. He absolutely right. You work is unappreciated and devalued because it was free.
This is a pretty epic rant on working for free! Love it!
I've watched this clip so many times, and it never lets me down.
Great rant. The same always applies for artists and musicians as well. People always value the product but never the effort to produce it. In art school, the first lesson they should teach is, "nobody's gonna want to PAY you for this."
I have found myself coming back to this clip from time to time over the years. It resonates with me. This time I was quite taken by an idea I had never previously had: Imagine a biopic about Harlan that was made in the mid 90's with Joe Pesci as the lead!
Today I turned down a client's offer, called it "chump change" and sent them this link to Harlan's "Pay the Writer" rant. And feel so much better now.
Brilliant interview on why you don't work for free.
I also think the 356 people who gave this a thumbs down on CZcams, either work for Warner Brothers, or are the hacks giving away their shit for free.
Vincent Johnson
He's an asshole. That's why I gave it a thumbs down.
+Tywin Lannister. Oh no he wants to be paid for his work! What an asshole!
+Vincent Johnson I know several people who've known Ellison personally, at least one of them quite well. He's brilliant, but he's an infamous bastard. He's absolutely right about this, but that doesn't make him a good person, and I can well imagine some of them giving him a thumbs down on that basis.
But you are giving thumbs down on what he says, because he's an asshole. That is stupid.
It's only brilliant if you don't think about the argument for a second or two.
#1 It goes both ways, so if he ever talks about his work on B5 in public, say, at Comic-Con, he should pay them for the use of their IP, or get their permission to do it for free first.
Personally I think it is rubbish either way (IP), but there's no harm in asking or being asked, so what got his panties in a bunch. They want his interview gratis but if he puts a price on it, they are not interested, simple, end of story. The woman might not have even been authorized to negotiate.
#2 True art is a work of passion and getting paid is a byproduct. For him, his own work is clearly a craft, not art, or as he says it, he "sells his soul at the highest rate", or at least tries, hard. I guess he is his own agent and its the professional agent talking here. Too bad he is a better agent than artist, or a human being for that matter.
Just what I needed to hear today. People try to fleece you whatever the job. Ahhaha. Love him. Awesome. Complete confidence.
As a freelance writer, who hosts poetry readings in the Hudson Valley, NY and who reads my work all over the region, I no longer read for free. For many writers, just starting out, it is a major problem. Ellison was right on, and the passion with which he spoke, was admirable. Writers need to stand up for themselves. Serious poets and writers have a choice: charge for the work when you feel/know it is marketable, or write in a garret and starve. Alexander S, on this comment board, is correct!
I have forwarded this clip to so many people so many times...
Best. Rant. Ever.
"I don't take a piss without getting paid for it." How does one pull that off?
I think you pull it out. Pulling it off would be painful.
Fetish porn.
passive income my friend, royalties, etc...
@@dslittlejohn ^^ this guy writes. Or sings. Or composes. Or stuff like that. Heck, even acts in commercials, so I hear. Mechanical royalties for the win!
Pre-employment drug test. Can confirm, got paid.
I don't personally know him, nor do I personally like him, but goddamn this man speaks the truth about anyone who ever works on a movie so I seriously respect him. Thanks for summing it up so perfectly.
Love it! He's the best :-)
Pay the Photographer also - please!
Love this: It's the amateurs that make it hard for the professionals. How sadly true. Writers, get paid for what you do. Everyone else does!
As an author, and as someone who spent 20 years as a dancer, I totally agree.
This is funny to watch this again after many years. I write for one of the big companies he mentions (won't specify which one. . .) and its crazy how much this has evolved. There are so many people so desperate to have their works represented by one of these companies. Not only do they work for free, but they give away any and every portion of their rights to their work. The problem is that this includes extremely talented people, its not just sub-par artists. So it makes it harder and harder to justify getting paid. Big Unnamed Company fired their sales team, and is now expects me to create little publicity campaigns for myself, keep a blog, maintain x amount of fans on social media, and actively spend time selling. None of this was included in our contracts, and I will not be paid for any of it. If I don't comply, they simply take my works out of their catalogue. I don't have time to be a publicist, a salesman, and a marketer. I am a writer. Unfortunately they world is packed full of talented people more than happy to do all of the above. . . Any who, sorry for the rant, I understand this guys frustration. If I were a better person I would be able to predict these things and stay on top of industry changes. But Im not good at that. Now I need to change careers, having spent nearly 20 years focussed exclusively on this one. Sob sob whine whine. . .
RIP Ellison, thank you for 84 sharply creative years!
Love how he tells a story and tells it like we all wish WE could!
RIP Harlan Ellison! This how I will always remember him.
In TV & movies, the writer is the most important. More important than the director, actors, anything else. Without the writer, there is *nothing*.
Leave out the writer, and make a movie of a blank wall. Idiots.
*in tv
Not as important for films, director is God on the set of a film, period. TV is the realm of the writer.
Farewell, Mr. Ellison. Thank you for all your words, both your writing and your rants.
Right on Harlan. Your sentiments are an exact reflection of mine.
Too many no-talent beginners and amateurs are ruining the market for a genuine professional.
I hope CZcams paid Harlan Ellison for using this clip!
A production company approached me, seeking permission to include one of my videos in an educational film they're making.
Imagine their horror when I politely "suggested" that I should be paid for the right to use my work.
"But this is for EDUCATION!", she implored. "THINK of the CHILDREN!!!"
Imagine their greater horror when I "suggested" where they could go and what they could do when they got there.
"Think of my children, the bills I have to pay to make sure they are taken care of."
This happens with sculpting too. Thanks to this video and Harlan, I put my foot down when I really large Miniature company asked me to work for free to prove my worth for a potential job.
i've been a graphic designer for 35 years and i get the same freebie crap all the time. i have tried going on sites like E-Lance to drum up business but i lose bids all the time to guys in India or other countries that are willing to charge as little as $4 an hour for their work. when i see the final design solutions they are vastly inferior, just a cheap copy of something i've already seen a hundred times or a rehashing of boring clip art. meanwhile, i've lost the job and the client now has bad art that he'll use for years to come, because it was cheap. worst off...if i'm lucky enough to get the job down the line to paint a sign for this client i must now use this crappy logo within it!
I had a venue in my hometown ask me to play for free. They were quite taken aback when I told them I never perform for free, except for a few choice nonprofit benefits a year. To all those musicians who play for free, STOP! You are perpetuating the idea that musicians and artists in general should not be paid.
Thanks Harlan for this great commentary.
I could not have said it better, although I might have used more cuss words. The work of artists and writers is not valued anymore.
And he's right, the amateurs are killing it for everyone. They write their shit "novel" and give it away on Amazon, to the extent that people expect to get free books, although what comes at that price is crap.
Do you know what I get for free? I get dick-point-squat. I have to pay through the nose for every fucking thing I get.
Please, artists of all kinds. Stop giving away your work.
Amatuers aren't ''killing it'' for anyone actually.
So now it's bad to have hobbies? Don't get me wrong, i am definitely behind the notion that artists should be able to receive compensation from their work, but you're condemning everyone who isn't interested in that and would just like to do it as a hobby and likes for people to see.
shoulda run this guy for president. harlan ellison was iconic.
Definitely one of the most contentious and unabashedly honest authors in the medium and his loss his absolutely Brobdingnagian. RIP, You venomous diamond.
OMG YES! I'm a photographer and designer, and this is my daily struggle!
"I'm going to be noticed - huh huh de hum..." GREAT !! Respect the content creators
I fucking love Harlan Ellison. Pay the writer, pay the artist, pay the musician. "Passion" don't keep the lights on. CHARGE for your work, creatives. CHARGE FOR YOUR WORK.
Same things for bands willing to "pay to play", or play for free for the "exposure". There is always another band willing to play for free, and people rarely pay for downloads or cds, so playing for free is about the last thing you ought to do.
Digging this rant and heck yeah, you should pay the writer! Too many people out there writing for free =\
I've written a couple of books and I feel his pain, but I can tell you, it's no different in the construction biz. "Do this or that extra for me and you can use it as a showcase." "I've got enough showcases to choke a whore. I work for money now."
Dont worry Harlan there are still some of us left who will remember these words.
I do agree with the 'being undercut by the amateurs'. I tried getting paid work on a creative headhunting-social network thing, and it was literally impossible to get work. Everyone would undercut so much. Even in the real-world with creative products people undercut. It feels like these creative people are support financially by their partner/family so they can afford being a "creative person" without worrying about paying bills.
For exposure, whenever I sell an object online (old book, CD or Video Game), I slip in a business card as well. I have *a lot* of business cards so I can afford 'gambling' 1 or 2 pence on a piece of card with my contact details on and a painting I've done.
2:00 "fuck nooooo!" absolutely brilliant. Brilliant.
I'm laughing at the thought of executives from Warner Brothers, walking around with a tin cup and a patch over their eye!!! LMAO.....
Poor guy. So much talent, so much emotional pain.
“It would be good publicity.” Oh my god that’s like how some people will say “I’ll expose your art to more people.”
"If you're good at something never do it for free."
The only artist I ever asked to draw something for me, for free, was Vince Locke. I pestered him for months about it. Finally, he gave me a page he had done, and walked away. I was very happy with it. I still have it and will never part with it. Oh, btw, this was when the two of us were in high school, and I sat in front of him in one class.
Artists, writers and the lot deserve to be paid, for services rendered. Had Vince asked for payment, I probably would have paid it. Only reason I haven't paid more artists for their work, is because I cannot afford to purchase their work. I would have tons of things, had I been able to afford the stuff.
definitely the most important video I've ever had to watch as an artist.
There is something about creative content that always seems to have less monetary value in the eyes of those who use it, enjoy and benefit from it. Ellison nails it--why do we expect the artist (writer, photographer, designer, painter, dancer, singer, etc) to work for free? Why is their service lacking in value? It was bad before the internet--it's worse now.
It's funny how the writing is so often the least respected part of the movie-making process. Studios just want the script delivered and then for the writer to _go away_ while they alter and destroy his work. The script is the foundation of every great movie, and should be respected as such.
Honestly, the lack of respect for writers is evident in such practices as studios thinking that just because a person _directed_ a successful film, using someone else's script, the director is the best judge of where to take the story in a sequel. That's not his field; it's a totally different skill-set. And that's how you get abominations like "Prometheus."
Fundamentally, this is a question of market information and power. Creatives have no labor knowledge or bargaining power and corporations have both.
Rest in peace Harlan. Thank you for such an amazing career.
I come back to this again and again. So perfect.
rest in peace, you were a hero.
I recently expressed interest in writing for a toy company. One of the things they do are short, CZcams movies that promote one of their line. They just had the nerve to E-mail me and ask me to write a "sample script" for them or send along "...any other cool ideas you might have." In other words, please write some new material for us for free! Sorry, not gonna' happen! The nerve of these people!
+Lina Jones But even asking for a "sample script" is pushing it, imho. I have a proven track record as an award-winning writer and producer. They KNOW this and have access to demo reels of produced material and published works, as well. They weren't dealing with some kid fresh off the truck here. Da noive of some people! I tells ya'!
+Ogma01 Sample script, my ass. If you want to check my writing, buy a book. When I take the time to write anything free, I'll pick the charity or you can check out my site -- plenty of sample chapters and blog bits there.Stick to your guns.
+Ogma01 I could understand a spec script for a similar toy line, but not a sample from the line you want to write for!
maybe you just suck
Maybe you can keep your troll comments to yourself. Thanks for offering absolutely nothing of value to the conversation.
I knew Harlan in a very limited way and kept it that way because of his volatility. He was not a kind or generous soul, he immediately went nuclear over the slightest offense or insult. Some sort of genius mental illness at work in that man.
If there's one thing I'm proud to have learned so far in my 21 years, it's that if you don't ask for payment, they won't give it to you.
And sometimes, they'll try to find ways *not* to pay you.
Don't let anyone think they can walk on you like that. If you do something for someone who isn't a friend, and you're not doing it purely out of the kindness of your heart, *demand* your money. Learned that one the hard way.
Ya know, it's sad, pathetic and unfortunate when you've invested so much time, effort, work and everything else that you know you do well, and then someone comes asking for what you have to just turn their back and shit all over you. That part pisses me off, no matter how hard you work on stuff, even if it's something small, it doesn't matter, you're doing about the same amount of work, to do the stuff that you love to have people ASSUME it's for free or EXPECT it for free. I'm the guy that likes to throw that shit right back in their faces, (yeah, I know, it might not be right, because they all say 'don't stoop to their level') but it still pisses me off. No matter what you do or what you consider yourself as.
Those people that expect everything's for free or always assume and they're the ones that loved to give me their bullshit talk about 'free publicity', 'exposure' and 'experience, if they were to ever come to me and say they're charging an arm and a leg for their services and then say "how are you paying" I would then say "how the fuck do you think, here's a dollar from the monopoly board game money because that's how much I fucking think your worth". I bet you would never hear from them again. Yes, it might hurt you a little when people hear about that and it might make you sound like a god damn asshole as well, but sometimes ...people need a good old dose of their own medicine.
“And because there are so many amateurs prepared to work for free, it means their work is squeezing out work of a professional standard.”
That says it all really, but the amateurs will become the busy fools, lots and lots of work but with no money to pay bills and invest within themselves, they're the ones that end up stacking shelves in supermarkets and they are the ones responsible for killing their own careers.
PAY THE CREATIVES.
Last week an very-well-known book publisher contacted me about licensing one of my photographs for print in an upcoming book. When I asked how much they were offering, I got no response. I don't care about the money, and as nice as it would be to see my work published, if I gave it away for free, I'd feel like a fool every time I saw that book. I'm not an amateur, and I won't behave like one and just give it away.
Good for you, man. I'm a writer (and actor) who had it up the butt with people wanting you to work for NOTHING! Once you say you will, you see a gleam in their eyes and the rubbing of hands. But that only goes on for a short time. After 75 years, one finally gets the message.
I am a lawyer (I apologise) and people want me to work for free. If they can avoid paying me they will go to great lengths to do so. Same problem with new lawyers working for literally nothing plus massive competition. Obviously the same is true for all professions, everyone is looking for his own interest. On the other hand I have also clients that will pay me no questions asked. Life is a constant fight. I can completely relate to this video and I sympathise.
I think that lawyers have been stigmatized as being unreasonable with their fees, charging for every tiny bit of work. I don't know if this is even remotely true but it's been the perception for as long as I can remember.
The other issue is that the old saying "clients win or lose, lawyers just get paid"
Bannor Haruchai it depends on the lawyer. The problem is that clients cannot understand the volume of work and also lawyers cannot either. Cant say you how many times I understimated the volume of work for something and end up being underpaid. Another things people dont get is that there is no "reasonable" when it comes to getting paid, its supply and demand. If the lawyers has client that are willing to pay more for the same work, wont he charge more ? I cant find anything more reasonable than that. Its like going inside a shop a demanding a Ferrari for 10 euros. Its your right to do so but also the right of Ferrari to sell its products at the highest price . This is how it works and worked for thousands of years for all professions. On the other hand I am 100% in agreement to people who demand to know the entire cost beforehand and not end up in a rollercoaster of increased expenses. A good lawyer must be clear with his or her client. I have been so far and I have heard no complaints.
old joke...
A doctor and a lawyer were attending a cocktail party when the doctor was approached by a man who asked advice on how to handle his ulcer. The doctor mumbled some medical advice, then turned to the lawyer and grumbled, "I hate it when people seek free advice from me at parties."
The lawyer replied, "I know just what you mean. It happens to me all the time."
"How do you handle it," asked the doctor. "It seems rude not to answer a question when you are asked for advice during a social function."
"I just send the person a bill for your time" replied the lawyer.
"That's good," said the doctor. "I'll have to remember that."
The doctor went home and thought about writing a bill to the man who asked about the ulcer, but when he woke up the next day it had already slipped his mind. The night's events came rushing back to him the next day, however, when he opened his mail. In it, he found a bill for $100 from the lawyer for "consultation services rendered."
Pretty much my reaction every time someone wants to use my photographs for free :)
John Kimbler I've gifted photos to subjects as a courtesy. They've turned up in The London Times, Google, Mad Magazine, books and magazines with no by line and no payment. I dont give anything awy any more.
Lesson here: Every time you work for free you are undermining yourself, your occupation and everyone working within that same field.
I love this man. He is absolutely right. Want me to write for you? Pay me.
I'm a writer, a professional writer, and this is my new mantra.
I love this video SO much!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All Freelance creatives should learn from this. And the next time a client starts taking a lend just respond by sending them a link to this video.
RIP Harlan. You will be missed and remembered always.
What a GREAT rant. Well said and quite motivating.