[BlueCrustacean]

So, I've been HIRED to work on a short film project as a freelance position. Only after I was hired did I ask about pay, but it was the first thing I asked when he asked if I had any questions. I have no previous experience with this, so I hope I didn't come off as clueless or obnoxious. He asked how I figured my costs (for freelance), and I just told him this was my first freelance job. I love being able to work on this job, and the experience and exposure will be invaluable to me, but I want to make sure I get paid for this. I don't think that's too demanding... after all, there's been a lot of discussion lately about how artists deserve to be paid for their work and not settle for just "exposure". This is a legit, funded project mind you, albeit low budget. There's nothing sketchy about the project or the people- they're industry professionals.

I don't know, maybe I was too impatient about it, but at least I planted the suggestion there. They say it's unlikely for freelancers to get paid without asking for it first. Any tips from other freelancers, maybe?

[guilloche]

Wow! Congratulations BlueCrustacean! How awesome... I'd love to be able to do freelance work within the film industry, that just sounds so cool. I'm a little envious.

No good tips here. Maybe your best bet is to get on a forum for others doing the same kind of work, and ask for advice on how much you should be charging based on the project, your location, and your experience? That way, you can go in with a reasonable number and know what to expect?

I agree that you should be paid, but also... usually it's good to agree on the pay before you accept the job (which I'm sure you know). In this case though, I really do think the experience could help make up for it... it's your first freelance industry job! That means you'll hopefully be learning a ton, get your name out there, get a good reference, increase your confidence... all things that should lead to more work and even better pay in the future.

"I don't know, maybe I was too impatient about it, but at least I planted the suggestion there. They say it's unlikely for freelancers to get paid without asking for it first." - I've looked into freelancing in my industry, and my understanding is that as a freelancer, you'd never take a job without first agreeing to how much you're being paid. You still might struggle with being paid (I hear that most clients are slow to pay the bills and trying to collect can be frustrating), but it really is something that, at least in the area where I work, you wouldn't start working until you agreed on a price. Not sure if it works the same way for the type of work you're doing?

Good luck. I hope it goes well, that you get paid fairly, enjoy the work, and make some good contacts for future work!

[BlueCrustacean]

Thanks for the tips. This is all a completely new learning experience, for sure. I'm confident that with time I'll know the ropes a bit better and be able to assert what I'm worth.

[hvert]

Every freelance job I have, I learn something new about what not to do the next time One thing I learned on my first job was that if you charge too little, people won't take you seriously. It's really hard not to undersell yourself, especially when you are just starting out.

[growlycat]

Congrats!!

You can always say something like "Let me write you a project quote and outline the potential costs to you". Then you can go back on your on time-never on the spot- and try to figure out your expenses.

I am a visual artist not in film however but the idea is the same---Get an agreement in writing! And asking for half the pay up front is standard.

Maybe this will help?
What should I charge? | Videomaker.com

FREELANCE CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT -- FilmContracts.net