Having had a spare hour on Sunday morning with nothing else to do but read through the CCP forum pages (sad life!)
I've had some recent bad experiences with the Met Film School. The usual: promises of DVD's being forwarded and then being completely ignored. No pay. Etc.
There really is only one solution you know. EVERYONE - every single one of us, every actor who looks through jobs on CCP and Spotlight should boycott student film making, especially when there is no remuneration.
I've made a firm resolution not to apply for any further student film projects and I will turn down anything that my agent sends me up for. Can I suggest that everyone else does the same until these film schools wake up to the fact that they are the worst kind of exploiters?
They can't make their film projects if they can't find actors.
Yes, that's absolutely right about the film festival system. It's very much the case with the LCC film I mentioned, and another Independent short filmed before this. As they're being entered for various film festivals, I've been advised to make sure the film doesn't go on-line. Apparently many, if not all film festivals will not accept a film which has been on-line i.e. youtube etc. I was told that's it's fine though if I'm having a new showreel edit done, and wish to use footage on that.
I completely agree with you about the problem being the students and not the college. I'm sure there are many out there who've worked with Bournemouth students and absolutely loved it! I just wasn't on of them.
I did one there coz my daughter did a script writing course at Bmouth. I was staggered at the set up and standard of KIT....a full studio. I was actually filming an epp of Holby at the time...and casually said I would have to be there a bit later to start filming at the UNI. My thinking was its students and they would be late starting anyway etc. When I arrived at the UNI...I was blown away by a full studio set up...5 cameras....person ready to shoot behind each camera and others in the gallery. The whole scene had to be shot in one take as part of thier project!! Talk about not being prepared and presuming it was just stdents so it nee not be too much too worry about. I rapidly pulled my finger out and pulled it off for them.
As has been said....dont always blame the UNI or the students.
We can only comment and speak as we find. I think the answer lies in the new post about...the way forward. To me that is to go in and talk to the students and the UNI about working "togther" in harmony.
I've had some bad Met. School experiences too but I've also had good ones. The last film I did there I was paid, in cash, at the end of each day (including the rehearsal day). I agree that no professional actor should agree to do unpaid work and you should never work for less than the national minimum wage. I was recently asked to do a film for the London Film School and they agreed to pay £50. When it turned out that there were rehearsal days as well and I insisted on £50 per day I was quickly dropped! The problem is that many film schools do not give their students a budget and unless Mum and Dad have a bit of cash the students don't have any money. I think, as Equity does, that we should be firm and refuse to work for nothing. However, being realistic, I know that some actors new to the business and anxious to get something for their show reel will say Yes. Before we start feeling too sorry for ourselves, remember that more often than not the 'runners' on some professional film shoots will be working unpaid. It's an unfair world - but on the whole, we love it, that's why we often are the 'suckers'!
Hi ! It is really sad but please avoid LFS (London film school) !
I was promised footage + film and screening invitation.
None of this is happening (ok, I didn't really want to go to the screening and you will understand why soon).
It was a very challenging role and the director of the film was abusive towards me but also to all the other members of the crew (she got fired from her own film but only in the end ) I had to work under extremely hard condition, 8 days of shooting (11h/day) + 2 days outside in the cold without any green room! ..I could go on with psychological pressure, the lack of organization, the very small amount of food and the violence of the scenes and what the director did to us. All of these, without any supervision... But all I want to say is that I gave them my soul, literally, and for FREE ! Everyone agreed that my performance was great (I'm thankful for the feedback) but they are not even grateful enough to give me what they have promised me. The Raw footage + The film.
NEVER AGAIN. The funny thing is that they forgot to make me sign the released form. ;)
I also went on equity and saw that they should have paid me.
The only school I recommend so far is Arts University Bournemouth !
They are amazing
Don’t work for free PERIOD. When you put a value on what you do and yourself, you will see how quickly people’s attitude change towards you. I noted this in other areas of my working life and receive better remuneration elsewhere. Not the case as an actor but then I no longer have deal with unpaid work and/is changing people for a copy of a DVD that turns out to be absolutely worthless to me in the end, for showreel purposes.
I was approached recently by a Bournemouth student for his graduate film, usual comments, loved showreel etc. Said I might be interested but what were the dates, location and remuneration?
"Sadly, I cannot pay you for your time on my set, however, I can cover your expenses to location and cover you for your food. "
Replied "As a member of Equity who have agreed a minimum rate of pay for student films I am afraid I am unable to work on an expenses only basis.
Best of luck with your graduation short.
Regards
Jeremy"
Interestingly he replied "Apologies for that, I did not see you request minimum pay. Our lecturers have always told us to pay expenses only as there were certain laws we would have to follow if we were to pay day rates."
So it seems the lecturers are still encouraging the students to expect freebie actors!
Jeremy , I wonder if you could garner the name of the lecturer involved with that students film , so that we may all email him to ask if he lectures for free ‘
Not sure why this has been revived after 7 years. I've had bad experiences with the Met but really good ones with LFA. No-one forces you to take student work and if you do you must accept that sometimes you won't have a great time.
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