Let’s start with basic economics, shall we: high supply meets low demand equals a surplus. Say that a couple times and let it marinate.
Ok, now you’re ready. When the market is willing to pay you x and you’re asking for 2x, it’s easier to just tell the market you love being unemployed. Trust me, you’ll be saving everyone a ton of time. For every gig out there you have 50-100 filmmakers/actors competing for it. Sometimes much much more. This is the part where you pitch the usual BS about how your talents are very unique and blah blah blah. Once again; the market determines how “unique” your talents are, not you.
Your favorite filmmaker/actor doesn’t get twenty million per picture because he/she deserves it; they get that fee because there is a market willing to pay them that. Get it?
I’m like the Benjamin Graham of filmmaking. I just had to say that.
Moving on…
The Tulip Mania! The South Sea Bubble! The Great Depression! The Tech Bubble! The Housing Crash! What do they all have in common? Wait for it….overvaluation!!!!!
Putting together a glossy reel doesn’t mean you should overvalue your service. Your competition is now global, and your high end DSLR, cool special effects, “high end” production value, etc doesn’t make you “unique”. It may work wonders for your ego and self-image but not so much for the whole business factor. You guys seem to constantly forget that this is a business! And businesses like to make a…profit! The more a business spends the higher their risks of a possible return. Translation: studios would rather a Paranormal Activity than a Lone Ranger.
I also find it very interesting how some of you filmmakers/actors are willing to compromise your creative integrity for an extra zero in your paycheck. But that’s for another topic.
