You Should NEVER Work for Free

Should you work for Free as a filmmaker? All creative professionals have stories of being asked to work for free, Take on spec commercial projects, working for EXPOSURE! In this video I break down my opinion on 'Should you work for free as a creative' and why working for free doesn't necessarily mean what you think it does. It also covers topics such as: How Much should I charge as a filmmaker? When should I start charging clients? Landing your first paying client, and Shooting passion projects as a filmmaker.

[loganstrong]

This is crazy, I've said this myself for a long time: "Never work for free, but that doesn't always mean money."
There are so many ways you can profit from projects like you said, it's important to make sure you're always getting something out of it.

[ShepherdXVII]

I think this carries across to all artistic mediums! Very well said mumbo!

[illegalmemedealer]

The golden rule: Never work for exposure

[JamesRoyceDawson]

I would add to always read exactly how you're going to get paid. I did a filming job where I thought I was going to be paid 50% before production and 50% after production. I didn't sign the contract until I was already there and found out it was actually half after filming and half after the film had come out and made a profit. I never got that second half...

[DaxSudo]

I'm a software engineer and if you choose to go the freelance route it's the exact same. Contributing to open source projects and building skills and portfolio is invaluable. But it's not very financially viable without another income.

[nordvestgaming]

As a photographer, I have a pretty simple rule I follow, if I offer a shoot then it's probably free of charge, if you ask me for a shoot you are paying in some way that isn't just "exposure".

[Empire]

I sometimes edit videos for my church, I don't do it for the money but it is appreciated when they do occasionally pay me.

[silidox]

Who else want a podcast of his voice for hours?

[EmpressSock]

Mumbo in all seriousness. until he slides back, exposes his lack of actual pants.

[OmegaDoesThings]

What Mumbo is describing is utility function. Everyone's got some set of important stuff, and attribute weights/values to each of those things, so you can still potentially gain something despite expenditure or lack of money. Always makes me pleased to hear someone talking about the subject.

[JackEnriqueC]

if someone wants to pay you with "exposure" just remember, you had enough for them to find you

[coconutboy]

Well I guess I won’t do homework anymore until I get paid

[notmedontkno]

My youngest is listening to you explain this and saying "Because he's a good person". Mumbo, you're truly an awesome role model for smol artists. Thank you <3

[syntaxerror]

What I learned : Mumbo has an accountant.

[TurboLife]

The big reveal at 7:11 is the best! Mumbo is wearing short pants! He had me fooled the entire time with that collared shirt and talking head framing! Well done sir... Well done!

[JennySYS]

i feel like this video is the motivation i needed to start filmmaking again. i reached a burnout a long time ago but i wanna bring myself back up there before i start studying film in college.

[mikhailgusev]

My formula of "never work for free" is quite like yours. Big money on a long-time projects can't compensate a lack of experience that you can get in less paid but more interesting and complicated projects. And sometimes am looking for short work with high-tier technology stack even if i would not be paid for it because of a great experience boost.

[lucasjnogueira]

5:10 "The experience earned and the lessons learned outway the outlay"

[epicthief]

Volunteering doesn't pay the bills but it makes you feel good, always get paid for your labor. Still waiting for the collaboration with the Corridor Crew

[tobyborrett]

I just wish someone would just offer me a job