Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

From time to time I get a few requests to do free work for charity. I've decided to take a few on in my free time, and am working out the legal aspects with my lawyer.

I've worked for free before, but only for my own benefit. I would appreciate any advice on how to work for charity - what problems might I face, situations I might come across, things I haven't foreseen, etc.

Thanks.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

Before you take the job be sure to clearly spell out in writing what you will do, how many hours you will spend shooting and editing, and what they will get as a final product. Good advice for any project. Since you are working for free you make the rules and stick to them. If they want t deviate from your agreement they can pay you.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

Good on you for doing some charity work. The times I've done it have been very rewarding. Not having to worry about budgets etc can be quite freeing. The feeling of helping out a good charity is better than being paid (oops, I never said that :-))!
The only thing I would worry about are your insurances. Whose insurance will cover you if you are injured or if your equipment injures someone (like trips over a cable).
Go for it, enjoy the experience.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

Thanks, Rick! I'm going to treat it like any other professional gig.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

Thanks, Phill! Insurance is definitely something I'll talk to my lawyer about.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

I have done some of this and my lawyer told me to treat it like any other paying job except I'm not getting paid. My liability insurance still covers me, I fill out a service agreement specifying the details and scope of the job just like I would for any other job, I even specify the dollar amount I would normally charge for said described work and have the payment schedule as part of the service agreement but at the end after I total the charges, I have NO CHARGE on there in big print so they know what the job would be worth and the value of what they're getting. I agree that should the deviate from the scope of the work then a discussion needs to be had about possible payment and of course an addendum needs to be written and included in the original agreement along with not only the scope of the work of the change but also any monetary agreement.
I then let my CPA figure out what part if any or all is tax deductible for me at the end of the year.
Just because I'm not getting paid doesn't mean it's not real work and doesn't mean I don't need to protect myself.
As much as possible...CYA!

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

one thing to think about, is charging for equipment rental.

Yes it's charity work, but you're equipment wasn't free for you, so if you think about it, giving them equipment for free is almost like paying them to do your work. Wear and tear is always. If you nick your UV Filter, who's going to pay to replace it? same with anything else that isn't made of adamantium.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

I discovered a new approach to free work the other day and i'll be using it for my next charity/freebie work as i think it will avoid some of the issues all of us must have encountered when donating labour or doing friends favours.

You basically give them a set number of hours for free - worked out to cover what a job of that size would normally take so they won't have to pay anything. Unless they make lots of changes or ask for more. This is where I think the friendship or relationship can get strained if the client keeps asking for more and more for free and eventually you'll get annoyed and have to cut them off.

So if you agree that the job will take 30 hours then you can put in place an agreement for 30 hours of donated work and if they burn through those hours then you charge your normal rate (or even a discounted rate if you like). This then makes everyone conscious of working to schedule and a plan but still gives them the option to make changes if they need to but they're aware it's not an endless pool of free work.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

Thanks, Don! That's a great idea. I'm talking with my accountant on how to manage this bit. This will also not slot me into the 'working for cheap' category.

Regarding overages, I will probably be helping those who can't afford it, so I intend to take responsibility for it. I must do my bit of due diligence and ensure I can complete a project before taking it on. Fingers crossed.

Thanks!

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

Good advice, Darren. Here's where I'm stuck: The people I intend to help cannot afford to make a video, but I don't want to cheap out on tools either. It's my responsibility. On the other hand, if I'm working with organizations with deeper pockets, I might ask them to pay for gear at least.

Otherwise it's all coming out of my pocket.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

That sounds like great advice, Damian. I will most likely put something to this effect in the contract. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be in a position to enforce it because they won't be able to afford it, and I 'should have known better' at the beginning.

I feel if it really came to a point where we can't complete the project, it will most likely be abandoned or postponed or whatever. I must find a way to figure out how it's going to turn out, at the beginning.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

Any advice on how to handle 'creative differences'?

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

I've found that's the hard bit, you've really got to know who you're dealing with before you do anything.

Because once they know it's not costing them, control freaks you've never even seen before, will pour out of the woodwork and go berserk.
I spell out the basic show in a one page outline, get it approved telling them (with a smile) that's it. The first cut is final, any recuts will be at cost.

Just supply the required number of copies, keep all the footage, so someone's *creative* son can't get at it. You might not even know.

I started with one charity who wanted to sell DVDs on line, so the programs had to be saleable quality. After 3 years and 5 successful programs,
they still haven't got an online shoppe, so I've given up.

Cheers.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

Thanks, Allan!

What I dread are 'experienced' volunteers who want to put in their two cents during the shoot. If I can get away clean with the footage I'll be okay!

About the charity who couldn't sell DVDs online, did you try to go out of your way to advise them? In India, people aren't very savvy when it comes to the internet and video. I am tinkering with the idea of helping them set up their website as well - do you think it's too much? Don't want to get sucked in to a never-ending loop of misery.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

I've been down the road of "everyone know everything about what I am doing because they've all done family videos" so after learning the lesson the hard way I also have in my T&C of my service agreement EXACTLY WHO has control on their side and who has it on my side (obviously ME). Anyone else that tries to get into the mix I politely inform them that they have ZERO say so and that I deal ONLY with SO and SO from their organization. When they return with so and so from the group it gets sorted out in a polite yet firm manner at that time and since I have the scope of work on the service agreement with me, guess what. I WIN! Unless they want to do a change order and pay me my normal rate.
It generally doesn't get to testy nor has it happened a lot but then again I don't do much of the No Charge work anymore.
My point is EVERYTHING needs t be spelled out in writing regardless of whether they are a paying client or not. Like my lawyers over the years have always said, "if it's not in writing, it doesn't exist!"

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

Same as always. The guy who signs the checks makes the final decision. On pro-bono work, that's me.

The problem comes - and I don't do this anymore - when you have a 90%/10% arrangement, where you are donating 90%, and the .org is paying you some small fee. They get that "BUT I'M PAYING YOU!!" entitlement, and you get a couple hundred bucks to put up with their crap.

I have shot two weddings in my life. The first one, after a three camera setup and dozens of hours of work - the happy couple, for whom I had agreed to do their wedding video for free, sent me a check for $100. I've never been so insulted. I'm happy to do it as my gift to you, but please don't pay me $100 for $5000 worth of work.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

The problem with an on line shoppe selling product is threefold.

First setting it up, the web design, product listing with a code number, basket, checkout, payment links etc. is fairly easy if a pro outfit is employed to do it.

The second problem is running it, collecting and processing on line orders, banking payments and sending out the orders properly packed for freight.
A constant supply of the right packaging is needed.

The third problem is trusting part time charity workers to do it on a day to day basis .. forever!
It might start off alright, but unless you plan to regularly drop in and check it, I'd stay out of it.
Sorry to be negative, but money is involved and maybe a lot of it.

Cheers.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

Very good advice here. Its surprising to me since I have worked so many years in the construction business where there to me there is very little of the silliness there is with the video/media business. You drive up with $6,000 in tools and few folk are going to try to tell you how to use them (as if you don't know) instead of just watching you do your job and seeing the results. Sure a few may try to tell you how, but they can't really expect you to listen to them. Yes of course there is the collaboration, but that's not what I see sometimes. Seemed like the craftsmen, trades, superintendent were respected and their input was valuable.

One of the problems I see with a small amount of folk I have worked with in the media business is the is a loss of the respect. I have run into more off the wall (guess it should have been expected) in a short time as a Videographer, than in many years in construction.

People will give themselves titles "Director, DP, or Camera Operator" without any off the real experience they need to be given the title. I have seen a camera operator who did not want any help (basically refused) to shoot anything but in automatic. Director's who want you to use an interview microphone as a shotgun (no I can't have the microphone in the shot). I've heard so many other stories it some times makes me wonder why I am in the business, but I still love it.

I did have to very reluctantly quit a work for free gig because basically the person in control was so hard to work with doing my job as the camera operator/dp was impossible. I don't mean very hard, I mean truly impossible (at least with any degree of professionalism). Just did not really have a clue about much of anything, but felt they did and they were going to tell me how to do it. It was going to be impossible because what they had to shoot and the way they were going about the shoot, it would have taken 3 to 4x the time available. There were several real world limitations on the shooting schedule but they lived in a fantasy world where a detailed shot list was not as important as going out that day and just shooting. For instance we had very specialized (working for free) talent on the shoot who were from the opposite part of the US and they had a very limited amount of time to volunteer. The worst part is when I would go into lengthy detail about why I need to do this or that, they would listen and it appeared they understood, but then would ignore what I said and continue on like I had never said anything at all. I am not talking I did this just once, but a least 20 times on differing issues. I finally just had to give up and quit. I really can't adequately explain it all either, but I just could not do the work and have it look like it was shot by 5 year olds. Mind you this was someone who had been enrolled in a film school (got kicked out) and worked on sets in Hollywood. Craziness.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

LOL...sorry couldn't resist, but did you return the check?

I agree with you about creative control. I intend to fight for that...otherwise what am I doing there?

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

Absolutely. I also feel if someone is turned off after seeing the contract it is an indirect admission of trouble down the line.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

Not negative at all. I have experienced the same thing earlier this year with one of the charities. Strangely, if there isn't money or authority involved, people tend to take things for granted. That last time I backed out a bit, and things are still the way they were.

I think I'll stick to just the video bit for now.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

I absolutely agree with Don's post. And Mike as well.

To me, if I were to take on any "pro bono" work, I would have it in a written contract that I am the one in complete control of the project, and I can take or leave anyone else's opinion or suggestion.

Why? Because I want this to be something that I'd be proud to show as a demo piece to non-pro bono clients. Show off what I can come up with on my own without having to rely on other's input.

You have to be confident and very creative because this is going to be YOUR show. Obviously you want to achieve something that will work for that client, but just on your own terms.

Some of that creativity may come as a question as to how to do something really neat for no or low amount of money. Just to throw out, shooting on an IPhone, making use of still photography for the video, or ONLY using pick-up imagery, Ken Burns-ee stuff. Or things that you've wanted to try but didn't or couldn't on a paying gig.

Opportunity knocks, only if you are in charge. If they don't agree to these terms and everything is written out like the ten commandments, then I would have to reconsider, or even pass on the job since it is of little benefit to me.

Always think of pro bono as something that you will end up with something that you would be proud to show off, and not "I'll never do this bul****t again".

As far as rental and overhead costs, that has to go into the "is it worth it to me" category.

Good luck.

Jonathan Levin

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

Just do the video bit and leave the website thing. The website can be a never ending madness as anybody and everybody will have an opinion about it.

Since it is a pro-bono work, put your foot down and stick to your cuts. However, doing it tactfully helps. First hear them out as to what they want and then decide the stuff and execute.

I have an experience where people thought anything that is free/cheap or discounted means bad quality. And I had one experience where the client was literally crying infront of me that they don't have budgets but want high production value etc etc. Later I found that they just wanted to get it free. I flatly refused.

From my past experience of being in a senior position in the corporate world, I can tell you that more than 99% of NGOs in India are fraud. So be careful. If you are really committed to their cause, want to volunteer for them then do it. However, always be careful.

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

This is my experience as well! Definitely not going to give away my creative freedom.

Can you give me the numbers of the other 1%? :)

On a serious note, I agree with you that there are many fraudulent NGOs. I'm only working with those who come with some references. Let's see how it goes. Thanks!

Re: Advice on Shooting Pro Bono
 

I agree with you 100%. I don't intend to just swing by with a handycam!

There's nothing better than doing something that is both creatively and spiritually satisfying (except creatively, spiritually and financially satisfying!).