Everyone wants to be paid for the work they do. Everyone deserves to be paid for the work they do. As someone who makes my living in this business, I NEED to be paid for my work. That said, as film professionals, when developing a project, we often spend hours, days, weeks, months, and even years putting our time, energy, and experience into a job without compensation in the hope of getting that project across the finish line.
I used to grouse about this reality. I'd wonder (sometimes out loud) when I was going to be in a position where my services were valued enough to be paid for the work I was doing in development. I felt cheated, and it started to impact my love of the craft.
However, about 10 years ago, I took a DP week-long workshop with a well-known cinematographer. This is a guy who has shot tons of high-end films and commercials, many with bigger budgets than most of us ever get to spend on a single project. In one of the lectures, he revealed that about one-third of the work he does on any given project he does for free. Before the first scout or first production meeting, or sometimes even before securing the job, he will spend days or weeks dissecting a script, thinking about lighting, camera moves, company logistics. He'll take pages and pages of notes, all in the spirit of giving the project the best chance for success.
I don't know about anyone else in the workshop, but I left left that week with a renewed sense of purpose, energy and commitment. I accepted the reality that working for free is a reality of this industry and that it isn't a reflection of my personal value, but rather a reflection of my level of commitment to producing great work. That's not to say I'm a sucker or that I will just give time away to anyone who asks, but that as someone working in a key position, I will do what it takes to get the job done well. In return for some of that work, I receive piece of mind that I'm servicing the film, the commercial, the client and myself.
How do you approach the through of sometimes working for free? I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts!
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The cinematographer anecdote centers on a person who took on those seemingly altruistic tasks because they chose to, not because they were asked to. It's unstated whether they ever accepted an unpaid gig. Or if all that pre-pro work was completed and they weren't hired. You do you, but this approach is a tad tricky.
Unpaid is the bane of the industry: Build your portfolio. We're entering the film in Sundance. Seeking collaborator. Ad naueum.
Before working free, consider an aftermath where one might feel ripped off or empty because your time was given away with little to no reward. If the party hasn't funded the project, perhaps they're dilettantes.
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I hear you. This post is more about recognizing that it isn't an all-or-nothing proposition. I've been doing this for a long time and will still donate my time to a project if I feel it has potential or if I believe the advanced, unpaid work I'm doing will benefit the project in the long run. But, you are 100% correct, it is a "tad tricky."
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I hear you as well. Been at it awhile, too. After getting burned too many times, it's more clear cut now.
Life is choices.
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Michael Fitzer, that shift in mindset you described is powerful: recognizing that uncompensated work, especially in development, isn’t about undervaluing yourself, but about investing in the creative process and the success of the project.
I think it’s important, like you said, to make a distinction, working for free doesn’t mean working without boundaries. It means being selective, strategic, and clear about why you’re choosing to give your time. Sometimes it’s about relationships, passion for the story, or the long game. Other times, it’s about sharpening your craft or helping build something meaningful with collaborators you believe in.
This kind of discussion is so needed, especially for newer filmmakers navigating where and how to draw the line.
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Michael Fitzer - the closest experience I have pertains to editing. I get requests to look at a screenplay or book periodically. But I make the decision to do it for free based on what the person means to me and what has been invested in the friendship. That doesn't always tie in to mutual benefit and that's totally ok to me. It's not always about doing something to get something. I simply ask myself if this is someone who I want to see succeed because of what they personally mean to me. And like Ashley said, it doesn't mean not having boundaries.
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I took the ASC Masterclass in September ‘24, and had the privilege of spending several lunch breaks in conversation with Mark Irwin (Scream, Old School, There’s Something About Mary). His advice was simple but powerful: “Say yes to everything.” Especially for those of us transitioning from passionate hobbyists to serious, working DPs — that stuck with me.
Several other cinematographers in the class echoed a similar reality: yes, we sometimes work for free, or for reduced rates. Yes, it sucks. But it’s often part of the path — especially when you're building trust, learning, or helping something meaningful come to life.
As a full-time DP based in North Carolina, I’ve run into this challenge often. The market doesn’t always reflect the 20+ years of experience I bring in design, photography, and storytelling — and even free work can be hard to come by in some circles. It’s tough. Some days it feels defeating.
But I’ve learned to give myself one assignment each day that moves my career forward: send one cold email, follow up with one director, reach out to one new collaborator. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps the momentum alive — and reminds me that I’m still building, still pushing, still saying “yes” to growth.
Would love to hear how others navigate this balance — especially outside the big production hubs.
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Great approach Lindsay Thompson. I certainly don't say "yes" to everything, but I say yes to a lot, especially when I believe it will help me advance my craft.