(quotes are paraphrased to the best that I can remember them)
Today I responded to an ad on craigslist looking for a still photographer for a film shoot. I instantly got called up and asked to set up a meeting with the guy. He’s british and is talking a mile a minute. Everything is going well. He’s telling me how he likes my work and he’s met with tons of photographers so far and just wants to find one and be done with it. Then I ask how much the pay would be. He doesn’t respond and just continues on with what he was saying about how he wants me to call him next week to confirm, etc. etc.
A little frustrated that he ignored my question and thinking maybe he just didn’t hear me, I ask again “how much will the pay be?”
Finally paying attention to what I’m asking, he goes off on me.
“I’m the director. I don’t know these things. You’re asking the wrong question bud.”
“well is there someone I can speak to, perhaps the producer that would know a ball park figure for me.”
“Kid, you don’t ask what the pay is. You wait till a couple meetings and then ask. I’ve been in the industry for a long time and you don’t do that if you want to get a job.”
At this point I was getting a little angry because this guy was trying to give me a lecture on the do’s and don’ts of business. I can understand where he is coming from but what it comes down to is my time is money and I need to know it will be worth my while before getting into anything . . . especially on craigslist. I’ve had too many experiences where everything looks like it’s going great and then we get to how much they’re going to pay me and it’s hardly anything. So, excuse me for wanting to know what the pay is going to be like. I feel it’s a legitimate question to ask.
Finally I respond “look, lets agree to disagree because obviously you’re not going to agree with me and I’m not going to agree with you and I don’t want to sit around arguing over this. I’m still interested in discussing the job with you though.”
“you’re right . . . we shouldn’t meet up.” and he promptly hangs up.
I’d like to hear what other people think on this subject because maybe I’m wrong. But it doesn’t feel like it. What it comes down to is I don’t appreciate people being rude to me. . . even if I ask a question they aren’t happy with.
