[Mark Burnstien]

If you believe that creativity is a commodity then giving it away is plain stupid. I do not understand what you mean by evolution – yes the technology always evolves but the intellectual process does not.

I have and will do the occasional free pitch with a new client – but I prefer to enter a discussion about the project and talk about how the client and designer should work together as a team – rather than have a beauty pageant to win work every time. Then attempt to persuade them to pay a small fee to the people pitching.

You say every market matures – well I think that developments in our industry is infantilising ours. Low entry point software has enabled many to be able to create mind boggling work at home or from small studios but real world experience, training, mentoring is decreasing.

Work can be turned over quicker and cheaper than ever before clients are thinking less before commissioning work and often gifted designers are turning over 5 times the amount of jobs that they used to survive the lower returns and because the market expects it.

Imagine 20 years ago a client ringing up on a wednesday saying “I need a 2 minute animation by end of play Friday”
Hang on – I’ll book the rostrum, the lab, telecine, oh and I’ll see if I can book 40 animators, cell painters, in-betweeners, character designers in order to turn that over…

Sure those days are gone and so has the money but also so has the client’s ability to think ahead.

[Mark Burnstien]

Maybe, maybe, maybe.

You never know some hot shot producer might have your music on their next HBO hit… or it could languish on a dusty shelf somewhere.

Either way you’ll never know until you’ve tried.

[Mark Burnstien]

I do have an “out of scope” line – but not detailed. I live and learn.

[Mark Burnstien]

Ok Fellas another twist in the tale….

That hurdle has been crossed I didn’t give them the project files and they accepted that.

Here’s problemo number two.

At the beginning of the project I had to quote for a two minute film. The script was never two minutes despite the director saying he would get around to editing it it always read at 3.30 I was told to continue with a story board which in order to get every image to read on the time line ended up being 3.30 Alll the way along the director said I know this is the wrong way to work – but I want to put the voice to your picture.

No I have purchase order* on with a 2 minute duration.

They have made a 3.5 minute film under their orders.

Now I have to deliver so I say I want to have a written promise that they will undertake to pay for the additional work.

The director is saying well the CEO is paying for it and the budget was set at..X and I am saying well I need X plus 75% for the additional time taken to create the additional minutes. The director is saying I will get you more money ….. wait for it …. on the next project.

Using your combined wisdom and tact and considerable wit – how do I tackle this one – bearing in mind I am supposed to be delivering the finished film tomorrow.

*I am in London

[Mark Burnstien]

Thanks Bulls…

Food for thought… I shall chew the cud and act tomorrow.

MB