This is part of an email convesation I had one week ago today:
I saw a posting for acting auditions and sent a message to the production company asking if they needed a composer on that project.
The subject of the emails (their subject, not mine) was, "Composer, Yes!"
XXX FILMS:
>Perfect timing, Joel!
>The person I asked just told me he didn't feel led to pursue this right now. Meaning, I asked him because of
>who he is in the Lord and his musical gifts, not because he's done it before. It's not his time. And I just put
>that little breath prayer up saying, I'll need to find some composer options, Jesus.
>Can you please send me links to your work and tell me the rate you would charge for a 13 page short? Both
>my main crew gave me rates based upon a contract for the 3 shorts we plan to produce in the near future. Id
>be open to that for the composer as well.
>Looking forward to hearing your work!
>Blessings!
MY RESPONSE:
>.... Links and Self-Promotion
>.... Where I hang out online
>.... My music links
>I score shorts for free as long as they don't require more than about 20 minutes of music (though I am 'happy'
>to take something if you feel inclined)
>One of films this year was by a filmmaker in Redondo Beach, CA (if you want to talk to someone local).
>Joel
XXX FILMS:
>Are you local to LA?
MY RESPONSE:
>Houston. But remember everything is done electronically via dropxbox and three of my films this year (2 of
>the 4 at the 168 film festival) were with an LA filmmaker, one from Pueblo, CO and one other film was from
>Tyler, TX (near Dallas).
>Joel
XXX FILMS:
>Just curious. I like to sit down and have a coffee with people I don't know so I can get to know them and
>them me.
>I'll be in touch.
>So glad you reached out!
====================================================================
That was it. I haven't heard from her again. She may still call - who knows? :) But for me my takeaway message is sort of a global one - people prefer local rather than long distance relationships. Both in their personal lives and their professional lives. I get that. It is a shame since anyone in post production knows that it is a nice thing to have (I do travel to LA once or twice a year) but we don't need to do our work on a 'set' and in the world of Internet, collaboration is done pretty much the same whether I am on the opposite side of LA or whether I am in Texas or Switzerland for that matter (though the time zone difference is easier between Pacific and Central time zones).
Also, from a business perspective, our pricing is based upon the income/benefits and our expenses. I am already taking a risk composing for a short for free (and giving up current income for future potential feature collaborations). I obviously don't want to incur a loss by working for free and also traveling to LA.
What are your experiences?
Hi Joel, yes this is sad true. People are afraid in some way from online collaboration. I don't know why. But. Today with possibilities of technology which we have it doesn't make sence. I worked for two videoediting companies in past, both based in NY and all our work goes through skype/dropbox. And it was really nice collaboration. Maybe some people just didn't jump into the 21. century for now. :) Who knows.