I Got an Offer I Could Refuse

[Richard Wasserman]

I received an email yesterday from a filmmaker who is making a short film about the ins and outs of appraising art for various purposes for a client who is an art appraiser and consultant. He wanted permission to use one of my photos in the film and was generous enough to offer me credit for it. He assured me that the film was not for commercial gain—how is that possible? I replied that if he was willing to pay me, which I don't think he is, let's talk. If not, I suggested that he speak with his client who also does consulting work with photographers, and I think would be the first one to agree with me that photographers should be paid. I'm pretty sure he is being paid also....

[Larry Kellogg]

This video from Harlan Ellison, entitled "Pay the Writer", crossed my mind:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5IV23g-fE

[Richard Wasserman]

Perfect—What a great rant!

This video from Harlan Ellison, entitled "Pay the Writer", crossed my mind:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5IV23g-fE

[toyotadesigner]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=JI3Df7-KFtw





https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=JI3Df7-KFtw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhalmKt1IXU&sns=em

[Will S]

Uh-oh. Now you have to pay Harlan since you posted a link to his video.

[Larry Kellogg]

Uh-oh. Now you have to pay Harlan since you posted a link to his video.

That's not Harlan's video, it was done by a guy named Nicholas Horton. Perhaps Nicholas crossed Harlan's palm with silver to get the rights to distribute it, I don't know.

[Leszek Vogt]

Richard, just to underline your position, you may want to send Harlan's video. I see this bs on CL every day....and people get bit irate when you remind them that they are being paid. Hello ? Working for a film credit
is fine for students. Indeed, too much abuse out there....

Les

[koh303]

I received an email yesterday from a filmmaker who is making a short film about the ins and outs of appraising art for various purposes for a client who is an art appraiser and consultant. He wanted permission to use one of my photos in the film and was generous enough to offer me credit for it. He assured me that the film was not for commercial gain—how is that possible? I replied that if he was willing to pay me, which I don't think he is, let's talk. If not, I suggested that he speak with his client who also does consulting work with photographers, and I think would be the first one to agree with me that photographers should be paid. I'm pretty sure he is being paid also....

I guess you are well known and well paid as Harlan Ellison, and you can just push away that kind of offer.

Thanks to free market capitalism, for most other mere mortals, that is the only way to get a foot in the door (see: internships).

That is not to say anyone, or you should give away your work for nothing, but - its always worth to evaluate the situation. Will you get fame and fortune from such an offer? i doubt it. Will the makers get fame and fortune for getting something from you for free? I doubt it. Will their work be so much better with your photo? Who knows.

[Jac@stafford.net]

Uh-oh. Now you have to pay Harlan since you posted a link to his video.

Harlan Ellison was God to my brother, a writer, and me back when Ellison was just over the hump to be recognized. Hanging out with my brother in his home in Berkeley he called Harlan. He was listed. I was dumfounded as they spoke for over half an hour. I don't think we could do that today.

Aside: In one of his Dangerous Visions anthologies he exceeded his own characterization by writing (paraphrased) "... Barry Weissman's submission about a snot vampire was rejected outright. Now you can call on me for a having a closed mind."

[Larry Kellogg]

Great story, I've always been a big fan of Harlan Ellison's stories. I think Harlan worked his way up from the bottom, at ten cents a page, if I recall correctly. I don't blame him for standing up for the right to be paid for his work.