Posted by Steve King on 07/15/06 23:31

"Bill Farnsworth" <bill.farnsworth@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:XCcug.4046$Ss2.426@trnddc01...
>
> "William Davis" <davisbill@mac.com> wrote
>>
>>
>> My view is 180 degrees different.
>>
>> When a client hires me to make a video for them. I consider that
>> EVERYTHING I do regarding their project belongs to them.
>>
>> If I get a call and they want the masters for someone else to cut - I
>> write up a page of notes on what I did, and why, and send it to the new
>> team with my compliments.
>>
>> I don't charge them for the dubs or the time it takes me to make them
>> or to write the notes, or even the delivery charges.
>>
>> Why?
>>
>> Because my view is that the only thing being created of actual lasting
>> value in the typical �work for hire� deal is the EXPERIENCE you get.
>>
>> And I get to KEEP that each and every time I work.
>>
>> So I don't give a rats patootie who �owns� the masters. They're
>> yesterday's news. I'm focused on how to get the client to come back
>> tomorrow or to recommend me to someone else. So I can get MORE
>> experience. (once again, the ONLY thing of real lasting value that
>> results from any �work for hire� experience.)
>>
>> Someone asks �what was it like working with Bill?� even the slight
>> possibility that the answer might be �it was OK, but we had problems
>> when we wanted to use the footage of OUR project for OUR website�� is
>> enough to send cold chills up my spine.
>>
>> The ONLY acceptable answer I want ANYONE giving when asked that is �It
>> was GREAT. No problem whatsoever. You'll absolutely LOVE working with
>> him.�
>>
>> For what it's worth.
>
> I totally agree with everything Bill has said. It make complete sense.
>
> Bill F.
> www.billfarnsworthvideo.com

I agree with the part about doing pretty much whatever it takes to please
the client in every way; however, I quarrell with a couple of details:

>>...my view is that the only thing being created of actual lasting value in
>>the typical �work for hire� deal is the EXPERIENCE you get.

I suppose the 'typical' qualifier makes this true, but in my case I get on a
lot of construction sites. Part of my agreement for these jobs includes
language, which specifies that I retain the rights to original footage and
that I may use that footage in productions for myself or for other clients.
If a client calls asking for original footage I take Bill's approach and ask
what color box he wants it in. But, I retain either the original or a
clone, shots from which often find themselves in other construction safety
productions. For that reason I also get location releases as well as
releases from all recognizable persons in shots.

Steve King

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