I don’t know if there would be low budget filmmaking if not for the concept of deferral. Perhaps not even the concept. Just the word alone, I think, serves an important function.
Not so long ago a producer approached me to direct a film. She wanted me to work on deferral. Now, I should point out that this producer was not exactly a capital “P” producer. (In case that wasn’t clear enough by the example of her request for me to lead a project for free…) Nor did she have any record – that I knew of – of producing anything that could safely promise me any backend. And remember, a deferral is only a deferred payment if there’s money made in the end. Moreover, this “producer” went on to tell me (as though it was a selling point) that everybody else on the production was working on deferral as well. Personally, that’s not really much incentive. This producer’s rationale for their strategy was that everybody on the crew would work extra hard to make the movie a success because they’d only get paid if the movie was a success…
Yeah… That’s a wonderful theory. So was communism. But the flaw in the logic there is that a good film is not the same as a financially successful film. For a film to even dream of being financially successful, you need to at least begin with a competent producer… Not someone who’s trying to cut corners before they even have a route planned out. That said, I suppose, if a project was truly unique and something I was incredibly passionate about, I may still be persuaded… At least I’d still be able to tell myself that, hey, if it works out, I’ll be getting paid!
But this wasn’t. Not even close.
It’s all well and good to agree to work for free, essentially, on the promise that you will be paid later if the film ever turns a profit. But who are we kidding? Film’s that rely heavily on deferral don’t turn a profit. Not for you at any rate. But nobody in the “negotiation” is going to admit to that. Least of all, perhaps, the person actually considering to defer their payday. To admit that would be like admitting you’ll just work for free. That your time has no value. So the word “deferral” actually serves a very important function in that it protects the ego of the person who’s really got nothing better to do at that particular time than to work for free.
And there’s nothing wrong with that. At least, I don’t believe there is. Once. And only once. For the experience. After all, where else are you going to get that experience? And hey, according to your “agreement”, you’ll still be getting a percentage on the backend when the movie’s a big success. So on paper, at least, you’re not a sucker.
I politely declined the offer. I’ve already had the experience of being deferred payment (indefinitely) on my own projects. And I was passionate about them.
Try anything once, just for the experience. But be wary. Nobody is better suited to put a price on your time than you.
