Heading into a new year (or new quarter, season, headspace; depending on when you read this), many a thought turns to “I’m going to start getting paid my worth” and “I’m not working for no or low payment anymore!” The artists I work with often ask me how to decide if an opportunity is paying them enough - and I also think about this myself when asked to take on new projects. While I used to think payment had to be monetary, I’ve been thinking differently of late and I’d like to share what I use as a rubric of sorts to before taking on a gig, task, project
I got this idea from a Facebook comment I read a couple of years ago. The commenter said that they heard that (insert well-known artist name) uses a “4 Fs” guide, and if the gig offers 2 of the 4 Fs, they accept the gig. I don’t want to mention the artist as when I went to Mr. Google to check if this story was online anywhere, or if the method itself could be found as a mention in a story, I found nothing. (If you have seen a similar story published though, please do share.) So, I don’t want to tag onto a known artist without knowing if it really came from them. That aside, I took the 4 Fs and made my own “7 Fs rubric” for when I decide: take the gig or not?
The 7 Fs Rubric
On this scale, I look at all the Fs the gig offers - if it meets 3 (or more!) of them, I’m taking it. If it meets 2 of them, there is still a value in it, and most likely I will take it on. I don’t take on projects that only have a value of 1 F.
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Financial remuneration - will they pay me a reasonable fee? Is cash money crossing my hand in its physical form or via PayPal, electronic bank transfer, or some other legitimate form of payment?
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Fun - does this event or project look like it’s going to be fun? Light up those pleasure receptors and make me smile when I’m getting ready to do it and/or doing it?
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Free food and drink - Hey, no one wants to be at a long event, hungry and thirsty. Can I get a bottled water over here? Stay hydrated people!
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Friend - is this being run by a friend and I mean a good friend? Not a vague acquaintance, but a person I hang out with for non-work times as well? I’m into supporting friends and their endeavors.
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First time event situation - Maybe this is the 1st ever occurence of the “Dandelions in Nebraska Music Festival” or maybe it’s just the 1st time I have ever been invited to take part in said festival. Or maybe it’s the 1st time you’ve been asked to work as a one-day stage manager assistant and you actually have never had to use all the skills of that skill set before?
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For a good cause - Is the purpose of this event to raise funds to build a no-kill animal shelter? Think of the kitties! Legitimate causes and charities are worthy of your time.
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multiFarious - OK. This is almost an accessory point and might not be an actual full piece to some, but to get my last F in there, I used a fancy word for miscellaneous…however, what are some plus points this task gets you that otherwise you might not have gotten? Is the event close by and easy to get to? You can sleep in your own bed that night? Will you get to meet and work with a person you hold in high regard and never would have met, or at least not for a couple more years down the line in your growth?
As an example, last year I was invited to serve as a music supervisor for a short indie film. I considered; what Fs will I get? There was no payment, however it was: fun (2), many free coffees and a couple free dinners (3), it was my first chance to do such work and the director’s first film (5), and I could often work from home, use music from artists I know, and I got an IMDB credit to my name as “Music Supervisor.” (7)
Recently an indie band I work with was offered a last-minute opener spot at a large music festival held in this area. Again, no financial payment, but as a newer band without much audience notice, it was a chance they normally would not have gotten (7) , they got to meet the headliners (also 7), they had access to the craft services tent (3), they had a blast (2), and fortunately they were given a travel stipend to cover their transport to and from the festival.
Now, by no means am I saying that in every situation, if the gig or project offers other things, but no money, should you take it. There are times you have to walk away. When your friend starts a new music mini-fest and you play it for free dinner and a good time, that’s great. You’ve pinged 3 Fs and all is well. When you have been playing your friends festival for 6 years and he is now paying the headliners some quality green and you are still getting “In-N-Out” burgers as payment, the fun / food / friend combo isn’t cutting it anymore. I’d actually go out on a limb and say it’s now only the 1 F of food, because it’s no fun being passed by for payment when you are supporting the event and helping it grow these past few years AND also he isn’t a real friend. Because a true friend wants you to get paid, and if a friend has the ability to pay you, a friend pays. Use your judgement.
Remember, you have to decide how many Fs are being given, and if enough Fs for you to continue. Cheers and on to a successful journey!