None of this information really holds true 100% of the time, probably not even 85% of the time.  But its trueness is statistically significant (is true a lot), so keep reading.

I’ve been trying to organize more projects and collaborate with different people.  It is hard to get people (even people I know very well already) to stay committed, I don’t have much financial backing.  What are some things I should do ? – Jimmie James

In a lot of the creative fields, especially collaborative ones, you end up building a contact list of people in all different specialties and of varying degrees of competence.  Some of these people will be good friends, and some you will just work with a lot.  Here are some things to keep in mind when interacting with other freelance artists.

The guy who is always working on a million things, never leaves his studio or office and only ever talks about work. HIRE THIS PERSON! I have found again and again, the guy who really has no time to be working on your project is more likely to get it done anyway than the guy who is pretty light on work, and probably even really needs the money.  Even if they are at the same competence level.  There is a reason this first fellah is so busy.  He does whatever is humanly possible to get the job done! People keep coming back to him, he gets referrals, and hell, he probably even enjoys the work he is doing enough that he is okay with cramming four months of work into six days.  (I’m looking at you Adam Benson)

Sometimes your go-to-contacts have now become your friends.  OR, maybe you are just out of school, and you can’t really afford a pro for the job, but you need someone to do it, so you go to one of your peers.  Often times they will be glad to do the job for free.  They need the experience, or another piece for their portfolio. But regardless of these facts, if you give them the job, you will never hear from them about it again.   You try and give them slight reminders, but you feel bad because they are your friends and you wanted it done cheap, and they offered to do it for free.  So you don’t want to push them. Rookie mistake, bro.  You needed to hire that guy like a boss, and pay them at least something, anything!  That way it actually gets done.  If they finish your project, and then turn down your money. Okay that’s fine. They are the glorious exception to the rule.  But don’t count on it.

- From the desk of Dr. Drag
08/07/09

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