09-16-2014, 01:39 AM
So I know this discussion has been had many times before, and usually the answer is a resounding "no" with almost no exceptions, but I wanted some input regardless.
I was contacted yesterday by an individual on deviantart about collaborating on a small indie game, providing concepts for environments and working with them to help flesh out their game. This is the first time anyone has ever approached me to do work on anything at all, so the prospect of having some work experience is really exciting. The catch however is that its unpaid, as they are doing this on their own time as well and out of their own pocket(its their first game and they're just starting university it would seem)
The only other job I've had that involved producing art I got through my brother and was for an indie animated film, which involved colouring the line art for characters and a few environments. I got paid but it didn't really push my abilities at all, and though I got some work experience it wasn't necessarily because i was good at making art at the time, but because I had basic knowledge of photoshop, colouring and my brother needed some work taken off his shoulders.
The way I see it, yes its unpaid, but I don't think i have enough portfolio work or fundamental knowledge to market elsewhere for a paid gig.
In other words, if I decline:
If I accept:
I suppose I could always work out some sort of deal for royalties if their game does well at all, right?
Also, I'm not in a position where money is an issue, thankfully.
So what do you guys think? Any of you have experience with such a situation? I really appreciate any advice or tips you can share to help out. I'm leaning towards accepting it, for the reasons outlined above, but I'm open to outside perspectives as always. And again, I know the rule of thumb seems to be no for this kind of work, but I'm not getting anything else at the moment and I don't have much of a portfolio to show off elsewhere.
-Beardley
I was contacted yesterday by an individual on deviantart about collaborating on a small indie game, providing concepts for environments and working with them to help flesh out their game. This is the first time anyone has ever approached me to do work on anything at all, so the prospect of having some work experience is really exciting. The catch however is that its unpaid, as they are doing this on their own time as well and out of their own pocket(its their first game and they're just starting university it would seem)
The only other job I've had that involved producing art I got through my brother and was for an indie animated film, which involved colouring the line art for characters and a few environments. I got paid but it didn't really push my abilities at all, and though I got some work experience it wasn't necessarily because i was good at making art at the time, but because I had basic knowledge of photoshop, colouring and my brother needed some work taken off his shoulders.
The way I see it, yes its unpaid, but I don't think i have enough portfolio work or fundamental knowledge to market elsewhere for a paid gig.
In other words, if I decline:
- I make no money in the meantime.
If I accept:
- still make no money;
- I get more portfolio pieces;
- I get a good rep with a startup indie company;
- I get credited for my work'
- I get to work on a game, which is my dream career at the moment
- and I potentially open up a door for a paid gig in the future if their game takes off;
I suppose I could always work out some sort of deal for royalties if their game does well at all, right?
Also, I'm not in a position where money is an issue, thankfully.
So what do you guys think? Any of you have experience with such a situation? I really appreciate any advice or tips you can share to help out. I'm leaning towards accepting it, for the reasons outlined above, but I'm open to outside perspectives as always. And again, I know the rule of thumb seems to be no for this kind of work, but I'm not getting anything else at the moment and I don't have much of a portfolio to show off elsewhere.
-Beardley