First gig

[ReneAigner]

This reply is probably way past its use-by date but my 2 cents is, while you definitely shouldn't do work unwillingly for free, and expect it to be a normal thing, everyone's experience, situation and boundaries are their own. Don't simply accept everyone else's parroted view because that is what is considered the "right thing" to do.

C'mon, that doesn't make sense at all.

By working for free or doing spec work, you're not only making your own life hell, you also make the life of your fellow artists more difficult. If you work without pay or for laughable rates for someone, they will expect the same of other artists. This kind of attitude is the reason why we have to put up with this kind of idiocy from "clients". Because there are people out there who have no problem with being taken advantage of.

It's unprofessional and it's unethical, period.

Has nothing to do with parroted views. That's just reality.