Some exposition. I got a message from a friend that a director/writer was looking for some poster illustrations for his indie horror films. I sent an introductory letter and received an invitation to participate in spec work. In the current economic climate, I see more spec work floating around. I thought the following exchange might be helpful for another illustrator to read, so I decided to post it below. (Note, these emails are over a year old so I really don’t think any parties are harmed by my posting them.)
From: Ray
Howdy,
I’m a professional illustrator with a host of horror art experience. Most of my portfolio is skewed in that direction.
You can check out a limited set of my work at Frenden.com. More samples are definitely available upon request.
Thanks!
Ray
From: XXX
if you’d like to interview for the poster gig start with these specs.
quickdoodle.
has to be color for sure.
start with this pic below… save room for the title too!
must be poster dimension: 6 tall 4 across
just like this except put a red hoodie on me in the background… maybe some meat cleavers on some one’s hand
and 3 screaming,laughing crying severed bloody pig heads on the platter we will keep XXXXXXXX as a photo in the face. make my face more cartoonie…
I want bernie Wrightson
repost doodle here
design directions and photo’s in this message remain © XXXXX filmm Entertainment at all times.
no work for hire as of now.
Truly
XXX
[Two images are attached.]
From: Ray
Most illustrators won’t accept speculative work. I just wanted to inform you that it’s pretty frowned upon in the industry.
From: XXX
your are the only person out of over hundred that coped and attitude about it…I plan on paying some one $1000 and it has to be right. So u and I won’t be working together
bye bye
From: Ray
Hi XXX,
I wasn’t copping attitude, nor did I mean offense.
I was only letting you know that most illustrators look down on that sort of work. I was trying to be polite and edify you.
There are entire organizations devoted to informing illustrators to avoid this work as it hurts our industry.
One person may end up with $1000, but several would have worked for free. It devalues our skills.
I encourage you to look at no-spec.com – it has a lot of information about how this business practice is perceived.
Have a good day.
Ray Frenden
From: XXX
Well u did offend me.
I never ask some one to work for free.
I will persue my career as I always have.
I am doing fine and I personally have worked for free on many occasions as an artist.
I guess you don’t consider me an arrtist and apart of your industry.
You are just full on insults aren’t you?
From: Ray
“Well u did offend me.”
That was not my intent.
“I never ask some one to work for free.”
You, by admission, have asked all artists who did not “win” this job to work for free. That is the definition of speculative work.
“I will persue my career as I always have.”
Okay.
“I am doing fine and I personally have worked for free on many occasions as an artist.”
Working pro bono is not working spec. An agreement between two parties where one does work for free can be mutually beneficial. I do lots of work for charities, for instance. Once again, to reiterate, that is not speculative work.
“I guess you don’t consider me an arrtist and apart of your industry.”
I think you’ll be hard pressed to find the words, “You are not an artist.” in my correspondence.
“You are just full on insults aren’t you?”
Nope. I am pretty sure I haven’t insulted you once. I was simply talking to you about the pitfalls associated with speculative work.
