Disgracefull business moment

[vjrei]

Ok.

I have been in a relation on and off for more than a year with a well known band in Venezuela. They want to do visuals but all they do is to ask and get the equipment themselves. Still they manage good money and when they see me they ask me to do something.

Well, las week they were preparing for a concert and between one thing and the other they asked me for the visuals and told me to talk to one of the band members. I spoke to him and after 2 days he sent me a text message telling me they were agree with my propousal and budged.

So I went today, Monday at a rehersal. To make the story short...

They were telling me they didn't have time because the presentation is in two weeks.

That NEVER in my imagination I would be using the cameras of the production company who is recording the DVD. I NEVER said I needed to sue their cameras at all.

Another guy mentioned that I can not change the led screen configuration. I NEVER said that! I am uncharged of the content only.

And the guy who sent me the text message asked me: If I want you to shot me with a 32 mm camera in my bathroom would you with that budged?

I was like: WHAT???? I made an offer, you accepted and now what is going on?

I have no clue what happened to that people, the manager was there without saying a word.

It was shoking and fustrating. I just told them I got the message from they guy there who told me everything was fine.

So... guys (VJs) be careful out there, just a reminder who wacko things can get in the street even with so named bands.

Terrible. I never expected this to happen and was not necessary.

[Kyle]

:horse:

beating a dead horse Rei .... sorry

CONTRACTS, get everything in writing that way there is no confusion to who said what, where, when, why, how...

[deepvisual]

bands?
it takes them all day just to agree a set list.

deal with the manager.

[vjrei]

:horse:

beating a dead horse Rei .... sorry

CONTRACTS, get everything in writing that way there is no confusion to who said what, where, when, why, how...

At least give me time, not from by next day. I mean, is 3am and I just waking up from sleeping because of the rush I am having with the issue.

They never behaved like that before. The guy who told me "lets do it" told something to the rest of the band very strange about me. Like: this guy is coming over with a propousal for our show and wants us to pay this amount.

My issue was the attitude of this people to turn me out instead of making this other guy responsible for involving the guy in something they didn't agreed on... and the manager was there and said no word.

[asterix]

Theres some good advice :)

[vjrei]

No man, doing things in Venezuela is impossible. At least the season is starting, many events are coming up and usually I get a few good ones. But this episode with this band was close to humiliating, I managed to put everybody in their place before I left and they got upset.

But a month ago I had another issue with an sponsor. I went with a propousal in January, they loved it and they subjected the propousal to licitation! I mean, is my propousal, you are supposed to say yes or no, not to make it yours and give it to some one else. That is the way we work here they said and I have to live with that.

No good.

[bryandod]

its frustrating as hell having shit like this happen to gigs. last week I had a medium sized gig booked with some new promoters I have been helping with events. the promoters were sound and lighting techs that I new from other jobs so I gave them a "family" deal for a few shows. After helping them build a little name for themselves throwing parties with local DJs, the promoter books us to project for a national touring act. The day before the show, I had not heard from the promoter so I tried to call him. no answer. He finally sent me a text message a 9 PM the day of the show telling me that the act had their own vj and they don't need me. I turned down other gigs to do this job and then they can't even answer my phone calls. WTF. lesson learned. contracts for everyone from now on.

[complexvisuals]

Round and round and round and round and round we go.

[6071842]

bands?
it takes them all day just to agree a set list.

deal with the manager.

this is why i dont work with them! well you get some good ones but most of em... well.

[vjrei]

Well, last night I was so depressed about the incident that I woke up at 3am and I couldn't sleep from there.

I spoke to a friend of mine who is a psicologist and do a lot of corporate work and she told me that my position was difficult because I am an artist and I my business is personalized, there is not an actual package I can offer to every one, so I depend on each individuals who need visuals in certain way. Therefore my market is minimal.

I am just seriously looking for other options even outside audio visuals. I can be an employee but I have two technical degrees, no bachelor and that closed many doors. Som epeople are telling me to have my own business.. duh! yes, let me go to the grocery store and get one.

I am so frustrated and with the little work I find I get situations like this. I am 33, not 13.

[USE]

who wacko things can get in the street even with so named bands

i will definitely keep this in mind. :D

[complexvisuals]

The odd sleepless night is to be expected when working for yourself, but if its reoccuring then you need to assess the way you do business. Stress is a killer and if you are causing your own stress or other people are you have to deal with it swiftly.

[skulpture]

Rei, I think everybody understands how annoyed, frustrated and... well pi**ed off you must be! Even if the band was in a rush or having a bad day there was no reason for them to behave the way they did.

I think you're friend was right, I think we are all so passionate about what we do that it can come down hard on us when we get in situations like you encountered.

The best, and only thing you can do it to write it all down in a diary or journal, save it and forget about it. If they ever do approach you again send them a copy of what happened last time! You could send them a letter explaining how upset you felt - but I also think you're best being the bolder stronger person by walking away knowing you did you're part.... i'm sure they're gig is going to be crap now without the visuals anyway! hehe!

Don't lose anymore sleep thou mate!

[vjrei]

Yeap, I am just moving on, what else can I do? having a work denied just sucks but the way they turned around things to "blame it" for it was shocking. I told the thing to my mother and lst night she brought me pizza like a little kid! LOL just to make me feel better I believe.

I feel like selling all my equipment and get an Edirol V8 with a Lemur and that is it.

My only issue with the situation is... sometimes you believe you have seen it all and is not like that, is not the issue itself but the form.

It reminds me when I was into politics, the same thing.

Many years ago, when Chavez enter the government the opposition was like crazy and I was working with some man who was an ex-presidential candidate. He started to protest against Chavez and creating awarness.

My shock was when I saw people of the opposition sabotaging our effords just to get some business with the government. Everything was running fine and at the last minute they turned their back on us. Amazing how individuals can be so selfish and weak even when they have the entire country supporting them. As they had agreements with the media they could spread any lie and people had to deal with it.

I ran to New York then back in 2004 feeling so shocked and reminesences of that still today. Just as in Vietnam, the army won the war but it was lost at the political level.

I just do not want to be involved with people like that, or at least send em a share of the good ones as well.

[skulpture]

Politics....

I hate the word. I can't be doing with it. I truly believe its all rich people trying to get off on a power trip. I know this may start a debate on its own but I've never voted and never will, and yup loads of people turn around to me and say "well you can't complain if you've not voted because you've had you're chance" I understand that, but I dont think they understand that I think they are brainwashed!

So why am I saying this?

Its because I think everything in day to day life has politics in it some were and I hate that. Nothing can be done without someone or a group of people arguing and I believe its hardly ever to do with opinions/taste/or choice I think its because some people just want to cause a stink! Because they can, and if they cant get positive attention they develop negative attention!

And yup you're right Rei its scary how some people can behave I do wonder what the world will be like when im 50+ because I can honestly say ive seen a change in the world from when I was 16, and im only 23 now. Im young! But I tell you what I work with teenagers in college and I can't believe how they are! (I sound old now don't I! haha)

Im having a 1 o'clock in the morning ramble but you're post on politics set me off! haha.

Im off to bed! Cheer up Rei!

[Kyle]

Rei this sucks, i feel for you bro. Perhaps your hitting Mid-life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-life_crisis) crisis a few years early with Venezuela, Chavez and bands bringing your down??? Waking up at 3am isn't all that crazy. Artists are notorius for crazy hours. Make sure you get some vitamins, eat a balanced meal, exercise and get a siesta in there. You will bounce back. Don't let one client pee on your rainbow. Learn from the experience and move on. It's time to move on. Instead of dwelling on this you should be investing your time in bigger better contracts. If you carry yourself in a professional manner and pitch your skills you will find work. Maybe not right away but you will.

Carpe Diem!

[vj_jasper]

bands?
it takes them all day just to agree a set list.

deal with the manager.

simple, sensible, excellent advice.

and also, get written contracts, develop friendly and professional relationship with the manager, some emotional-intelligence routines to boost the band members' confidence ... that way, if the band tweaks out, you do not have to talk to a lot of people .. one person trying to talk to a band of people can sometimes be an imbalanced energetic affair. if you know you can go directly to the manager and talk, surely that is the best way.

i guess one issue for me regarding contracts is the idea of timing. like... when to mention the idea of a contract, and when to actually produce the contract paper, and pen, with a flourish and a smile?