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Agencies should HAVE to pay for treatments now. They should have been paying for them before, but now that we’re all down, they 100% should be paying. Considering I won’t get paid for a project until we shoot it and the clients may pull it at any time... pony up.
I’ve written three treatments in the past month. Had to hit fast/hard deadlines b/c “the client wants everything lined up once we can shoot.” Bent over backwards to hit a 3 day turnaround, then SILENCE. weeks later (after asking) “oh client decided to put the proejct on hold.” 
Beyond my time, prod cos have designers on staff, they pay image researchers, editors or copy writers, bidding producers, etc. They’re out thousands of dollars on every treatment. Agencies should be paying. By the time I get asked to treat, Ive already beat 30-50 other directors!
If this pandemic does anything, I hope it reveals bullshit practices we all just accept (?) and forces a change. Because I’ll tell you what - many, many clients are realizing that much of the agency role is playing middleman. Guess who gets cut out when people tighten up??
Why do you think that prod cos are hiring in-house creative directors?? Because I’m already having to shape up some lazy ass ideas in the treatment phase. I’m shocked at how little comprehesnsion of the filmmaking process crosses my desk. Might as well get paid to do it.
Anyways - I’ll shut up now. But I’m just gagging at the attitude I’m already encountering from *some* agencies in the wake of this pandemic. Like I should just be *grateful for the opportunity* and do whatever they say however they want. Ridiculous.
Actually, I won’t shut up now. I’m kinda banking on not many agency types following me here because I wasn’t directing commercials when my following solidified a few years ago. But if they are - TALK to me. Tell me what I’m not seeing? I know there are a billion directors...BUT
...I’m seeing a dwindling business and you all getting kicked to death by your clients. why wouldn’t you want me on your side, ready to fight hard to translate your idea and run it through the production gauntlet??
When you treat me like shit in the treatment phase it doesn’t make me want to work hard for you...it makes me not want to write on anything else you have coming up. I’ve been taken care of by some world class agencies. Tough jobs for tough clients, but we fought together...
And then, sometimes, you have a crazy project with a tiny budget and I’ll jump on it because I know we’ll be in it together.
But when I start out getting jerked around in the treatment phase? Not a good sign.
Oh - and all of us directors talk. About you. It’s a small world.
But when I start out getting jerked around in the treatment phase? Not a good sign.
Oh - and all of us directors talk. About you. It’s a small world.
