I have my own opinion on this as well as the opinion of several Producers I have interviewed that I will share with you now.

If you are presently a student in a Film Program or studying the Dramatic Arts etc. you should apply to Intern positions that will trade off work you do to obtaining School Credits. Only responsible Production Companies, Studios and Television Stations can do this for you and they will work with you on your scheduling as to not get in the way of your studies. A Internship at this Professional level can later get you through the door of many times the same Company paving the way for a paid position once you Graduate. Be prepared to work as a Production Assistant. This can mean many jobs including Driving, Office work, Assisting on the set as well as general gofer type of jobs that nobody else wants. But whatever the responsibility is, stay positive and remember you are part of a team and you will be judged on your overall preformance.

Once you Graduate, look for PA jobs that pay but don't shy away from potential opportunities that even though you are not being paid you will assume more responsibility. Many times a Indie Production does not have the budget to hire expensive crew members, so therefore a Production Assistant job can turn into a Assistant Director job which is a great opportunity. Gauge the Production you will work on for free, research the Producers and Director and see if they have a successful track record and you have heard of or seen their films. If you like what you have researched, joining their team is not a bad idea.. You are therefore banking on their success to become your success in the long run. This is the only way I will justify working for free on a Film or TV Show.

Producers that make promises such as you receive free food, free accomodations, plus the credit and a free admission to the premiere of the film should be avoided. This cannot take the place of not being paid. Some Producers also are in the habit now of hiring Free Crew & Talent in trade for a Video once the Project is completed. Again, stay away from any project that attempts to trade off goods for your hard work and services rendered.

Once you have Free-Lanced as a PA and have been paid then you need to set your "Day Rate". If a Producer offers to pay but below your Day Rate, move on to the next offer. The day rate and job position is how other Producers better inderstand the Market they are shooting in and can apply that to their budgets when they are crewing up. Sticking to your Day Rate and consistantly getting that rate locks you into not only the crew position you have the most experience in but also it applies to your preformance level. Major Producers will recognize that and hire you repeatingly.

If a Producer offers you a Deferment or Payment Deferral then I suggest you immediately consult with an Entertainment Attorney before you sign on the Film. Many Producers use tricky language such as; "You will be Paid your standard Day Rate for such and such Days of work after the Completeion of the Project based on "First Monies" earned from Project. This means that the Producer is promising that once the Project is sold and they have the money you will get paid! But many times the Projects are in limbo and never get sold or go past the "Time Limit" written in the Deferment that states for example; After One Year if Project is not yet Sold and Distributed, Deferement is Void. This means that the Producer is longer responsible to pay you. This has almost become normal operating procedure in the Independent Filmmaker's camp to -defer the crew- if you don't have the budget to pay them. I almost never hear of a deferal payout so I have to rule against this kind of agreement as well.

The road to getting steady paid work is a hard and long one and you almost have to accept non-paid positions at the beginning of your careers. But choose wisely the kind of projects you work on for free and make sure you are learning and getting more experience from the job. If not, walk away!

Producers need to have budgets not only to pay the crew but for all the expenses to make a film. If a Producer cannot pay a crew then they probably should not attempt a Production in the first place. And there is the Producers that have budgets but don't pay the crew in a way of making more money for themselves. In both cases I suggest you avoid these type of projects for the exception of the known Producer that has a decent track record and is willing to go the extra mile to teach you on the set and that the project will be a great training ground for yourself even though you are working for "Free".

Good Luck