Def not for fun - but I'm also not remotely interested in portfolio building. In this part of the country there is a very close knit group of singers, dancers, musicians, actors and tecnical bods and everyone knows everyone. The way it works is if you need a bass plater, or singer, within ten minutes you have one, and the usual way of working is cooperative, so sometimes you agree a straight fee, or splits or even barter. It's worked pretty well over the years, and is kind of positive. I have never done the formal stuff for years now. No need at all. Two and a half grand appeared in my account this morning, so I've already sent out £800 of it to people involved.
As a business model for a studio, it's weird - but it's paid the bills for a long time. The idea for a non-refundable deposit is correct and official, but unworkable for our way of working. It means that I might go and sight read a show for a big entertainment venue nearby - for free. If I need a singer, I can then 'borrow' one. Hence the way the singer gets added to the UK PPL recording credits as featured artist. If something happens and the thing makes money - we all benefit.
Of course I do 'normal' stuff, but I've just fired off an email to a booking for next week, where my spidy senses are tingling. A stranger - well, a friend of a past client, who stopped communicating once money was mentioned. So I prefer my co-operative system with people I trust, and strangers are friends of friends.
I'm very comfy with this system, never let me down. Many of the people involved are my ex-college students, so it's very odd when I end up working for them. Some are now doing really well in broadcast and the media, so word of mouth gets me some great gigs.
At the end of April, I did some work for a well known UK entertainer - audio for video. No contract, but the last one made a few quid from subscriptions, so the new one should do to. Really works for cash flow.
I've started prep today on a proper contracted job with day rates and paperwork for paperwork. I hate it!