I had a run in this week with one of Elon's companies. They wanted me to help with a film project. I gave them my standard rates and terms--the same ones I give to every other company--the same rates and terms as all of my colleagues. And they wouldn't accept my offer. They wanted me to do it for less money and offered terms that were 1) insane, and 2) violated state and federal labor law. When I pushed back the girl-boss producer explained, this is how we do it and you HAVE to say yes. First I politely declined. But she kept pushing. She said I HAD to do it--as if she owned me. Eventually I had to hang up the phone. I discussed with my other colleagues and they're not going to help her either. Without good people on board the project is most likely fucked... The Film Industry runs on patronage. You have to take care of the people above you, because your success is tied to their success. BUT it's a two way street. The patrons--the people at the top--have to reciprocate and take care of the people below them. The producer chick just didn't get it. And since she works for one of Elon's companies, it makes me wonder if Elon gets it. The so-called "Conservatives" in Washington also don't get it. Maybe it stems from their individualist nature, or maybe it's hubris. But I think it's mostly due to ignorance about how power actually works. If you want someone to carry out your will, if you want to exercise your power, you have to give them a reason to say "yes". And people will always say "yes" if they know they'll be taken care of. Hopefully MAGA figures this out...

I had a run in this week with one of Elon's companies. They wanted me to help with a film project. I gave them my standard rates and terms--the same ones I give to every other company--the same rates and terms as all of my colleagues. And they wouldn't accept my offer. They wanted me to do it for less money and offered terms that were 1) insane, and 2) violated state and federal labor law. When I pushed back the girl-boss producer explained, this is how we do it and you HAVE to say yes. First I politely declined. But she kept pushing. She said I HAD to do it--as if she owned me. Eventually I had to hang up the phone. I discussed with my other colleagues and they're not going to help her either. Without good people on board the project is most likely fucked... The Film Industry runs on patronage. You have to take care of the people above you, because your success is tied to their success. BUT it's a two way street. The patrons--the people at the top--have to reciprocate and take care of the people below them. The producer chick just didn't get it. And since she works for one of Elon's companies, it makes me wonder if Elon gets it. The so-called "Conservatives" in Washington also don't get it. Maybe it stems from their individualist nature, or maybe it's hubris. But I think it's mostly due to ignorance about how power actually works. If you want someone to carry out your will, if you want to exercise your power, you have to give them a reason to say "yes". And people will always say "yes" if they know they'll be taken care of. Hopefully MAGA figures this out...