Websites That Pay Filmmakers for Producing Videos

In the world of production it's usually feast or famine. With the challenges of the current economy, many small production companies and freelancers have felt the crunch.

The good news is, video on the web is hotter then ever, and it could not be a better time to be a Producer/Shooter/Editor,often referred to as a "Preditor." If you are a one man band so to speak, there are some great websites offering opportunities that can keep you busy and put your equipment to good use. These sites pay for videos produced, there is no waiting to see how many views you get before being paid. Here are some sites to check out:

1. Expert Village - This company is owned by Demand Media and is pretty much the number one provider of videos on the internet. Their site averages a million hits a day. I have worked with them extensiviely over the last year and only have good things to report. They are actually in a transition or growth spurt, so things are oonstantly changing and improving all the time. I started out doing basic "how to videos" for them. Pay was $20 per clip, so if you shot 50 or 60 clips in a day, you could make decent money. I proved myself well enough to be awarded bigger projects. For example, I was one of the many that shot videos for the upcoming Lance Armstrong website, www.livestrong.com Currently I am shooting travel videos in Orlando for them. They are loyal to their filmmakers and pay weekly using paypal, and are one of the few that actually do pay that quickly. You can check them out at www.expertvillage.com

2. Turn Here - This company works with Yellow Pages and AT& T to provide one minute marketing videos to local businesses. Depending on where you are located the jobs may be many or few. Sometimes they come in spits and spurts. You are paid $225 per one minute spot your produce. The key is making sure the business you are shooting is well prepared for the shoot, so you don't spend more then 2 hours at any location shooting. Right now they pay by check and it can take up to 30 days to get paid. That policy might change in the future but that is the current system. Their website is www.turnhere.com

3. MonkeySee.com -This is another "how to" video website. Once you submit to be accepted as a filmmaker, they email you once a week with the topics they are looking to have produced. Generally they send out 10 a week and you have to submit your expert and information to be approved. They also pay weekly and I believe they pay $20 per clip. I have not produced anything for them at this point but do know filmmakers that have had some success with Monkeysee.com You can also submit "how to " ideas for approval. You can find them at www.monkeysee.com

4. Vimby.com -Vimby stand for "Video in your backyard." It's a bit harder to get accepted into this program. They look for young filmmakers with a working knowledge of happenings in their city. They break their videos into categories of Music, Life, Nightlife, Action Sports, Cars, Travel, Alternative and Fashion. If you are "in the know" about any of those topics in your city, Vimby might be a good site to produce for. www.vimby.com