Demand Studios Freelance Jobs

Filmmaker Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


Questions

  1. Who is Demand Studios?
  2. What is the Demand Studios Filmmaker Program?
  3. What are the Terms for Participating in the Demand Studios Filmmaker Program?
  4. How does the Demand Studios Filmmaker Program work?
  5. What is an example of an Demand Studios assignment?
  6. How do I check out an Assignment?
  7. How much do I get paid per assignment?
  8. How and when will I get paid?
  9. Where will my videos appear?
  10. What type of equipment do I need to have to produce video for Demand Studios?
  11. What are the Production Guidelines for Demand Studios?
  12. Am I responsible for finding my own Expert?
  13. What makes an Expert credible?
  14. How do I get my Expert approved?
  15. How do I get my Location approved?
  16. I am an expert on something.  May I film myself?
  17. What release forms do you require me to submit?
  18. What if my Expert/Location refuses to sign the release form?
  19. Can Demand Studios choose to reject my Assignment?
  20. What do I need to submit so that Demand Studios accepts my Assignment?
  21. Why do you require me to send my deliverables via FedEx?
  22. What happens to my videos once they are submitted?
  23. Am I responsible for paying taxes?
  24. May I submit the completed videos to another site?
  25. May I use the videos as part of my work reel?
  26. How can I check out more Demand Studios assignments?

Answers

  1. Who is Demand Studios?

Demand Studios powers over 50 of Demand Media’s websites, reaching over 30 million people every month. Our distribution partners reach millions more. Demand Media owns and operates many highly trafficked websites, including ExpertVillage.com, eHow.com, Livestrong.com, among others.

  1. What is the Demand Studios Filmmaker Program?

The Demand Studios Filmmaker Program is a program that allows independent video producers to make money producing instructional content for ExpertVillage.com, Livestrong.com, eHow.com, and other Demand Media properties. Not only will you be making money, and gaining worldwide exposure for your videos, but you will be helping millions of visitors answer their "how-to" questions. 

  1. What are the Terms for Participating in the Demand Studios Filmmaker Program?

In order to participate in the Demand Studios Filmmaker Program, you must agree to the Terms and Conditions located here.

  1. How does the Demand Studios Filmmaker Program work?

It’s simple. 

    • Find an Assignment - The Available Assignments list has pre-built assignments, or you can use the Create an Assignment feature to build your own from a list of pre-defined titles.  If you have a really unique expert or topic that you think we would be interested in, you can use the Suggest a Topic feature, although only a very small percentage of Suggested Topics will be approved.
    • Find an Expert and a Location - We’ll need to approve both the expert and the location that you plan to use in your assignments, and you will submit these for review when you request your assignment.  A Demand Studios staff member will review your production details and if approved, you will be notified within 72 hours.
    • Produce the Assignment – Once approved, you’ll have 2 weeks to produce the assignment.  You’ll have a general set of Demand Studios Production Guidelines to assist you, and in some cases you’ll have production requirements for the specific assignment you are producing.
    • Send in the Assignment and Get Paid – When the assignment is completed, you will mail high-resolution videos to us (we’ll pick up the shipping cost) along with any necessary release forms.  Once your assignment is accepted, you will receive your payment on the following Friday through PayPal.
  1. What is an example of a Demand Studios assignment?

A Demand Studios assignment is a collection of up to 30 videos within a specific category that a filmmaker may produce with a single expert in a single location.  All individual videos within a series are required to be 1-3 minutes in length and answer one specific how to question.  For example, an assignment on “Fractions in Mathematics” may include video titles such as “How to add unlike fractions” and “How to multiply fractions” We prefer that you complete all the titles in an assignment, and you may only shoot additional titles if they have been cleared by Demand Studios first..

  1. How do I check out an assignment?

You have two options for checking out assignments.  Assignments created by Demand Studios will be under the Available Assignments link.  These assignments will consist of up to 30 individual titles and come with pre-determined Production Guidelines, usually detailing the qualifications of the expert and location that you need to find.

The Create an Assignments tool allows you to sort through thousands of available, individual video titles that Demand Studios has created.  You can group these individual titles into an assignment of up to 30 videos, or you can just produce a few.

  1. How much do I get paid per assignment?

On average, you can expect to receive $300-$600 per assignment.  The payment amount is based on the number of 1-3 minute videos created, at a rate of $20 per video.

  1. How and when will I get paid?

Demand Studios pays all of our filmmakers through PayPal, because it is fast and reliable.  Payment will be made each Friday for all assignments received the previous week.  It is very important that you use the same email address for Demand Studios and PayPal so there is no confusion with getting you your payment.  If you do not have a PayPal account, you may sign up for one here.

  1. Where will my videos appear?

Your videos may appear on any of several websites owned by Demand Media, including ExpertVillage.com, eHow.com and Livestrong.com.  In addition, they may appear on sites that we partner with such as YouTube.com, and many others.

  1. What kind of equipment do I need to produce video for Demand Studios?

First and foremost, you need a professional level High Definition (HD) camera that shoots at a minimum resolution of 720p or 1080i. Since we require all of our videos to be shot with a professional external microphone, you will need a camera that can accommodate one.  You will also need a good tripod, and a lavalier or a shotgun microphone. If you have any questions about your specific equipment, don't hesitate to contact us at filmmaker@demandstudios.com.

  1. What are the Production Guidelines for Demand Studios?

At the most basic level, Demand Studios requires all videos to be shot in HD.  All videos must be shot in a location that is appropriate to the content, and experts and locations must be approved in advance by Demand Studios.  All videos should include multiple camera angles and b-roll footage.  You can read the complete Production Guidelines here, and learn about additional technical and editorial requirements.

  1. Am I responsible for finding an Expert to appear on camera?

Yes.  Please note that all experts must be pre-approved by Demand Studios.  If you do not already know someone who is a credible expert for the topic of your assignment, you will need to recruit one.  Google, craigslist or the yellow pages are excellent places to recruit experts. 

  1. What makes an Expert credible?

In your search for a great expert, you should first consider certification, education, experience, on-camera presence and notoriety.  These qualifications factor heavily into determining credibility.  For example, your friend who likes to bike around town on weekends should not be your “Cycling” expert.  However, the guy down at the local bike shop who rode in the 1987 Tour de France most certainly is.  Some of the Assignments will be less cut and dry as to who qualifies as an Expert. There is not an association or certification that makes you an expert on "Laundry Tips", but a mother of 5 children would definitely count as an Expert. 

  1. How do I get my Expert approved?

When you check out an assignment to produce, you will be required to submit an Expert Bio. If your expert is sound, and possesses the qualifications necessary, you should have no problem getting your expert approved.  Demand Studios will review your Location and Expert, and approve them accordingly.

  1. How do I get my Location approved?

When you check out an assignment to produce, you will be required to submit location information.  Demand Studios requests that you shoot your video in a location that is appropriate to the content.  We prefer that you avoid using a studio setting, opting instead for a location that suits your expert and the subject well.  A good location will be a quiet, controlled place that is pleasing to the eye.  For example, if you are shooting a series on Education, try to use an actual school or classroom for the assignment.  If you are shooting Soccer, find a real soccer field that looks nice.

  1. I am an expert on something, can I film myself?

We prefer you do not. 

  1. What release forms do you require me to submit?

As a part of your deliverables, we require that you submit signed and dated copies of the following forms.

  • Appearance Release - This mist be signed by everyone that appears in your videos. This includes your Expert.
  • Location Release - This must be filled out by the location that you film at. It is generally not required for public locations, but when in doubt, get it signed.
  • W-9 (US Citizen) or W-8ECI (Non-US Citizen) - In order for us to pay you, we must have a copy of the proper IRS tax form on file.
  1. What if my Expert or Location refuses to sign the release forms?

Given the thorough nature of our release forms, this may happen occasionally. Will we not be able to accept assignments without the completed set of release forms though, so make sure that you get everyone to read the releases BEFORE you begin filming your videos. 

  1. Can Demand Studios choose to reject my assignment?

Yes. While we don't ever want to reject an Assignment that you've put so much effort into, we do reserve the right to do so. In order to ensure your work does not get rejected, please familiarize yourself thoroughly with the Video Production Guidelines.  Some of the reasons we might reject a video are:

  • Video Quality
  • Audio Quality
  • Expert and Location Quality

For all complete submissions that include all necessary releases, and adhere to the format of Demand Studios, that we do not accept, we will pay a one-time, $50 non-acceptance fee as outlined in the Terms and Conditions. Keep in mind that this is a one-time fee, and that you are only eligible to receive it one time.

  1. What do I need to submit so that Demand Studios accepts my assignment?

Please include:

  • DVD(s) with a full resolution MPEG2 file of each of the videos.
  • A 50-100 word bio of the Expert, complete with any necessary URLs;
  • The necessary, completed release forms.

All of these items must be sent through FedEx to us (we will provide you with a FedEx Account Number) and you will need to provide us with the FedEx tracking number.

  1. Why do you require me to send my deliverables via Fed Ex?

We require that you send your deliverables through FedEx, because it is the easiest way for us to track and locate each assignment. We provide you with a FedEx account number, so there is no additional charge to you.

  1. What happens to my videos once they are submitted?

Once we receive your deliverables, we will have a Demand Studios staff member review them and then approve them for payment. We will contact you if we have any questions or need anything additional from you. You may check the status of submitted assignments on your "My Assignments" page. Your assignment will be marked "Received" once we have received the deliverables, and "Paid" once we have processed your PayPal payment.

  1. Am I responsible for paying taxes?

Yes. All of the work you do for us will be subject to IRS regulations, so you may be required to pay taxes on work you complete for us.

  1. May I submit the completed videos to another site?

No. The footage release that you sign gives us the exclusive copyright to the videos, so you may not post them to another video sharing site. Doing so would imply that you own the copyright of the video, and you will be violating the terms of use for these sites. You will however, be able to use our embedded player to post your videos on any website you choose.

  1. May I use the videos as a part of my work reel?

Yes. While we own the copyrights to the videos, you are more than welcome to use them for self-promotion in an online or physical demo reel.

  1. How can I check out multiple Demand Studio assignments?

Each new filmmaker will be given an opportunity to check out one assignment and demonstrate an excellent working knowledge of the production guidelines.  Once the Demand Studios staff reviews your work, you will receive specific feedback on your video.  Demand Studios will then determine if you are eligible to begin checking out multiple assignments.