Ron,
I can't help but chime in... You are gonna have to post this for me since my account was cancelled for lack of use.
-Chris
I dunno the details of the business of this series, but I DO know where Ron is coming from. We've talked about it. IN GENERAL he raises an important point.
Back in the day there was a certain balance between poster artists and the bands - back scratchin' over what was usually dinner or beer money. Most of the bands & venues we were making posters for couldn't afford posters in the first place and we did it because we loved the band or club. Bigger bands, labels, and promoters PAID for the art... though it usually wasn't much. Thats how the rent got paid (at least for me), dinner money was another matter.
Today its a bit different and a lot of posters get used for Merch rather than promotion, a lot of art never makes it to street level. We're also not talking about beer money anymore, its all come a long way.
Now there's a zillion poster artists. With so many artists there's a lot of competition for work, and being part of a cool series is a good thing. I love series posters - I've art directed and been a part of many. However, a zillion artists looking for work also means people are willing to get involved in stuff that kinda lowers "the bar" for all of us in terms of getting paid for what we do.
I'm not sure when the balance shifted, but there's a lot of bands that don't pay for their art or merch anymore... people are lining up to GIVE it to them. I don't necessarily blame the bands, etc. for this... its a great deal for them, ...but that don't make it right.
A lot of venues are cashing in too and getting free promo and stuff to sell, and the artist gets the "privilege" of making the art. Some of these folks can totally afford to PAY for their art. Since when has the burden of making a bands merch and promotion been on the artists' shoulders? ...even if the only "cost" to the artist is their time. Why should we work for free?
I think that's what Ron is trying to say... I dunno.
Some deals are better than others, some might not be rich, but are mutually beneficial. Again, I don't know the details of this series.
As an artist you just need to know where you draw your line. We all can pick and choose what we will and won't do. I've had offers to make the art, print the poster, cover ALL costs and shipping, give up the rights, and let the band sell the poster for official merch - and I would get NOTHING. I said no, but I know somebody else said yes.
-C
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