I am a screenwriter with friends who make a living as crew film and television.

I have another friend who has a coding business (that, admittedly, I don’t fully understand, as it’s not my expertise).

Client: I want to make a commercial for [his product].

Me: Ok, great! What did you have in mind?

He excitedly tells me his idea. His passion is clear, but I know it’d be one boring commercial.

Me: Ok, um… yeah, we could do that. I could write a script for [low price because he’s a friend] and then I know a few people who could work on the commercial at a discount. We’d just need to get a good location and–

Client: Oh, I’ve got the location, we can shoot in my backyard.

Me: Oh.

Client: And I wouldn’t be paying anybody – especially at those prices. But I’m sure when they hear the project, they’d love to jump on board.

Me: Well, all the people I mentioned are professionals and –

Client: Do you know how many people would kill for an opportunity like this? This could make us all a lot of money.

Me: Well, again, they’re all professionals and would need to get paid up front for their time on set.

Client: But they’re just friends of yours. And we’ll be shooting in my backyard.

Me: Yeah, but these friends of mine are working professionals who make way more than the prices I mentioned. I might be able to convince them to work at that rate since it’s my script we’d be producing, but I won’t be able to push any further than that.

Client: But I’m sure they’d love this project and want to jump on board.

Me: For free…

Client: Exactly!

Me: You know what, I actually don’t think I’ll have time.

Client: Oh. That sucks. Well, give me your friends’ contact info so I can still get them.