HI David

Thank you, very much and very sincerely. I am saddened by your news
about the other people, aquaintances, especially as it seems they have
made their judgment without really checking out what we do or our
history. As the old saying goes - "Don't knock something until you
have tried it."

Thank you for your suggestions about hooking up with another service, it
takes time to work out who and how, so please be patient with me. I
have been in email contact with John Hoare from mandy.com, also Laura
from mediabistro.com and David Edel from artshub.om in Australia and
UK, Craig Newmark form craigslist.org, and others including
SanFranciscoArtMagazine.com, Glorinda Marie from indieclub.com, and
Erik Colley from MusicDish.com. We have been occasionally swapping
emails for years, mainly about our particular industry of arts job
sites and its pitfalls. We are each very busy developing our own sites
to be complimentary of each other but independent of each other. Any
of our sites joining forces would be like creating a "Time Warner Aol"
corporation, too complicated and maybe not in our interest of being
able to expand with our own individual ideas. Plus there is the real
problem of softwear compatability, Gigdirectory.net and Muscidish are
PHP, ArtsHub and IndieClub are ASP, Mandy is CFM and I think has a CGI
run data base as Craigslist does.

As much as there are a gazzillion other sites out there, there are still
only a few worth considering. The others do not have the passion to
stick at it and develop as we have done, or do not have the love for
the arts and media industries as we do. Most of the gazillion see a
niche to make money and that is all, they don't care about providing a
genuine community service or a resource that helps the industry, they
just want your money. There are also several very old services that I
have not mentioned but they are more like institutions and not very
open to new ways of thinking or expansion, yet.

Why a broad based site?
After 24 years in the business and having been a producer on separate
occasions, I know if I am producing a live event or screen event I need
a lot of different departments each of which require specialized
skills. Me personally, I would like to just go to one site to advertise
for many positions or look for resumes, and I would not want my email
address spattered all over the web. (I did this once before for several
paid positions on an indie film, I created a special email account for
it and, 3 years later I am still getting spam on that address.)

Gigdirectory.net is broad based because in the film making business film
makers or live producers need music composers, dancers, actors, admin,
animators, execs, funding, prop masters, costumers, make up, stunt
coordinators, post sound engineers, special effects, fly riggers,
pyrotechnicians, voice over artists, performance artists, still
photographers, computer techs, and almost every category on
Gigdirectory.net. And after 4 or so years of researching arts and media
job sites and conducting many surveys on where people look for arts and
media jobs I realized a few things: musicians don't look for film
composing jobs on film job sitesor theater job sites, dancers don't
look for jobs on music videos on film jobs sites or television job
sites, same for props people, voice over artists, costumers, etc. But a
broad based site because is easier and educates viewers on the many
different facets of the industry. Plus they only have to susbscribe to
one site and not 6. Every now and then I get nice letters from folks
saying how much they have learnt from our sites, and found jobs they
never thought of doing but have the skills for. The basic original
premise with Round Up was that you can have a day job without having to
go out of the industry.

In particular for film industry folk Gigdirectory services include:

Free:
To Post resume and jobs, screenings, and festival notices, funding
available and wanted, equipment 4 sale, meetings, trade shows,
locations wanted and available etc. Plus our forums where you can
network and hold your own discussion groups and collaboration lounges,
polls etc.(sort of like yahoo groups but less formal and no email).

Subscription Based:

GigFreelancer
A job referal service where we post around 300 paid jobs per week,
mostly posted Mondays and Tuesdays (I just posted 200 today)
We don't just wait for jobs to come in, we go out and find jobs and
bring them to the Gigdirectory.net community. And yes you can view job
titles and locations for free before subscribing. This service is
called GigFreelancer and is currently $36 for six months (THis is not
bad value when you compare it to sites like filmstaff.com that charge
$19.95 per month for a similar service)

GigProfessional Featured Member
Includes GigFreelancer plus a weekly production slate of film and tv
productions in development to post and their office contacts, plus a
big banner of you and your work accross the top of Gigdirectory.net
pages. 80 x 800 pixels which is big enough to show viable pictures of
your work as well as an advertsing blurb. This services is called
GigProfessional and is $45 per month. (Again not bad value when
compared to $65 per month for the production slate alone from other
services.)

The arts and media industries is a whole lot of industries to make up
one industry, Gigdirectory puts everything in one place so members
don't have to surf 20 sites a day to find a paid gig or resumes, or to
find out what other industries are producing. All categories are from
members suggestions and our members are from all walks of the industry
and all locations.

As for legal threats, this is something that is very over hyped here in
the USA, and also very misunderstood by many who should really get
educated about it. I mentioned we have lawyers as a defensive
reaction. You understand my situation and why we do have lawyers, and
why I sometimes have to mention the fact on occasion. To you in this
case it was a "Hey Wake Up, what you are saying does affect 8000+
people, and any lawyer would love to get their hands on you in our
defense!".
I don't know who you are, if you are an exec, an amature, a producer, or
just a shit stirer. I was speaking my truth and the truth of
Gigdirectory.net as a community.

And I was speaking as an educataor. You create more good in the world if
you educate rather than litigate.

;-)

Deborah
http://www.gigdirectory.net


> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: RE: [Mainefilm E-Mail Group] In response to David Grant about
> Gigdirectory.net
> From: "david grant" <davidgrantcontact@...>
> Date: Sun, July 18, 2004 6:43 pm
> To: "Resume Team" <resumes@...>
>
> I appreciate you taking the time to unfold who you are and what you are trying
to do. I must admit that this e-mail has put me more on your side than the last
one. While I do appreciate this approach better I still think you do not have a
lot of valuable resources for the film and TV industry. Much of my reason comes
from the fact that you really are too broad in your approach to Arts and Media
"everything." And you are still not clear as to what filmmakers actually get
out of your service. Even for free I can't see any value to what you are trying
to do.There are already many sites that services our industry directly and do a
great job at it. (Mandy.com, filmSG.com, Any of the 411 sites, No-budget
filmmakers, film commission production guides, ect.)
>
> Just to give you the heads up I have received several e-mails out side of the
group criticizing your site and telling me all the reasons I should not worry
because of your previous legal threats. Some of these were actually pretty
lengthy and vocal. Some expressed they would black list you immediately among
their clients adn associates. Some of these people are pretty well
known,respected and connected. It is unfortunate that this happened in this way
for you. I am happy to share your response with those who have contacted me
because I believe you are sincerely trying to offer something worthwhile.
>
> I am still interested to know more about your service. If you do have
something valuable maybe you might consider teaming up with a service that
filmmakers are already using and trusting. Just a thought.
>
> Good Luck
> David
>
>
> Resume Team <resumes@...> wrote:
>
> http://www.gigdirectory.net
> HI David and Respected Maine Film Makers
>
> I didn't mean to sound like I was threatening legal action, at least not
> in a hard way. If anybody is going to say something about a person or
> company or group it is a legal requirement to get the facts straight
> first, else you are commiting libel. There are newspaper stories about
> libel cases most everyday. When I write articles for Gigdirectory.net,
> lawyer freinds read them and tell me quick smart if there is something
> I should check the facts on. I am defensive, yes, quite so, because it
> only takes one person with the wrong information and a few discussion
> groups to get the wrong message spread all over the net. For a genuine
> service and community this can be devistating.
>
> As for my background, I have worked in all facets of arts and media as
> well as community arts in London, Australia, Germany, India, and San
> Francisco, theater, festivals, tv, film, video, multi media, radio, and
> concerts all my adult life, I am now 41. I have lived in San
> Francisco now for 5 years and my first gigs back then were with Bill
> Graham Presents. Since then my field work is mainly live production and
> PR as a logistics consultant, human resource, and freelancer in the Bay
> Area.
> SHort List:
> 150 Folsom (Various Events)
> Arts Fest SF
> AVIT VJ Video Art Trade Show
> Bizar Bazzare Crafts Market
> Cirque Du Soleil (Corporate Video - not for release)
> Film California
> Digital Be In
> Earth Dance Festival
> Gigdirectory.net Media Classifieds
> Green Festivals
> Green Spirit Dance
> Health and Harmony Festival
> How Wierd Street Faire
> Joshua Tree Music Festival
> ModernArt Media Group
> Ram Dass (Various Events)
> Red Bull Ascension (Benefit for SF Late Night Coalition and Dance Safe)
> Sasha Butterfly (Various Events)
> Studio Z (Various Events)
> Verbum Publishing Events
> As well as independent artists, shows, art exhibits, workshops, fund
> raisers, music videos, and special events.
> As you can imagine, I have references coming out of my yin yang:-)
>
> The rough History of Gigdirectory.net is in About Us under Company
> History.
> But here is some stuff that may not be there.....(I will update About
> Us, now that you have made me think about it)
>
> Gigslist.org is the original site plus a dozen individual yahoo groups,
> all of which are still in existance.
> Gigslist.org had job referals as well as a huge library of arts and
> media job sites(currently being updated and redeveloped).
> Gigslist.org for past 4 years or so was the model that the other
> gazillion, you mentioned, looked to for ideas and research. Even
> craigslist.org (webby award winner) got their arts and media category
> ideas from Gigslist.org, I told them to get some when they didn't have
> any arts and media categories.(Craig lives just up the road from me)
>
> Over all over 4.5 years, current overall population over all sites and
> yahoo groups is 11 000 something.
> Plus we have a huge fan base that are not members, including
> entertainment lawyes, arts sites and organizations around the world,
> production companies, promoters and media, with 37 000 on the mailing
> list alone.
> Very first start was an underground mailing list called Round Up with
> 100 or so industry freinds, which was free.
> It became too much work and I was going to give it up, but members
> offered to pay me to keep it going.
> Since then all categories, prices, and services have been from members
> suggestions.
> Gigslist.org was planned to be non profit but lawyers said it would
> cramp ideas and not let us expand, so it became a private self funding
> community service. We don't make any profit, 1 paid full time staff
> (me) 2 paid occasional staff (1 assistant and 1 programmer when budget
> allows), everything else has gone back into developing the community
> and services and maintaining the site. (Gigdirectory.net is classed as
> a mega site, and as such requires a dedicated server to handle the huge
> number of members and their info)
>
> I know there are gazzilion services similar, but not like
> Gigdirectory.net, because we are geninely always in development as a
> community and a school of life workshop. As you will see when you start
> reading our editorial tip sheets and GigNews which are free.
> Posting resumes, workshops, and business adds in the Classfieds is free,
> as well as posting jobs.
> Our paid access services also doubles as optional privacy protection for
> people who post, a we have had problems with female talent being
> harrassed, and employers being spammed in the past.
> For more info read the front page blurb on Gigdirectory.net and click
> About Us for company history and FAQ's
>
> We now need you help for damage control. I don't know what else is being
> said out there or how many people are spreading the wrong information.
> If you have checked out Gigdirectory.net and all of its services and
> you like what we are trying to do please recommend us to your industry
> buddies and discussion groups. If you see wrong information out there
> please educate people and organizations with the right information.
> Please sign onto Gigdirectory.net and have a look around and use our
> free services, and please help us spread the good word.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Deborah Paulino
> Founder
> gigslist.org
> gigdirectory.net
>
>
> =====================
>
> If you are a legit service I am seriously interested to know more about
> your service and the value that it provides. I would also be curious to
> know about your background in the entertainment business that entitles
> you to offer such a service. I am not trying to sound negative
> (Although I was very surprised at how quickly you threatened legal
> action.) - it's just that there are a gazillion services like yours who
> claim that they can benefit our industry. A large number of them have
> no place trying to break into an industry they really no little about.
> As I read in another post today warning about you - "there are too many
> services that are asking for money and offering nothing in return."
>
> And for the record you don't know me and to threaten legal action so
> prematurely is a terrible business move. Remember legitimate filmmakers
> are a tight community and word can spread very quickly about companies
> threatening like this.
>
> And if you do feel you want to have me speak to your attorney I am happy
> to do so.
>
> David
>
> http://www.gigdirectory.net
>
>
> > -------- Original Message --------
> > Subject: Re: [Mainefilm E-Mail Group] In response to David Grant about
> > Gigdirectory.net
> > From: "david grant"
> > Date: Fri, July 16, 2004 1:12 pm
> > To: "modernart_media"
> >
> > I have forwarded your company my response.
> >
> > But for the group I would simply say - Isn't it curious that a company
claiming to be so secure with 8000+ members would threaten legal action so
quickly considering the really don't know how connected I am in the industry.
> >
> > I read more in relation to this company in another group today and I think
this is really what we all want to know anyways - Where's the value in this
service? And if it can be strated then Great. If not, why are we wasting our
time talking.
> >
> > David.
> >
> >
> > modernart_media wrote:
> > Hi
> >
> > This is Deborah from Gigdirectory.net
> >
> > I think David or who ever gave him that information should get their
> > facts straight be for commiting libel. And maybe should check with a
> > lawyer before publishing stuff..
> >
> > We do have over 8000 registered users, at this moment 8353 to be
> > exact. Anyone can check the live stat report in the left menu, (Not
> > the member list of our forums). And we are a professional community,
> > not a company, our members make the suggestions for the services and
> > prices we have. We do have free services and professional services and
> > we are straight up about which is which, in the invitation, and on our
> > front page. And you can post your resumes and Classifieds for free.
> >
> > Try reading and understanding stuff properly, before knocking a valued
> > self funding community service.
> >
> > I don't suppose you even bothered to read our free editorial section
> > with free tip sheets for careers and businesses. They are on the front
> > page and don't require any registration, free or otherwise to view.
> >
> > If everyone believed scrooges like you or who ever gave you that info,
> > nobody would have any fun trying something new that might help them.
> > And nobody would get any help from you because you give them false
> > information. Please make sure your info is correct, and get out of the
> > dark ages, try being supportive of those who are working hard to help.
> >
> > And try to smile, it feels good once you get used to it, and somebody
> > might even smile back at you.
> >
> > ;-)
> >
> > Deborah
> >
> > Founder of
> > http://www.gigdirectory.net
> > http://www.gigslist.org
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups SponsorADVERTISEMENT
> >
> >
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> >
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> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mainefilm/
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > Mainefilm-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
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> >
> >
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