Craigslist And the Ban for Doing work for FREE

For quite some time now I've been seeing a wicked trend of  Film Makers working for Credit and sometimes a meal, instead of money.   This is a trend that needs to Cease and Desist.  I hope to describe to anyone reading this blog why.  I also have a special request afterwards. Here is the reason we need to stop working for free:
1.   The Economy.  In order for our economy to improve we need to spend money.  If you work for Credit/Meal you may not have to buy groceries. However,  while you stock up on Craft services (place gently in pockets) What about shopping, Dining, and Rent?  I can't pay rent with an IMDb credit.  Where does the IMDb credit get you these days, anyway?  No one cares that I was Ashley Olsen's (Olsen Twins) Stunt Devil and Stand in when she was 14! No one cares that I've been a Co-Producer of a National TV show.  No one cares that I was the spokesperson for Coleman Campers.  To the best of my knowledge people who want to hire me as a Producer are looking for someone who can handle the damn job!  Most of the time, I'm sure they don't even know what the IMDb stands for.
2.   No other profession expects their people to work for such nonsense.  At least when you intern as a medical professional there is a good chance you will be hired for pay.  The biggest reason is taking pride in what we do.  I work my ass off every day to be the best damn producer I can be and I am well worth the money I charge for the work I do.  To work for no pay is a slap in the face! When I see ads for Editor's and they are offered $8.00 an hour it's embarrassing.   I understand that people just starting out need to get their big feet through the door.  However, when we continue to allow people to take advantage of us, we'll get taken.
3.  A Talent Manager I worked for back in the 80's (yea that's right, I'm old) gave me the best advice ever "The Entertainment Industry is a business.  It's a Multi Trillion dollar business that was made up of dreams.  Just remember it's still a business".  That was by far the best thing anyone could have ever told me. 
It's also the hardest part for an artist (as we all are) because we went to Film School instead of Business School.  Try going to Business School and telling them that you work for free on the majority of your projects.  I'm sure the students would say "You gotta put in your time".
I love this industry and have had some of my best experiences working with people like Bruce Willis, Ed Asner, Michael Gross, Connie Stevens, Mary Kate and Ashley, Just to name a few.  I have been fortunate to be paid well on a lot of these projects.  As a professional business woman I am asking that you all start realizing your credits will only get you so far.  What's the difference if you have credits but have to end your dream, because you had to take on Full Time work to pay your bills.  What happens then? Do you think that your next employer will care that you almost spilled coffee on John Lithgow?
I'd like everyone to realize that You are worth more than that.  Take the time to answer the Craigslist Ads and let people know We are done working for free.  If they want a video or graphics to be done, they will have to get a budget and pay for it.  Just like I can't buy a Cheeseburger at the Jack in the Box on credit, they need to pay you for the work you performed.
I do offer consultation for free on the many ways to act as a business person in the Entertainment Industry. 

So the guy says"But can you play the part of a Mom"?

 Earlier this week I was looking for some extra ways to make some quick cash.  So I opened up Craigslist and found an ad that titled "Actor's/Commercial" for those of you who may not know,  I was a Professional Actress.  (My IMDb page http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0340565/) It has been a while since I've been in front of the Camera.  I'm sure I'll be a bit rusty.  And while I prefer to work behind the scenes now, I'm still relying on the 3 years of studying at the Actor's Workshop in Royal Oak, Michigan and the 1/2 year at Second City in Detroit, to get me through the audition. 
So with all that talent and experience I applied.  Not really knowing what they were looking for, I did what any other professional would do.  I sent them my head shots, (thanks to Lucie Aleks of Studio Moonlight who just helped me update those old pics) my resume and a quick few lines of how I found them. I then requested more details.
Much to my surprise I got an email back the next day asking for a demo reel.  Apparently they wanted to see me in action.  I didn't have a demo reel of myself.  However, I did send them an MP3 of my Radio Talk Show "Tire Kickers Radio" (for those of you who didn't know I'm a Radio Personality as well).  Shortly after sending them this file I got the call from the producer.  I'm not sure if it was my Jolting Smile or my Golden Pipes that sold them but he called and asked me a very important question.
He asked me with a very stern, deep voice "So can you play a mom"?
For those of you who didn't know I'm also a mom of a beautiful 24 year old daughter,.  I said with confidence "I'm pretty sure, I can do that".
  So if you are reading this you're reading the words of the next spokesperson for a new coupon that will have me acting in the video's.  I'll post the first video as soon as it's done.  
Can I play a Mom?  Scheeeesh!