I'm writing a book/taking pictures/making a movie(documentary) about messengers. Could you put me in touch with some. . tell me when your next event is. . . help me gather some together to be filmed?
1.Hermes
"In general it should be known that we're a bit jaded about this subject.
We have encountered a number of journalists/artists/advertisers who seem to
have the notion that they're doing a favor for messengers by 'honoring' us with
cataloging our doings in general. This concept DOES work with rookies; or those
few messengers who are good enough in their hearts to ignore the fact that they
are being used. For the most part, however, messengers will be very willing
to give if they feel that they are first being GIVEN something tangible by the
journalist/artist/advertiser. My recommendation is for the party that wants
something from us to be prepared to meet us at the bar and buy us a lot of beer.
I understand that often you may feel that your story/movie/billboard will be
real important, but you may be interested to learn that it may be quite unimportant
to us."
2. TONE:
"I don't drink beer, but I would like something
tangible from anyone who might be working on a messenger related project who
also gets assistance from me. This means at least a copy of the magazine, which an article
about messengers might be in, a copy of a book or calendar, a print of a photograph
taken, or a video tape of a documentary I am interviewed in, etc. Also the person/party
who would like to work on a project affiliated with messengers should keep in
mind that they were the ones, who contacted me/us, and should adjust their schedule
to ours. Most messengers have to work hard and long hours to make the rent,
so anyone who wants a piece of our time should be willing to accept that factor,
otherwise pay up for the time, and I would highly recommend considering monetary compensation of some sort.
Messengers will respect you more and feel they are being treated in a professional manner.
For god's sake at least buy a messenger a lunch
or dinner, etc., and respect the fact that a messenger is in the business of
delivering quickly. Don't expect a messenger to sit in front of a camera and
look pretty while on the job, unless they are total rookies or unprofessional.
Real messengers can't stay put for too long. You should also never expect messengers
to jump at the immediate chance to do an interview, shoot, or whatever which has a dealine of a less than two days.
Organzing messengers for such projects takes time. We are not sitting around at a casting or modelling agency."