UPDATED: Actor and Dancer Jameson Blake Gets Schooled by the Internet After Asking for Free Art
He wanted to pay with a shoutout.
(SPOT.ph) Artists of all kinds—whether digital, visual, performing, or what have you—work hard to hone and master their craft. They enroll in classes and invest in materials and gadgets just so they can work on their projects. It's their passion but more often than not, also their source of income—which is why payment with "exposure" or a simple shoutout isn't a good practice. They have to make a living, too. That’s what actor, TV personality, and dancer Jameson Blake got schooled about last night, July 4, when he asked his Twitter followers if anyone could do him a favor.
Blake is known for being part of the dance group Hashtags on noontime show It's Showtime. He has also appeared in movies like Haunted Forest, Mama's Girl, and 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten—which earned him the award for Best Supporting Actor at the 2016 Cinema One Originals Film Festival. He's also set to appear in the rom-com, Ang Babaeng Allergic sa Wi-Fi.
In a since-deleted tweet, he says, "Any graphic designers here? Who's willing to make me a cover photo/banner for (ex. Youtube, twitch). I need a banner with the username, 'LucidExpress.' Best one gets a shoutout from me." Many users were quick to reply about what makes this set-up problematic.
wtf dude. bayaran mo yung gumawa... dancer ka pa naman, you should know the state of arts in this country... IT'S A PROFESSION, IT'S NOT FOR FREE. Di ka ganon kasikat dude.
— Jamie Dela Rosa (@JamieFDR) July 4, 2018
is this how you pay artists pic.twitter.com/jmmD1NHlaY
— c-j (@allweknowiscj) July 4, 2018
you're someone who works for the entertainment business. you should know that any form of art should be paid for and not given for free.
— Xaviah Louwjan (@XaviahLouwjan) July 4, 2018
if we invite you to dance in an event for free tapos we will just give you a shoutout, papayag ka ba? basic dance moves lang naman.
Hey dude, Shout out lang ba bayad mo sa artwork na yan? Kapal naman ng mukha mo. Palibhasa walang pang-unawa sa mga designers na gumagamit ng kanilang creativity(something I wonder whether you have one or nah) at oras para gumawa ng isang konsepto. Again, kapal ng mukha mo, mate.
— Ronnie Guanlao (@RonnieBanlag) July 4, 2018
If someone paid me in shout outs I’d probably return the favor in kicks to the balls. You hear me, @Hashtag_Jameson? Also, get a proper copywriter (and pay said copywriter). “LucidExpress” sounds like a fly-by-night pawnshop. Just saying. pic.twitter.com/d0lRTB6kS6
— Creative Directors of Manila (@CDsManila) July 4, 2018
congrats sa shoutout i guess pic.twitter.com/NIZhDCnEn9
— TETRA B?Y (@aparadorprince) July 4, 2018
wala pa akong work so a shout out would be a GREAT opportunity for me ???? pic.twitter.com/6tXWzzeVga
— Jeremiah (@jramooos) July 4, 2018
Sana may bayad din bukod dyan sa shout out kasi hindi sila nag aral ng ilang taon at nagbayad ng ilang libo para mabayaran ng shoutout. Hindi naman makakabili ng isang kilong baboy 'yang shout out mo sa palengke https://t.co/tB4yNMdyga
— Satan (@ITSYABOISATANAS) July 4, 2018
hey jameson! can you perform at my birthday for free? bigyan kita ng shoutout!
— jonathan van ness stan account (@rodjtulang) July 4, 2018
The person who ended up making the artwork for Blake eventually received a tweet from him thanking her for her work.
I like this one! Thank you @ksteffi_ I appreciate the artwork ???????????? pic.twitter.com/GX1UWPL7cG
— Jameson Blake (@Hashtag_Jameson) July 4, 2018
The artist defended her decision to make the artwork, saying that she doesn't mind being paid with exposure and that if Blake does decide to pay her, "then [she's] glad."
kung maiisip niya naman na bayaran ako, then I'm glad.
— kea is STILL NOT OVER WITH THE TRUTH UNTOLD (@ksteffi_) July 4, 2018
ayos na? ok na? lol
While Blake has deleted the original tweet, he has since tweeted what seems to be a reply to the hate he's received.
Hope everyone has a great day ahead! Don’t let negativity ruin your day ????????????
— Jameson Blake (@Hashtag_Jameson) July 5, 2018
In any case, let's just hope all sides learned a thing or two from the exchange.
Update as of July 6, 2018 (10:30 a.m.): Blake has taken down the post thanking the artist for her work. He has also apologized to graphic designers for his initial tweet.
???????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/4bM0W31UEe
— Jameson Blake (@Hashtag_Jameson) July 5, 2018
Blake also retweeted the explanation of Twitter user Manuel Tadlas on his own account.
My opinion tungkol sa issue ky Jameson Blake @Hashtag_Jameson .
— Manuel Tadlas (@manueltadlas) July 5, 2018
Just read: pic.twitter.com/gBSM841eZ1
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