Letter of Assignment

Hey everyone, I am writing to gain a clear understanding on how I can gain access to an event if I have never before done freelance work for a media outlet? There is a film festival coming up that I am interested in gaining a press pass for. My question is this? Can I submit a letter of assignment without a media outlet signing for it? if not what is the best way to approach a media outlet as a first timer? Is this the only way to submit a letter of assignment ?

Enn2014 wrote in post #16844257
Hey everyone, I am writing to gain a clear understanding on how I can gain access to an event if I have never before done freelance work for a media outlet? There is a film festival coming up that I am interested in gaining a press pass for. My question is this? Can I submit a letter of assignment without a media outlet signing for it? if not what is the best way to approach a media outlet as a first timer? Is this the only way to submit a letter of assignment ?

You must have a reason for press credentials. If you do not cover for a media outlet. Do you have a blog or web site that is known to provide coverage of similar events ?

Where is this event ?

silvex wrote in post #16844275
You must have a reason for press credentials. If you do not cover for a media outlet. Do you have a blog or web site that is known to provide coverage of similar events ?

Where is this event ?

I do not. Just a newbie freelancer trying to build. Okay, well that solves that first question. So as far as approaching the media outlets, would I ask them for a letter of assignment first? or just tell them what event I would like to cover and send them a pre drafted letter to sign?

It is the Los Angeles Film festival 2014 I was hoping to shoot

Press passes are typically provided as an exchange of mutual benefit. The event provides premium access free of charge, and the press outlet provides corresponding coverage and exposure. If you can't guarantee the coverage and exposure, why should the event provide you the premium access for free? They would be better off earning your revenue as a paying event attendee than an unpaid 'newbie freelancer'.

Enn2014 wrote in post #16846214
I do not. Just a newbie freelancer trying to build. Okay, well that solves that first question. So as far as approaching the media outlets, would I ask them for a letter of assignment first? or just tell them what event I would like to cover and send them a pre drafted letter to sign?

It is the Los Angeles Film festival 2014 I was hoping to shoot

No. The media outlet hires you, then the editor sends an email to the PR Coordinator or fills out the Press Application for the Event Staff who make a decision if they want to issue you a Press Pass. Usually a media outlet will want to see your work from many smaller events to show that you can deliver professional quality work from larger film festivals. Otherwise, try to network with working media photographers in you area to get their advice on how to get real media jobs.

"Letters of Assignment" are not used any more for media events, only fashion magazine editorials.

sspellman wrote in post #16846282
No. The media outlet hires you, then the editor sends an email to the PR Coordinator or fills out the Press Application for the Event Staff who make a decision if they want to issue you a Press Pass. Usually a media outlet will want to see your work from many smaller events to show that you can deliver professional quality work from larger film festivals. Otherwise, try to network with working media photographers in you area to get their advice on how to get real media jobs.

"Letters of Assignment" are not used any more for media events, only fashion magazine editorials.

They are used when the event does require it -- pro boxing requires it every single time. Usually the first time to make sure everybody is in sync. Afterwards, you will see the same peeps in the event over and over again. With the ocassional new peeps, but from same media outlet.

Thank you , I do follow your points. As a "newbie" I'm trying to figure it all out. I will look out for the smaller events as suggested and of course networking.

silvex wrote in post #6287669
I need a letter of assignment sample for boxing or any type of coverage. Thanks in advance.

Could you please send me the template from ED M. I have been building my boxing fan base and I'm trying to get my credentials. Trying to get to 10,000 subs I'm at over 6,000. Any help is greatly appreciated. My email is directedbyego@gmail.co​m

THANK YOU!

eshady02 wrote in post #17154823
Could you please send me the template from ED M. I have been building my boxing fan base and I'm trying to get my credentials. Trying to get to 10,000 subs I'm at over 6,000. Any help is greatly appreciated. My email is directedbyego@gmail.co​m

THANK YOU!

Please see my previous post:

Hello from Germany,
I need a letter of assignment to join Copenhagen Fashionweek.
To keep things easy and fast the employer has asked me to write it down and handle it over to have it signed and printed on their letter head. Could you help me out?

Many thanks and best regards,
Christina

Christina Leuze wrote in post #19093615
Hello from Germany,
I need a letter of assignment to join Copenhagen Fashionweek.
To keep things easy and fast the employer has asked me to write it down and handle it over to have it signed and printed on their letter head. Could you help me out?

Many thanks and best regards,
Christina

See post #24 directly above yours.

Many thanks.
Best Christina

silvex wrote in post #16844275
You must have a reason for press credentials. If you do not cover for a media outlet. Do you have a blog or web site that is known to provide coverage of similar events ?

Where is this event ?

While it wouldn't work for a sports event, most press pass's needed to get access to events like political rallies are made by the company employing the person who needs one or even the person needing one.

I do a lot of political news coverage and my homemade press pass has never failed to get me access to the press riser to setup my camcorder and in many cases the sponsor of the event provides a breakout box you can plug into to get good audio from the PA system versus using your own microphone.

As for where to get them printed these folks do a good job for a fair price.

https://www.zazzle.com​/s/id+card

Enn2014 wrote in post #16846214
I do not. Just a newbie freelancer trying to build. Okay, well that solves that first question. So as far as approaching the media outlets, would I ask them for a letter of assignment first? or just tell them what event I would like to cover and send them a pre drafted letter to sign?

It is the Los Angeles Film festival 2014 I was hoping to shoot

See my post about creating your own press pass.

Enn2014 wrote in post #16846479
Thank you , I do follow your points. As a "newbie" I'm trying to figure it all out. I will look out for the smaller events as suggested and of course networking.

Networking is very important, most photographers, even stringers are willing to help others out, if asked to do so at the correct time, which is after the event, it also helps if you ask if they need assistance carrying equipment back to their vehicle.

I learned about helping years back, I covered an topless event in Miami Beach and while there a group of topless ladies walked West on Lincoln road then crossed over and walked East to where the rally was to be held.

A video guy from Channel 6 and a reporter where walking in front of them, this required the video guy to walk backward blind, he bumped into someone and then barked at the reporter to help out, the reporter had no idea of what to do.

I walked next to to the guy stated, I got you covered and then grabbed his belt in the middle of his back and walked him backward down the sidewalk making sure he didn't bump into any one else, then as we came up to an intersection I would say curb right foot step down, then across the road on the other side I did the same thing same thing, curb right foot step up, your clear now keep moving.

He was able to concentrate on framing the shot and after couple of blocks he had the clip he wanted and thanked me for helping him out, after the event he asked me who I worked for, I explained I was a stringer and worked for whoever would buy my clips, he pulled a business card from his wallet and wrote a number on the back of it, advised me if I capture any breaking news to call the number and let who answers know what I have and who referred me to them, it was a backdoor line to the news desk at channel 6.

A year or so later I was first on scene to an accident where a vehicle was on fire and a citizen putting up with the smoke and heat pulled 2 children out of the back of the car saving their lives.

I captured all of the rescue, got back in my car and called the number, they wanted to see what I had captured so I uploaded a low rez copy to my hosted server and forwarded a link to 6, a few minutes later I received a call back from 6, they wanted to buy the clip and made a very generous offer for an exclusive license to use it.

It got me in the door to selling my work to a local station.

Not all that long later I was covering a political event in Coral Springs, the sponsors a local TEA-Party group excluded media from the event, they didn't trust media, however I was all ready covering events for them so I had access, another video guy setup next to me, he was noticed and was asked who he was and then he was told he needs to leave, I spoke up and advised the TP person he was working with me, answer oh, ok and they walked away.

We didn't know each other, that favor got me in the door at FOX News.

Moral of the story stay out of the way while everyone is working, but always be willing to help other photogs out, it can pay back with some serious information and inside connections.