Info for Gimmes

How to Not be a Gimme

A "Gimme" is a person who constantly, or frequently, makes requests for free stuff, but who never buys anything or makes any kind of contribution in return. They are generally not among the more popular members of any society.

Sometimes a gimme is just a selfish person who thinks the world owes them support. Other times the gimme is just starting out and simply does not have the money to spend on things they want. However, nearly anyone can give something back to a community in SOME form.

Within the community of quicksandland some people are in the position of being able to produce things like original video and/or photography. Doing so is expensive, often VERY expensive, so they offer what they produce for sale rather than just give it away. By doing so they hope to recover at least a major portion of what they have spent, and just maybe come out a few dollars ahead. Often, when they DO come out ahead they plow the extra funds right back into production of more material, or they use it to support things like internet discussion groups. These people have clearly done their part.

Many other people in the community contribute in other ways, such as by writing stories, producing fake photos, producing animations, moderating discussion groups, conducting helpful research, and many other things. A few even provide financial support for things like video production by others. The majority of non-gimmes contribute by buying videos and photos when they can.

And the rest are either passive by-standers or gimmes.

If you like the material being produced using the facilities of Studio588, you might want to avoid being a gimme by assisting in that production. There are unfilled slots for crew members EVERY summer. If crewing is not practical nearly anyone can participate by finding a way to provide items, such as props or specialized wardrobe, or technical knowledge, such as expertise in stage make-up. We do not want people shipping all sorts of items at random, and have no practical means of storing such items if someone did send them, but we could use a few people who can make and donate certain things that are difficult or impossible to purchase. For example, the following are two lists. First, a short list of some items identified as being highly likely to be needed for the 2013 season.. Second, a list of very specific items from specific vendors.  Additional items will be added as time goes on.

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