That's true but I don't think that's fair when dealing with someone's self-financed art.
My thoughts exactly.
I got my first gig in film by bluffing. I was asked, "Have you ever done
makeup effects before?"
I had fooled around as a kid with blood and my moms makeup, but I
had never done anything at the level I was about to jump into. I said
"Yes." - got the low paying gig and on my first day was in over my head.
The boss called me on it within the first hour. But he was cool and I was
willing to learn.
That's very different than accepting a job as a DP on a new directors
music video. If one does not have an experienced gaffer and AC who is
there to look to for advice? On my first "real" short film I was fortunate
enough to get a DP with some experience. Sure, I could have done it
myself or got someone at my experience level - but as a new director I
wanted someone I could learn from. She helped me immensely.
Bluffing your way onto a set in an assistant position is, in my opinion and
experience, acceptable - you can always look to someone with more experience
to help you. Taking a job as a department head for someone looking for
experience does not seem like a good way to go.