NOVA: The Creative Network 12+

I discovered Nova on IG last Christmas and have successfully been hired on multiple gigs from their postings on IG! I’m loving the new community on the App, it’s very user friendly and connects creatives all around the world. If I am traveling to Europe or Asia and need to find creatives, the search makes it so easy to find everyone and it’s linked to their social and website. The message section makes it super cool to communicate with Job hiring or networking. Great App!

Unfortunately because Nova allows job listings to be posted without set rates, most of the listing are “$TBD,” taking advantage of people’s desperation for work and making them barter their wages rather than decide if they want to take a job based on the proposed rate. It’s wasted much of my time trying to negotiate with people just looking for cheap labor, which I don’t think is Nova’s intended purpose. Additionally, many of the postings require you to reach out via email and “audition” your work— I was asked by one company that posted to “submit 2-3 ideas for a campaign and then we’ll decide if we want to work with you/what your rate will be.” Overall a huge waste of time unless you have established Nova connects or a lot of celebrities visible on your profile. I think the app developers are doing users a disservice with the $TBD option— it’s worth it to note that in the state of California it is illegal to post a job listing without wages visible. Not sure why this does not apply to freelance jobs for creatives, but disappointing that Nova cares more about satisfying clients/businesses than helping freelancers/creatives.

Got an email today saying you have to have the “pro” version to apply for jobs. Nobody needs a networking app for filmmakers, or a place to host your portfolio- reinventing the wheel there as anyone professional has a website or other solution already. The only reason i downloaded the apps was to apply for jobs. This might be worth it if they had an in with huge Studios or something like backstage- but they dont. Im not paying for a pro version to have someone post jobs for DPs at joke rates like $450 a day. RARELY are there any good paying jobs on this app. This app was my go to for last minute fills (because of low rates) but now ill uninstall. Way to ruin a mildly good thing for the love of money.