pro bono?

so, in the interest of getting more press, bumping up my portfolio, helping someone out and kissing up to an MCAD professor I have suddenly found myself in a position and responsibility that I am generally paid hundreds of dollars to do.  When I took on the idea of setting up a light installation for a performance space I was thinking something simple yet cool; now that I am aware of what bands are playing and that they are not small local bands.  These are also bands slightly at odds with Solid Gold; or whatever you might call it I now find myself in a position that is very dilemma causing.  I want to kick ass and earn the portfolio/reference that drove me to take on the project; but I no longer want to offer services I am paid well to do for free, the people involved have also made me doubt my interest in participation.  The idea of doing this has turned from pro bono phone in radness that I can represent with, into my name being attached to something I would never knowingly be doing.  I need more time to think and figure this project out; but all I have is a few hours and a shitload of work.  I can't fuck this up, I need this shit to look good/cool but I can't do it real cool for free.  fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.  matt will have plenty to say about this situation and it will all agree with the side that is saying "fuck that dude, you get paid for this shit there is no way you should be doing this for free.   fuck.  money is awesome, but having it conflict with artistic dedication really sucks.