A lot of the problems with very small proto runs is that there is little profit in it. It seems to be getting worse with small start ups with no configuration management, half baked documentation, and no concept of manufacturing, pushing on proto shops to fill in all the blanks and deliver quick turns but with volume pricing because of the expectation of big things to come. You end up putting hours and hours of extra work into it that you never get paid for. And you may or may not see the production work for your efforts.
Proto work can be lucrative if you are lean and clean, and have your act together. And you have the talent to fill in the blanks. But that talent costs, and you have to be careful of who you work with.
Another big risk is material. After the debacle of 99/01, inteligent shops are wary of commiting large amounts of funds to fronting material for some start up with big ideas and poor excecution. With the economy diving, a lot of small shops have gone under with the weight of stale material bought based on someone's big dreams.
Be vary careful you you commit yourself to. As Richard Branson said repeatedly in his latest book, take the risk, but always be sure you can handle the downside before you leap.
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