Screwed at work...
A friend (an old teacher who became one of my closest friends) of mine invieted me to work on a documentary for TV.
Suposedly it would be 5 episodes and the work would go for 4 to 5 months, and he asked me if I could work in research, since it's about movie history, and it's something that is not only my major, but I also give some classes on the subject.
Since I've been working as a film critic for the past year, I told him that I would only do it if it wouldn't mess with my current job (that implies that I go watch a movie every morning), he said that would'nt be a problem, since It was research and I could do the work in my own time, as long as it was ready in time.
I accepted the job for 1000 euros a month for 4 moths, but didn't get to sign any contract (I had worked with him and his partner before with no problems) but since this new job was for a new producer I asked that I wanted to have a meeting with her so all was set straight, first she was in cannes, then in some other place and eventually my friend told me I didn't have to talk to her, because she was a producer, but just an associate, and he was in charge of the waggers.
so what happen? the project starts, and they don't have an assistant director, and he asks me if I could do it, for the same amount, and I (stupidly) as a friend said I didn't mind...
of course that for the past month I've found my self doing the 3 jobs: The research, the assistant director, the assistant producer, and when it came to go back home he would always pull the "let's go for a drink" or "already leaving? some friend you are".
And all of that started messing up with my other work (had to skip some movies to attend some meetings, etc.).
now the pay day came, and the real trouble started, the producer told that maybe we should review how much I earned, because a "assistant director" shouldn't be earning more than 750 euros month, that she didn't knew what experience I had (even if I sent her my resume, and have been working in the field for 10 years now), either that or if I sticked with my original price, maybe I should accept a forfait of 4000 Euros for the remain of the work (that meaning that by the fifth month I would be working for free, and we're already running late, so I'm expecting this series to go for 6 or 7 months).
I've talked to my friend, and (I know he's getting well payed and doesn't want to get sacked) he told me "I'm very sorry you didn't understand the proposal I originally made you, so you better fix it with the producer... " as if it was my fault (when I clearly set everything straight in the beggining and I even told him that I was doing him a specia price in terms of the 1000 Euros/month).
I'm having the a pre-metting today (what the hell is that exactly?), and metting the producer this week... I'm sure she won't go up the 750? and I will drop the work... and even if the money sure did come in hand, I guess in the end, one should never sell his work short...
what really pisses me off is that It seems like I always forget just how a bunch of crooks this people in the tv/movie industrie are (it was one of the reasons I drop it for 4 years), and mostly I feel like I've been conned by a friend, just for some lousy 1000 Euros...
Suposedly it would be 5 episodes and the work would go for 4 to 5 months, and he asked me if I could work in research, since it's about movie history, and it's something that is not only my major, but I also give some classes on the subject.
Since I've been working as a film critic for the past year, I told him that I would only do it if it wouldn't mess with my current job (that implies that I go watch a movie every morning), he said that would'nt be a problem, since It was research and I could do the work in my own time, as long as it was ready in time.
I accepted the job for 1000 euros a month for 4 moths, but didn't get to sign any contract (I had worked with him and his partner before with no problems) but since this new job was for a new producer I asked that I wanted to have a meeting with her so all was set straight, first she was in cannes, then in some other place and eventually my friend told me I didn't have to talk to her, because she was a producer, but just an associate, and he was in charge of the waggers.
so what happen? the project starts, and they don't have an assistant director, and he asks me if I could do it, for the same amount, and I (stupidly) as a friend said I didn't mind...
of course that for the past month I've found my self doing the 3 jobs: The research, the assistant director, the assistant producer, and when it came to go back home he would always pull the "let's go for a drink" or "already leaving? some friend you are".
And all of that started messing up with my other work (had to skip some movies to attend some meetings, etc.).
now the pay day came, and the real trouble started, the producer told that maybe we should review how much I earned, because a "assistant director" shouldn't be earning more than 750 euros month, that she didn't knew what experience I had (even if I sent her my resume, and have been working in the field for 10 years now), either that or if I sticked with my original price, maybe I should accept a forfait of 4000 Euros for the remain of the work (that meaning that by the fifth month I would be working for free, and we're already running late, so I'm expecting this series to go for 6 or 7 months).
I've talked to my friend, and (I know he's getting well payed and doesn't want to get sacked) he told me "I'm very sorry you didn't understand the proposal I originally made you, so you better fix it with the producer... " as if it was my fault (when I clearly set everything straight in the beggining and I even told him that I was doing him a specia price in terms of the 1000 Euros/month).
I'm having the a pre-metting today (what the hell is that exactly?), and metting the producer this week... I'm sure she won't go up the 750? and I will drop the work... and even if the money sure did come in hand, I guess in the end, one should never sell his work short...
what really pisses me off is that It seems like I always forget just how a bunch of crooks this people in the tv/movie industrie are (it was one of the reasons I drop it for 4 years), and mostly I feel like I've been conned by a friend, just for some lousy 1000 Euros...
Post edited by VanTammen on
Comments
Just always get a contract in writing. Hope you get it sorted
But yeah i would drop this 'friend' as he seems to have landed you in it a bit (still should have got a contract though)
I hope it all gets sorted out to your satisfaction.
all the creative industries have shark infested waters , normally the 10% ers who have no talent but want a cut for doing sod all..
thats why, well it's business... you get everything in writing / signed and there is no "issues" later.. i'd have said sod off if he didnt have an assistant in place..that was a big warning sign.
some people are fine , not everyone is.. but sometimes it's a small world and you do find out off others who are well known scammers.
And as said above, point out firmly that friends don't treat friends like this and he needs to be working to make things right.
How about proposing continuing to do those three jobs for a 1000/month or 750/month for only one of the jobs.
Damn! You're usually Mr. Nice guy too Scottie, you're right though Vantammen should do something drastic like that. May lose a friend but how good of a friend is he if he's ****ing him over in the first place.
The whole you didn't understand thing, well that's a red rag to a bull in my eyes, it'd be Bye bye.
I'd rather lose the money and save face, I know economically you can't do that, but if they really need you and you give them an ultimatum they'll shit themselves. If not I guess they don't need you.
take Scotties advice wipe your work and reserve the master copy for blackmail :lol:
damn Scottie you're an evil bastard :p
Firstly.........Backup everything you've done
Secondly, delete all your work off the servers there (ensuring you can put it all back easily)
now in your pre-meeting, take the drive backup with you as a negotiation tactic
if they screw you, walk away with your work, then get them to formally agree in a contract to buy that work from you
with friends like this guy, who needs enemies
Edit........
if you really need the cash....why not do the work, then....(as you still have no contract)...take it beyond the point of no return.....then do all of the above
they screw you, screw 'em back!
nah you just bring an empty drive and be quite casual about it :)
but I'm assuming he has the work off you and now is moaning about it..
friends used to build something into their websites to stop none payment that was rather nice :D
if they hadn't paid, well the site would just redirect to an "adult" site.
I worked at a job and they did the dirty on me.. the next day after I had left the van keys went missing (I used to do installations the odd time).. now this was expensive locks for insurance purposes and well ?800 of deadlocks to get the locks changed. they even rang me up to know if I knew where the keys went ... of course it's funny how such things happen.. and they key WERE there when I left. instant karma ;)
Just had a talk with the producers, and I'm doing 4 months by my price...
By now a part of me just wanted to say "forget it" and turn away, but I already had plans for the money... I guess 4 months pass in a zap so...
Extremely good advice mate, but like most good advice, it's probably not too easy to follow.
Money causes so many problems.
I thought that you got your big break in TV by sleeping with the bosses, and it helped if you had big baps? :-P
Oh, and when I say "you", I meant "any hypothetical person", not you personally, Kaija. ;) Although I don't know if you do work in the telly business...
Yeah look at Michael winner he's got massive moobs and look how successfull he is.
my uncle used to work in the telly business, well rumbelows
I think that is true and accounts for a lot of big breaks, but alternatively, if you're a flaming great gay boy...that seems to work too. Lovely boy, Lovely boy.
I conducted my own scientific study and I found these qualifications were required to get into TV work.
Pretty with big knockers = 33%
Jewish = 33%
Gaylord/Gayboy = 33%
Talent =1%