ChrisS
06-24-2003, 10:32 AM
**Update on Page 2**
I know this stuff comes up from time to time, but I thought I'd ask anyhoo.
First, a little background:
After a long time of struggling and doing work for little/no money, I finally landed a decent project. A video producer I know was doing a product video for a company that wanted some animations. After going over the general idea of what they wanted, I gave him my price. Now, this being my first "big" project, and wanting to secure the job, I cut my bid by quite a bit (and was sure to point that out). Also, judging by the examples from other videos of what they wanted, they were going to receive a far superior product.
So finally, after script revisions etc... I was called in and we went over what they wanted. The job looked like it was going to entail more than I had originally figured, but that was okay. I kept the price where it was.
The way it was set up, I'm working as a subcontractor for the video producer. I told him that I needed 50% to start work. No problem. I went to his place the next day with an invoice and letter of agreement. I got the first check, but the guy said he'd have to look over the letter. Since he'd anted up, I didn't push it. This was my big mistake as I never did get that letter signed.
I've since completed the work. Actually, I delivered over two weeks ago. I figured that there might be some touch ups to do, but I keep getting told to hold off and see what needs to be done. All reports I've gotten say that they're very happy with the animations, but there seems to be a lot of feet dragging in getting things done on the other end (and the fact that the producer has been out of town for a week hasn't helped).
I talked to the producer yesterday. The video was completed, but he said that they (yet again) have an "overwhelming" number of revisions they want done and that he'd get with me today after they get things hammered out.
Now for my questions:
At what point should I consider the job "done" and be expecting final payment? I don't doubt I will get paid... eventually. Just that it's sounding like the revision process might go on for a while and I had hoped to put some of this money toward the 7.8-8/DFX upgrade. My letter of agreement (though unsigned) stated that final payment is due upon completion of the project. That was supposed to mean upon delivery of the animations, with added costs for any changes afterward, but I guess it could be construed as meaning the end of the entire project. Is it unfair or otherwise frowned upon to ask for payment before the producer gets paid? He said he gets paid at the end of the project. He's done re-shoots etc..., and is apparently looking at doing more. Exactly how he can work on a project like this without a cash flow is beyond me, but I guess that's a moot point.
I've already put a lot more into this project than I had originally figured on, and they've gotten a heck of a product for the price. Also, as I said, I expect to make some revisions, but at what point do you say "enough already" and start adding costs? I'm not about to make an endless number of revisions and wait to get the final payment when the client is finally happy (which is pretty much never). Should I ask for final payment since I've delivered the (tentative) final product, even though the project as a whole hasn't gotten the final stamp of approval?
Needless to say, I'm not doing any more jobs without a signed letter of agreement.
Any opinions are greatly appreciated.
Chris
I know this stuff comes up from time to time, but I thought I'd ask anyhoo.
First, a little background:
After a long time of struggling and doing work for little/no money, I finally landed a decent project. A video producer I know was doing a product video for a company that wanted some animations. After going over the general idea of what they wanted, I gave him my price. Now, this being my first "big" project, and wanting to secure the job, I cut my bid by quite a bit (and was sure to point that out). Also, judging by the examples from other videos of what they wanted, they were going to receive a far superior product.
So finally, after script revisions etc... I was called in and we went over what they wanted. The job looked like it was going to entail more than I had originally figured, but that was okay. I kept the price where it was.
The way it was set up, I'm working as a subcontractor for the video producer. I told him that I needed 50% to start work. No problem. I went to his place the next day with an invoice and letter of agreement. I got the first check, but the guy said he'd have to look over the letter. Since he'd anted up, I didn't push it. This was my big mistake as I never did get that letter signed.
I've since completed the work. Actually, I delivered over two weeks ago. I figured that there might be some touch ups to do, but I keep getting told to hold off and see what needs to be done. All reports I've gotten say that they're very happy with the animations, but there seems to be a lot of feet dragging in getting things done on the other end (and the fact that the producer has been out of town for a week hasn't helped).
I talked to the producer yesterday. The video was completed, but he said that they (yet again) have an "overwhelming" number of revisions they want done and that he'd get with me today after they get things hammered out.
Now for my questions:
At what point should I consider the job "done" and be expecting final payment? I don't doubt I will get paid... eventually. Just that it's sounding like the revision process might go on for a while and I had hoped to put some of this money toward the 7.8-8/DFX upgrade. My letter of agreement (though unsigned) stated that final payment is due upon completion of the project. That was supposed to mean upon delivery of the animations, with added costs for any changes afterward, but I guess it could be construed as meaning the end of the entire project. Is it unfair or otherwise frowned upon to ask for payment before the producer gets paid? He said he gets paid at the end of the project. He's done re-shoots etc..., and is apparently looking at doing more. Exactly how he can work on a project like this without a cash flow is beyond me, but I guess that's a moot point.
I've already put a lot more into this project than I had originally figured on, and they've gotten a heck of a product for the price. Also, as I said, I expect to make some revisions, but at what point do you say "enough already" and start adding costs? I'm not about to make an endless number of revisions and wait to get the final payment when the client is finally happy (which is pretty much never). Should I ask for final payment since I've delivered the (tentative) final product, even though the project as a whole hasn't gotten the final stamp of approval?
Needless to say, I'm not doing any more jobs without a signed letter of agreement.
Any opinions are greatly appreciated.
Chris