Last December I was asked to edit a trailer for a documentary. This trailer would be used to solicit finishing funds. And while they couldn't pay much, they could pay. Since I wasn't doing anything in January and halfway thru Febuary, I took the job.
The client asked how they should deal with the payment I said that I would like half up front, and half when I deliver the final. That sounded fine to them, so I received half the payment and the tapes to begin editing.
I worked on the project for about 3 weeks, and delivered a rough cut. Then I waited...and waited...and waited. Finally two weeks ago I received word from the director (the guy who hired me). The producers partnership had split due to philosophical differences in the way they wanted to approach the documentary. So not only was it on hold, but it might be shut down altogether. At least the one that I was asked to edit. The producers might end up with separate docs...but for me, the project was done.
Now, I am glad that I got half up front, because the doc was DOA. I am darn sure that trying to get partial payment after what happened would be darn near impossible. Who would want to pay for nothing? This is a lesson I learned the hard way on a previous project. Getting paid is VERY important. If you don't arrange weekly payments, you need to arrange some sort of payment so that you can have something to live off of while you work.
Digg it
Progress Payments
Shane,
Sounds like you just paid some tuition for one of those lessons of life we all learn the hard way. I am an older guy with a lot of years of business experience in several kinds of businesses, and I have paid lots of the same kind of tuition.
The main concept is that whenever you do work for somebody before getting paid, you are loaning them money, which means there is a risk they won't pay you. On the other hand, if you get paid in advance, the shoe is on the other foot.
The catch is to craft a payment arrangement that both sides can live with. "Progress payments" are a standard feature in a lot of business deals. I like to tie progress payments for any kind of work I do to specific deliverables, not to the passage of time. I think clients feel that is fairer, more verifiable. And, I always document the payment formula/arrangement in at least an email.
By the way, I am wondering if you could claim some sort of "workman's lien" on that documentary you were working on? Maybe claim the tapes in lieu of payment.
Nat Turner