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Should I drop this freelance project?
Okay, I know I did a stupid thing by taking on this project but I just started in this business and I was desperate for work.
Basically, I was hired to do an assembly edit and I was told it would take 5 days. I am being paid by the project. After they delayed the project by 2 months and once it started, they crept in the idea that they want me to do the whole edit, and not just the assembly. I didn’t want to flip them off on the spot given that I was desperate (but I realize that it’s the wrong choice now no matter how desperate I am). It’s been a month now and I’m still working on it because of the revisions that the director and the producer are constantly making. Me, being dumb, didn’t ask for a deposit upfront, so they haven’t even paid me a cent yet. I’m earning below minimum wage at this level. I am going to meet with them in a few days to make some changes but it’s quite possible that them being them, they will make big changes, making me waste more of my time. I’m fed of this project and I just want to walk off but I’m not sure if that’s the best decision.
What would you guys do?
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23 Replies
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And if I were to drop this project, is there a way I can do this without burning a bridge?
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Did you have a contract? If so, is there an out?
If not, can you demand a rework of the relationship based on radical scope explosion?
If not, be up front in saying that the project scope has radically changed since you accepted it, and you can’t afford to do the project on an agreed upon scope that no longer exists.
You might want to suggest someone else to take over. But no gaurantee that they will do it for the same price.
Or maybe you can explain you have run far over the anticipated project timeline and can no longer commit to the project due to other priorities.
Either way, your reputation with this client is likely hosed.
Protect yourself in the future with a contract that defines scope, time and pay. It can just be an email, but do it. Define what happens when significant changes gets made that are client driven. Walk away from clients who won’t agree to that.
For example, get a project plan up front that says that given a 3 to 5 minute film about x, you will define a script and expect to shoot 3 days and edit 5. If the client decdes to shoot for ten days, you have legitimate reasons to either demand more money, or walk away. If they decide to redo the editing and you run 10 days, either eat the loss, because you need the project more than the money, or demand the extra editing costs or bail. It all depends on your need for a relationship with the client, now and in the future. It’s standard project management stuff. Clients, like the government do it all the time. Not to exceed contracts protect them from you, no reason not to protect you from them.
Next time, perhaps take a project like this in phases. It gives you time to decide what to do if the concept is not fully thought through. At the end of phase one, you can rework based on known decisions made together.Good luck!
Al
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Eric, do you have other projects on hand? If yes, drop it. If no, complete it, and put it on your showreel. Who knows, maybe the director will call you for future work, and you can renegotiate your terms better.
Ask them for some money, but don’t be too hard on them. If they refuse, continue ‘working’, but look for other projects. Drag your heels if you can, and find excuses for missing deadlines. If they don’t pay you something now, they deserve it.
Hope this helps.
https://www.wolfcrow.com – Workflow information and support for filmmakers, photographers, audiographers and videographers.
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nope, don’t have a contract. that was another mistake on my part. they said they don’t have a lot of money for this project, I believe them, but it is going to be broadcasted on tv and I doubt everybody else on the team is working for half of minimum wage.
it’s not a high quality show. mostly talking heads and even though I’m getting paid peanuts, I’m afraid they’ll find another desperate film graduate tofill my sitshoes.
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I don’t have other projects at this moment. The director has said he might have other projects but they are all low-paying and even if I were to take it, it’s only for a paycheck and nothing more. Perhaps I can negotiate better terms for future projects but at this moment, future projects are only future projects. I’m only focused on the current project and he’s gipping me big time.
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Get out any way you can, and soon. It isn’t worth your time. And it isn’t a bridge you should want to keep. If all of their productions are going to be this cheap…is it worth it?
One of the classic scams “grinders” (That is what these people are…they grind you and grind you and pay you little to nothing) is to say “Hey, do this show for me cheap and when the next one comes along, I can pay you more.” RARELY does that come through. It’s a classic case of dangling a carrot in front of your nose.
Should you quit and have some other starving student take the work? Well, you will be out from under this…can find a job that pays better…and THEY will be suffering, not you.
I DESPISE people who pay little, and demand a lot…thinking that they can just give notes and notes and revisions and revisions. Because there is no money restriction, they can try lots of things. When you are on a clock, and paid by the day or hour…every revision costs money, so you are either careful about what you do…or you need to live with what you have.
This job is pure poison…and the producers are no one you will want to work with in the future…so don’t worry about burning that bridge. Find a better one.
Get out. Get out now.
Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
Thanks a lot for all your advice. And Shane, your post gave me the confidence that I need to tell them whatever it is that I need to say to them. At this point I really feel scammed. If they told me right from the start that it was low-paying and I accepted the gig, I would have nobody to blame but myself. I’m just upset that initially it was supposed to be an assembly edit and yet they covertly demanded that I do everything for them.
I am cutting this on FCPX and I haven’t sent them any of the files. I guess that’s a good thing. I’m going to the office tomorrow to show them what I have and talk things over. I am not handing any of my project files over if I don’t get what I want. An off-topic question I have is, is there a way to prevent the files from being duplicated onto their computer? I am curious because they would probably ask for my project files tomorrow and I want to gracefully make an excuse to say “sorry, but I can’t give them to you because…”
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Another question I have is,
I’ve been showing them my rough edits up to this point. If they do decide to replace me, I’m afraid my replacement is going to edit exact to the video that I have sent them, even though I haven’t handed over any project files. Are there are copyright protection laws for editors that prevent them from them copying cut per cut?
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No…they can replicate it all they want. Often, people turn over the project files (as it was done on a client computer) and the next editor takes it from there.
If they pay you…then I recommend turning over the project files and media. If they don’t…then don’t turn over anything. They would then have to start all over again with the next person. It would be worth their while to pay you. And I’d demand the full amount, as the original agreement was an assembly edit only…and you’ve done that, and more!
Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
Honestly, even if they pay me the full amount. I don’t think I want to turn it over unless it’s more than that.
I was told $1000 for assembly edit and I would be given editor credit. Even $1000 was below my standard rate but I took on the project for the credit.
But that $1000 has stretched a one-week project into over a month and I won’t be getting any credit if I drop out now, so I don’t think I should just take the $1000.
Shane, what do you think?
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