Hi All,
2013 was my first year working as a legitimate freelance Steadicam op.
I had some really great experiences and worked on some outstanding projects but one of them failed to pay me everything I was owed.
It was an indy feature and I worked 10 days out of the 20 or so they shot.
Their payroll cut me a check for the first 2 days I worked but then I never got paid for the following 8. I gave it a couple weeks as I was busy on other jobs and whatnot and when I still hadn't received anything, I contacted them and they responded that they had to fire their UPM because he had mismanaged the money and they went over budget.
They had no money to pay me.
In December, the director/co-producer told me they were speaking with other investors and hoped to have something soon to pay me.
I contacted them last week, same story.
I asked if, in the meantime, I could get a copy of some of my work to update my reel and he said he couldn't until the film comes out in June due to contractual obligations with the other producers/investors.
I have a deal memo stating the terms of my agreement with them.
Has anyone had similar experience?
How is best to resolve this?
Can I put a lien on the film, preventing it from getting sold until I get paid?
thanks!
-Scott