Need some advice on non payers

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	Topic: Need some advice on non payers
Posted : 08/03/10 / Views : 3441 / Replies : 36 /
leileireid 257 posts last on: 08/02/12 send private reply	I did a short film a couple of months ago and I had a verbal agreement with the Producer that my travel expenses all of £30. Now that the film has been completed the director has turned around and said that no such agreement existed as they 'we never pay our actors' (exact quote from email) and he will only accept it if it is writing. Anybody got an advice/ suggestions about what to do? thanks Leila

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	Reply #1
Posted : 05/10/09
ForbesKB 1039 posts last on: 08/02/12 send private reply	Name and shame this arrogant pri*k...this isn't payimng his actors it's covering out of pocket expenses!! Unless your agreement is in writing or you have a copy of his original caating call which states "expenses will be paid" there's not much you can do unfortunately! If it was a student film you can always get in touch with the college/uni and get the name of their tutor and write to him...either way go back to my original statement and lets make sure noone else get caught out!!

Reply #1

Posted : 05/10/09

ForbesKB
1039 posts
last on: 08/02/12
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Name and shame this arrogant pri*k...this isn't payimng his actors it's covering out of pocket expenses!!

Unless your agreement is in writing or you have a copy of his original caating call which states "expenses will be paid" there's not much you can do unfortunately! If it was a student film you can always get in touch with the college/uni and get the name of their tutor and write to him...either way go back to my original statement and lets make sure noone else get caught out!!

	Reply #2
Posted : 05/10/09
helengrady 167 posts last on: 05/02/12 send private reply	This is horrible for you. Do you have the producer's contact details from a call sheet? It should be the producer rather than the director who sorts this out, especially if this is person you had the verbal agreement with. I know this is no help to you now, but for future reference and for others who may be considering doing jobs for no money (won't bore you with my views on that one again!) where travel or other expenses have been agreed, I would always suggest getting travel expenses paid on a daily basis in cash. That way you can just refuse to turn up the next day if they are not covered. I hope you manage to get it sorted out.

Reply #2

Posted : 05/10/09

helengrady
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last on: 05/02/12
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This is horrible for you. Do you have the producer's contact details from a call sheet? It should be the producer rather than the director who sorts this out, especially if this is person you had the verbal agreement with.

I know this is no help to you now, but for future reference and for others who may be considering doing jobs for no money (won't bore you with my views on that one again!) where travel or other expenses have been agreed, I would always suggest getting travel expenses paid on a daily basis in cash. That way you can just refuse to turn up the next day if they are not covered.

I hope you manage to get it sorted out.

	Reply #3
Posted : 05/10/09
sihiggins 95 posts last on: 06/02/12 send private reply	name and shame!! tell equity and they might put them on the people be wary of section of the equity magazine. Its at the back... can't remember what its called exactly. This sort of thing drives me mad!!

	Reply #4
Posted : 05/10/09
peterhalpin 236 posts last on: 12 min send private reply	I totally agree with Forbes. It's totally unreasonable not to cover simple travel expenses and to class that as 'paying his actors', that is a load of tosh. I'd definitely recommend contacting the Uni tutor and discussing it with them. I had to do this once and I had the money (a whole £20!) in the post by the end of the week! Basic principles and respect are things this guy obviously needs to learn. Good luck!

Reply #4

Posted : 05/10/09

peterhalpin
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last on: 12 min
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I totally agree with Forbes. It's totally unreasonable not to cover simple travel expenses and to class that as 'paying his actors', that is a load of tosh. I'd definitely recommend contacting the Uni tutor and discussing it with them. I had to do this once and I had the money (a whole £20!) in the post by the end of the week! Basic principles and respect are things this guy obviously needs to learn.
Good luck!

	Reply #5
Posted : 05/10/09
LGubbay 45 posts last on: 02/02/12 send private reply	Always sign on the dotted line, and if they do not have a contract, ask for it...........regardless of whether it is a student film or not. Sense and sensibility. Hope it works out

	Reply #6
Posted : 06/10/09
Christine10 191 posts last on: 08/02/12 send private reply	I agree - name and shame and tell Equity

	Reply #7
Posted : 06/10/09
leileireid 257 posts last on: 08/02/12 send private reply	I found the orginal cassting call which was actually on CCP and there is nothing writtern next to salary. But in the past when I have applied for casting there has been nothing next to salary but I have always got my travel expenses back the previous employers had put nothing next to salary as they assumed that it meant a daily wage. I have emailed the producer since but I have not heard anything back. was I just being naive in assuming that it was standard procedure that you don't get paid but you get expenses so you are not out of pocket?

Reply #7

Posted : 06/10/09

leileireid
257 posts
last on: 08/02/12
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I found the orginal cassting call which was actually on CCP and there is nothing writtern next to salary. But in the past when I have applied for casting there has been nothing next to salary but I have always got my travel expenses back the previous employers had put nothing next to salary as they assumed that it meant a daily wage.

I have emailed the producer since but I have not heard anything back.

was I just being naive in assuming that it was standard procedure that you don't get paid but you get expenses so you are not out of pocket?

	Reply #8
Posted : 06/10/09
Christine10 191 posts last on: 08/02/12 send private reply	It is not normal to receive fares etc back unless told so up front, but as you were led astray it is worth following up.

	Reply #9
Posted : 06/10/09
leileireid 257 posts last on: 08/02/12 send private reply	Thanks Christine, I was starting to think that I was just being completely naive but I wasn't told up front that I wouldn't recieve travel expenses the only thing I was told was that it was a non paid job.

	Reply #10
Posted : 06/10/09
Alanbrent 1826 posts last on: 08/02/12 send private reply	Name and shame so no one else gets caught out. Also, next time be strong and insist that they cover reasonable travel expenses in cash before you start. Then even if there is no payment you won't be subsidising this sort of pillock!

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