In my experience I often find the largest companies are the slowest to pay. I have heard from people on the inside it is something of a company policy to delay freelance invoices so the budgets looks better. Additionally, if you're not "in the system" yet there's always some lazy body in accounting who forgets to include you in that pay cycle. I find smaller places it's easier to get paid quickly because of the personal connection. However I would agree there's more risk of a small place never paying at all. And like jim said I usually go hourly first or demand half up front when the bid is accepted. Unless I have grave misgivings or its a huge project I usually don't bother with a contract. Risky, but 90% of my business is done with a handshake... I worry places would be put off if it came to that. I work regularly in nyc, maybe things are different in LA etc
On Jun 21, 2012 11:33 AM, "Jim Curtis" < jpcurtis@me.com> wrote:
I have different kinds of clients. Â Some are small production companies and agencies. Â Some huge corporations and non-profits. Â The latter ones make me sign their PSA, and I always get paid on their schedule. Â It's the small agencies who are the worst, and the most likely to either nickel-and-dime me, take forever to pay, or dock my invoice for some imagined shortcoming.
I wish I could hold onto masters as a lien/security, but most projects are time-sensitive, and that's seldom possible or practical.
When I was in production, and on the hook for payments for film, freelancers, meals, travel, etc., I demanded â…“ up front, â…“ upon completion of production, and balance upon delivery of master, spelled out in a written agreement.
But, now I'm strictly post. Â I do have a standard spiel for new clients: Â I charge by the hour until a working relationship is established, so I know what I'm getting into in terms of client involvement and working methods. Â If they demand a bid, I tell them up front, I'm going to bid double what I think the job will really require, to try to prevent working for half price.
Nothing is written. Â It says on my invoice that "Payment is due upon receipt" (although many of them ignore this, and pay me after they get paid).
I haven't been shafted since I cut an independent short for a so-called "friend."
On Jun 21, 2012, at 8:28 AM, henry birdseye wrote:
> After reading the absolutely horrifying stories on The World's Longest Invoice (http://worldslongestinvoice.tumblr.com/), I'm highly motivated to require a contract with new customers.
>
> How many of you are using contracts and do you have an example of one that pertains directly to motion graphic work?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
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