VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Zak Miller]

I had enough. I did a gig in the first week of May for ATT. It was a pretty big gig, and I was so stoked to finally get work from this agent. After months of calling, e mailing and being "that talent' I finally got them to tell me that they were cutting me a check for the work. That was two weeks ago. Six months to get paid?
I waited and waited for the pony express to arrive with my check. It never came!
Yesterday I got a call from this dingbat saying 'I gave the check to an intern to put in the mail, and he just emptied his backpack out and the check for you was at the bottom of his pack. I am going to over night it to you."

Fed Ex arrived today with my check! MADE OUT TO THE WRONG NAME! It wasn't even close to my name! They spelled my last name wrong as well!

First, all checks go to my company "On Site Audio Post, LLC"
Second, I filled out all of the forms with the correct pay to etc.
Third, they took out 25%!
I called told her to pay for the Taft Hartly job I did on August 2nd (isn't it 12 working days to get paid for union stuff?) and to forget my name.

Thanks to whomever it was at FaffCon that said... 'Cut out the cancer'.

I feel much better this afternoon, and a nice letter from my lawyer is already on the way making sure they don't play around with the rest of the money they owe.

Now on to Halloween festivities! BOO!

[ConnieTerwilliger]

I feel better too after reading this - and so proud of you.
_________________
Playing for a living...
www.voiceover-talent.com
YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/connieterwilliger

[Zak Miller]

Connie, am I right about the 12 working days?

[CC Heim]

I'll stick with craigslist, thanks

[bobsouer]

[Philip Banks]

My SOGGY/AFTER cheques tend to be 10 days and I thought that was the rule.

[Mike Sommer]

Go Zak ! Go Zak ! Go Zak !

_________________
The Blog:
http://voiceoveraudio.blogspot.com/

Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

[Zak Miller]

Thanks guys! I hate to turn my back on potential work, but I had to make a choice of being jerked around, and enjoying the work I do.

Some how they found the elusive contract yesterday evening and it was in my in box this morning to be signed.

Now another question... They said something about late fees that I will be paid as well. Late fees? What should I expect as a late fee? And where can I find that info? I searched but can not find anything on line.

[Bruce]

AFTRA used to be 12 days to get paid but it's been relaxed to 30 days here.

And YES, late fees on late paying AFTRA jobs. If it's been 6 months since you got the job, they could be quite hefty. I know. I've been there. Happy Holiday Spending!....if they finally pay you.

B
_________________
VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[Zak Miller]

Thanks Bruce,
I got a tracking number via e mail yesterday evening with a package coming from Chicago. This may be the end of the roller coaster ride with these people.

On a side note...

This is how daft these people are... I got an audition from them this morning!

I wish I lived in such blissful ignorance.

[Pam]

Wow, what a story! The takeaway for me in all this (besides how well Zak handled everything) was in the end, it is your business to mind, no one else's and most people don't give a rats a$$ about your biz. So mind your business, don't expect anyone else to and all will work out.
_________________
Pam Tierney
www.pamtierneyvo.com
imdb profile http://imdb.com/name/nm1941932/

Now what did I come in here for?

[Oddio]

Way to go Zak! (or was that Zaques?)

And I just HAD to laugh that after all that...they sent you an audition!
_________________
Scott Burns
scott@bookscottburns.com
www.bookscottburns.com

[COURVO]

Man! What an eye-opener of a story, esp. when contrasted with the thread Moe has going about being complimented by a client who likes working with a pro (Moe).

You're better off without 'em Zak...nice spiney story!

CourVO
_________________
Dave Courvoisier - Las Vegas, NV
http://www.CourVO.com
CourVO@CourVO.com
Courvo's "Voice Acting in Vegas" Blog: http://www.CourVO.biz
on your phone at courvo.mobi
702.610.6288
"I'm not a news anchor, but I play one on TV."

[Dave Elvin]

Way to go, Zak. Next FaffCon, *you're* leading the discussion on agents!
_________________
http://www.daveelvin.com

[Zak Miller]

Quick update...

I finally got paid! TWICE! ahaha these people! You can not make this stuff up, trust me!

They Fed Ex-ed one check for the wrong amount, (in their favor not mine!) then they made the check out to Zach Miller, not Zak, or On Site Audio Post, LLC. (My production company name and the name on all forms for payment)

My wife does all of my book keeping, so not paying attention (or letting me know) - the check was in the 'to go' area, and she put the check in the company account. I'd already shot an e mail to the agent asking them to send me the rest of the money due on the job.

I get a call Sunday night (10pm) from the agent saying they were stopping payment on the first check and then sending another check. I asked her to think about it for a moment and just send the difference. She said ok.

Today, I get back from voting, and see a Fed Ex on my gate. I open it up and it is a check for the entire amount of the gig!

I put the overage in my savings account and now am going to wait until they figure out their error. At that point, I will match the amount of times that I was told the agent was in the hospital, out sick, taking her dog to the vet, on another call, in the hospital again, (she was in there 9 times from May to October) just plain old out of the office or it not being the correct day to call about payment, until I cut them the balance of the wrong amount. This should last 6 months or so right? And the saga continues!

Holy crap! If I'd known that freelancing was this much fun, I would have started 10 years ago!