When one documentary turns into three docs

[Tony_Beazley]

Ok maybe some of you DPs have run into this before.

I hope not though.

I shot a doc about the american biker 4 years ago for

a ok sum. My friend talked me into going to shoot it with him.

 

I must say we had a blast cause I love bikes and being

in Daytona at bike week was one great perk. But we did

work 24/7 for 2 weeks. No time for play.

But the documentary that I signed a contract to shoot

soon turned into 3 seperate different videos later

that year, after they did their editing back in Hollywood .

 

I must say that this seems to be unfair to me and my DP

partner who took on the job and we were the entire crew.

We were told this is one video.

 

We got paid one time but then 3 entirely

different docs came out of it. And they have won several

awards around the world at all kinds of festivals which is very cool.

Never once did I nor my DP partner get a thanks or a mention

or get asked to go to one of the festivals.

This is what makes me sic of this business sometimes.

( ok maybe just sic of the cheap ass directors and producers,

not the business)

 

I think that DPs should bring their own contract for the

Director/Producer to sign and agree that if this shoot turns

into another saleable video later down the line than what is stated,

then the DP will get paid twice for his work.

Maybe a percentage?

(this pertains to documentaries)

 

Three for one sounds great at Walmart but not when it

comes to my work day and pay check. Guys we do

work hard... especially when the director doesn't do

their job and we have to jump in and do their job too

so the production will get done on time.

 

 

Tony B

 

I hope I am not out of line on this subject

I apologize if I am.

Edited September 23, 2005 by TonyB

[Gordon Highland]

I agree completely. That's how it is for actors, and it's in their contracts I can't just use some old footage I have lying around of someone and pop it into a new project without permission and compensation; their likeness has to be re-licensed again every time it's repurposed. Check out the agreements for stock footage companies on their web sites.

 

I doubt there's much you can do this time around if it's "work for hire," but it can be stipulated in the future. I had some stern words for a couple of old clients who tore apart my previous print designs for web sites and other new collateral they didn't want to pay me for.