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JCTV · #1 11-12-2008, 03:28 PM

If you get a call for work from "On the Scene Productions", tell them cash up front or no deal.

I have worked with them for years and have had a good working relationship with them until the past 6 months. They have always been slow to pay, (90 days), but things have apparently gotten worse.

An inside source said that they are barely making payroll and my go under, but they are still doing shoots with no intention of paying the crew.

Needless to say they own me quite a bit of money and I just became aware of 3 other crews and 2 producers that have never been paid.

If you have worked for On the Scene Productions and have not been paid for you work, please PM me.

If you haven't - Don't!

#2 11-12-2008, 05:54 PM

I did a couple of shoots with them a couple of years ago, at that time they told me 60 days. they paid over 90 days. one shoot was media training with the chicago bureau and another was with the ny bureau. after haggling with the boss in l.a. i told them to get me off the list, dont call. I'm in miami.

2000lux · #3 11-12-2008, 08:46 PM

Oy! Sorry to hear that! I'll definitely avoid them.

ian515 · #4 11-13-2008, 10:01 AM

seems to be a trend these days.

Mudbug · #5 11-14-2008, 04:41 PM

They hired me to shoot first week of July and still haven't paid. It's now over 4 months. I just found out that this week they hired a different crew in my same town and wired the money in advance directly into their bank account but yet they can't pay me for a 2man 1/2 day shoot. Go figure.

Warning............If you work for them, ask them to wire the money in advance.

eisenvideo · #6 12-14-2008, 08:54 PM

I'm in the same situation. Well over 4 months and waiting. I called their accounting department (Jeff Gordon jgordon@onthescene.com) last week and was told he will email the upper management for approval to be paid. I've searched everywhere to find the CEO's email address or direct line with no success.

I say we harass them with emails and phone calls till they finally get the hint. Who's in?

eisenvideo · #7 12-14-2008, 09:27 PM

I did get somewhere. I found the Senior Vice President/General Managers email and phone number.

Maya Burghardt 323-930-5833
mburghardt@onthescene.com

JCTV · #8 12-15-2008, 09:52 AM

Steve,

I will send you the list.

Check your PM

freedom · #9 12-15-2008, 11:40 AM

where is onthescene located?

Mudbug · #10 12-16-2008, 06:29 PM

Since my last post, I still got the run-around. I got tired of hearing excuses, so I turned it over to a collection agency. I want to be in line just in case! They are located in 5 major cities around the country. Go to their website at www.onthescene.com. It's impressive but don't be fooled.......they don't pay their bills.

SimonW · #11 12-16-2008, 07:09 PM

50% up front, no exceptions. In this climate you cannot afford to go on trust for anything other than your absolute best buddy clients that you'd be prepared to drink down the pub with!

eisenvideo · #12 03-31-2009, 09:31 AM

Just checking in to see if anyone has any more good (yeah right!) or bad news on OTSP.
I did a last minute edit for them in February that turned into a large 3 week project. After I invoiced them, they want me to revise it. They don't think that they should have to pay based on portal-to-portal. My commute to and from is 2.5 hours. On top of that, their day rate is an insult to the industry. At least for veteran editors.

I am definitely NEVER going to work for them again.

A Step Above Productions · #13 03-31-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonW

50% up front, no exceptions. In this climate you cannot afford to go on trust for anything other than your absolute best buddy clients that you'd be prepared to drink down the pub with!

That is great advice - I have one client like that and I would and have done just about anything for them. They were my first and still one of the best clients I have ever had.

Baltimore Shooter · #14 03-31-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ian515

seems to be a trend these days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudbug

Warning............If you work for them, ask them to wire the money in advance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eisenvideo

I'm in the same situation. Well over 4 months and waiting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudbug

Since my last post, I still got the run-around. I got tired of hearing excuses, so I turned it over to a collection agency....don't be fooled.......they don't pay their bills.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonW

50% up front, no exceptions. In this climate you cannot afford to go on trust for anything other than your absolute best buddy clients that you'd be prepared to drink down the pub with!

So it looks like the advice from the articles I posted in the Don't be a Whore! thread was actually good advice, despite those who said it's wrong to ask for 50% upfront. Hmmm...

Warren

Hiding Under Here · #15 03-31-2009, 12:02 PM

Warren, to clarify what I said -- I was insulted that you used the word "whore" to characterize those who didn't operate in the manner you proscribed. I don't care if you didn't write the title of the piece. You passed it along to us. I said that we weren't whores for not agreeing with that approach. There are things you do, as you have described them here, that I don't think are very wise or intelligent. But I don't print advice from third parties that label you a "moron" for doing them.

You'd think that someone in the field of communications, as you are, would be a little more deft not only in HOW they communicate but in how they INTERPRET what is communicated to them.

Baltimore Shooter · #16 03-31-2009, 12:21 PM

Hey, don't shoot the messenger, I was just passing along the info. If you're insulted, then take it up with the author. Email or write him to complain. Your emotion was misdirected.

Warren

Hiding Under Here · #17 03-31-2009, 01:14 PM

Are you really that obtuse?

Hiding Under Here · #18 03-31-2009, 03:24 PM

You'll also limit the number of clients who'll hire you.

The first time someone asked me to pay them up front I would do it. If we worked a second time and they asked again, I'd find someone else, unless they were the only game in town. If the first time doesn't buy some trust, and they want upfront payment again, they're building a barrier between us that communicates something that makes me uncomfortable. And I'll keep trying other people until I get someone I like more.

It's not about the money in the end. It's about the relationship. If you need money at a certain point in the transaction to secure your relationships, that's fine. I know I'll get the money. I won't work with someone who I suspect will burn me. But I'll take it at another point in the transaction, later than you will. I don't need it upfront because I have a revolving accounts receivable ledger that has built up over time. I'm not saying "I don't care about the money" when I don't ask for it upfront. But with many clients I am saying "we have a relationship based on trust and respect" when I bill at my convenience.

I haven't been burned in twenty years. Not once.

freedom · #19 03-31-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hiding Under Here

Are you really that obtuse?

Now Tom, are YOU that obtuse that you feel the need to ask that question??

Hiding Under Here · #20 03-31-2009, 03:49 PM

Thanks for that. Look, I think what Warren has to say is valuable. I've said that on any number of occasions. I just can't believe he doesn't understand that the "whore" label is polarizing. I don't care who wrote the article. By bringing it here it was aimed at all of us. Intentional or not.