Meet The Gaffer #12: Getting Paid For Labor

[@Crimsonengine]

Brilliant work Luke. I'm always amazed how you do these in one take. My videos are so cut up you'd think I'm Max Headroom.

[@meetthegaffer]

Oh, no, I do a lot of takes, or at least a lot of false starts:) I love Max Headroom! I jump cut more these days, following your lead, to cut out as many ums as possible...

[@J2THA2032]

Big thanks Luke! I'm a grip in NYC and new subscriber to your channel. Been in and out of the game over the last few years and this issue has always been kind of a headache. AWESOME vid! Your's is the only 1 out there for us crew people. Thanks man. Thanks.

[@meetthegaffer]

Glad you are enjoying the channel! Let me know if there's anything specific you'd like covered.

[@Belacofficial]

some of the best info I've seen regarding this topic. LUKE, thank you !!!

[@SeamusZ]

Thanks. I have this discussion often.

[@meetthegaffer]

Ever present and ever allusive.

[@philipperkins2735]

Luke is my hero!

[@InnerCircleCreative]

Another great episode.

[@patrickcharles9345]

Great video. I have disability insurance. Workers comp in my state in too expensive.

[@meetthegaffer]

Right on, Patrick! Yeah, workers comp is a steep hill to climb.

[@nicholasjude7937]

Great Video +Luke Seerveld really informative. I dont understand much about the terms 1099, W2, W9 . I am from India and i dont find much employees insured under the job . Most freelancers insure themselves under private health care and other stuff. Any tips on learning more on this subjects and terms ? sorry i don't know much , would love to learn ! :)

[@meetthegaffer]

Hi Nicholas, I'm not sure I would be of much help in terms of your rights and liabilities while working in India. Here in California we can find out some things from websites for the state of California with respect to labor, but even within our state government different departments have slightly different criteria for what is a freelancer and what is an employee. I would imagine there is a legal way to handle these two labor realities in India too?

[@jamesryoma]

Hey Luke, I was wondering if you have any experience/advice for an instance when a production company hasn't paid you? I have two jobs I did this past year that turned out to be things I never was paid for.. one has been avoiding paying me individually, and the other hasn't paid any of the crew members.

[@meetthegaffer]

Hi James, A few things: Do you have a paper trail of emails that show you were hired, that there was a Call Sheet, notes on billing, that sort of thing? Do you know other people on the crew with whom you can make a joint plan? Some people have gotten producers to pay in installments. If it’s past 30 days (or of course 60 or 90) you could bring it to your state’s Labor Board... if you have a paper trail. Different states may deal with this differently. Do you have a lawyer friend who is willing to send a letter on law firm letterhead? I’ve heard of people contacting the client of the producer... a way to shame the producer into paying. And probably as a last resort, are you able to physically show up at the place of business that owes you or are they too far away? Personally, I’m amazed to say I’ve never been stiffed in over 30 years, but I have heard many true stories...