how long should a freelancer get paid after the work?

[Mr.2]

hi, i just came back from Canada, and i had done some CG effects for a movie lately. last week i had finished all the stuffs, but i didn't get paid yet, (not even the deposit). the director said it'd normally take like a month b4 the company pays u.....? so i just wondered if that's the rule of the HK movie field, or i just got cheated!??? thz for advice!

[HapZungLam]

by law, you should get it right away. so you better keep bugging him.

ps. remember to send him an invoice.

[Mr.2]

i called him once and emailed him once in a week, but he said i gotta wait, so....(and he is the director for that movie), r u from Toronto? i konw the rule in Canada, but it maybe a bit different here in HK!!

[BMBM]

(not even the deposit).

Good luck

[h2o]

通常佢地都會話3個月後找數.... 找得足唔足就睇筆錢有幾大, 同埋系咩人喇 (有d系擺明找7-8成數架)

如果部戲唔收得的話, 條數真系凍過水

最後睇你彩數啦, 佢地既電影圈系咩人你應該都知架啦, 你用咩途徑追都好....... 唔...... 自己衡量下啦

祝你好運!

[HapZungLam]

i called him once and emailed him once in a week, but he said i gotta wait, so....(and he is the director for that movie), r u from Toronto? i konw the rule in Canada, but it maybe a bit different here in HK!!

You have to make an invoice. Everything dealing with money needs to put down on paper. It is a way of protect you and your boss (or client). Instead of keep calling him. Fax him an invoice. even tho he end up not paying you, you can use this invoice to the lawyor.

Remember, this is protecting both you and him. because only shouting out with the month isn't going to do anything.

This is what my dad teaches me.

[taognaeco]

You have to make an invoice. Everything dealing with money needs to put down on paper. It is a way of protect you and your boss (or client). Instead of keep calling him. Fax him an invoice. even tho he end up not paying you, you can use this invoice to the lawyor.

Remember, this is protecting both you and him. because only shouting out with the month isn't going to do anything.

This is what my dad teaches me.

Instead of putting it on paper afterwards, you should make a simple and legitimate contract before you even start doing anything. Discuss before hand about the payment details, and put those terms in the contract.

Freelance almost never get pay "right the way", in everywhere, because part of the reason they hire freelance is that they don't have to pay you right the way, and their client won't pay them right the way. They'd have to wait for their client to pay them, and then pay you. Big reputable company do this, (but with ensurance that you'd paied eventually unless they went under.) one man company do this. This is way they hire "freelance" instead of calling you a temp. Freelancers are operating their own business, you are your own business representative, they can deal with you in a business to business level. If they hire you as a temp, you're their employee, then you are protected under the labor law.

That being said, there's one reminder. If you start suing people and making a fuss about what's understood and accustomed about payment, you'd be sure you will have a very hard time in the future to find freelance jobs, at least in a certain circle. Freelancing is, afterall, about the "word of mouth".

[Siegfried]

That means getting freelance job.....my god....I can't use
'low fan' anymore as this is commercial!

[Mr.2]

thank for ur advice, everyone!!

actually this is my first case in HK, and to remain a good relationship with those ppl in the field, i never think of giving out invoice or signing contract, cos i think it's all base on faith, and it's not big money, just a few thousands, if this really ends up with no payment received, i'd rather take this for a lesson!!

[Siegfried]

Having no paid should be the first and the last lesson you learn.
Next time, have the quotation and invoice la!
Make everything balck and white on the paper, it just gave you the least amount of protection.