Comments on: Stand Back While I Vent… http://masterdigitalcolor.com/2009/08/stand-back-while-i-vent/ Everything You Need to Color Comic Book Art Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:08:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jay David Ramos http://masterdigitalcolor.com/2009/08/stand-back-while-i-vent/comment-page-1/#comment-35 Jay David Ramos Fri, 07 Aug 2009 06:47:17 +0000 http://masterdigitalcolor.com/?p=411#comment-35 Tell me about it. I just recently got paid for a project I did THREE years ago. Of course, I charged them interest, and fortunately they obliged. Thanks for this enlightening post, Kristy! Tell me about it. I just recently got paid for a project I did THREE years ago. Of course, I charged them interest, and fortunately they obliged.

Thanks for this enlightening post, Kristy!

]]> By: Kristy http://masterdigitalcolor.com/2009/08/stand-back-while-i-vent/comment-page-1/#comment-29 Kristy Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:01:50 +0000 http://masterdigitalcolor.com/?p=411#comment-29 Don't give up Kevin, I told you I was venting. ;-) It isn't always this way and there are great companies out there, but just like any industry we like to gripe about the bad because it effects us more than the good sometimes. Chin Up. Also, I think you have just spurred my article for next week with that whole "free work" comment. So, look in next Wed to see what I gripe about next. ;-) Don’t give up Kevin, I told you I was venting. ;-) It isn’t always this way and there are great companies out there, but just like any industry we like to gripe about the bad because it effects us more than the good sometimes.

Chin Up.

Also, I think you have just spurred my article for next week with that whole “free work” comment. So, look in next Wed to see what I gripe about next. ;-)

]]> By: Kevin Conley http://masterdigitalcolor.com/2009/08/stand-back-while-i-vent/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Kevin Conley Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:33:23 +0000 http://masterdigitalcolor.com/?p=411#comment-27 I've the lofty goal of one day being a professional color artist, and it's been a long wearisome trek towards that goal, with strengthening conflicts along the way. My wife has lost patience with my "hobby" and the extra time spent working towards this goal, by coloring various projects for free. It pains my heart to know artists that have made the leap to page rates and contracts with large publishing houses can be disrespected like this. -KjC I’ve the lofty goal of one day being a professional color artist, and it’s been a long wearisome trek towards that goal, with strengthening conflicts along the way. My wife has lost patience with my “hobby” and the extra time spent working towards this goal, by coloring various projects for free.
It pains my heart to know artists that have made the leap to page rates and contracts with large publishing houses can be disrespected like this.
-KjC

]]> By: Greg Harms http://masterdigitalcolor.com/2009/08/stand-back-while-i-vent/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Greg Harms Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:42:54 +0000 http://masterdigitalcolor.com/?p=411#comment-26 I just worked for a company, signed a contract. It was back-end pay. May or may not ever get paid. Contract was vague, and how a publisher gages "a profit" can be ambiguous. The publisher dodged questions, etc. I found out later, the publisher does this all the time. Brings in "new" talent offers them big things and then says " oh well it didn't make enough to pay you." I finished my end of the contract ($ issue mini-series) and moved on. I did what I said I would do, it's time for the rest of the industry to do the same. If everyone said we don't work unless you do what you said you would do, then it would happen. But as it is now, if an artist/etc did that, there would be 6 more that would say hey I can do the job. It's tough, and once you've stood up to a company, you can almost expect to never work for them again. Sadly, even if they are in the wrong. I just worked for a company, signed a contract. It was back-end pay. May or may not ever get paid. Contract was vague, and how a publisher gages “a profit” can be ambiguous. The publisher dodged questions, etc. I found out later, the publisher does this all the time. Brings in “new” talent offers them big things and then says ” oh well it didn’t make enough to pay you.” I finished my end of the contract ($ issue mini-series) and moved on. I did what I said I would do, it’s time for the rest of the industry to do the same. If everyone said we don’t work unless you do what you said you would do, then it would happen. But as it is now, if an artist/etc did that, there would be 6 more that would say hey I can do the job. It’s tough, and once you’ve stood up to a company, you can almost expect to never work for them again. Sadly, even if they are in the wrong.

]]> By: Kristy http://masterdigitalcolor.com/2009/08/stand-back-while-i-vent/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Kristy Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:19:08 +0000 http://masterdigitalcolor.com/?p=411#comment-24 I should also mention that we also have to deal with "Work for Hire" contracts which are different, they are usually turned in after you complete work and state that you don't work for the company of for this project. They usually also deal with Intellectual Property and stuff but they are very different than the contracts I was referring too. I should also mention that we also have to deal with “Work for Hire” contracts which are different, they are usually turned in after you complete work and state that you don’t work for the company of for this project. They usually also deal with Intellectual Property and stuff but they are very different than the contracts I was referring too.

]]> By: Jason Embury http://masterdigitalcolor.com/2009/08/stand-back-while-i-vent/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Jason Embury Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:31:21 +0000 http://masterdigitalcolor.com/?p=411#comment-21 I think you hit it on the head here Kristy. I've mentioned some of my own problems with publishers to Brian previously, and the funniest thing to me about my own experiences with late payments (some that are stretching into 8 months now) is that I've HAD contracts signed and in place before starting work. I'm not sure that matters anymore to anyone though. It almost seems in some cases the larger the publisher or corporation, the more red tape and hassles you have. You really don't want to lose 1/3 of your money in collections if you take that route, because we can't really afford that as freelancers. We have other legal options, but really...those probably are going to be more drawn out in the end than just waiting on payment. I finally had to stop trying to figure it all out, and just went out and got a part time day job (after 3 months of looking for THAT) It's a brutal time to be a freelancer. Although it seems things are leveling off a bit at least in the last month from all the artists that I've talked to. Great article, great site btw :D I think you hit it on the head here Kristy. I’ve mentioned some of my own problems with publishers to Brian previously, and the funniest thing to me about my own experiences with late payments (some that are stretching into 8 months now) is that I’ve HAD contracts signed and in place before starting work. I’m not sure that matters anymore to anyone though. It almost seems in some cases the larger the publisher or corporation, the more red tape and hassles you have.

You really don’t want to lose 1/3 of your money in collections if you take that route, because we can’t really afford that as freelancers. We have other legal options, but really…those probably are going to be more drawn out in the end than just waiting on payment. I finally had to stop trying to figure it all out, and just went out and got a part time day job (after 3 months of looking for THAT) It’s a brutal time to be a freelancer. Although it seems things are leveling off a bit at least in the last month from all the artists that I’ve talked to.

Great article, great site btw :D

]]> By: Allen Passalaqua http://masterdigitalcolor.com/2009/08/stand-back-while-i-vent/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Allen Passalaqua Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:28:25 +0000 http://masterdigitalcolor.com/?p=411#comment-19 I've only signed two contracts out of 3 publishers I've colored for... I don't think they are the answer either. It's better to get the name out of people that DON'T PAY... or Editors who aren't on the ball or simply make coloring a terrible job. Most of my editors are awesome... others make me feel like the gum on the bottom of their shoes. I’ve only signed two contracts out of 3 publishers I’ve colored for… I don’t think they are the answer either. It’s better to get the name out of people that DON’T PAY… or Editors who aren’t on the ball or simply make coloring a terrible job. Most of my editors are awesome… others make me feel like the gum on the bottom of their shoes.

]]>