Artists not paid, but the $7m film is on Disney+
I don't want to elicit groans from the crowd here but I thought it might enlighten some and interest others. Never have I been in a position to see a film I worked on, on a streaming service, months before being paid. Also probably the most chaotic production I'd ever been part of, which is saying something.
As we approach a full year since the work commenced, I am skeptical of ever being compensated for the efforts and need to vent if only into the void of reddit with echos heard by the rest of my VFX brothers & sisters (some of you who know what this is like).
For my part I started the work in earnest, working with familiar faces assuming there was some security in that. Over time the incremental payments were not just delayed but stalled entirely. Assuming the best-intentions by the production we'd continued work to keep moving forward and support each other. In retrospect this was sunk-cost fallacy in action but at the time we felt as if there was no choice, and the producer and the director continued to reassure people that everyone would be paid.
By the time delivery came around everyone was nervous. Do they just hand over everything with no evidence of forthcoming payments? The deliverables were sent, and with it all possible leverage. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach, why does my gut have to be right all the time?
For those of your rolling your eyes, yes we had contracts, no the terms were not met, and unless someone enforces these things they are only vague assurances, especially when dealing with remote work/overseas clients. I can't begin to explain how disappointing this is especially considering the general downturn in VFX work and the increase in both AI hype, and vendor closures
Its seems now in retrospect the producers were gambling with money they didn't have, making huge promises to their distributers, the audience and the team doing the VFX leg work which was what this film hinged on. I have to assume now that multiple people involved were operating on bad faith.