Bob K

I also think the producer has a "funny smell," given his instruction to communicate only with him. I'll posit another explanation: bad producer. Perhaps the producer instructed the boom man to come from below with the MKH50. Perhaps he told the boom man to put the mic down at ankle level. Perhaps the actors were wearing boots with wooden heels and walking on cobble stones. Perhaps the producer knows a boom man who gives him a cut of his pay. Perhaps he has a nephew who needs a summer job. And, perhaps—most likely of all—he's unqualified and inexperienced, and tries to conceal that with belligerence and hostility. I've worked with a few in that last category. (I could write a book about it.)

My client mailed a check forty days after the date of the invoice (ten days late). It was good. He again complemented my work. For anyone wondering why I didn't post this two months ago, it's because I couldn't get back on this site. Even though I have recorded my name and password in an address book, I was told wrong name, wrong password. And there's no way to contact anyone with the site about the problem. It's happened to me before. I've now succeeded in changing my password (again). And I expect to have to go through the entire exercise again the next time I try to log in.

Thanks for the responses. Update: Late yesterday I received an email from my client saying he's sorry, out of town, busy, and "didn't have my checks with me." But he assures my check will be in the mail as of today.

I searched the group for this topic, but couldn't find any discussion. I've been a freelance location soundman for a long time, and don't recall if I've ever charged for a late payment. I recently did a corporate shoot for a production company in another state. They flew in four people and shot with an Arri Amira and a Sony FX3 (I sent two wireless channels to each). At the end of the day I got a text from the producer saying "Thanks for your help today! Great job!" But, now their invoice (30 days) is overdue. Should I add a late fee? And, how much?

absound, You got the same message in San Francisco that I got in Minneapolis. That pretty much identifies it as a scam. And, wanting someone to "execute instructions seamlessly?" That's a big red flag to me. In the real world, no one is instructing the sound mixer in any scenario. Who would that be? The producer? God help us all.

Paul F, I agree about the flags. Not knowing the difference between an A1 and a boom operator is another flag. I've been doing this for a long time, and no one has ever called me about a job and then asked me to (essentially) make an application before sharing the specifics. I think I'll let it lie.

No I can't. I thought someone here might have some knowledge of him or the company. It seems like a scam to me.

Documentary Sound Guy, Your response is confusing. I'm Bob King, and I have no relationship with anyone named Jordan Webley.

The only company called Kantana is in Thailand. The phone area code is Nevada. First time any new client has texted me about a shoot. From the text message chain: "Hi goodmorning? I believe this is Bob King, do you still A1 or boom operate on production sets? We're currently in need of the position for a series of Ad-shoot for Nestle Plc. Available?" "Yes, location sound mixer, $950/10, available." "I'm Jordan Webley from Kantana films. Payrate is $750/10hrs." "How many days? What camera?" "It would be great if you send me references/work information to (a gmail address) so I can forward you shoot details."

PMC, Thanks for that. Very useful information. I'll have to do that if AD insists on Stripe in the future. Meanwhile, I received an email from the PC this morning saying they are sending a check. Documentary Sound Guy, I suppose I should have added that I also left phone messages, without response.

Not at all. I don't know why you would say that. AD was a long-time client. I'd never had a problem with them so I trusted them. But, this PC knew next to nothing about the shoot and said the client would provide details. At 7pm the client (flying in from NY) provided a call sheet and nothing else. I prepared gear, put the location in my GPS, and set a 4am wake-up in order to be on the road by 6am. Now, AD would like me to sign a long contract regarding work I've already done. It mentions "fees and charges." I emailed questions without response. So I submitted an invoice, just as I've done in the past. Still no response. By the way, I talked with my banker (Wells Fargo) and was told that unless I completely trust this company (Stripe) I'd be "crazy" to provide them with my banking information.

Thanks for that. This was a shoot from Assignment Desk in Chicago, whom I had worked for over the years. They've always paid my invoice with a check in the mail. This shoot was confirmed with almost no info except the client wanted "1x lav, mixer, boom." The next morning I was on the highway at 6:00am, with my entire audio package, en route to the location two hours away. It was a brutally hot and dusty 13.5 hour day; hard on crew and equipment, and of course I needed multiple wireless mics, camera hops, backup recorder, etc. So now AD says to sign up with Stripe. I found it's a very long contract, and fees and charges are mentioned. I stopped reading at that point, and attached an invoice to an email as I have always done in the past, explaining I didn't want to sign a contract for work already done. No response.

Mike, did they deposit directly to you bank account? My client was AD as well.

I posted this in General Discussion as well. Does anyone have experience with payment via Stripe? An old client hired me for a one-day shoot (completed last week), said they would pay me directly, and now want me to sign up with Stripe. Half way through the sign up they want my DOB, SSN, bank info, and then there's a contract or contract-like document talking of fees and charges. I've emailed Isaac at Crew Mama, asking about such charges. So far, no response.

Does anyone have experience with payment via Stripe? An old client hired me for a one-day shoot (completed last week), said they would pay me directly, and now want me to sign up with Stripe. Half way through the sign up they want my DOB, SSN, bank info, and then there's a contract or contract-like document talking of fees and charges. I've emailed Isaac at Crew Mama, asking about such charges. So far, no response.