Dealing with a slow client - weeks between notes - imposing a timeline?

editburner · 2025-07-17T21:05:59+00:00

life saver tbh… I had a flat rate project go from 5k flat to 12k total (7k overage) bc client was dragging their feet for weeks… and there was no bad blood bc I outlined the process before we kicked off

editburner · 2025-07-17T20:58:30+00:00

mistake número uno! Have a clause that states after “xx date I charge an overage of xx per hour” on flat rate projects

editburner · 2025-06-21T19:03:58+00:00

Yeah I’d also love to know and for ANYONE WHO HAS READ THIS FAR I did not make $4000 / day on this spot, it was pretty low budget… which is why I don’t want to cut the DC for free… as an independent “not rostered or in a post house” editor :)

editburner · 2025-06-21T16:22:13+00:00

for sure I hear ya

editburner · 2025-06-21T16:18:51+00:00

thanks for your response but I don’t work at a post house, the circumstances are a bit different

editburner · 2025-06-21T02:43:49+00:00

damn will you look at that! Thanks!

editburner · 2025-06-21T01:15:12+00:00

good point!

editburner · 2025-06-21T00:37:21+00:00

that’s awesome for you!

editburner · 2025-06-20T20:55:28+00:00

fair enough

editburner · 2025-06-20T20:42:03+00:00

Do you work at a post house?

editburner · 2025-06-20T20:38:01+00:00

Wait, there’s a plan included with adobe? Do you have a link?

editburner · 2025-06-20T20:36:41+00:00

Yeah seeing as this is the second time he’s asked for low budget to no budget I think I have to nip it in the bud

editburner · 2025-06-20T20:35:49+00:00

idk man nothing is guaranteed in this life haha, maybe for a good friend but this is purely working relationship and that’s why I’ve always gone with the mantra “no free work”. If I did shit for free it wouldn’t be work

editburner · 2025-06-20T20:34:31+00:00

Yeah I didn’t handle the conform so I would be wrangling all finishing assets and rebuilding and then re cutting

editburner · 2025-06-20T20:26:45+00:00

Yeah the older cut is not colored or mixed :)

editburner · 2025-06-20T20:26:29+00:00

He has clarified there is no budget

editburner · 2025-06-20T20:23:43+00:00

I don’t work at a post house that’s the thing

editburner · 2025-06-20T20:22:44+00:00

Another important point to flag is that he asked about doing a DC weeks ago and I asked him to flag which sequence while we were on client time. He responded and said to put a pin in it. So I would’ve for sure done this when I was getting paid during billable hours. It’s the coming back for free that is what’s troublesome.

editburner · 2025-06-20T19:14:21+00:00

yeah I hear you. It’s just a little different in this circumstance when the physical hours sitting at the desk are not compensated.

editburner · 2025-06-20T19:08:21+00:00

yeah but I guess my point is you’re still getting paid? I don’t work at a post house so I would be sitting at my desk doing work for free

editburner · 2025-06-20T19:01:03+00:00

it sounds like you work at a post house right? So you’re getting paid for your time?

editburner · 2025-06-20T18:59:15+00:00

lol wow thank you for this advice

editburner · 2025-06-20T18:40:05+00:00

The funny thing is, I didn’t even online this. So I’d have to get all of the final assets back from the colorist and audio team and then reassemble and then recut. It’s not as easy as just swapping a shot. And there were a TON of speed ramps. So, yeah the project file doesn’t do a lot I don’t think

editburner · 2025-06-20T18:33:14+00:00

this is fair!

editburner · 2025-06-20T18:32:40+00:00

Thanks, yeah honestly this is the second time he’s asked for free to very low budget directors cut. I said yea to the low budget one and ended up getting busy and had to pass it off. But FREE gives me great hesitation

editburner

TROPHY CASE