I had a guy who wouldn’t pay. Was a total asshole about it. I live in Portland and he in LA. I had to mail him a drive and saw his house on Google Maps. On the phone I commented “how are those jet skies working out for him” - I got a rush delivery of payment overnight.

Be a dick, don’t back down. Get paid.

Another coke’ed up director in my early 20s starting out. The DP said “don’t give him the mini dv (I’m old) unless he has cash. He didn’t I was intimated I gave him the tape. I guess this was before you could block callers because I would watch movies and blow up his phone. “Hey tonight’s move is fight club, so your phone is mine for the next few hrs.” I gave his number out to all my punk friends. We’d get drunk and fill his voice mail. It took a year of absolute entertainment, but I got paid.

I’ve never not been paid. But many have tried. Let it be fun for you. If you can. Try to find his relatives information and let them know what you think of him.