UNBEARABLE SITUATIONS

…So this client contacts us about doing an animation job.  That’s fine, we do quite a bit of animation for commercials, for websites, even a whole animated feature caled DAYO (“The Wanderer”).  Scripts, designs, storyboards, full animation, the whole thing or any part of the thing that clients need.

The client has the name, he explains, of a cartoon bear and wants a writer/designer for his cartoon series.  So he wants us to a.) design the bear, environment, and all supporting characters; b.) write the series bible; c.) write the first full cartoon establishing the series, interactions, everything.

Oh…and that’s what he wants us to submit all this stuff to him for consideration BEFORE he hires us to do the project.  That’s right:  He wants to give us a name, then we do 100% of the creation, development, and writing work — and if he likes it, THEN (maybe) he’ll hire us.  For an undisclosed amount.  With no creative credit, royalties, or other incentives attached.

Turns out he’s also posted this same scheme on various websites that freelancers frequent to dredge up assignments, such as eLance.  I shudder at the thought of this guy persuading desperate, green freelancers to submit versions of cartoon bear concepts-from-scratch, then cherry-picking their ideas and going off to try to sell it as his own.

So:  I told him what our rates were, and that we’d happily abide by Union rules for this sort of work.

Upon hearing that, he vanished off our radar — but I fear he’s still out there, preying on creative people looking for their first big break.  I hope they’re not broken in the process.