Question About An Audio Pay Dispute

So I have a little issue that I was hoping someone might have some advice on.

I shot and am now editing a short film for a client. This client has not paid their audio technician and now he has asked me not to provide the audio files in the final edit before he has been paid for his work.

I completely understand his position as it has been nearly a month since he completed his work, and will not provide it without his consent, but what are the legal ramifications of this? Can he legally stop use until payment? Does the client, knowing that I have a copy already, come after me legally for withholding the files under his direction?

Obviously I don't really want to be caught in the middle and upset my client but I also have a loyalty to working professionals and would be just as upset if I didn't get paid for my work.

Any advice would be appreciated especially if he does have the legal right to withhold until payment!! :)

Thanks

Hello Ross and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.

You say the outstanding bill is less than 30 days old. Unless there was an explicit agreement, in writing or verbally, that payment would be made earlier than 30 days, I'd relax. 30-45 days is not unusual for some of my clients. OTOH, I usually have "out of towners" cut me a check on the last day of the shoot.

Was the invoice submitted in a timely fashion? For some payers, the pay cycle doesn't start until they receive the invoice and I have known audio and other craft people who are notoriously late to invoice.

At this point (less than 30 days), I'd suggest you stay out of the middle and let the two work out the details.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader


Want better production audio?: Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford's Blog

Hello Ross and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.

You say the outstanding bill is less than 30 days old. Unless there was an explicit agreement, in writing or verbally, that payment would be made earlier than 30 days, I'd relax. 30-45 days is not unusual for some of my clients. OTOH, I usually have "out of towners" cut me a check on the last day of the shoot.

Was the invoice submitted in a timely fashion? For some payers, the pay cycle doesn't start until they receive the invoice and I have known audio and other craft people who are notoriously late to invoice.

At this point (less than 30 days), I'd suggest you stay out of the middle and let the two work out the details.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader


Want better production audio?: Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford's Blog

Hi Ross,

TY's advice is spot on. Did you have anything to do with the hiring of the audio technician? If yes, I will suggest you try to serve as the mediator because if this conflict escalate, you will be in the middle of it. If no, stay as out of it as possible. It may simply be a billing cycle issue.


Thanks.

Alain Koffi Sessi
Sound Designer