Month: April 2023

Filming in Colorado

Posted on by Kent

Colorado has been a hidden gem for film locations for quite some time. With a rich history of filmmaking, it has been featured in such classic films as True Grit, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Filmmakers have know for years that Colorado is hard to beat when you consider its varied terrain provides the perfect stand-in, no matter the setting. Alpine peaks, rolling plains, lush forests, epic sand dunes, and modern cities are all mere hours away from one another. Because of this, Colorado can easily double for parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.

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Beyond the varied locations, Colorado has many other advantages:

Great Weather

The state has over 300 days of sunshine and when stormy weather comes through, it moves on quickly. An average altitude of 6,800 feet above sea level provides mild winters and low-humidity summers creates crisp, cool nights. This allows production schedules to run on time with little threat of weather delays.

Quality Crew

Colorado has an enviable track record of hosting productions from all over the world. There is tremendous depth in every crew position as well as a number of equipment rental vendors and full-service production companies in the state to support them. The Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media (COFTM) offers a bevy of programs and resources for out-of-state productions.

Affordability

As compared to states on either coast, Colorado is a bargain for filmmakers. Equipment rentals, crew rates and travel expenses are lower than production hubs in California, New York and Georgia. Not only is it an affordable state for production, the quality of life index is one of the highest in the nation. And Colorados’s rich history and diverse landscape provide numerous reasons to visit.

Incentives

After lagging behind its neighbors when it comes to providing film incentives, Colorado has a $6 million film incentive. The state allows companies that film in Colorado to receive up to a 20% tax rebate if they spend a certain amount on qualified expenses, such as crew wages and set construction.

Rich History

Colorado with its striking mountain and desert landscapes has provided the backdrop for many old silent westerns dating as far back as 1898. It has continued to be the location of choice for films like The Hateful Eight, Fast and Furious 7, The Long Ranger as well as numerous commercials, music videos and documentaries.

To take advantage of any state, you need a company well-versed in production logistics, location scouting, and permitting procedures. As natives of Colorado, we know the state from Grand Junction to Burlington, Fort Collins to Trinidad, and every place in between. We are skilled production coordinators that have experience in all aspects of film and television production. We also represent a variety of filming locations in Colorado, as well as local studios offering full production services in Denver. If you need a Fixer on your next shoot, drop us a line.

How to Handle Late Payments as a Freelancer

Posted on by Kent

Freelancing feels like the Wild West sometimes. There’s no HR department for personnel issues and no accounting team for payroll. While this has its benefits, it comes with downsides, too. You might be one of the 54% of freelancers who haven’t been paid by their client. Or you receive a late payment eventually, as 74% of freelancers report.

Unfortunately, resolving payment issues is a rite of passage in this business. The good news is there is a process to get paid. Here are six easy-to-follow steps to follow in non-payment situations.

Step 1 – Gather Evidence

Collect all relevant invoices, emails, texts, and other paperwork related to the work you did and the compensation promised. This evidence will be crucial in proving your case if you need to escalate the matter. Deal Memos are the ideal piece of evidence as they show executed and approved rates, days of work, terms of payment, etc.

Step 2 – Contact Who Owes You Payment

Send the person or company who owes you payment another copy of your invoice, with a reminder that the payment is past due. Include how many days it’s late. If you got paid for the wrong amount, resend the invoice and explain the discrepancy.

Be sure to communicate with the appropriate individual. For example, if you’re a PA, it may be better to first speak with your department head rather than going directly to a Producer.

Step 3 – Following Up

Sometimes, one payment reminder isn’t enough. If you don’t hear back after the first email, continue to reach out with reminders. Be persistent. At the very least, send a reminder when the payment is:

  • 30 days late
  • 60 days late

There is a correlation between payment reminder emails and timing of the payment. Typically, after the second reminder… they will make a payment a few minutes after that email. If emailing doesn’t work, don’t forget the power of a phone call. You may have more luck reaching a resolution on the phone.

Step 4 – Late Fee Policy

If your client is repeatedly late with payment, let them know you’re implementing a late fee policy. A 1% to 5% fee usually nips the problem in the bud and sets the tone for future payments. And you can always remove the late fee as an incentive for prompt payment.

Step 5 – Small Claims Court

If your emails/calls go unanswered, or if the Producer does get back to you and refuses to pay, you can file a lawsuit in small claims court for breach of contract.

Note… small claims courts only deal with cases below a certain value. In Colorado, individuals can only go to small claims if their lawsuit is under $7,500. In California, the maximum amount is $10,000.

Step 6 – Civil Court

If the amount owed is larger than small claims court limits, or if you are experiencing ongoing issues with the Producer, you may need to pursue civil action. But before initiating any legal proceedings, consult an entertainment lawyer. They can advise you on your legal options and help you take further action if necessary. Keep in mind that legal battles can be costly, so you’ll need to weigh the potential benefits against the risks.

Sometimes, the only thing to do is to walk away from a bad client. But depending on the state of your finances, that can be hard to do. Weigh the cost of the decision, financially and in peace of mind. You might find it allows for better opportunities to come your way.

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