What does "on hold" mean? at DVinfo.net

Marco Leavitt · May 22nd, 2008, 04:25 PM

If they cancel on you, are they obligated to pay you anything? Seems kind of one sided if not.

Edward Carlson · May 22nd, 2008, 05:22 PM

http://www.shaneenglish.com/blog/200...old-reply.html
Everything you wanted to know about being put "on hold."

Marco Leavitt · May 22nd, 2008, 05:47 PM

That's great. Thank you for that link. :)

Ty Ford · May 22nd, 2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Leavitt

If they cancel on you, are they obligated to pay you anything? Seems kind of one sided if not.

No, not if you are On Hold. The better position is to put them on "right of first refusal." That means if you get a call for a job and they haven't committed yet, you call them to say, I have an offer for a gig on that day. Do you want me or not?

Regards,

Ty Ford

Seth Bloombaum · May 22nd, 2008, 06:48 PM

I'm with Ty on this, only in the Northwest production community it's commonly called "pencil" (vs. pen). "I'll pencil you for this" means that the client/agency who is booking has a right of first refusal. If you get another offer for that day, you go back to the first to either release or write it in pen, meaning you're fully booked and payable whether the shoot goes forward or not.

Postphonement is a little different - you can be fully booked and on 12 hours notice be rescheduled. If the new shoot doesn't work in your schedule, tough luck.

But overall I think there's a lot of variation in different geographical markets and in different markets within a particular area. What might be standard for ad agency work could be different for features... or, different in Houston.

If I were "on hold" I'd certainly call them if I got another offer. Seems fair for them to book or release at that point. If they won't do either, IMO they're not a good employer.

Ty Ford · May 22nd, 2008, 07:33 PM

We use "pencil" versus "ink" here as well, Seth. :)

As to how binding it is, I was going to say we cut our friends (long time clients) more slack, but then our friends and long time clients don't cut and run on us.

Regards,

Ty

May 22nd, 2008, 04:25 PM	#1
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	What does "on hold" mean? If they cancel on you, are they obligated to pay you anything? Seems kind of one sided if not.

May 22nd, 2008, 07:33 PM	#6
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	We use "pencil" versus "ink" here as well, Seth. :) As to how binding it is, I was going to say we cut our friends (long time clients) more slack, but then our friends and long time clients don't cut and run on us. Regards, Ty __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

May 22nd, 2008, 05:22 PM	#2
Edward Carlson Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Hollywood, CA, United States Posts: 807	http://www.shaneenglish.com/blog/200...old-reply.html Everything you wanted to know about being put "on hold."

May 22nd, 2008, 05:47 PM	#3
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	That's great. Thank you for that link. :)

May 22nd, 2008, 06:48 PM	#5
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	I'm with Ty on this, only in the Northwest production community it's commonly called "pencil" (vs. pen). "I'll pencil you for this" means that the client/agency who is booking has a right of first refusal. If you get another offer for that day, you go back to the first to either release or write it in pen, meaning you're fully booked and payable whether the shoot goes forward or not. Postphonement is a little different - you can be fully booked and on 12 hours notice be rescheduled. If the new shoot doesn't work in your schedule, tough luck. But overall I think there's a lot of variation in different geographical markets and in different markets within a particular area. What might be standard for ad agency work could be different for features... or, different in Houston. If I were "on hold" I'd certainly call them if I got another offer. Seems fair for them to book or release at that point. If they won't do either, IMO they're not a good employer.