p.4 #1 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
I shot a relatively large race for GF this past weekend and while everything was wrapping up the race director stopped me to ask if all of the rumors about payments were true. The gentleman was shocked by everything, but was thankful that at least 3 out of the 6 shooters came out.
p.4 #2 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
I suppose I'm a part of the club too. Shot an race for them on June 11th, pay stub promised payment in 15 days, emails to accounting were not answered and I got the same form reply as others. I'm glad I'm not in a situation where they owe me $5000, but this summer's been a little rough and this payment would definitely help.
p.4 #3 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
Any forum legal experts have an opinion on taking them to small claims court? Would getting a judgement against them put you in the front of the line if/when they go Chapter 7?
p.4 #4 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
Small claims court would be a long shot for improving your payment status. Lots of questions about a binding contract and payment terms. Small claims courts also have dollar limits and it sounds to me like many are owed more. There is also the matter of where to file. Your home town? GameFace Media's home town? You really need to talk to a lawyer to get the real and correct answers to this question. From superfly5's post it sounds like it is all catching up to them if only 3 out of 6 showed up for the race. That is not good.
p.4 #5 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
I got another form email last night:
"Hi [NAME],
This is Brian from Gameface. I’m reaching out to you personally to first apologize for our delays in getting you paid for the services you’ve performed for us. You deserve better and we are very sorry for this situation. We realize your time is valuable and this income helps pay the rent and other expenses. We know that we have let you down over the past couple of months and we take full responsibility for that. Everyone will be paid in full as they always have been since we started Gameface 3 ½ years ago. We are building Gameface for the long haul and continue to grow even as we hit some obstacles along the way.
We’re doing everything we can to rectify the problem as quickly as possible and get back to a more fair payment schedule. I know it may not be the exact answer you want to hear or deserve, but it is the truth and felt it was important you hear it from us directly. If you would like to have a follow up phone call, just reply to me on this email and let me know what dates/times work and a number you can be reached and I'll call you back."
p.4 #6 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
lionsfan54 wrote:
I got another form email last night:
"Hi [NAME],
This is Brian from Gameface. I’m reaching out to you personally to first apologize for our delays in getting you paid for the services you’ve performed for us. You deserve better and we are very sorry for this situation. We realize your time is valuable and this income helps pay the rent and other expenses. We know that we have let you down over the past couple of months and we take full responsibility for that. Everyone will be paid in full as they always have been since we started Gameface 3 ½ years ago. We are building Gameface for the long haul and continue to grow even as we hit some obstacles along the way.
We’re doing everything we can to rectify the problem as quickly as possible and get back to a more fair payment schedule. I know it may not be the exact answer you want to hear or deserve, but it is the truth and felt it was important you hear it from us directly. If you would like to have a follow up phone call, just reply to me on this email and let me know what dates/times work and a number you can be reached and I'll call you back."
Yeah, I got the same thing - another email came out a little while later with my actual name. It's not good when you get a business email that begins with "Hi [NAME]"...but hopefully some sort of resolution will happen soon.
p.4 #8 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
Hi all,
As one of the Directors of Photography at [COMPANY], I'm beyond embarrassed at the way [COMPANY] has handled this situation, from the beginning of this fiasco to screwing up this email. I wish I could do more to make things right. Happy to talk about this offline or over email. You can reach me at [EMAIL] or [PHONE]
p.4 #9 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
martymccrory wrote:
Hi all,
As one of the Directors of Photography at [COMPANY], I'm beyond embarrassed at the way [COMPANY] has handled this situation, from the beginning of this fiasco to screwing up this email. I wish I could do more to make things right. Happy to talk about this offline or over email. You can reach me at [EMAIL] or [PHONE]
Thanks for being a good sport about this, by the way.
p.4 #10 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
Just heard that photogs are starting to get paid for work done in May (not in any order)..... wow. I guess that's OK for GWC's but my terms have always been net 30. All good things must come to an end and it was a good gig while it lasted, but I've seen this before and I've heard some rumors. Good luck to all that are owed large sums of money cause your gonna need it.
p.4 #11 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
On July 20th I was told in a couple of weeks we will paying jobs shot in May..... what a joke. Grab a lifejacket cause it sounds like this ship is going down.
If, and that's a very BIG IF, I worked another event for them it MUST be cash up front in the bank 7 days before the job. We know that will never happen. I feel bad for all the folks that are working now and don't have a clue.
p.4 #12 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
Even if they do catch up and pay everyone its is going to be hard to convince good photographers to work for them again. They may have lots of contacted events that they may have problems getting enough people to shoot
p.4 #13 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
Cash is King..... Cash up front is a must from now on or it's GWC's on every job. BTW, I don't see anyone here being a "GOOD SPORT" about $$ that owed to them. Speaking for myself, I take this very seriously and you should too.
I hope their telling the photographers for up coming events that if they don't already know they may not be paid for months or maybe not at all.
p.4 #14 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
OS3U_Sports wrote:
Cash is King..... Cash up front is a must from now on or it's GWC's on every job. BTW, I don't see anyone here being a "GOOD SPORT" about $$ that owed to them. Speaking for myself, I take this very seriously and you should too.
I hope their telling the photographers for up coming events that if they don't already know they may not be paid for months or maybe not at all.
I was referring to Marty for being a good sport about the comments about the [NAME] fiasco, seeing as he himself works for Gameface. He has mentioned repeatedly (both here and in an email reply to me) that the financial obligations are beyond his control - he's not in charge of actually processing the payments. Even though emails have been very slow at getting responded to by others, Marty has generally been responsive and has avoided the dreaded form emails like the [NAME] one.
That being said, I am taking this seriously - I had some unexpected expenses that needed to be made and was under a lot of financial stress that my check would definitely relieve. I'm sure there are plenty of other GFM photographers in the same boat. My patience is starting to wear thin but I'm still hopeful for a solution.
p.4 #16 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
RandyR wrote:
Good sport ?
Is Marty working for free. I only shot for them once TG, because I'm not a good sport when someone owes me money and they have my pics
Nor should you be. And he probably is at the moment, because we don't know how far up the totem pole GFM's financial problems go.
p.4 #17 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
I'm sure it stops at the photographers. If your above that, your getting a paycheck. But I know of a few who are owed 1000's of dollars. Phones calls are being made making apologies. I'm getting so pissed off now because people are getting paid that worked the same weekend that I did and all I'm hearing is "it will just be a few more weeks"
FACE IT, NONE OF US POOR SLOBS WILL BE PAID
Everyone should be yelling the words of Harlan Ellison, "F$$K you, pay me"
p.4 #18 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
I'm not owed much money compared to others. I'm more upset that they are still hiring new photographers and not telling them about this. So, someone is going to work for them for the first time next week under the assumption of getting paid and GF is going to keep quiet, use that person's time and then maybe pay them in 4 months. That's my issue now.
If I'm mistaken and they are telling their new hires "We aren't going to pay you until well into the fall" then please correct me and I'll happily delete/amend this post.
update - they are no longer doing this, so good on them
p.4 #19 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
We have removed all of our Craigslist ads and we haven't onboarded any new photographers in a while.
We're letting our shooters know in our assignment emails that payments will be delayed substantially.
We're also being very flexible with photographers wishing to back out of assignments due to this situation.
I mentioned this in my tongue-in-cheek post above, but I'll reiterate it in a more serious tone. Please feel free to contact me via email or phone if you have any questions. I don't have a lot of answers but I can try to address your concerns.
p.4 #20 · Gameface media - heads up on getting paid
So many clich'es come to mind, this is my tongue-in-cheek post Marty.
Money talk$ and bull$hit walk$... and you guys are running.
Put up or $hut up.... you have nothing to put up do you?
Fi$h or cut bait... all you have is bait.
$hit or get off the pot... GFM should just go ahead and file and stop promising compensation that will never come.
Treat people the way you would like to be treated... Lip service via emails for almost 100 days. That would be since May.
Always be humble...
So glad to hear this Marty.
"We're letting our shooters know in our assignment emails that payments will be delayed substantially."
It should say, you may never get paid.
"We're also being very flexible with photographers wishing to back out of assignments due to this situation."
Wishing to back-out, what does that mean? You won't hold it against them if they want to work future jobs that they won't get paid for?
This is a very small community that we are in and if I were you I wouldn't say another word.
you must do all the dirty work, don't you? You must still be getting a paycheck. Good for you Marty.
Last year at this time the photography dept said that if you defaulted on a contract you would be removed as a photographer because they had so people wanting to shoot. boy, what a difference a year makes. I guess your smugness and cockiness caught up with you Marty McCrory
Sorry for the rant but I'm angry, very angry.
Enough for today, we'll see if a deposit is made tonight, if not, I'll be back tomorrow.
