I just booked my first National commercial. On average, how long does it usually take to get the paycheck in the mail from your agent? Curious.

It seems to vary, our experience has been from the day of shooting to a week or 2 later to 5 months, and 4 months. They tell me it's coming but it hasn't come yet. Hopefully you will have better luck than me. If you are with an agency your chances are probably good that you will get paid within a month or two I think. Others will probably give you answers as well. We are pretty new and our pay experiences are varied as well as frustrating at times. My dd got her commercial through her manager and that has taken the longest time so far, she said she has it, will send it, we waited all week for it to come and still no check! Our other jobs have been self submissions so we are on our own about getting the checks.

BTW congrats on your 1st booking!!!!

Isn't there a rule that you must be paid within 90 days? I'd have to go back and check, but I thought there was a limit....

phenomena,

Did you get paid yet????

Was this a union job? That can make a difference. I believe SAG has rules about how long they can take to pay. If non-union they can take as long as they like, but, in my experience, it usually is about 30 days. After about 45 days, I would give my agent a call and ask. The worst I've had was about 4 months.

what about extra work payments? i've done a decent amount on days off from other jobs and i feel like i haven't waited 4 weeks for payment, but i am this time. does that seem about right?

quote:

Originally posted by Jackie:
Isn't there a rule that you must be paid within 90 days? I'd have to go back and check, but I thought there was a limit....

What can be done besides chasing people down to get your pay? We've been waiting 5 and 4 months now for paychecks for my kids and we keep hearing it's coming, but still no paycheck! These are not through our agent, although one of the tardy paychecks is through my dd manager.

Unfortunately, not much can be done--that I know of--besides calling and calling and calling. I never got paid for one job I did years ago even though it was through my agent. It was nonunion of course. After a while the agent loses interest in calling too since its costing them more time than its worth. You can complain of course to the dept/ of consumer affairs, the dept. of labor, the better business bureau. You can sue--small claims court. But these things often take lots of time--and even if the dept. of labor, for example, says "hey, you have to pay!" there isn't a vice squad out there enforcing the judgment. It's unfortunate.
You CAN post the name of the producer and company everywhere to save others the same fate. You CAN let the person know you will be taking them to small claims court. My best idea, I think, is to have a lawyer friend write a very scary sounding letter in legalese--perhaps you can scare them into paying up.
Good luck!

thank you very much for that advice!

If it is SAG, it is 12 business days. If you ever have a question with a union job, I would call that union. Non-union, who knows, perhaps never! Kinda have to have good faith, there.

For the woman who is waiting 4-5 months, that is ridiculous. The longest that anyone is supposed to wait for any paycheck is 90 days. If it is union, I would speak with the union. If it is an issue with your agent or manager, I would take that on. Your money is accruing interest in their bank accounts and they are stealing your money while you wait.

it was non union and without an agent/manager. Can I do something like report them on here and the Better Business Bureau? I know that other people who did the commercial with my boys got paid back in August and we are still waiting after repeatedly emailing and calling.

Non union is tough because there isn't any union to procure funds for you. I am not sure on this one.

quote:

Originally posted by chmomny:
it was non union and without an agent/manager. Can I do something like report them on here and the Better Business Bureau? I know that other people who did the commercial with my boys got paid back in August and we are still waiting after repeatedly emailing and calling.

I just got an email telling me to stop emailing them!!!!! That's how E and M Advertising treats their hired actors! I know that the girl who worked with my boys got paid back in August! Of course her mother had to keep calling them. But this is how my boys are being treated, and it was their 1st jobs, its disgusting. Thank you to all who replied to my earlier posts.