http://www.motiondesignpractices.org/ 2012-05-19T09:27:21-07:00 http://www.motiondesignpractices.org/ http://www.motiondesignpractices.org/lib/images/favicon.ico text/html 2010-04-29T17:39:58-07:00 Michael Stancato http://www.motiondesignpractices.org/copyright_and_work-for-hire?rev=1272587998&do=diff I've been asked to send the layer files for the motion graphics work I've done. Is this standard practice? Here's the contract terms they say I must follow: 7. RETURN OF RECORDS. Upon termination of this Agreement, Contractor shall deliver all records, notes, data, memoranda, models, and equipment of any nature that are in the Contractors control and are _ property or relate to _'s business. text/html 2010-04-01T08:11:34-07:00 cameron linderman http://www.motiondesignpractices.org/taking_legal_action?rev=1270134694&do=diff The GAG book outlines the steps to taking a business to court. I'll try and make time to include those here. But until then this link is a source for identifying lawyers in your state who specialize in handling issues related to the arts: <http://www.law-arts.org/> I think it's also good practice to just know your rights as a worker in general here in the U.S. <http://www.dol.gov/elaws/> Make Joe Strummer proud and learn those. text/html 2010-03-31T07:02:58-07:00 cameron linderman http://www.motiondesignpractices.org/financial_planning_advice_for_freelancers?rev=1270044178&do=diff <http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/11/pf/freelance_budget.moneymag/> A great article with great advice that should be shared among this community. text/html 2010-03-31T07:02:22-07:00 cameron linderman http://www.motiondesignpractices.org/start?rev=1270044142&do=diff This open, collaborative site aims at establishing standards of practice for employers and employees in the motion design industry, including freelance animators, designers, art directors, and visual effects artists. The site's goals include: * creating an organized repository of best practices for motion design employers and employees. * providing practical tips for freelancers and contract artists. * establishing and discussing ethical and professional standards for the motion design … text/html 2010-03-21T13:59:33-07:00 cameron linderman http://www.motiondesignpractices.org/job_titles?rev=1269205173&do=diff I believe FXPHD published in one of their forum threads a listing of Job Titles and descriptions more pertinant to the VFX industry but still applicable to the motion graphics industry. If anyone knows the link that would be great. text/html 2010-03-21T13:56:21-07:00 cameron linderman http://www.motiondesignpractices.org/unpaid_pitching_issue?rev=1269204981&do=diff Definition of a Pitch should go here. I think anything that requires original visual content creation by the designer should be considered a “Pitch” and should be negotiated for pay as such. On the otherhand a text treatment where a designer/studio writes out the guidelines from which the direction of the project will go could be considered for no pay. I'm still not fully clear and would love to hear others opinions on this subject. text/html 2010-03-21T10:50:30-07:00 cameron linderman http://www.motiondesignpractices.org/speculative_work_issue?rev=1269193830&do=diff Defining what Speculative Work (Spec Work) is and for what reason it should or should not be done should be published here. Possibly linking to: <http://www.no-spec.com/> <http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/what-is-aigas-position-on-spec-work-and-ethical-standards> text/html 2010-03-21T10:07:56-07:00 cameron linderman http://www.motiondesignpractices.org/common_pay_rates?rev=1269191276&do=diff Bran's Salary/Rate Survey results should appear here. text/html 2010-03-20T11:11:22-07:00 Arlan Smith http://www.motiondesignpractices.org/booking_through_payment_and_collections_overview?rev=1269108682&do=diff We need a detailed step-by-step overview of the booking through payment sequence, and on to collections and legal options. Ideally these would come with downloadable, editable, standardized sample documents. I propose a structure something like this. text/html 2010-03-20T09:29:49-07:00 cameron linderman http://www.motiondesignpractices.org/identifying_businesses_with_troubled_business_practices?rev=1269102589&do=diff I propose the use of the U.S. Better Business Bureau and their online search utility to identify potential work leads as having troubled pasts. I say this as we need a method for risk management. I don't believe a “black-list” is the most ethical solution. The Better Business Bureau is a legit entity and can be used by anyone virtually anywhere to see if a company has had issues when handling in payment to freelancers, etc. The best part is it's free to use and open to anyone.