A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

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Walther
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A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by Walther »

I feel I must warn you incase you are contacted by the above.

A company called 'TimeDean' got in touch with me back in May regarding hiring 10 men, 1 bike combi and a selection of firing & de-ac weapons to appear in a production of theirs called 'Long Tall Sally'.

Although it was a bit of an indie / you'll never hear of it again film, we were required to act as extras in the sequences emulating Rudolf Hess's flight to the UK in 1941, which sounded like fun. The Filming was to be at Duxford with the 109 and after a change of plan, North Weald with the 108.

I have jumped through hoops for these guys working to changing shooting dates, cancellations, huge changes of plan and so on. After giving up and writing this project off due the absolute un-professionalism and ineptness of the first producer, they appeared once more a month or so later offering to pay half of our fees up front as a good will gesture and with a new producer who this time seemed a little more clued up.

All you need know about that episode, is that the money was never paid into our account, the producer quit yesterday due to 'irreconcilable opinions' with the rest of the crew. Filming was supposed to be taking place at North Weald today, which has now been cancelled leaving the airfield, owners of the 108 and another production company very confused and high and dry.

If you are approached by any one from 'TimeDean LTD' who hail from Surrey, regarding the filming of 'Long Tall Sally' or 'Greasers' then I would urge you to walk away as fast as your marching boots will carry you!!

Neil.
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KDF
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Re: A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by KDF »

I'm sorry to hear another company is wasting you and your groups time...However...


I'm afraid it`s the same almost everytime I hear about film projects. PD knows my stance on film projects, they are not intersted in anything but getting the footage they want.End of.

At the end of the day an extra gets paid between £85-£125 a day, with meals and reasonable expenses with no kit. Re-enactors getting paid little or nothing ,with all their kit plus weapons not only puts folk who`s living it is out of a job but also shows what the 'film makers' think of us , EG no respect, and take the piss big time.

Not only the filming at war and peace, which I`d have thought would put anyone off ever going infront of the camera's ever again, paid or not, but we as a hobby never seem to learn.
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Walther
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Re: A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by Walther »

It does make you wonder why we bother!

By the time you've vetted out the Sweeny's and the student degree show projects the final ones you'd hope would be sensible proposals. I'd negotiated fees and transport costs, so all was looking good.

When you strike lucky with a professionally set up enterprise it can be one of the most fun things you'll ever do - just a shame there are so many bad eggs out there without a clue looking to take advantage.

Neil.
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Re: A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by Hoffman Grink »

Sorry to hear you had your leg lifted Neil - and brave (as well as helpful) of you to share with us. Many would simply sweep it under the carpet and hope it went away - Leaving the next unsuspecting mark to be taken for a ride.... so thanks.

I can well imagine your frustration and anger on this as a lot of effort goes into
a trying to please the film co
and
b trying to organise things and make sure your mates/group have a fair deal and a good time.

Details available on the web:
TIMEDEAN LIMITED - COAKLEY 72 HIGH STREET, HASLEMERE, SURREY, GU27 ...
company name: TIMEDEAN LIMITED. telephone, 01632 890289-070 9669 1785.

Not done Companies House - not that interested to be fair...... skanky bastards is al I can say - Unless of course they had good reason which they are not letting us in on......
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Walther
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Re: A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by Walther »

Well, we have to name and shame these folks or as you say, the next group they approach will fall into the same trap.

I'll just have to sit and wait for 'Enemy at the Gates II' :)

Neil.
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THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER.
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Re: A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER. »

My heart goes out to you my friend, there's nothing worse than feeling used and abused when people take you for granted.
i think someone needs to be acting as an agent in such cases,negotiating rates and terms of service,and safeguarding yourself with a written contract,signed and witnessed by a lawyer.
after all, you are extra's, so you should be intitled to extra's pay rates. if they welch on the deal,they are in danger of legal precedings
insueing. it pays not to be too trusting and gullible in such situations.
but taking a firm stand when dealing with such individuals.
just my thoughts on the matter.
kindest regards Jeff.
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Fallschirm-Funker
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Re: A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by Fallschirm-Funker »

See following Companies House link on TimeDean:

http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/7080e ... ompdetails

Basically, this company was only registered on 30.10.2009 (i.e. only 8 months ago) and is not legally required to file a set of accounts until 31.07.2011 (i.e. another 13 months to go). So new company with no history. Not an auspicious start for TimeDean.

cheers
Lee
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BedsnHerts
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Re: A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by BedsnHerts »

As someone who has worked in the film and TV industry for over 20 years I'll tell you the easiest way to sort the genuine from the tyre-kickers. It's one single sentence:

"What's the daily rate?"

As has already been pointed out, film extras get around £100 per day and there is no reason why re-enactors who are providing specialised costume and armoury free of charge should get any less than that. Extras are paid in cash at the end of each day, that's an industry standard.

Anyone who umms and errs or talks about deferred payments (i.e you'll wait a long time to get nothing), a percentage of Net (i.e. 5% of nothing) or how it would be marvellous promotion for your unit (no-one looks at the credits so they mean nothing) is almost definitely a waste of time. If they can't budget for the small stuff then they definitely won't be able to afford the big stuff.

Remember, anyone can call themselves a producer and anyone with £50 can set up a limited company to fool people that they are a professional outfit.

Y'all been warned.
KDF
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Re: A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by KDF »

Well said, and better said of what I was waffling on about.

BedsnHerts wrote:As someone who has worked in the film and TV industry for over 20 years I'll tell you the easiest way to sort the genuine from the tyre-kickers. It's one single sentence:

"What's the daily rate?"

As has already been pointed out, film extras get around £100 per day and there is no reason why re-enactors who are providing specialised costume and armoury free of charge should get any less than that. Extras are paid in cash at the end of each day, that's an industry standard.

Anyone who umms and errs or talks about deferred payments (i.e you'll wait a long time to get nothing), a percentage of Net (i.e. 5% of nothing) or how it would be marvellous promotion for your unit (no-one looks at the credits so they mean nothing) is almost definitely a waste of time. If they can't budget for the small stuff then they definitely won't be able to afford the big stuff.

Remember, anyone can call themselves a producer and anyone with £50 can set up a limited company to fool people that they are a professional outfit.

Y'all been warned.
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Gott Mit Uns
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Re: A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by Gott Mit Uns »

I feel bad now for having done one for "expenses only" this weekend - I did offer for your chaps to get on-board Neil, you missed some good fun. 8) Although understandable as your gig promised payment.

Tom.
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Walther
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Re: A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by Walther »

Thats the way it goes Tom - Marty did tell me you'd been in touch regarding this job,

Next time eh.
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Re: A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by BedsnHerts »

Gott Mit Uns wrote:I feel bad now for having done one for "expenses only" this weekend
Not at all. There is nothing wrong with doing a freebie, and being on a well run film set can be a LOT of fun, which is payment in itself. My advice is simply a quick way to spot a dishonest production company by asking the hard question first. If a producer says straight out "I don't have any budget for this but you'll all get breakfast, lunch and dinner", then you can make a decision on whether or not to do it. What annoys me are people who take advantage of others goodwill by promising things that they know will never happen.
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Re: A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by John Wilson »

Film and tv production companies???? Generally a bunch of arseholes in my opinion. I remember doing some work a few years ago where the film makers had hired land rovers to cart all the equipment over fields and up hills but decided that they didn't want to get them dirty, so they were parked up at the side of the road and all the gear was shunted by hand.
A point to remember as well is, are you getting hired as a body, a body with a uniform, or a body with a uniform and a gun/firearm?
Fees for extras do vary and if you're taking your gear, get it paid for.
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crossofiron
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Re: A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by crossofiron »

my advice:

find which union they are in....not hard as therearnt many...

you will get paid soon enough!
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Re: A word of caution if approached by TimeDean Ltd...

Post by BedsnHerts »

crossofiron wrote:my advice:

find which union they are in....not hard as therearnt many...

you will get paid soon enough!
Waste of time. BECTU is the only film & TV union and apart from the fact that these days only about 1 in 10 TV professionals are union they have nothing to do with disputes between their members and public.

Just ask the right questions:
Do we get paid?
How much do we get paid?
When do we get paid?
Where do we go if your company disappears into thin air?

Simple quastions that need simple answers. As with all things, nothing is cast iron, but you get a better idea of who you are dealing with by the answers that they give.
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