TL;DR @ bottom of post, thank u for reading
[Oregon, USA] Several months ago, my director and I wrapped editing on a short film that he wrote and directed. In the months that followed, he became increasingly demanding and disrespectful regarding my cooperation with the remaining work that needed to be done (sound editing, color correcting, SFX, etc.). Throughout this time, I was in consistent contact with the other post-production crew members and was working with them to overcome technical difficulties and get them the material they needed so that they could do their job. The director, however, insisted that I was ignoring him/not going quick enough, and insinuated that I was trying to sabotage his film. I sent him a text respectfully, but firmly telling him that I was doing everything I could, and to be patient and more respectful of my time and efforts. He never responded and has not responded to any of my attempts to reach out since.
This morning I received an email from another Crew Member who told me that the director coerced him via manipulation and verbal abuse ("I was the one who did the edit, OP was just my assistant," "How dare you question my judgment and authority") into changing my credit at the end of the film from "Editor" to "Assistant Editor." He also asked me not to rat him out for telling me this, a request I'd like respect if I can.
As a young filmmaker, being listed as "Editor" for a film like this would be a really big deal for my portfolio, ability to network, etc. I've spent roughly 175 hours working on this project, for which I received less than $1.25 an hour. I was tucking my pride away and wOrKiNg fOR eXpOsUrE for the last year and a half, and now it seems like I won't even get that!
THE QUESTION(s): I wrote up a contract back when the director and I were on better terms. I feel naive now, because it's extremely basic---I never expected to actually need it because I trusted him. Here is a copy of the contract, with names & signatures redacted. I know it's not nearly as articulate and explicit as a standard industry contract, but does this contract protect me at all? If so, how can I go about enforcing it? Is it a problem that the contract doesn't state any consequences for breaching its terms? Most importantly, how should I go about writing film contracts for future clients?
TL;DR --- Director & I had a falling out and he ghosted me. Another post-production crew member has cont
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