Background

The saga begins with an unassuming photographer roped into what was initially described as a simple interview shoot for musicians signed to a small record label. The production manager, “Bill” (a pseudonym), boasted of his experiences on major film projects like “GI Joe 2” and “Django Unchained”. The first red flag arose when Bill, lacking transportation, requested a ride to Atlanta for the shoot.

Despite logistical hiccups, including a last-minute change in transportation and unanticipated smoking in the vehicle, the crew made their way to Atlanta. The team comprised “Steve,” a National Guard member and former bouncer, and “Elizabeth,” both inexperienced in film production but roped in by Bill’s promises of compensation.

When the photographer arrived, a significant shift in the scope caught him off guard: the shoot was now for a comprehensive music video with a complex narrative, a sharp departure from the anticipated promotional content. This revelation set the stage for a series of escalating problems.

Additional Challenges

The shooting location, a house belonging to an elderly lady with peculiar sons, proved less than ideal. Not only was the house ill-equipped for the demands of the production equipment, but it also had cleanliness issues, including an overwhelming smell of dog feces.

The photographer faced further challenges with accommodations. Contrary to prior arrangements, Bill had canceled hotel reservations to cut costs, leaving the crew to stay at the shoot location. The photographer’s room was in dire condition, with unclean bedding and a floor littered with dog feces.

Disagreements over creative direction, uncooperative equipment, and a glaring lack of professional expertise marred the 14-hour shooting schedule, which went well into the early hours. Bill’s insistence on particular lighting choices led to unsatisfactory visual results, further aggravating the strained crew.

As the shoot concluded, financial disputes came to light. Bill allegedly failed to pay several crew members, leading to confrontations and law enforcement involvement. Upon discovering Bill’s misrepresentations, the record label’s producer terminated his involvement and unsuccessfully attempted to salvage the situation by offering the photographer Bill’s job.

In conclusion, based on alleged events, this account underscores the myriad challenges independent artists and crews face in the industry. The lack of professionalism, inadequate planning, and financial irresponsibility depicted here serve as a stark reminder of the importance of clear communication, proper planning, and ethical conduct in any creative endeavor.

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In the world of filmmaking, there are unfortunately some individuals who engage in unprofessional and unethical behavior, leaving a trail of dissatisfaction and financial loss in their wake. One such individual is Don Borza, who allegedly claims to be a “producer” and operates under the company name Milwaukee Junction in Detroit, occasionally shooting industrial and low-budget commercials in Los Angeles.

It has been nearly three years since Don Borza allegedly stiffed a significant portion of the crew on the feature film “Devil’s Junction: Handy Dandy’s Revenge”. As the director-for-hire, the individual sharing this story had their own experience with Don Borza, who not only failed to pay them 60% of their fee but also lied and cut them out of the post-production process, including color grading. The film’s cinematographer, who was supposedly a friend, was also paid an even smaller percentage of their fee.

To make matters worse, Don Borza allegedly took it upon himself to shoot new footage for the film after the director and cinematographer had flown back to Los Angeles. This footage included inane scenes with a killer clown and medieval knights, which had no relevance to the story and were haphazardly inserted into the film, effectively ruining what could have been an above-average small horror film.

Don Borza’s unprofessional behavior, dishonesty, and lack of respect for the creative process and the crew involved in the film project are concerning. Filmmakers and crew members are urged to be cautious and do thorough research before working with individuals or companies like Don Borza and Milwaukee Junction to protect themselves from potential financial losses and disappointment in their projects.

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The person in question, an individual who had alleged dealings with a company called Film Volt, and a person named Mark Busby, were experiencing intense moments due to their recent interactions with this organization. They found that Film Volt and Mark Busby had allegedly breached significant agreements and that these agreements were made in the name of nonexistent companies.

The person in question had encountered issues with contracts and realized that Film Volt and Mark Busby had allegedly misled them by claiming to represent companies that did not actually exist. This raised concerns about the legitimacy and credibility of Film Volt and Mark Busby’s operations.

Feeling frustrated and misled, the person in question sought to share their experience and warned others about their dealings with Film Volt and Mark Busby. They hoped to raise awareness about the lack of proper contracts and non-payment issues in the entertainment industry and encourage others to be cautious when dealing with similar organizations. The person in question was determined to take appropriate action to address the breaches in agreements and seek a resolution for the situation they were facing.

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The Art Director politely pushed back, explaining that it was uncommon for crew members to be personally charged for damages, especially considering the small amount of £100, which was only an eighth of their total fee. However, Stormlight Media was allegedly rude and gaslighted the Art Director, claiming they had already gone out of their way to accommodate them.

Despite being able to cover the cost with the art department budget, the Art Director was unhappy with the way Stormlight Media handled the situation. They have yet to receive a satisfactory response from the production company and are still waiting to be paid for their work. This serves as a cautionary reminder to be wary of how production companies handle damages and fees, and to ensure that clear communication and fair treatment are prioritized in any work agreement.

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To add to the issue, the Line Producer apparently allegedly decided to cut everyone’s pay because the shoot wrapped earlier than expected, and the agreed-upon rate of $150/12 (which was already $50 less than the minimum wage for NYC Production Assistants) was not being respected.

The person in question was frustrated and felt that their rights as crew members were being violated. They had worked the additional shoot time based on the confirmation from the Production Coordinator and the Line Producer’s email. The unexpected cut in pay and failure to honor the agreed-upon rate added to their grievances.

The person in question was determined to seek a resolution for the alleged non-payment issue and the breach of the agreement. They planned to take appropriate steps, such as consulting with a union or seeking legal advice, to ensure that their rights and fair compensation were respected. They also wanted to raise awareness about such practices in the entertainment industry and encourage others to stand up for their rights and fair treatment in the workplace.

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Jay Alpha, also known as J Alpha Productions or Alpha Red, is allegedly under scrutiny by talent agents for potential scam or hoax activities. One client of mine allegedly applied for a job with them after seeing an Instagram post before signing with me as their talent agent. Since then, we have noticed several red flags in their dealings with my client:

• The role offered to my client was initially “Elijah”, but with no notice, it was changed to “Witch”, and then to “Jack” in email communication. My client did not audition for any of these roles.
• My client has not met any of the crew or production team, despite being offered a role.
• He was told he should have received emails, but hasn’t received any information about the production.
• The contract provided had no day rate, only an episodic rate.
• The production was initially presented as a film but was later claimed to be a TV series.
• There is no address or contact information on the contract.
• There are no contracted or production dates specified, and it doesn’t mention the year it started, only assumed to be 2022.
• There is no mention of travel costs, daily fees for ADR (Automated Dialog Replacement), photography, etc. being paid.
• There is no mention of work permit costs being covered by the production.
• There is no mention of merchandise, royalties, etc.
• The TV series is allegedly claimed to be called “Alpha Red” and directed by David Von Ancken, known for directing Vampire Diaries. However, I have contacted David Von Ancken’s agent who confirmed he is not directing this series.

These discrepancies and misleading information raise suspicions about Jay Alpha, J Alpha Productions, or Alpha Red and their credibility. Talent agents and actors need to be cautious and thoroughly investigate any job opportunities offered by them.

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The Art Director allegedly politely pushed back, explaining that it was uncommon for crew members to be personally charged for damages, especially considering the small amount of £100, which was only an eighth of their total fee. However, Stormlight Media was allegedly rude and gaslighted the Art Director, claiming they had already gone out of their way to accommodate them.

Despite being able to cover the cost with the art department budget, the Art Director was unhappy with the way Stormlight Media handled the situation. They have yet to receive a satisfactory response from the production company and are still waiting to be paid for their work. This serves as a cautionary reminder to be wary of how production companies handle damages and fees, and to ensure that clear communication and fair treatment are prioritized in any work agreement.

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One crew member, who had been threatened with a court claim, finally managed to receive partial payment. However, during a screening, they met with other crew members who confirmed that none of them had been paid yet. This situation is incredibly upsetting to them. While they understand that clients can be difficult, they believe that starting a project without ensuring enough funds to pay the crew and others is unacceptable.

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Original post:

There is someone who is allegedly seeking information about a producer named Chrystal Rose. This person, who works as a First Assistant Director (1st AD) in the film industry, had an alleged experience with Chrystal Rose while working on a feature film called “Faking Fabulous” in April 2021. Initially, Chrystal Rose allegedly hired them to re-do the film’s schedule and officially booked them as the 1st AD through their diary service. However, Chrystal Rose allegedly made several schedule changes even before the official prep started and then suddenly canceled the person’s services just a week before the official starting date in mid-August 2021. The reason given for the cancellation was that the person and their agent had asked for a contract.

As a result of this last-minute cancellation, the person had been booked for four months and had turned down other work offers, as they were committed to Chrystal Rose’s project, which promised to pay BECTU rates. When the person and their agent asked for payment for the amendments made to the schedule and compensation for the financial and professional loss caused by the sudden cancellation, Chrystal Rose started insulting the person’s professional abilities and refused to pay anything, despite having praised their work earlier.

Now, the person is considering taking legal action against Chrystal Rose, as they believe that she is a dangerous individual who has caused them significant financial and professional damage. They suspect that Chrystal Rose may have a history of such behavior and may continue to do so in the future if not stopped. The person is reaching out for anyone with relevant information to share, either by commenting or sending them a direct message, to support their case.

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Ryan Levon Roman and Angelis Martinez allegedly rent cameras for long periods and never pay for them or return them. A major red flag is that they do not have production insurance as they’ve allegedly already been banned by the insurance companies. They often look for same-day rentals so you do not have enough time to background check them. They insist on working with wires and bank transfers to allegedly avoid payment. Check this ESTA search for more information. They are mostly active in the US.

http://esta.cbsunified.com/MissingEquipment/Search/Results?keyword=Ryan+roman

Learn more: ESTA’s RENTAL GUARD is an alert system that has proven effective in preventing fraud and theft, and locating stolen equipment.

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SOURCE:

ARRI user group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/820164694779963/

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