That time a client posted my raw footage as their own 'finished product'

I did a wedding video in Austin for a couple last summer. Paid me $800 up front which felt good. Then I saw the bride put the uncut 2 hour files on her Instagram as highlights. No intro, no music, just me holding a camera during setup. She claimed she didn't know raw footage wasn't for public use. I sent a cease and desist and she blocked me. Still haven't seen the remaining $400. Has anyone else had a client just ignore a contract like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

abby_fisher11d ago

Raw footage posted? At least my bloopers didn't go viral, @taylor.brooke.

the_drew12d ago

Claimed she didn't know raw footage wasn't for public use" ... that's a wild excuse. A buddy of mine did a commercial for some local coffee shop and they posted his B-roll outtakes on their website, straight up unedited stuff with him in the shot. He had to send a lawyer letter to get them to take it down, cost him like $200 just to get paid the last half of his fee.

taylor.brooke12d ago

Drew, a buddy's wedding video ended up on the venue's social media without permission too, what a mess.