Hi all,
I'm in need of some advice.
Long story short, I did a show which was in two parts, and left before the second part. When I signed my contract, it was with the understanding that I was only doing the first part of the show. I did the show, but it actually stopped midway through the first part of the run due to financial reasons. It turned out that it was continuing on to the second leg, but - as we knew from before, I was not continuing.
When I first discussed coming on to the show with my boss he told me he would pay me, let's say $1000 dollars for both parts of the run. Then I got another offer for a different job, which would begin half way through the run of my first show. I came to my boss and told him this, and he agreed to let me off the show after the first leg. When I signed me contract, we signed it with the knowledge I would only be there for the first part, however, I still signed a contract saying I was to be paid $1000, even though I was only doing half the show. I asked my boss about this, but he said we would figure the money out later.
So the run ends, and my boss asks me for an invoice, which I give him. He tells me that the amount is fine, but he'll pay me in two installments, several months from now. I email him and ask him to pay me sooner, and he acquiesces, but says he'll pay me $200 less than we originally agreed. I email him back, and ask when I'll be paid that other $200. Then he brings up my contract, and says since I only completed half the run I should be paid $500, to which I point out my contract, which he signed, saying I would be paid the full $1000.
I spoke to him on the phone this evening, pointing out that he agreed to the invoice amount, as well as my contract, which we signed after I took the other job, with that information accounted for.
He told me that I'm being immoral, and that I can't hold him to a contract and that he made a mistake when he approved the invoice. I attempted to explain that he signed the contract with the understanding that I was leaving the show early, and that he'd agreed to pay me the full amount, but he gave me an ultimatum, told me to take him to court if I was so sure I was right, said that I was awful at negotiating, and that he would discredit me in the theatre community I'm apart of.
I told him that I was willing to negotiate, that I was willing to come down from the original contract amount, but above what he was trying to pay me, but he refused. Finally, I told him I would accept the amount that he was now offering me, which was far down from the contract i signed.
I'm still a bit too close to this to fully appreciate it, but I guess my question is, what could I have done differently? Did I do something wrong? Does this happen often?
I'm a bit afraid of what he'll do in terms of smearing my reputation in my community, is that a valid fear? Has this happened to anyone else? Basically, any advice anyone could give me, critical or not, would be appreciated, as I'm eager to learn from this super crappy experience in any way I can.