Asiatic Productions and Alexander Lim attended Thailand to shoot a spot for Ford and JWT in Shanghai in September 2010. Having had previously met Mr Lim, under circumstances which were not favourable whereby his client had just removed him from a Beer TVC, this was only a small job and required in a rush.
Quotes were given and the job accepted - but then despite a production services contract, no funds were forthcoming. Lim also made the claim Ford was to pay all costs and supply the cars, which in the end, they supplied a car but would not pay the contractor to deliver, which I ended up having to cover. The shoot had to get underway and after Lim agreed to a figure and locked it, but excuses were starting regarding funds and payments.
JWT in China became involved as did JWT in Thailand. The shoot started and my company put up the money on the promise funds had been sent to Lim. We shot the first day then without evidence of funds or funds from Lim, I shut down the job before we could start the second day. JWT then got in the foray and they offered to fund from Thailand but only to Lim's account as Asiatic was the company of record although they now realised our company was the production company.
Lim broke down, tried to raise funds through another Thai company and finally JWT assured me payment had been sent to Lim to cover well over our total cost of production thus we proceeded to shoot and finish the job on the understanding payment would be made the following week. Invoices were raised and presented and our company was now in direct contact with JWT.
Immediately on cessation, Lim ran from Thailand, did not inform us he was leaving and just disappeared. Mails were sent as were invoices then someone called 'Patrick' from Asiatic started questioning Lim regarding our invoices. We had given a fixed price quote and the additional costs as variations were minor.
Then a part payment was received and no further contact from either the 'accountant' or Lim. Lim then shut down his email addresses at his company and on virgin and on receiving my letter of demand simply said "So sue me".
This guy comes across as professional but has no idea how to conduct a shoot. He has ripped off my crew and not paid. JWT in Shanghai have black listed him globally so other be warned.