I have this exchange with a client in March.
Client: “I want you to make me an animated cartoon of a mermaid in a toilet, but I want you to put our live-action actor’s face on the mermaid.”
Me: “You know, I’m a Flash animator, and it really sounds like what you want is a 3D animation. I know some people—”
Client: “No, no, that’s way outside my budget.”
So, I spend five weeks working exclusively on the designs and animation for this guy’s film, all the while receiving positive feedback and constructive criticism. At the beginning of April, I proudly turn in the final product.
I contact the client again in May.
Me: “Hey, I’ve been trying to contact you for the last six weeks to collect the payment for the work I did a couple of months ago.”
Client: “Yeah, about that… It turns out that your stuff was a little too ‘cartoony’ for us. We got someone else to do it so that it looked ‘real’ — you know, like The Lord Of The Rings.”
Me: “You mean… in 3D.”
Client: “Yeah, that’s right! So, I’m glad you understand why we can’t pay you, since we used that money to pay this company that did a much better job.”
Me: “Hey, you can’t just—”
Client: *Click*