The Royalty Problem - News: Brad got paid from TAD

[Jason Manley]

Importantly, the first of the formal responses to old rumors, false accusations and serious concerns has been posted: http://www.conceptart.org/showthread...38#post3669538

This is all taking considerable time, and as information is ready for release it will be shared. Thank you for any patience ahead of time.

[Ian Barker]

Have we received confirmation that all artists have been paid yet? That's what I'm waiting on before I start posting regularly again.

[notatrull]

Yesterday his dog, Monster, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.

With all the shit I've read about Jason Manley I'm surprised he didn't kill his dog to garner sympathy.



Cults - it's fun watching them implode.

[Raoul Duke]

^I noticed this is your first post. Did you sign up just to say that?

Trulls-I like seeing them forever alone.

[notatrull]

^I noticed this is your first post. Did you sign up just to say that?

Trulls-I like seeing them forever alone.

Actually I registered with the intention of posting this:


it'd be pretty easy to clear this up if CA/TAD were run like a proper company, with accounting software such as MYOB which set up individual liability accounts for every video producing artist, which automatically got updated every month and when outgoing payments were made. Then they could just post for everyone to see these T accounts, which would show how long it was between payments and how much is outstanding for each artist. However, if I was a drug using embezzler, I wouldn't keep good accounting records.

But I didn't post that because I realised SHIT HE PROBABLY KILLED HIS OWN DOG. Classic self cleansing ritual "Look what you monsters made me do!"

[Jason Manley]

Ian, Excellent question. I have asked it myself and I am waiting to hear back that answer too. I sent a written formal request again, recently, stressing the immediacy and importance of the matter, and listed out all details I wanted to verify, and I am waiting to hear back on all my points and questions. I simply do not have transparency into TAD finance, nor does CA.O. As things have gone peaceful and quiet and TAD's CEO publicly promised to personally handle the matter in which he alone has the management ability to cause to get done, I would hope that it has been ALL completed. My own personal opinion is that it had better be. If I hear anything, and am able to share, I will be sure to let everyone know.

[Spirit]

Jason, I'd just like to apologise and say that I'm sorry for calling you out personally on this. It was wrong of me to do that without knowing anything for sure, and I'm grown up enough to know when I'm wrong and admit to it, so again I'm sorry for that. And thank you for keeping us up to date with these things even with so much on your plate at the moment.

[Black Spot]

The post stays to show how low scum can sink.

[Spirit]

The post stays to show how low scum can sink.

Oh no, I'd definitely want it to stay! You can't take back what has been said in real life so it shouldn't be different here. I didn't go as low as to call him names or some horrible things I've seen people say, however I did say this (and a link to my whole post), "as after all it's Manley (or others involved as well) who are at fault." which was wrong of me and why I'm apologising. I hope other people do the same, as it wasn't right, some things said were just cruel.

[Velocity Kendall]

dunno about anyone else but im sick of this shit, people need to go back to making art and leave the political cuntery to the professionals in parliament.

[Craig D]

dunno about anyone else but im sick of this shit, people need to go back to making art and leave the political cuntery to the professionals in parliament.

Yes! quickly,.. back under the rug.

To be serious, people don't need to be outrageous in their comments, but it still needs to be dealt with at some point and not ignored.

[Nemome]

No one says it will be ignored Craig D.
But it has been said that more proof will come and so there's no need to discuss about it right now.

[Raoul Duke]

I think the first night this thread was up and going we all said some pretty mean shit because we all felt the knife in Brad's back. We all felt responsible to make it right. It made CA look like a slushfund and who wants to support that. Right now it's all sitting on the fence. Many loyal members have made up their mind and left for good because blowing off paying somebody for years is inexcusable. I agree, but I'd rather see things turn around than leave. Last time everybody left Absolutely nothing was resolved. Now that the conversation is continuing things are slowly resolving. Although I have the feeling TAD is blowing this issue off. If not they should update us.

VK- People are still making art, they just aren't posting it here.

Jason- What company owned the downloads before TAD? Was it CA or MB? Were the rights transferred from one company to another when those companies broke apart?

[Lightship69]

I agree with Mr Kendall whole heartedly, This is a Community forum where we all post our works to gain Help, Crits, Insights, and support! and I am happy to say that mostly that is what we all give each other.
I feel great Sympathy for Jason Manely and all the other parties trying to find a resolution to this situation and who despite thier best efforts have been forced into a public arena and trial by media, it is fundamentally none of our business and we need to let them sort it out themselves.
Like the man said "people need to go back to making art and leave the political cuntery to the professionals in parliament".

One more thing, I have heard a saying once or twice that I rather think is worth a mention.

"Opinions are like Ass-holes! we all got one! but don't go stickin it in someones face without being asked!"

all the best with the art guys

[Velocity Kendall]

Yes! quickly,.. back under the rug.

eh?.....

[HarbingerofIllRepute]

Yes! quickly,.. back under the rug.

The rug is warm, comfortable... you should join us under the rug.

[Candra H]

Oh no, I'd definitely want it to stay! You can't take back what has been said in real life so it shouldn't be different here. I didn't go as low as to call him names or some horrible things I've seen people say, however I did say this (and a link to my whole post), "as after all it's Manley (or others involved as well) who are at fault." which was wrong of me and why I'm apologising. I hope other people do the same, as it wasn't right, some things said were just cruel.

I don't want to interrupt but I just wanted to say, I think Black Spot was talking about the post above yours, not you in particular Spirit.

[Black Spot]

Thanks Candra. I was referring to notatrull's post.

[sone_one]

Importantly, the first of the formal responses to old rumors, false accusations and serious concerns has been posted: http://www.conceptart.org/showthread...38#post3669538

This is all taking considerable time, and as information is ready for release it will be shared. Thank you for any patience ahead of time.

the fact that this is adressed 3 years after it happened, in a way thats actual lawyer speak without any essence whatsoever, accompanied by:

Neither MB, nor its employees, are able to respond further, as this is their agreed formal response and official apology. TAD, CA.O and I accepted it in full. I wish them the best. -Jason

doesnt raise my hopes for the issue at hand. thats no statement thats a squelch.

the issue of false advertising aint cleared by that non-statement above. the problem is not that instructors withdrew due to whatever reasons, the problem is that the list of instructors aint been corrected for too long. feel like making a statement on that, now the MB guys are legally bound to be silent by that document?
similar happens right now again. the uk workshop still has ron and vanessa lemen on the instructors list and the fact they publicly posted they wouldnt attend, is completely ignored. why?

im sorry for your loss jason, and i see this is hard times for you, but please realize that a lot here doesnt add up.

you have no access to TADs finances, yet you say...

I am estimating that Brad was paid somewhere in the range of 25,000.00-30,000.00 USD prior to his last payment being due which was in the hundreds from what I can tell from the little information I have.

im curious...

[Jason Manley]

Hi,

To everyone whom has been so patient, thank you. I want to address what I feel is the most pressing question to answer first. That question is "Have all all the artists who worked on TAD's videos been taken care of?"

I am disappointed to report that I have not received any answer to this. My demands through official channels involving legal to get this and other information from TAD's finance department and CEO, have gone unanswered for a long time, including this recently. To begin to suggest the lengths I have gone in order to get answers, I have attached the following email. Numerous requests like this were made whenever an issue was brought to my attention. I have redacted names and as minimal information as possible in order to give transparency best I can. The documents I mention having are incomplete summaries of sales totals, not amounts owed to the artists, if any.

I would have posted this sooner so it is clear that I and CA.O have taken things seriously, but in good faith, I wanted to give those responsible, ample time to provide it. It has been 19 days and that is more than enough time to answer. As things have gone quiet, I must hope anyone that might have had a late payment due for any reason, has been taken care of, as TAD's CEO alone is responsible to do, and promised would be done.

TAD is run by people, and people make mistakes. There are too many great people involved there, and too much important work has been and is being done, to see such issues arise in the future. It is my hope that in time, when all questions have been answered and any errors or challenges have been overcome, that the student success, great work TAD does to provide low cost education, give scholarships, and support artists of talent and need with life changing opportunities are what shines. Time, care, communication, truth and great work heals all.

I have more questions to answer and will do so as I am able. I appreciate everyone's patience, open-minds, understanding, and kindness on the quest for truth.

Best,


JM

[Jason Manley]

Below you will find a sample of the emails that show how serious I take all of these things, and how I would find out about issues after the fact, and work to solve them when they were brought to my attention. They also show the opacity kept me from knowing the facts as I worked on future business and educational opportunties and growing the programs. These images are but a sample from many.

Only the parties involved in managing and controlling TAD finance are responsible, and they have already publicly taken it, previously been removed of duties, or received verbal and written disciplinary action. Unfortunately, I still do not have anymore information than you all do on whether anyone is still owed a last payment, or which artists were late to be paid. From the sounds of it, things have been taken seriously. I expect no less. When things came to my attention, I took action. The below emails will show that.

I was glad to see that action was taken so quickly to get any whom were late getting their last payment taken care of. I don't manage the school operations, but I sure know that all of the incredibly good things at TAD will continue to spiral outward and make the art world a better place. The simple fact is, TAD is many people around the world, good people, talented and brilliant people with good hearts and vision. Leaders. They do great work and deserve kudos, respect, and I admire them deeply. They are changing lives, they are improving education, and providing their knowledge to those who seek it.

Regarding the opacity, and responses I made internally, it is my hope that this will resolve those questions, as it clearly states who has been running TAD, that I have not had access to the financial information required, and proves I took serious and necessary action. Thank you again for the patience as I worked through these matters and move on to providing answers to other topics as I am able.




JM

[Ian Barker]

Hmm. My main concern is what part CA (represented by Jason) had in all of this, and judging from those emails it does seem he made an effort. I have no real attachment to TAD, and I wouldn't hold a wrong-doing on their part against CA. Still, I think I'll wait a few days to see if TAD or any of the unpaid artists respond.

In the meantime I'll be preparing a sketch dump for if all turns out well!

[Candra H]

Personally, I think it's shameful that people's personal and/or business enmities/dealings have brought CA.org to this state. That Jason Manley has been forced to publically display email conversations to refute accusations of illegal activity on his and/or CA.org/TAD's part. That is business and should have been dealt with internally. It is none of my or anyone elses business other than the people specifically affected. And that certain of those affected people went public with accusations and claims of theft rather than dealing with it professionally? I find that incredibly shameful. It's something I've never nor ever would do to anyone, no matter how irritated I might be be them as a person, or by their treatment of me as an employee/client. It's just not on.

Because of all this, I don't feel comfortable here. I also don't feel comfortable on CGhub where I set up an account during CA's downtime. The petty smug attitudes of people here, and there, don't make it easy for me to trust them or feel safe posting or commenting on either site. And I feel even less comfortable about Crimson Daggers. If old wounds can fester so long that people will try to publically destroy each others' reputations, that makes me nervous. What if I or someone else says or does something they don't like? Will they attack me from behind a fake identity? Start a smear campaign against me on some forum?

No, I'm not comfortable on digital art forums at all. The behaviour I've seen over the last few weeks does not reflect well on the people who took part in this debacle. I don't trust them to be adult or professional about things. And thats a terrible shame because it's the forums that will suffer in the long run. All of them, not just CA. And I certainly wont comment on TAD's situation in this. That's another kettle of fish and again, none of my or anyone else's business that isn't directly affected.

Whether I stay on CA or go isn't a big deal to anyone but me. But I feel the need to voice my thoughts because I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way.

[Black Spot]

Candra H I personally would be sorry for your to leave CA.

Feelings have been festering for so many years culminating in the post over at DA, which triggered this thread. Jason’s posts were to try and put an end to it once and for. The accusation of non-payment of an artist is extremely damaging. And, of course it has spilled over into other forums. The baggage of the past been constantly dragged up doesn’t help either.

I deleted my earlier post as I didn’t think it helped, but I would like to reiterate that I don’t bear grudges, never have and probably never will. I know people are human and will spout off without much thought.

I’m staying, Jason is my friend, and that’s that.

[Stoat]

What the world needs is a WHOLE lot more people minding their own goddamned business.

Also, more art would be good.

And I'd like the emoticons back, please.

[bcarman]

I'm too old for this. Seen too much of this in my life and have hated it every time. Don't want to go to another cg site cuz I'm not a cg artist. I just want places to go to talk and joke about art.
I think I'll start a new site; seniorswhoonlyhaveenoughenergytomakeartandfucknowa ndthen.org. Or wait for things to pick up here again or not.

[Ian Barker]

What the world needs is a WHOLE lot more people minding their own goddamned business.

As someone who gave hundreds of dollars to CA.org with the impression that some of it was going to support the artists, I feel that this matter is indeed my business.

[Black Spot]

bcarmen, just stay away from the lounge for a bit. Art Discussion has some interesting threads atm. Let you into a secret - I'm not a cg artist either

[Stoat]

I gave CA.org a few bucks myself. I was buying videos. I got the videos. I liked them. Consumer experience: perfectly satisfactory.

The behind-the-scenes ins and outs who got paid how much for what? Totally not my business. Unless I'm somehow aiding and abetting an ongoing scam by my presence here (and I don't think anyone's alleging that), I don't care to see how the sausage is made.

[bish0p2004]

Well, it's good to see JM bringing to light some of the issues regarding this matter. Hopefully he is able to clear everything up once and for all and things can pick up back around here (if what he's saying is indeed true). I'm not the most active person here, as I have my own issues when it comes to the art world, but it was nice knowing that I could come here and see the art of the pros all in one place and even have a few those pros critique my work.

Admittedly, I was bit saddened by all of this when it first happened because this situation not only hurt those involved, but those of us who are seriously trying to learn as well.

Still, it's nice to see not everyone has left. As others have mentioned, the other art sites just aren't like Conceptart.org.