Hi,

This strikes me as unusual, as on any kind of paid job the rushes would go to the producer or whoever the producer nominates as responsible for handling the rushes.

If I were you and concerned about this happening on a shoot, then a deferral memo with your DoP would mean he's making an agreement to do work for the production (ie. the producer). If you wish to, you can discuss the issue of rushes ownership with them verbally (they'll understand if you've had a problem like this in the past with othet Dops and just want to "clarify before we start.").

On a no-budget job, personally I'd consider it fair to allow the DOP to use anything he's shot on his reel, so giving him dubs wouldn't be an issue, but the masters stay with the producer (who can arrange dubs if needed).

I've never heard of a DoP holding onto rushes. Sounds wierd!

Cheers, Scott