It bears mentioning that my services are usually business-to-business, providing support for visual effects on television shows. Thus, I work with producers who are well aware of the value of my work and the realities of commercial arts. Not that they won't try to cheat me, anyway, but that's Hollywood. Most of the time I actually work hourly at a visual effects company's facility rather than truly freelancing, but when I'm working as a true consultant rather than as a misclassified employee I bid as I described.

I've never actually charged the kill fee. Most clients who would have been trouble seem to cancel the job as soon as they realize that I expect to get paid for my work rather than waiting until they've already paid the deposit.