I'm a tad angry right now. After working on a project for free for about 3 weeks, the people I've been working with have written up a contract as a programmer for a meager amount and have the ability to terminate me without cause.
The good news right now is I haven't signed it. The bad news (aside from not knowing what to do with my code if I don't accept) is I don't have anything to show for it on my resume. The real reason I even accepted to work with them was to add something to my resume to get hired for a bigger programming job in another game studio.
I'm not sure how to word a negotiation for a better contract, but the thing that vexes me is the contract as is describes me as a contractor, not an employee. I've never worked as a contractor before.
I'm not sure if I want an answer right now. I just wanted to share this with anyone that would listen and discuss what this scenario feels like to others.