Hey, what about filing a report with the police, tell them that your manager stole your camera which he did and it's likely either in his office at the theatre or at his house, etc. He basically fired you so he could take your camera (unless you were screwing off so much he got tired of your crap, ha-- but that is still not justification to steal your camera). Having the seriel number will help (the receipt where you bought it, etc.). You were just testing the new camera out on break because it was new or are you saying you planned to reproduce a movie? The cops will file the report. Give it to a detective. The detective will (maybe, depends on the town/city) check the story out-- has anyone you ever known gotten stolen property back (detectives have NEVER checked pawn store receipts here, even though pawn shops are req'd to keep them). You can contact a lawyer (should do that first actually) to get a stolen property search warrant against the manager (do they have to notify the company on the premises where the search is being done? or just walk in and serve the warrant on the manager?). Depends on how much the camera was worth and how much the attorney charges for getting a warrant and suing the manager as an individual (not the company-- don't get them after you unless you do want to get the movie industry after you-- they are itching lately) for his highjacking -- it's called extortion isn't it (when someone threatens they will cause you trouble unless you give them a payoff). I wouldn't talk to the manager, that would just give him more time to hide it, etc. and embellish crap. If you can actually get an attorney (call it a civil rights issue or something- or they might take it for publicity if crazy) and if she can actually get a warrant issued (hey the manager will most definitely get fired or even arrested for extortion-- no company wants any kind of liability, so they will think up any reason to fire him) then you might right your wrong (if any) and help someone else see the error of his ways. Ha. You were wrong if you record movies to sell/cyber load, but two wrongs don't make a right. I doubt you will be prosecuted, like the other poster said, especially if you weren't going to sell the movie. But if you are a movie stealer and have uploaded and they investigate you, youa re in trouble. But it will be most interesting if you follow through with it. Go Go. ha. Your lawyer (if you could get one) would probably go after the company though too, trying to get a settlement, call it something like employee abuse or hiring theifs. Companies have so much power now though. Did you sign an agreement when your were hired not to sue them, to like go through mediation? If so, that might affect suing them, but it shouldn't effect suing this manager as an individual, should it? I doubt the company would want to protect him stealing your camera. Did he film a movie with it? Have your lawyer inquire at the D.A.'s office if there are any pending video camera type cases or any underconsideration. Just fun ideas throwing out here. Wait, call it terroism, them the govt can search anyone w/o a warrant.
