Kicked off project

I would love to hear your advice on this issue.

This guy approached me about making a documentary; I helped develop the story with him. We shot a few days, and I was paid for that shoot. He then told me he couldn't pay me anymore, so I suggested he purchase equipment for the documentary, and that would be my compensation.

We finally agreed on the terms both verbally and through e-mail, but we never signed anything. Over the next week, I tried to get a hold of him but I received no response. He finally calls me up and tells me about a TV station, he more or less says they are taking over the project.

I am not sure what to do here. I helped develop the project, I was the director, I shot a significant part of it, and I was counting on my compensation from this job to pay living expenses.

Do I have a case? What can I do? Can I get compensated for the time I have put into the project?

Thank You